Madeline Bell at Cadogan Hall: the soul, the voice, the joy (London, 18.02.2023)

I always like discovering new cultural venues or new artists that I have never heard of before. Lovely Cadogan Hall, the home of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, was my last Saturday's venue discovery. As for Madeline Bell, the American soul singer, known mostly in the 60's and 70's in the UK and US, that incredible lady in her eighties (!), well - I discovered her last August.

Last summer, Madeline Bell was celebrating her 80th anniversary. For such an occasion, a concert was organised in Chickenshed theatre, in North London. I didn't know anything about her, but I trusted my friend, who invited me to that concert, that it would worth the while. It became obvious that it was much more than that, as (citing my friend): "Madeline never disappoints". Indeed, it's not every day that one witnesses such a high level of quality, energy and commitment. I don't want to stress out Madeline's age, but merely to point out my admiration for her utter professionalism and generosity. Singing in full voice, remembering (almost) all the lyrics (and even if she didn't, she knew how to make it part of the song ) and many important events and people in her life. By the end of that concert, I learnt something about her and was hoping that I could attend to her live concert again.

Such a chance came last Saturday, when another concert to celebrate her 80th birthday was organised (by Mathew Jones) in Cadogan Hall. Meanwhile in Chickenshed theatre, it was only Madeline Bell and her excellent pianist Ian Shaw on the scene, in Cadogan Hall, she was accompanied by the English Chamber Orchestra and Matthew Jones' choir. Matthew, in fact, organised everything (and Madeline really pointed it out with big "Thank you"). He made all the musical arrangements for the orchestra and choir, he organised other musicians, her pianist (and performer) Ian Shaw and two vocal singers, shortly - the whole event and what a truly talented person he is.

The concert was hosted by Paul Gambaccini, the radio presenter, who "walked" together with Madeline through some of the most important moments or memories in her musical life and in the history of British music of the 60's and 70's. Madeline, alongside her solo or group singing, was also, for a long-time, a vocal background singer to many celebrity singers. Although not getting any recognition for this "service" to pop music, she sang for all the greats: Elton John, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Rod Steward, Freddie Mercury.... and many more. So, you can imagine that her memories and countless stories are pure treasure.

At Saturday's concert, Madeline sang mostly the songs from the 60's and many of them she hadn't sung ever since, so it was even more surprising to see her undertake this challenge (remembering the lyrics, getting the music and the interpretation right). But, I already mentioned earlier, that she was a real professional and no matter what song she was singing, she delivered.

There were many people in that audience, musicians or broadcasters, who were well-known or meant something in the music industry at that time. On last Saturday's evening, they all paid tribute to this marvelous singer, generous musician and down-to-earth person, Madeline Bell, and they were all applauding with a standing ovation at the end.

After the concert, there was a reception and birthday cake for lovely Madeline.