There’s a huge enigma about Ron Sexsmith.
The man is applauded and revered by Musical giants of the stature of Paul McCartney, Elton John, and Elvis Costello. Regarded as a Songwriter’s Songwriter, who has produced musical gems, covered by illustrious names in the industry such as Rod Stewart, Stevie Nicks, Michael Buble, Mary Black, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle and countless others.
And yet, while he has a large loyal fan base, he continually falls below the radar of the majority of music lovers.
Why!
Selfishly, I’m glad he’s still playing venues such as the Limelight; it’s such a treat to hear such a wonderful talent in such an intimate space, watch a real musical maestro in action, up close and personal. But in a better, more equitable world, based on real talent, he would be selling out arenas and feted by millions.
Tonight is a demonstration of his outstanding ability to capture human emotions and relationships in 3 minutes. This is the last night of a tour ostensibly to support Ron’s last album, ‘Hangover Terrace’, and we do get several songs from the album. But in truth, it’s a night of wondrous greatest songs from his back catalogue of 18 classy records.
And what songs they are!
‘Former Glory’, ‘Gold in them hills’, ‘Hard Bargain ’, ’ Strawberry blonde’, 29 wonderful pop gems over the course of the evening. Backed by his go-to rhythm section of longtime cohort, Don and Kerr on drums, and Jason Mercer on bass, Ron’s guitar skills to the fore, with occasional visits to a beautiful-looking piano, the night flies in a melodic flash.
There’s a lot of humour too, delivered in Ron’s familiar lugubrious, deadpan manner.
Before a solo rendition of ‘Sneak out the back door’, he tells the rapt audience that “ Even Bono likes to do a song by himself, just to keep the Edge off”. Ron’s self-critique that this is “comedy gold”, gets a mix of laughs and good-natured groans!
In a tenuous link to ‘These days’, which featured in Irish cult film ‘Intermission’ starring Colin Farrell, Ron refers to another of Farrell’s films, ‘The Banshees of Innisfree’, as ‘The banjos of Ed Sherrin’, to the same. A career in Stand-up may be some way away yet!
But it’s the music that has the Limelight packed tonight, and Ron delivers in spades. Melodies that stay long in the memory, well after the lights have dimmed in the venue.
Wise words, too, in his sonic reflections. Take this sage advice from the quite beautiful paean to his baby son ( now aged 42), ‘Speaking with the angel’
Would you teach him about heaven?
Would you show him how to love the earth?
Would you poison him with prejudice from
The moment of his birth?
In such troubled times, we need such direction away from hate. The song and delivery are worth the admission alone.
Ron commented on the fact that the last time he played Belfast was in the Marquee at Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. Hard to believe that was three years ago.
Hopefully, we ‘ronheads‘ won’t have to wait another three years before the return of the melody maestro.