Singer, Songwriter and Worship Leader Paul Bell Releases First Worship Album 'Arrows'
April 2024 sees the release of Paul Bell's first set of worship songs - each written with a particular aim or target in mind. The collection, called "Arrows" is available now on all music platforms, lyric videos are on YouTube, and CDs are available via paulbellmusic.com.
Rewind a little... Paul got his first guitar aged 5 and half. Graduating from strumming the table tennis bat or badminton racket in front of the mirror, impersonating his hero, Ishmael, Paul has never looked back. He wrote his first songs, aged seven or eight, and sent a cassette off to Ishmael, who listened and sent back a letter (framed on Paul's wall for many years), explaining that he'd been listening to them with his band in the van. (Some members of Ishmael's band later went on to form "Delirious?" so he likes to think he had a small influence on their sound... but he doubts it really). Worship leader Chris Bowater encouraged Paul, aged 10, contributing £5 to the purchase of his first "proper" guitar. Growing up, Paul gained experience in local church bands, as well as playing in the studio and live for Chris Bowater, Godfrey Birtill and numerous others. Fast forward a few years and Paul began writing and recording music under his own name, releasing his first album in 2006. Over the 12 years that followed, Paul produced five independently released albums and a Christmas EP, and notched up several appearances at Spring Harvest, Greenbelt, Big Church Day Out, Keswick Convention and New Wine, becoming well known for his entertaining shows, mixing thought provoking and inspiring music with comic moments like his infamous song "The need for biscuits" and later "Four" and "Buffet Strategies". Audiences responded with laughter and tears (sometimes even during the same song). Paul has completed three tours with Tearfund (alongside Yvonne and David Lyon, Cathy Burton and others), his music has been featured on BBC Radio 2, BBC Introducing, Premier Radio and UCB. All this time, Paul has been heavily involved in local church, leading worship for over 20 years and in recent years, taking over leadership of the worship team at the church. During the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, Paul felt inspired to write songs of personal devotion, as he began to respond to a number of prophetic words about this kind of songwriting. Paul reflects: "I would go out on long bike rides, and keep having to stop to make a note of a lyric or a melody... although it was a tough time in many ways, there were times of inspiration and a real awareness of God's presence." Paul says "I've been a worshipper as long as I can remember, and have been involved in leading worship for many years, so although this music has a different emphasis from my previous releases, it still feels very natural. Previously I've written songs about God, but not many to God. I'm really excited about this new season in my musical journey." In the summer of 2023, Paul completed a successful Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to raise support for these new worship songs. "I was blown away by the support," says Paul. Later that year, Paul started to release singles from the project - Heaven High, Fire Fall, Known and loved, later collected along with two new songs Better than mine and Rule in my heart as the Rule in my heart EP. Heaven High is a song of explosive praise, Known and loved is full of truths and affirmations to declare over our lives. Fire Fall is a prayer for the Holy Spirit to pour out on the church. Rule in my heart and Better than mine are simple songs of devotion and obedience. Paul produced the songs himself in his home studio, working with Reuben Harsant and Jonny Bird (both members of Martin Smith's band) on drums and mix/master/additional production respectively. Paul also received songwriting input from Nick Herbert (Gas Street Music), which really helped to hone and refine these songs. Paul started 2024 by releasing "Bring it all," written out of Romans 12, and featuring Cathy Burton on vocals. Paul comments "Cathy is one of my favourite singers, and I'm so glad she agreed to sing on this song with me". More singles followed, including When I see Jesus, Worth it all, and Scars (O what love). Scars received playlist support from Spotify, over Easter 2024. That brings us back up to date. April 2024 - and all 10 songs are out (the last one to be released being the first one that was written for the project - a prayer song called Anything can happen), collected together as Arrows. Paul has written a devotional guide to accompany the album, exploring the heart behind the songs, digging into the theology and biblical inspiration, and offering challenges and encouragements. Paul says "I pray these songs find their way to the ears of those who need to hear them, and the lips of the those who need to sing them."
