‘With extraordinary vocals, Fischer’s calm presence often gave way to raw abandon.’

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Lisa Fischer certainly has an interesting trajectory. For most of her career, she has toured and worked in the studio with industry heavyweights including mentor Luther Vandross, Sting, Tina Turner, Chaka Khan, and the Rolling Stones. Despite winning a Grammy Award in 1992 for her R&B hit ‘How Can I Ease The Pain’, a second solo album did not materialise. Talking to The Guardian, Fischer explained not feeling ready and confident enough to pursue a solo career. The Grammy Award-winning documentary 20 Feet From Stardom (2013) – celebrating prolific industry backing vocalists – thrust Fischer back into the spotlight. Since 2014 she has been touring all over the world with jazz fusion band Grand Baton.

Last night she performed a sold-out concert at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, London.

She walked to the stage, blushing with a heady combination of nerves and appreciation for the full turnout. Whereas most artists tend to go straight into song upon reaching the stage, Fischer quietly introduced each member of Grand Baton: Jean-Christophe Maillard (musical director, arranger, guitar, ‘SazBass’, and backing vocals), Aidan Carroll (bass and backing vocals), and Thierry Arpino (drums and percussion).

Anyone familiar with Fischer’s work will know that she sings with immense vocal dexterity. She brushes lightly, harnesses low and rich tones, and soars into spectacular and resonant highs. She can navigate a vocal line with jazz sensibility, and even operatic inflection. Particularly, it was the brassy, Chaka Khan-esque wailing which elicited yelps of joy from the audience.

For a seventy-five minute set, the set only included eight songs (with a couple of mid-song transitions). Each song was often broken with lengthy interludes and elongated codas. A cover heavy set-list, she featured music from the artists she has supported.

With extraordinary vocals, Fischer’s calm presence often gave way to raw abandon. She begun with a teasing rendition of The Police’s ‘Message in a Bottle’, beginning in a semi-acoustic vein before dialling up the band to a rocking climax. Similarly, she slowed down and muddied the pace of Robert Palmer’s ‘Addicted to Love’, which she first performed with Tina Turner, before gradually building to electrifying heights. This semi-acoustic, folky, psychedelic, soulful, and hard rock aesthetic characterised her rearrangements, leaving a brilliant cover of Led Zeppelin’s ‘Rock and Roll’ almost unrecognisable. At the other end of the spectrum was the deeply meditative and subdued ‘Breath in Heaven’, Fischer’s tribute to saxophonist Grover Washington Jr.

There were certainly moments when the set strayed into self-indulgence. The brief snippet of ‘Superstar’ – popularised by The Carpenters and recorded by Vandross – was lost in superfluous trills and inflections. Sometimes singing straight and natural is all that is necessary, especially on such a gorgeous melody.

But generally, Fischer’s interpretative skills were spot-on. After an aching rendition of ‘How Can I Ease The Pain’, she honoured her days with The Rolling Stones with a country-rock-flecked take on ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ and a mournful delivery of anti-war anthem ‘Gimme Shelter’.

(Image: a still from 20 Feet from Stardom, downloaded from Lisa Fischer’s website under ‘Promotional Photos’)