Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1995…
#9 – Secret Heart – Ron Sexsmith
I didn’t discover Ron Sexsmith in 1995 — that happened six years later with the release of 2001’s Blue Boy. But my love of that album sent me back to his earlier catalog.
This self-titled record was not Sexsmith’s debut, but it was his first on a major label. According to the artist, this disc was relegated to the bargain bin before Elvis Costello started singing his praises.
A couple of weeks ago, I joked that I would put Random Weekends on hiatus and return to the controversial Ron Sexsmith Weekends of yesteryear.
But the more I thought about it, I couldn’t understand why weekends dedicated to a talented, thoughtful singer-songwriter should be a laugh-worthy concept. Sexsmith is an undeniably great songwriter, one held in high esteem by fellow artists even as he toils in relative obscurity commercially. He is exactly the sort of performer who deserves a wider platform.
Continuing my look at 2004, first by counting down my own top ten albums of that year.
#8 – Ron Sexsmith – Retriever
I’ve given Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith a bit of a hard time over his consistency and productivity.
He’s been putting out a solid album every year or two for 30 years, an enviable track record for any artist. But there’s a sameness to his style that makes all of those albums run together after awhile.
The Random iTunes Fairy must have felt bad for last week’s post calling Ron Sexsmith a “no-hit wonder.” She has brought him back for an encore performance just eight days later.
Today’s track is from the 2008 album Exit Strategy of the Soul. It’s one of Sexsmith’s more sonically interesting albums, adding horns to most tracks and getting a little more experimental in its production. That doesn’t apply to today’s selection, though, which is a pretty straightforward ballad.
After my series on second hits by one-hit wonders, frequent commenter Dana suggested I feature some artists who have had long career despite never having a single hit. It’s a good idea I will add to the list.
In the meantime, the Random iTunes Fairy has made one such selection today, offering up a song from Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith’s 2002 album Cobblestone Runway.
Meet Me In Montauk 