Songs to Hold On To

Bessel is essentially a sharp-witted cabaret artist - what his biography lacks, his music delivers in abundance: a broad emotional range, clever lyrics, and harmonic and structural sophistication. Ideas are lavishly woven in; he moves freely between pop accompaniment, swing, and Latin, and his colourful piano playing carries the songs. Some passages recall art songs from Romantic song cycles more than the typical singer-songwriter arrangement.

What's fascinating is how Bessel pulls all this off without sheet music or notes: contrasting sections shift rapidly, modulations arrive boldly and unexpectedly, and his voice must land just as quickly and securely in the new key - all while delivering plenty of text, facial expression, and audience engagement.

Ramon (with a rolling R) structures his programme in two parts: "Songs to Hold On To" and "Love and What Else Can Go Wrong". Perhaps more telling is his own distinction between "amusing" and "less amusing" songs - because the artist wants to entertain, but he can't be too shallow. Everyday philosophy, social commentary, and deeper reflection carry more weight than simple humour. He amusingly skewers the absurdity of gourmet dog food (Canibo, for dogs with class) and holds up a devastating mirror to drivers of urban tanks.