The Colby Echo

Issue date: 9/23/08 Section: Arts & Entertainment

Media Credit: cdbaby.com

This summer, Christopher Bell went on tour across New York State; however, unlike many touring artists, Bell didn't tour with a plane, or a bus, or a van. He used a canoe. Mr. Bell, by way of the Erie Canal, canoed from Buffalo to New York City playing gigs to promote his album, I'll Be Home. Although he wasn't able to have a full band, or even a full sized guitar with him (he used a baritone ukulele), Bell made a statement on his tour, and it wasn't just that he's good at canoeing.

Bell's act is simple-he has a mellow voice, strums a guitar (or a banjo) and occasionally takes a break to play his harmonica. Yet hidden in this unassuming artist is a very talented individual who has experience playing a variety of instruments including cello, viola and drums. He was able to piece together his strengths onto a very well thought out album that was released last year on the Silent Home label.

I'll Be Home skirts the line between folk and alternative, but listeners of both genres would most likely find the album enjoyable. For example, the use of a slide guitar in many of his tracks does give the album a "folkier" feel, but certain tracks are more upbeat and more along the lines of what would be considered "alternative."

Regardless of what class the album may fall into, each track has its own personality. For example, "Song 11" (which is actually track four) finds a distraught Bell practically weeping lines like "cheat on each other, don't even bother, just lie to yourselves." Conversely, on the upbeat title track, Bell, with merriment exclaims that "I'll come, now I'll come home." A first time listener may find some tracks to be quite similar, and while appreciating some of the finer details in his songs certainly requires closer listening, the album flows very well together, keeping a warm tone and a sense of closeness to the artist from first track to last.

The album is definitely worth a listen through, but there are some tracks that do stand out from the rest. The second track of the album, "Colleen" is exceptionally fun. Beginning with a lightly picked banjo and guitar part, the strings are soon joined by a light snare and Bell's earthly vocals (accompanied by Emily Rose). After a soft and well thought out first verse, the chorus is introduced with flair. The snare rolls, Bell cries out and a chord is strummed slowly, defining each note on the undistorted electric guitar, setting a tone for Bell to plead with both the "Colleen" of the track as well as with the listener. This song, which has some of the best lyrics on the album, concludes with Bell singing softly, "If you want me to/I'll come to your room and sing; If it were for you I wouldn't mind anything."

Overall, Bell has put together a very solid first CD. Each track may not be a hit single that you'll find playing on your car radio, but he has crafted a very honest album that sets an especially good foundation for an upcoming artist. I encourage you to check Bell out on Myspace (myspace.com/thechrisbell), or to visit his label's web site (silenthomerecords.com) to pick up his CD. Bell will also be traveling up to Lewiston on October 4 to play at Guthrie's with guest Emily Rose. At the moment, he may just be a small act out of Jamestown, NY but I would not be at all surprised to find Christopher Bell's music on the shelves of Bull Moose in the very near future.

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