The Rolling Stones’ Lisa Fischer Coming to Park Theatre
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
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Lisa FIscher Plays Cranston's Park Theatre April 4.
You may not recognize her name, but you've definitely heard her sing. Lisa Fischer, who is coming to Rhode Island on April 4th, knows a lot about being a star.
Fischer is a Grammy winning solo artist and a widely admired backup singer who appeared in the 2014 Academy Award winning documentary, “20 Feet From Stardom.” She’s coming to town next week, playing the Park Theatre in Cranston.
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In 1989, she won a Grammy award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in a rare tie with the legendary Patti LaBelle. Her song “How Can I Ease the Pain,” soared to #1 that year, and later appeared on her album So Intense, released in 1991.
Fischer knows a lot more about musical stardom. Since the mid-1980’s, she’s toured as a back-up singer with artists as diverse as Tina Turner, Sting and the Rolling Stones. This Spring, Fischer is touring with her band Grand Baton, comprised of a group of accomplished jazz musicians - JC Maillard on guitar, Thierry Arpino on drums, and Aidan Carroll on bass.
Solo and Back-Up
In an interview with GoLocal, Fischer made it clear that she’s not ready to classify her music into a specific category or genre. Her solo material showcases her vocal range reflecting Jazz, R&B, and Pop influences.
“We tend to get lost in rhythms and melodies and stories and moments within the music which allows us the freedom to just share. I wouldn't know what to call this genre but we leave it to the listeners to do so if they wish and welcome it with open arms.”
Her most heralded moment has been her work on tour with the Rolling Stones, in particular her duet with Mick Jagger on the classic “Gimme Shelter.” She’s toured with the band since the late 1980’s – and recalls many unforgettable shows.
“Some of my most memorable performances were with the Rolling Stones on Copacabana Beach, with Luther Vandross on any given night, and with Tina Turner in London.”
Along with Vandross, who she sang for early in her career, she’s played live with Sting, Aretha Franklin and Nine Inch Nails. In concert, she's really more of a guest vocalist than a traditional back-up singer, and she's featured on solos throughout the shows in which she appears.
Accomplished Artist
Fischer seems to delight in both roles – as a backup singer and as leader of her own band.
“As a background singer, I have a set list of things that are required to make the artist happy and comfortable and free, and I adore that process. With this group, I get to freely paint what it is I wish to convey through the melodies and the stories of the songs we choose.”
“I liken it to the vision of a flower and it's stem. As a background singer I feel like the stem that supports the flower, though the flower in its totality feels the rays of the sun, it's the petals that blossom for us all.”
In reference to her own band, she notes “the experience with these musicians is that we are all the petals, stems and leaves all at the same time and this makes me feel grounded in a way I haven't experienced before.”
Playing Newport Jazz
Fischer and Grand Baton will be returning to the area this summer for the Newport Jazz Festival, where she performed in 2010 with popular Jazz trumpeter Chris Botti.
“We are so excited about the festival. It's so wonderful to be around so much wonderful music especially in such an amazing setting.”
Meanwhile, plan to check her out next Saturday at a more intimate venue, the historic Park Theatre in Cranston. Tickets start at $35 for the 8PM show. Tickets and further details available here.
Ken Abrams reviews Root, Rock and Blues for GoLocalProv. E-Mail him here.
Related Slideshow: Top 5 Spring Concerts
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