Pick of the Week: Lindsey Brier

By Chris HomeriBerkshires Columnist
Print Story | Email Story
Waiting for the Sun

On his debut "Waiting For The Sun," pianist/singer Lindsey Brier brings a classic jazz sound to life. Brier's deep, but smooth voice is complimented by his delicate piano melodies. "Waiting For The Sun" also features a variety of talented backing musicians, which allows Brier to create some beautifully arranged songs.
 
Many of the tracks benefit from the addition of orchestral arrangements, like the opener "Suddenly It's Love." The song features classic jazz piano melodies from Brier and shows his influences by quoting a portion of the classic "That's Amore." Complementing Brier's powerful performance, guitarist Mitch Chmara lays down smooth, groovy guitar parts. The orchestral arrangements that run throughout the song build the perfect background for Brier.
 
If you dig the sound established on "Suddenly It's Love," the similarities on tracks like "Sentimental Girl" and "Angel Among Us" are sure to make Waiting For The Sun an album worth owning.
 
While the first few tracks on the album are slow ballads, Brier kicks the tempo up on "No Time Better." The song still makes great use of the orchestra, but it also has a greater presence of guitar and bass creating a heavier jazz sound that's just as pleasing. "No Time Better" has a great chorus that will bring you back to it over and over.
 
"Dreamland" is another of "Waiting For The Sun's" more up-tempo songs. Here, the percussion section of Brier's band shines with addictive rhythms. The track is one of the best arranged on the album, giving you the perfect balance of guitar and horns that any jazz fan can enjoy.

 
"Waiting For The Sun" continues to impress to the very end, specifically on the piano-friendly "Cold In June" and the laid-back closer "Waiting For The Sun."
 

Brier establishes himself as a talented song writer on his debut. Jazz fans will find plenty to be happy about on the album.

Chris Homer is assistant senior editor at www.muzikreviews.com, which provides weekly reviews for iBerkshires.

 
Tracks
01. Suddenly It's Love 07. Dreamland
02. Sentimental Girl 08. Closer To The Sun
03. Angel Among Us 09. Life Came Pouring In
04. Without You 10. Easy Love
05. No Time Better 11. Cold In June
06. Missing You 12. Waiting For The Sun
 Genre: Jazz Label: Golden Thread Music Web site Source page

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.

Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.

The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.

Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is  appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.

Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.

Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.

Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.

The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.

The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.

Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.

Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years. 

He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.

Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.

Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve  a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.

Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.

View Full Story

More Stories