Ron Sexsmith

I don't think I've seen any discussion on the forum about the outstanding sound quality of Ron's CD's.  I have been impressed by both the level of dynamic range and warmth in his recordings.  The soundstage is wide and the imaging of vocals and instruments is spot on.  The albums never wear on your ears.  You can especially appreciate these characteristics when you listen on good equipment.

Ron, if you are reading this I would be interested to know if this is something you pay close attention to or do you leave that up to the producers?  However it's done, please know that there are listeners out here who really appreciate the effort.  It's especially great to hear during these times of the "loudness wars"  where CD's are often recorded loud and hot, highly compressed, with very little dynamic range.  In my opinion, Bruce Springsteen's recent CD's have some great music but the listening experience has been made painful by these production techniques. It seems like they are producing for earbud listening.

Anyone interested in the loudness wars should check out this web site:  http://www.turnmeup.org/

Thanks Ron, not only for the beautiful music, but for the careful attention you pay to laying down the tracks.

Hi Rainbow Bridge

I agree the production is very good throughout and like the way that, in line with the singing itself, there are often quite different characteristics between the records. I think Cobblestone Runway has attracted some negative comments for the treatments of e.g. vocals and percussion, e.g. on 'Former Glory'. At times I wish it was straighter, but I also find it interesting in itself, and find the LP as a whole very listenable. At times, though, I feel solo + acoustic guitar is all you need to get the purity of the immaculate songs. Was very please to attend my first fully solo show as Nick Lowe support recently. 

Hi Ron,

You have worked with some great producers.  I am sure they must appreicate the opportunity to work with material as strong as yours.

Is there any chance that you'd ever come back to play in Tampa?  Both my wife and I got hooked on your music big time after your last trip here.  There's some great outdoor venues that might be a nice change of pace during long canadian winters!

 Best regards,

Jim

It's funny, 'cause i LOVE the production on Cobblestone Runway. It was my introduction to Ron's music, and still my favourite album...containing his best songs??? Arguably.

 

For me, it's got such a wonderful spectrum of sounds.....each song contains countless hidden secrets to discover. The outro jam on Heart's Desire, the backup vocals on These Days, the mirimba outro on Up The ROAD?!?!?!? It's all so innovative and tasteful. Also, the story of the album is quite intriging...From what I gather, Ron recorded a bunch of stripped-down demos, went on tour, and Martin Terefe build a world of sounds around them.......such an inventive interpretation!

 

.....with all that said, I'm still waiting for a Ron album that's just him and a guitar!!! ha ha ha 

I am really glad that Ron values good sound. I get really angry when I have spent good money on loud and hyper compressed recordings which I usually tire of after a few listens.

 I must say ESotS has a really warm and  cosy sound that reminds me of some of Ry Cooder's last few albums. I hope Ron continues this trend.

I remember how polarizing "Cobblestone Runway" was, in the sonic sense, when this board discussed it. I had some issues with Martin Terefe's handling of it, but when "Retriever" came out, I kind of went "Oh, OK. I think I see where he was trying to go." None of it bothers me now because the songs always win out in the end. But in a general sense, Ron's albums always seem a little home made. I like this more than I can say, especially when listening through headphones. There's a spontaneity and a modesty about it all, as if to say "We're not curing all the world's ills, but maybe we can make your day a little better and more thought-provoking". Springsteen's E street records have always suffered from the need to sound as if they are forcing their way through a 4 inch transistor radio speaker. Not dissing Bruce's writing, but I would love to see him split the difference once in a while.

Well said, Jerry. "we're not curing the world's ills..." -- I love it. Probably a lower carbon footprint, too, seriously. How can anyone spend a gazillion dollars on a record nowadays. An American Idol's record is curing ...what? Ham? All of Ron's records have a non-hyped, timeless sound. Which makes me really curious about the Bob Rock record. What will a truly hyped, hit-oriented Ron sound like? Ron's voice and writing can transcend any kind of production you could throw on it, is my guess. Since Ron's doing the writing, it should sound Plato's ideal pop radio!

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I too am curious about what a Bob Rock prodcution will sound like on the new reocord.  My hope is that he captures the edge in Ron's songs.  Though Ron's humility and repsect always shine through in the records, the songs, sometimes subtly or not so subltly, strip away layers of pretense and get to the heart of the matter.  Ron's songs go to places emotionally that many people choose to avoid.  Time Being is a great example, in my view, a brilliant meditation on time and mortality.  The only record in pop music that  I know that's ever gone there is Lou Reed's equally brilIiant Magic and Loss.  If rock can bring that edge to the forefront, I think it should serve the songs well.  I am really looking forward to hearing it, but especially hope it brings to Ron the attention he deserves.