The Big Sound

Friday evening, I went down to the Roy Thompson Hall patio for a musical collaboration. As part of their summer music series which highlighted local musicians, they had also formed the "Massey Hall Band" composed of 18 players: trombones, saxes, trumpets as well as percussion, bass, and so on. Tonight, they were showcasing 10 songs from Bry Webb, each arranged by a different band member. Webb himself was also there to provide vocals and guitar.

Any thought of Kenny G smooth jazz or even Motown funk disappeared with songs like Asa and Big Smoke from Webb's recent solo efforts. It was modern arrangements that augmented the pop roots of these tunes. Highlights included the shimmering harmonic swell of Rivers of Gold and the cinematic Low Life. But as Webb comically noted before Ex-punks, his 15-year-old skateboarding self would have sneered at him.

But how did they do on heavier songs including those from his old band The Constantines? Actually even better. The arrangements captured the distortion and feedback of a rock back with Colin Stetson-esque solos, controlled cacophany, and propulsive bass and drums. Webb looked thrilled to be able to let loose with raging vocals despite standing in front of horns instead of cranked up amps. Young Lions was great and The Constantines' unofficial anthem Shine A Light was a KO punch. Well, perhaps under other circumstances. Because amazingly, Love In Fear, a song that Webb hasn't performed in 10 years, was even more jaw-droppingly powerful. I honestly thought they out-rock The Constantines when I saw the latter at Massey Hall last year.

Bry Webb released a vinyl of his own solo performance at Massey Hall. With the concert being professionally recorded tonight, I wouldn't be surprised if there was another release. This was an unexpected but astonishing collaboration.