Live Review
Rebekka Fisher
Tree Frog Music Festival
Sept. 2004
by M. Sjulstad
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"Keeping the Blues Alive Award"
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by The Blues Foundation
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Rebekka Fisher first started writing and performing music at 9 years old, now nearing 40, she is most definitely an accomplished artist. Her music is funky, melodic and has overtones of jazz and blues. Her synthesized and melodic keyboards show her mastery of the midi controller and compliments her voice beautifully. Her lyrics are a delicate blend of reflective life stories and portraits of images set to music. She has great stage presence and most certainly aims to please her fans and crowds.
A few weeks ago in Faribault, MN., Rebekka played at the annual Tree Frog Music Festival (www.treefrogmusic.org) to a crowd of several hundred on a very warm and sunny Sunday afternoon. As promised, the event and her show were both outstanding for all – young and old alike were captured by her funky riffs, and jazzy based originals. Tree Frog is noted for it’s unique variety of musicians, and consistency of attracting top-notch local and regional talents. Rebekka opened her show with a song called "Different Girl" a bluesy-based chord progression that showed her band’s ability of playing tight, and Rebekka’s unique vocal styling.
Rebekka’s next song was her own, "What’s Going On" off her Inner Spaces CD released in 2001. What really stands out on this song are the tempo changes and complex rhythms backing her words of a struggling relationship. Next up was a cute, satire she aptly named "Sister Vodka", claiming all you really need in life is your sister and a shot of vodka! Speaking of "doing shots" Rebekka followed this song with a great version of Janis Joplin’s "Piece Of My Heart". Not trying to imitate the great Janis, this version was funky with an underlying calypso sound… yeah, something for everyone!
A few more originals, a song by Carol King, who Rebekka sites as a major influence in her life, and we were treated to a very funky R&B version of Sly and The Family Stones "Thank You". Rebekka mentioned to me after the show that she was strongly influenced by such notables as, Gladys Knight, Parliament Funkadelics, Prince, and Beck. The latter of these are most evident in her live performance styles, while her Carol King influence is apparent in her lyrics and more folksy side. Rebekka has been nominated as keyboardist of the year by the Minnesota Music Academy and enjoys airplay on several twin cities radio stations. While speaking with her, she also told me she works as a music teacher and she is an advocate and founding member of a non-profit organization called "Women Reign". Basically a group of women musicians that raise money for the Family Violence Network to assist women with a means of getting out of violent and abusive relationships.
You can see Rebekka at some of the finest Minneapolis venues as well as festivals and events. Her annual "Women Reign" benefit is also featured and attracts hundreds of fans and several area bands. Her webpage includes a lot of information about her, the band, and her schedule, check it out at: www.rebekkafisher.com
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