Orchestral performance lifts Bell to new heights

By D.S. Martin and ChristianWeek | March 1, 2008

In November I had the good fortune to experience a unique concert: Steve Bell performing with the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. The mood was quite different from the more intimate performances Steve usually gives, because every song seemed to rise to a gigantic stature. The concert was in support of Bell's new CD, Symphony Sessions, recorded with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.

Orchestras have had an uneasy relationship with more contemporary forms of music-trying to broaden their appeal through "pops" concerts, or through backing hit-making musicians. Think back to such recordings as The Moody Blues' Days Of Future Passed (1967) which delivered the hit "Nights In White Satin," or Procol Harum's hit "Conquistador" (1972) with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.

Although unknown on this side of the Atlantic, my favourite example within Christian music is Adrian Snell's musical, The Passion (1980) recorded with The Royal Philharmonic in London.

A better comparison to this CD, even though this isn't a live recording, would be Elton John's album with the Melbourne Symphony. There are previous recordings of the songs on this album that can be juxtaposed with the orchestrated versions; on Live in Australia (1987), John took some hits and lesser-known songs and re-imagined them, using the power of the orchestra-very different than that of a rock band.

You'll find something similar on Symphony Sessions, although Bell has a much lighter touch than the rockers mentioned. Mike Janzen, who is responsible for the sonorous orchestration, has broadened these tunes to make them seem as if they were originally conceived in this mode.

The first track on the CD creeps in cautiously with tentative strings and woodwinds before the melody of "Burning Ember" firmly establishes itself. Bell's melodic vocals are complimented well by the rise and fall of the Winnipeg Symphony string section.

"Judge for yourself if a fire isn't safe / When cities fall before her face / Yet a flower can endure the course of a storm / By bowing to the tempest's rage / Oh Love, more fierce than all the rest..."
Only briefly on this song does the whole orchestra rise to its full height.

The next piece, "Deep Calls To Deep," emerges from an introduction of tinkling piano, and playful bowing and percussion. It feels like movie music that could accompany a scene of camels crossing the desert.

Of the two instrumentals on this CD, "Moon Over Birkenau" makes the transition better, with its smooth brooding lines, than does the lighter piece, "Waiting For Aidan." The dance between Janzen's piano and the Winnipeg string section, as the moon floats over the concentration camp, sings of beauty even in the presence of such unspeakable sadness.

One highlight for me, of both the concert and the CD is Bruce Cockburn's "Lord Of The Starfields." Both Cockburn and Bell have previously recorded it with only a few musicians accompanying. I remember thinking, when hearing it live, that Cockburn would have appreciated the chance to hear this powerful rendition.

My one complaint with Symphony Sessions is that Steve Bell re-records several of the songs that became so familiar through his 1999 compilation, Beyond A Shadow, and from his excellent live album, Each Rare Moment, recorded that same year. Overlap the three CDs and you'll find four songs that can be heard in triplicate. Similarly, his recent thematic compilation, Solace for Seasons of Suffering (2005), includes four pieces that appear here as well.

Of course, for anyone who doesn't own these recordings Symphony Sessions is a good introduction to Bell's music.
I applaud him for stepping out of routine and daring to expand his range and musical persona.