Sharonmarie
Fisher B.B. king’s Universal City
Contact: Sharonmarie Fisher, 805-523-9313
The Players: Sharonmarie Fisher, vocals, keyboard; Dave Loe, guitar; Phillip John Maldonado, guitar, vocals; Michael Murphy, keyboards; Cohn Cameron, bass; Steve Hunter, drums; Jimmy Powers, harmonica; Michael Blade, saxophone; Garrett Adkins, trombone and vocals; Anne King, trumpet. Choir members: Toni Dodd Davis, Dani-O Eslin, Gay Goodman, Rose McKesson, Karla Martin, Thelma Miranda, Kathy Tally, Pat Silzer, Demita Usher, Maria Werth.
Material: Sharonmarie Fisher’s sound is somewhere between gritty blues and big band country swing. It’s the kind ot music that draws just about everyone to the dance floor. Fisher’s set is filled with hopeful, inspirational songs like, “Take Me to the Mountain,” a from-the-bottom-of-your-stomach gospel ballad complete with nine choir singers. Although the original tunes fall into the overtly sweet category, the band makes up for that with exceptional covers.
Musicianship: Fisher’s voice is rich, vibrato-heavy and very Bonnie Raitt-like. She’s also a capable keyboardist, but it’s her voice that’s ultimately captivating. Backed by a huge cast, including a horn section, a Hammond B3, and a choir, Fisher’s show feels like a full production, reminiscent of the old days of big band music. Adkins is not only master of the trombone, but he also shows off a ton of charisma as well as a powerful voice, Loe’s rhythm guitar work is suave and stylish, establishing an impressive sound that blends in nicely with the material.
Performance: With a prayer huddle to begin their set and a choir-backed rendition of “Amazing Grace” to end it, this band certainly seems to be close to God. However, even the good karma didn’t save Fisher’s band from the serious technical problems that plag-ued the first half of their two-hour set. Being true professionals, though, the band used their down time to entertain the audience with jokes and other amusing banter, compliments of Fisher and Loe.
Summary: Fishers music is as inspirational as her players are endearing. An evening with Sharonmarie Fisher, even with technical problems, is guaranteed to be an entertaining production and an evening well spent. —Loraine Tedder
Sharonmarie Fisher
Email: lafish45@aol.com
Worships: Simi Valley Second Missionary Baptist Church
Simi Valley, California
Recipient of 5 Gospel Awards From "The Golden State Country Music
Organization” year 2000.
‘GOSPEL DIVISION”
- Female Vocalist of the Year!
- Female Entertainer of the Year!
- Songwriter of the Year! - "The Ways of The Man”
- Song of the Year! - “The Sweet Sweet Spirit”
- Keyboard Player of the Year!
SHARONMARIE FISHER GIVES ALL THE GLORY TO GOD
Reprinted from Music Connection, August 28, 2000
Last Updated:3/22/01