The Canadian Charm of Melanie Dekker
by Dan Kimpel

Melanie Dekker comes to California from British Columbia, bringing with her
a sense of humor, a vibrant voice and an abundant repertoire of song. A
Dekker concert is not only fun, it can be full of surprises, too.

When Melanie Dekker poured a bottle of Heineken over her head, it was a
genuine moment of epiphany. Foam-drenched, glistening in the spotlight, she
was a moment of beauty itself. Self-assured and totally at one with the
audience, she brings to the stage a refreshing resilience, a sparkling
originality and a fine voice.

A solo performer, Dekker, from Vancouver, BC, reinvents the female
troubadour genre - one often unfairly characterized by angry Amazons, and
tuneless sorrowful sisters. She brings to the stage a delightfully
irreverent persona and an equally quirky lyricism. Occasionally her vocals
veer toward the Alanis/Ani zone, but Dekker's voice distinguishes itself in
textural richness, harmonic shadings and an endearing accuracy. She can
seemingly stretch and even stop time, using drop-dead dynamics to intriguing
effect.

Space 6507 is the newly-reopened room formerly known as Club Lingerie.
Dekker was supposed to open this evening, instead, as a result of some
booking gaffe, she performed after the headlining band. As a result of this
mix up, the crowd wasn't as large as it should have been, but it was
attentive to a fault and Dekker easily communicated to friends and strangers
across the almost blinding stage lights (Note to the club: somebody should
do something about those lights). When her microphone slid down in its
holder she quipped, "I made it go limp -- that's not good," but verbal
antics didn't detract from the music one iota; in fact, it was Dekker's
nimble sense of humor and quick witted repartee that turned a few awkward
moments into entertaining asides. Whether cajoling the audience or making
fun of herself, it was all in good humor.

Highlights of the set included "I Want" with talented vocalist Laura Doyle,
and the story song entitled "Five Minutes After the Call". And like any
seasoned professional, Dekker saved a gem for the end of the set -- her
disarmingly tender musings on the love of a mother for a child, entitled
"Speechless." Finally, at the insistence of the audience, she sang her
well-deserved encore acapella, crouched on the stage.

With her peerless stage control and inventive soulfulness, Melanie Dekker is
one of the most commanding solo performers to grace local stages in some
time. If you go see her perform, however, and plan to sit near the stage,
you just might want to bring your raincoat. Still, beer or no beer, Melanie
Dekker is an intoxicating delight.