Ron Sexsmith & Chris Martin
Thanks to Mike over at Sweet Static, I’ve got this lovely track to share with y’all:
Recently Chris Martin of Coldplay was forbidden again (by his label EMI) to release a track which he has supplied guest vocals on (this time with Nelly Furtado, previously with Mike Skinner & The Streets), after it was previewed for journalists and everything.
But back in 2002, he did supply some really lovely vocals on the closing track of roots/pop artist Ron Sexsmith‘s album Cobblestone Runway. I was laughing with Mike about how I had never given Sexsmith a listen, perhaps in part due to his last name which sounds a bit Gary Glitter-esque to me. Mike admitted that he had gotten teased a few times for wearing the t-shirt.
I say just tell people that it is your craft. Others may be woodsmiths, or metalsmiths. There’s someone out there who can call himself a Sexsmith, and that’s nothing to be ashamed of.
“Gold In Them Hills” (original version) – Ron Sexsmith
“Gold In Them Hills” (remix version, featuring Chris Martin) – Ron Sexsmith
Wow, was I missing out not listening to this guy! How gorgeous is that song? Piano, lush strings, and a beautiful melody. He’s all over eMusic, I might have to spend some time with that.
BONUS: New song from Ron’s upcoming album Time Being, released this week in Europe & Canada, later in the States/Australia -
“All In Good Time” – Ron Sexsmith
Name: Heather Browne
Ron’s work is so consistantly excellent, it is a shame he is not a household name.
I really love his entire catalog and highlights for me include, Wherabouts from 1999, and Retreiver from 2004. The guy all heart and soul, funny too.
AllMusic Discography Overview
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE4791FDA4BA47E20C6803641C59464FB47CC51B48D112D566C8BE3695087197CFD09BAD8CBAEF875B47FE3FE24A15905D0CFFE3681&sql=11:0sqpg4hbtv4z~T2
Wisconsin — May 16, 2006 @ 11:56 am
i too was hestitant to listen to mr. sexsmith. but i got to see him live and it just brought it all together for me. he’s definitely worth a second listen.
lyn — May 16, 2006 @ 12:17 pm
He is a household name in his home and native land. Speaking of, when does the album come out in Canada, Heather? Ahem.
“Former Glory” is my favorite track off of Cobblestone Runway.
Andy Grabia — May 16, 2006 @ 1:22 pm
Canada Rules
Anonymous — May 16, 2006 @ 1:25 pm
Why, Andy, thank you for pointing out my oversight. There I go again, being a typical American, uninformed about our neighbors to the North. Seriously.
“Here are the release dates for Ron’s upcoming album, Time Being, worldwide:
May 12 – Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy
May 15 – UK, Ireland, Spain, Belgium, Holland, France
May 16 – Canada
May 17 – Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland
June 14 – Japan
The release dates for US and Australia will be announced shortly.”
Now I’m a-gonna go edit the post.
heather — May 16, 2006 @ 1:35 pm
I just ordered the UK version from CDWow out of England. Free shipping & it cost like $16 and should be here within a week(USA). Ron’s site is offering a presale w/autograph to the 1st 50 buyers. I didn’t find that until too late, but it’s still cheaper to get it from the UK.
Wisconsin — May 16, 2006 @ 1:49 pm
This was one of my original lullaby tracks a few years ago, it’s just beautiful. Most of his stuff is pretty stunning and he can be found doing the sweetest ditty, “The Very First Day” on the kids CD, “For the Kids Too.” It’s one of Tuesday’s most favorite songs ever.
superclea — May 16, 2006 @ 3:56 pm
Other Songs is my personal favorite record of his.
I gotta find my “3 R’s” mix cd I made up of rare Ryan Adams, Ron Sexsmith and Rufus Wainwright stuff. Could be a fun post.
Thanks for the shout out
Mike — May 16, 2006 @ 4:37 pm
See him live if you get the chance. I was amazed by his performance.
Anonymous — May 16, 2006 @ 6:11 pm
excellent!
thanx for this blog.
i love music
mimi — May 17, 2006 @ 12:34 am
Hey Heather, Ron is fantastic, and it is cool that you now have a huge back catalogue to explore.
Personally, I would recommend his third (though most people think it is his second, but that’s another story) album, Other Songs. It is absolutely wondeful from start to finish.
Check it out. You still want me to sort you out with Destroyer?
ross — May 17, 2006 @ 2:08 am
Ron is one of those artists that I love, but never listen to. I picked up Cobblestone Runway for like $5 used a couple years ago and then got Retriever. That’s been my only exposure.
In my Modern Popular Music class the professor played a cover Ron did of “Comrades Fill No Glass for Me,” a song by Stephen Foster in the 1800s. It was breathtaking…and I can’t find it ANYWHERE. That makes me really sad.
Matt Gilmour — May 24, 2006 @ 11:22 pm
jefitoblog had that Stephen Foster cover way way back. maybe drop an email?
chungkingxpress — May 27, 2006 @ 1:39 pm