Bell Tolls Variations
Odd Sound, 2021
8/10
Listen to Bells Tolls Variations
Philippe Côté released Bell Tolls Variations and Fleur Revisited at the same time, and both welcome Marc Copland’s piano skills and the Quatuor Saguenay string quartet to the dynamic and rich efforts. Bell Tolls Variations in particular spotlights the violins, viola and cello, as chamber, jazz, orchestral and classical ideas are represented with much attention to detail.
The album starts with the mesmerizing atmosphere of “The Phase”, where stirring strings unfold with a precise tension, and “Oracle” follows with the strings again taking focus as they are bowed and plucked to yield the most amount of intrigue and emotion.
“Lethe’s Song”, in the middle, recruits Copland’s sublime piano work as soaring strings meet at a creative intersection with much awe, while “Alchemy I” puts Côté’s bass clarinet front and center for the very agile and poetic delivery that weaves in and out of warm textures.
“Elysian” resides near the end and emits a dreamy quality where graceful keys glide amid a hypnotic backdrop, and “The Bond” finishes the listen with Côté’s radiant sax alongside charming keys in the cozy, memorable exit.
Inspired by Copland’s 2009 effort with the trio Night Whispers, Côté and company are certainly indebted to jazz sensibilities, but their diversity and vast vision is certainly appreciated across these adventurous 9 tracks.
Travels well with: Philippe Côté with Marc Copland- Fleur Revisited; Montréal Jazz Trio- Montréal Jazz Trio