Heart With No Companion - Ron Sexsmith, Cohen, Leonard
Several Miles
From a Few Streets Over
First Chance I Get
Wastin' Time
Galbraith Street
There's a Rhythm
Just when you've written off a tired, old tradition--in this case, the sensitive singer-songwriter guy--that has finally been deconstructed deconstructed into postmodern exile, he reappears in a form as beautiful and as pu... more »re as if he were the first singer ever, singing the first song ever. Thank an unassuming Canadian named Ron Sexsmith. Though he's not the only one to pull off the earnest strummer routine of late--don't forget Freedy Johnston and Jeff Buckley--the charms of Sexsmith's self-titled debut are among the genre's most potent. It's a thin line that separates the self-important songwriter that pours out his heart and presumes we care from the scribe that charms us with his plain insight and grace. Sexsmith is among the latter, simply because he writes great songs. His melodies connect instantly, but don't reveal their full power right away. The music is similarly understated: "There's a Rhythm" and "Secret Heart" drift solely on a clean and quiet electric guitar; "Lebanon, Tennessee" and "Wastin' Time" add light back-up with bass, organ, or the simplest drum kit. And Sexsmith's voice is gorgeous: warm and still, dry and quivering, trembling and mournful (not unlike young Buckley's croon); technically limited, perhaps, but infinite in implication. --Roni Sarig« less
Just when you've written off a tired, old tradition--in this case, the sensitive singer-songwriter guy--that has finally been deconstructed deconstructed into postmodern exile, he reappears in a form as beautiful and as pure as if he were the first singer ever, singing the first song ever. Thank an unassuming Canadian named Ron Sexsmith. Though he's not the only one to pull off the earnest strummer routine of late--don't forget Freedy Johnston and Jeff Buckley--the charms of Sexsmith's self-titled debut are among the genre's most potent. It's a thin line that separates the self-important songwriter that pours out his heart and presumes we care from the scribe that charms us with his plain insight and grace. Sexsmith is among the latter, simply because he writes great songs. His melodies connect instantly, but don't reveal their full power right away. The music is similarly understated: "There's a Rhythm" and "Secret Heart" drift solely on a clean and quiet electric guitar; "Lebanon, Tennessee" and "Wastin' Time" add light back-up with bass, organ, or the simplest drum kit. And Sexsmith's voice is gorgeous: warm and still, dry and quivering, trembling and mournful (not unlike young Buckley's croon); technically limited, perhaps, but infinite in implication. --Roni Sarig
Bridgett M. (SingingInMySleep) from HOPKINS, MN Reviewed on 2/5/2023...
If you're searching for a treasure within SwapaCD, I submit to you this gem. I can't recommend it highly enough. Ron Sexsmith is an amazing songwriter and singer. The first time I heard him, he was the opener for someone who ended up being sick and couldn't perform. He became the headliner, and though he was unknown to me, once he started singing I was not disappointed at all. While it's difficult to choose a favorite here, "Lebanon, Tennessee" is the song I end up singing to myself long after listening to the CD. Overall, it's just a wonderful album I could keep playing on repeat.
CD Reviews
Ron Sexsmith
01/27/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Reviewers use words like sublime for albums like this. I've never been over-sure what that means exactly. But if it means life-changing then that's close enough. Ron's debut album is the stuff of Astral Weeks or Pink moon..his songs will go with you like a second skin. "Galbraith Street" ,"Lebanon" "Speaking with the angels" are like best friends to me..I could wax lyrical about the unique juxtaposition of the universal with the intimate in Rons lyrics but that would be like talking about how well Dali uses beige !! This is pure soul food. I've bought it 20 times or so for friends and companions. It has never failed to bring a new dimension into their lives. This album really should be issued free of charge by the National Health Service to cure Soul Damage."
By the third listen
02/09/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A naturally sensitive and finely nuanced voice that is remotely reminiscent of Tim Hardin, a deft songwriting talent that includes (in different songs) echoes of Costello, The Beach Boys, and North American folk, Ron Sexsmith manages to conjure up his own distinct sound with a cd of incredibly memorable melodies and often poignant lyrics. Froom's production, as usual,is subtle and very effective. This is Sexsmith's best cd, though his first.
If you dont own any of his cds, this is the one to buy. (By the way: like all terrific music,if you are mildly indifferent on first listen, listen to it again and by third exposure it will be one of your collection favorites)."
The man seeps with a sad, lost beauty not heard in decades.
04/17/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow. Plain and simple. Whereas many who have fallen under his sad-eyed charm have chosen to tout his 1997 offering "Other Songs," by no means should that sway you from purchasing his eponymous debut. This man's amazingly crafted songs seep with a sorrowful, lost beauty not heard since Elvis Costello crooned Cole's classic, "Love For Sale." Costello comparisons are inevitable; Elvis, afterall, is an incredibly vocal fan. But what Sexsmith puts forth on this album has the ability to rival and even supersede some of the spectacled one's most loved early catalog. Full of tracks that bring to mind a lonely afternoon pouring over old photographs and getting lost in forgotten love letters, Ron Sexsmith warrants a listen, if not a permanent space in your collection reserved for all his future efforts."
Ron Sexsmith (self titled)
Bryan Welsh | Chicago | 06/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Excellent debut album. I first saw Ron perform in 1996 in Columbus, Ohio, at a large venue (opened for Sarah.) Over the years at several Chicago coffee houses and small clubs and bars....without a doubt, one of the best voices this decade. All three albums are fantastic. If you are interested in experiencing Ron, purchase the 3 albums in the following order (allowing time in-between each purchase to absorb the lyrics and hypnotic voice...) Ron Sexsmith Whereabouts Other SongsEnjoy."
Luminous understatement
peter | Ireland | 07/06/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These quiet and well- crafted meditations on life are certainly the real thing. Ron Sexsmith must qualify as one of the masters of understatement in contemporary music. I am reminded of that other Canadian poet of understatement, Elizabeth Bishop. Although the songs often sing of loss and regret there is a lovely undercurrent of acceptance throughout the album.Favourites of mine include Summer Blowin' Town and Galbraith Street. I mentioned earlier the theme of acceptance in this collection. I would also add that suffused with acceptance there is mingled the complementary note of forgiveness. The words in Ron's songs are uncluttered. They create a space in which we the listeners are allowed the opportunity of locating ourselves."