There is a glass ceiling in the music industry, above which those who are deemed "stars" exist. We all have our favourite artists, people we believe should be existing in that rarefied air, rubbing shoulders with the great and the good, and filling stadiums, rather than Halls. Ron Sexsmith has long been that artist for me.
Consistently delivering quality songs that beguile, enchant, and amuse in almost equal measure, and feted by the likes of Paul McCartney, Elton John, Elvis Costello, and Chris Martin among many others, his new album, will see him continue to hammer that ceiling for inclusion, and for others to scratch their heads as to why.
It’s also the happiest sounding album Ron has put out in quite a while and to these ears his best since 2009’s long-player ‘Late Bloomer’. Relocating to the small town of Stratford has had a positive effect on one of music’s most prolific bards by his own admission.
Almost immediately after arriving here, I just felt this kind of enormous stress cloud evaporate and all these songs started coming.
This is evidenced from the opening ‘Spring Of The Following Year’ with its ambient bird singing in the background. It’s a lovely paean to lasting love and promises of more to come. Reminiscent of Paul McCartney’s ‘When I’m Sixty Four’, in theme and timbre, it has a captivating pull all of its own, and a strong start to the collection.
Domestic bliss is further evidenced on the jaunty ‘Chateau Mermaid’, about the new Chez Sexsmith, where “your days are unhurried, not shadowed by the cloud of worry, where the wine it flows all day.”
Little wonder he sounds happy and chilled. Supported only by Don Kerr on drums, Ron plays all the other instruments on the record. Mid-tempo rockers like ‘Lo And Behold’ and ‘Winery Blues’ are quality tunes that Sexsmith seemingly can knock off at will.
Always adept at wordplay, Sexsmith’s lexicon is on full charge. ‘Is It Or Isn’t It’ makes one wonder if “McCoy” and “ploy” have ever been rhymed together, and if not why not? Sexsmith’s trademark mellifluous charm and wit shine throughout but leave space for the odd barbed quip:
I know a place where they can shove all their indignation.
‘Hermitage’ a rich mix of styles and emotions and all the better for it. Full of his trademark innocent, romantic charm, the centerpiece of the album is ‘Glow In The Dark Stars’. In a time of social distancing, it’s a clarion call to arms – each other’s arms.
When I don’t know where I’m going, there’s a map right over my head. With the universe unfolding above a humble bed.
We’ve been through so much together, though there’s still some trouble ahead. Know that our love will make things better, ’cause I believe in us and all that you said. Glow in the dark stars giving my heart wings.
I stare at the night ceiling and I believe in all things. Glow in the dark stars, knowing you are near. Sharing this life’s meaning and all the love that it brings.
Buy this record, buy his previous albums, go see him in concert when you can. Ron Sexsmith deserves to smash through that glass ceiling.