Reviewed By: Boz Donovan
Rebecca Pronsky at Tribeca Performing Arts Center in New York, NY
Two great things happened in New York on Friday: After a long drawn out winter, spring arrived with temperatures in the 70s. Flowers started blooming, people started walking around in t-shirts and shorts, and there was a feeling of excitement in the air.
To top it all off, the evening was highlighted by the long-awaited release performance for Rebacca Pronsky’s new CD, “Viewfinder.” The Tribeca spotlight was on Brooklyn’s favorite singer-songwriter who was making a rare New York appearance before going on tour through New England and the United Kingdom.
Time Out NY calls her tunes “literate, passionate & wry,” while the Ithica Times calls her song writing “brutal, cutting lyricism.” She is often compared to Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant, & Lucinda Williams. You can certainly find elements of each of them in her style, but like a fine cut diamond, there are a multitude
of facets that makes the jewel shine bright.
She blends folk, country, and rock with a touch of jazz to define her own distinctive “indie-twang.” It is a mature sound that is complimented by her wide vocal range and no-nonsense performance.
Personally, I think of her song writing as comparable to Leonard Cohen. There is a subtle brilliance in her expressions that invite inner reflection. It is a rare talent that deserves thoughtful recognition.
With her blonde pigtails and vintage attire she looks too young and innocent to have written songs with so much depth and maturity. Her lyrics reflect a determined exuberance that endures more than her share of pain and sorrow while remaining optimistic of the future. She makes beauty out of the hurting disillusions that weave in and out of her lyrics.
She opened the show with a driving tune called “Million Days.” Her soaring vocals fill the auditorium as the audience stirs with excitement. It is a familiar tune to her fans and a great introduction to people discovering her for the first time.
“There’s a fire burning on the mountain side I can see it in the distance as we’re circling by And I only notice ‘cause I’m looking for signs of destruction.”
That’s followed by a haunting number appropriately titled “Day of the Dead.” It is an eerie and frightening tune that is followed up by another story telling song called, “Aberdeen.”
“Aberdeen,” is a tale of traveling to the legendary Scottish town of the same name. It is about “waking up from a stranger’s dream” burdened with guilt and hoping to “be made clean” in Aberdeen. It earned Rebecca a special invitation to perform in Scotland on her upcoming tour.
As if to prove her wide ranging diversity, Rebecca follows with a song of dark emotion appropriately called “Shame.” Her powerful voice fills the room as she bellows out the raw chorus of condemnation.
That’s followed by another favorite, “Border Town.” The up tempo melody reinvigorates the audience and fills the air with delight. It is a fresh and lively composition that I am particularly fond of because it was the first tune
I ever heard her play and I have been a fan ever since.
Her band is headed by lead guitarist extraordinaire, Rich Bennett. His eclectic playing style moves from smooth jazz to folk to rock and country twang adding richness to the band’s unique sound. The rhythm section is provided by Dan Shulman on upright bass and Russ Meissner on drums. The four of them fill the stage with rich companionship to Rebecca’s soaring vocals.
The evening was highlighted with a special guest appearance by another of my favorite artists, Lucy Wainwirght Roche. Lucy accompanied Rebecca on a number of songs throughout the evening including a cover of “Mercury News,” a song that was written by Lucy and appears on her latest CD simply titled “Lucy.”
“Give Up Too Easily” is a sad ballot of indecision and the world passing by. Bennett’s guitar work is outstanding and Lucy’s added vocals on the chorus makes a graceful ending to the first half of the show.
As Rebecca and her band continue to perform their new selections I can’t help thinking how diverse all the songs are and yet they blend together so nicely. “The Wheel” is a wistful number of inner reflection inviting the listener to “come to ride the wheel with me.”
“Hard Times” has been selected as NPR’s Song of the Day scheduled for play in correlation with the IRS’s tax deadline. The song is reminiscent of Woody Guthrie’s writings from the depression era; financial decay and relationships in turmoil. This is song writing at its best. It is a rousing number that charges the room with excitement and keeps them wanting more.
The set concludes with a song of gratitude called “Good Life.” It is Rebecca’s way of thanking all her fans and supporters. “I’ve been given a good life / I was born at the right time.” It is a nice and positive way to end a flawless presentation.
With pleasurable expectation, the band was called back for an encore. “Road to Nowhere at All,” as wonderful as it is, seems to be antithetical to a talented young artist who is on the Road to Success.
All-in-all it was a tour de force performance. If you see her coming to a town near you, you definitely want to catch her show.
To hear more of Rebecca’s music go to www.rebeccapronsky.com