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Cloaked in the Fabric of Verse: A Spiritual TroubadourNov 15 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
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The Bottom Line If you want to experience an amazing night of music that will have you fondly reminiscing your experience, see Bebo in concert. Tell him I sent ya.
Where Melody Meets Poetry I know what you're thinking: weird name. Bebo picked up his nickname as a kid, when his younger brother found it too challenging to say "big brother." It works. Bebo's music is a fabulous marriage of poetry and melody, a folk base with seasonings of pop and an occasional rock garnish. It is often quiet and contemplative, which suits his soft, raspy voice -- gently nurturing along thoughtful lyrics. But, at times it also rollicks and bounces with up-tempo, toe-tapping, head-bobbing catchiness -- the kind that leaves you humming the infectious melodies long after the music ends. His contrapuntal guitar picking and syncopated percussive rhythms blend with musical themes and riffs, acting as a perfect partner to lyrics that skillfully employ poetic devices. How often do musicianship and vocal beauty infuse such a talented songwriter? Not very often. That's what makes Bebo such an amazing find. I attended a Bebo concert at Colonial Hills Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas. This particular concert included a pair of top-notch opening acts: Shaun Groves and Katy Hudson. (And it was especially nice for Shaun, who graduated from high school in Tyler and had many friends and relatives in the audience.) I discovered on Bebo's website (you guessed it: http://www.bebonorman.com) a great program called Street Reps, and I promptly signed up for a Street Rep slot at the Tyler concert. As a Street Rep, I received a care package of flyers and posters to distribute, and I was encouraged to talk up the excitement of the coming concert. That was no problem -- I was doing that anyway. But, I also got a backstage pass. Where Sumo Meets Bebo (Take 1) I took my brother-in-law (blade839) and his friend (both teenagers), and we arrived very early. My backstage pass would theoretically allow a powwow with Bebo prior to the concert. When we arrived, Bebo and his band were in the midst of the sound check, jamming away on "Cover Me," a single from his newest album, Big Blue Sky. I have all three of Bebo's solo CDs. The first one was a small-run, independent label. But, his last two have enjoyed international distribution and deserved praise. And it was a tremendously good feeling to stand and listen to the driving tune that I'd heard untold times in my office, car, or home. The sound check ran a little long. And the band disappeared from the stage, leaving Bebo to strum an acoustic guitar by himself while he tested the monitors, the mix, and the few lighting effects. By this time, my compatriots and I had been commandeered into service, acting as ushers, helping to set up the ticket table, and guarding the balcony until it was time for the balcony to open. I realized my pre-show chat with the Bebo was not coming to pass. And soon, the concert started. His and Hers Matching Collings Katy Hudson took the stage (littered with blue-lit curtains and tall candles), her acoustic guitar in hand. Though Katy is a teenager, she had great poise while offering a bubbly monologue and launching into a few songs. Her strumming and picking were polished, and her soaring voice had a lilting whisper reminiscent of Sarah McLachlan. It never seemed that she truly cut loose and unleashed the power of her voice. But, her self-penned songs were catchy and enjoyable. And my teenage cohorts were smitten. Shaun Groves performed next. He, too, played several songs while accompanying himself with acoustic guitar. Shaun dressed like one of those guys you might see hanging out at the college art department really late in the evening. And he had very personable banter and interaction with the audience. His between-song comments were witty, direct, and fraught with thought-provoking perspectives on worship. Shaun concluded his set behind the keyboard, playing "Welcome Home" -- a stirring and memorable song of spiritual surrender that sat atop of the charts for many weeks last summer. The audience soaked up the praise and music delivered by the opening acts. Certainly, the expectancy of momentum could only take the night to another level of concert-going experience. The Musical Main Course Bebo and his band launched into an enriching set that included many up-tempo anthems and an adequate helping of ballads and slower fare. He is a man of much talent. And hearing the heart-warming tales that form the backstories and origins for some of the tunes enhanced their already powerful effect. Bebo wrote "A Page is Turned" for his brother's wedding. "All That I Have Sown" was a song for his nonagenarian grandfather about dealing with the loss of his wife and finding love and purpose in the welcoming bosom of a loving and expanding family. Songs performed from Big Blue Sky included "I Am," "Cover Me," "Underneath," "Tip of My Heart," and the title track. Favorites the band played from Ten Thousand Days included "Walk Down This Mountain," the poetic masterpiece "The Hammer Holds," the infinitely danceable "I'm Alright," the introspective "Deeper Still," and "Stand." During some tunes, Bebo's band filled the aural spectrum with lush and full sound. But, that was contrasted by the more subtle, acoustic-based numbers that harkened back to Bebo's earlier performing days (when he had a microphone, a guitar, and an audience). At the Tyler concert, the mixing never adjusted to accommodate the disparity of the quieter moments and the bombast of the whole band. Consequently, Bebo's vocals were sometimes overpowered by instruments when the band joined in. However, he maintained a very intimate repartee with the audience, telling tales like he hadn't been telling them at every other concert on the tour. He was endearing and earnest with both his speech and his message. I'm floored by the way Bebo maintains a willingness to tell it like it is. His honesty, integrity, and genuine rapport with his audience do him justice. He's not afraid to address the occasional difficulties Christians face in their daily journeys. Our individual walks are not always a sustained level of spiritual enthusiasm. Some days we don't connect with our Heavenly Father, though He is always there wanting that connection. Some times it's a struggle. Hey, being a Christian is difficult. It takes much work on our parts. Doing the right thing takes courage and effort. Being bad is easy, it's so attractive. Bebo weaves his spiritual life into the undergirding of his musical skein -- allowing struggles and answers to be displayed by common experiences and situations. Compassion & Encore Games Bebo has long been a fan of Compassion International, an organization that helps connect people to needy children of the world through monetary support, invested love and care. You must be thinking Sally Strothers. And you're headed in the right direction. Though Sally takes more than her share of ridicule for her pleas for help via commercials, who can honestly say the cause is misguided? Bebo spoke about his involvement and encouraged others to check out the information available at tables in the foyer. He also explained his distaste for the game of encores. Why should he have a set list that includes three songs before which he'd leave the stage and let the audience -- no doubt whipped to a frenzy by the need for more music -- clap and chant for more, at which time he'd return and play the three songs he planned to play all along. (It is kinda goofy.) So, the band left the stage and he perched on a stool with his guitar to play a few final tunes. This "encore" included the only non-Bebo song, a cover of folk icon John Gorka's "Branching Out." Where Sumo Meets Bebo (Take 2) Backstage after the show, I watched Bebo in action chatting it up with some of the other "fans" and showing his tremendous and genuine appreciation that they cared about his music (and him). I was thinking how Bebo had just given us 110 percent on stage and it seemed logical that he might not want to hobnob with strangers at that particular moment (when he was so clearly drained). But, there was not one hint of aloofness. He genuinely engaged each person. He thought he'd met me before. But, that's just because I look like every other portly guy with facial hair, a buzzcut, and glasses. We talked about the terrorist attack on the U.S. and how (his) "Healing Song" might be an appropriate number to perform when he talks to audiences about our national recovery. Though, at the time, I didn't know the song was born from a very personal situation with his brother. He signed a couple of posters for me, and the back of my Street Rep badge. And I promised I'd see him again when he performed in Texas. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bebo Norman http://www.bebonorman.com Shaun Groves http://www.shaungroves.com Katy Hudson http://www.katyhudson.com John Gorka http://www.johngorka.com G. Paul Ray http://www.gpaulray.com Compassion International http://www.compassion.com  |
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