Ron Sexsmith

Ian has just turned me on to Trashcan Sinatras, and Maria to Lhasa De Sela... I have very little time (and slow internet) and it's hard for me to "research" the enormous field of pop music. Would anyone care to start a list of artists who fall into the realm of Ron Sexsmith-ish pop music? ust a thought. I'll try and get some things posted soon as well. Heck, maybe Ron could make some suggestions, too

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Really great idea Slim - and really glad you have enjoyed the Trashcan Sinatras - Travis is another superb band from Scotland that, like Ron, is always in heavy rotation on my IPod!!! (http://www.travisonline.com/). 

Another artist I just "discovered" last week is Fionn Regan, from Ireland, who reminds me a little of Ron. You can check out a few of his songs on his MySpace page:  http://www.myspace.com/fionnregan 

 (sorry, can't get the "hot-link" or other features here to work on my new Mac, for some reason).

Another great place to get some sort of ideas for artists that might be considered somewhat similar to Ron you could try logging into Lastfm.com and check out "similar artists".

Have a great weekend Slim!!! 

Cheers!

Ian 

 

 

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"Where's the crime in wastin' time with you?"

I think that another great way to find good music would be to search all the artists who have opened for Ron in Ontario - many good acts ie. Jill Barber, Amelia Curran, Meaghan Smith, Stars etc. - as well as artists Ron has opened for.

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I got my feet on the street but I can't stop flying,
My head's in the clouds but at least I'm trying.
~Oasis~

excellent idea ES.....you can add Dala Girls, Madison Violet, and Emm Gryner to that list too!  (all superb artists).

As for Travis (from Scotland), who I mentioned earlier, if you don't know them, check out some of their songs/video's on Youtube...superb music and very bizarre videos.

"Closer"

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2hYn_4yuhc&feature=related

 "Sing"

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1f2M5G9KG8 

"Why does it always rain on me"

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nwh3FmpZ7kg&feature=related 

 

 

 

 

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"Where's the crime in wastin' time with you?"

Hi Slim!  It's grand that you got into the music of, "Lhasa de Sela", and the idea for this thread is grand too!

Thank you, exitstrategy1 for mentioning, "Meaghan Smith!" She is from London, Ontario. I love her music, style, lyrics, everything about her!  Her music sounds like it comes from the 1920's, 30's, or 40's, and for some, "mysterious", reason, I feel as though I have somehow lived throughout these times?! She's got a voice that is strong and unique in its expressive, raw, honest, ever-so-lovely, most interesting truths of the heart fashion!  Her vintage vibe is fun and inspiring--it draws you into the music with a magnetism that is natural, important, and easy on the soul.  I still wear vintage and I will include two links to her songs--hope you enjoy her music and the kind, loving energy she exudes!

Good Times, Brother! Maria x   Here is the link for, "A Little Love": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80X-RBjVC44 and another link for, "If You Asked Me": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WswYxUrwsRY

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"Well, to find, not the meaning of life because I believe in mysteries, I believe that there is a mystery that goes far beyond our understanding." Paulo Coelho

Not sure if she's especially 'Sexsmith-y', but my current favourite is Laura Viers. Saw her in Glasgow a few weeks ago at Oran Mor (where Ron has played a couple of times) and she was brilliant. She has a new album out called 'July Flame' and it's a gorgeous summery sound. Just what you need at the end of a long, cold winter.

gwen, I heard a Laura Veirs song (Galaxies) on a Paste sampler and it was nice enough, but lately I'm really intrigued by July Flame, her latest, kind of a concept album about Summer (a great subject that the Beach Boys did NOT exhaust, not by a long shot). And Maria, you are wise to suggest the opening acts angle. We saw Meaghan Smith open for Ron in Cincinnati and she was great, especially since it was just her and two fellers in front of a small audience. She's like Ron in that she's very open to communicating w/ her fans -- she responds personally to tweets, etc. And she's a talented artist, too.

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The interesting thing about looking for "Sexsmith-y" songwriters is: you're looking for people on the level of Lennon-McCartney, Elton John, music that is absolute top-drawer. RS writes them like they really don't write them anymore. So many popular songs now are a "verse" comprised of two chords alternating under an unimaginative melody, and then a "chorus" with maybe two different chords alternating under the title of the song being repeated. Snore! Ron will give you a verse with more than a few chords, and with a wonderful melody; an even more scrumptious chorus; and then a bridge to die for (a great bridge is an extra 30,000 points). Plus great hooks, great instrumental stuff, and those lyrics that make you feel like you have a friend who understands. There are a lot of enjoyable musicians out there, but Ron is pretty much invaluable to me for all the aforementioned reasons, and he keeps the standard extremely high, whether listeners and writers realize it or not. (we do here)

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Man, I'm a hyper-typer today. One of the few groups that I spend a lot of time listening to (comparable to the time I spend listening to Ron) are The Weepies. They initially come off as a "songs played under TV dramas" act but they're a lot better than that. The lyrics have depth. The songs are super-memorable in a good way, the vocal arrangements are ambitious and gorgeous. I guess they're kinda Fleetwood Mac-y w/o the Behind The Music aspect. (speaking of, I've been in love with Christine McVie for decades, sigh). As for not-very-current acts, I also love the Jayhawks (Tomorrow the Green Grass and Smile particularly). Another sorta "guilty pleasure" of mine is Ivy. They often exemplify the Snore! songwriting I rant about in my previous post, but I love 'em.

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Well, I figured I should get a plug in for one of my favorite artists and in my view one of the finest songwriters of this generation: Australian Paul Kelly. http://www.paulkelly.com.au/   He's been putting out fabulous music since the mid 80's and has a catalogue of songs that can stand next to anyone.  He's a master story teller and can compress all the scenes and feelings of a short story into a few verses - quite an amazing gift.  I love the musical arrangement, the vocals, the phrasing.  He's an icon in Australia but a relative unknown in North America, though I did have the pleasure of seeing him live on several occasions when I lived in Boston.

 Here are links to some prime cuts.  I think Ron fans will finds some things of value here:

Careless - 1989: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fq7X_6PlilE

How to Make Gravy - 1997 - A phone conversation with a brother in prison for Christmas - "Who's going to make the gravy?  I bet it won't taste the same." IMHO a masterpiece of songwriting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh79619xxk8

If I could Start Today Again - 1999 - Gut wrenching regret: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tb9nrAvGPaI

They Thought I Was Asleep - 2005: Chilling: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V_cHEk9ddQ

Paul Kelly is one of those artists, like Ron, who really deserves to be heard, just a superb artist with talent, vision, and an original voice.  These few cuts are just the tip, he's writtien a truck load of quality stuff.  All of his albums are worth hearing. 

I'm watching "God Told Me To" right now and will continue checking out songs on my next break :) thanks for the tip!

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Hey Slim,

I can't say that I listen to anyone else quite like Ron (I love his vocals, he could be singing cornbread recipes and make them beautiful), but I do like Stephen Duffy (Lilac Time). He's really evolved through the years, from commercial type dance music in the 80's to a thoughtful singer/songwriter style since the early 90's up to present day. I don't know what ever happened to Roger Manning, but he was good too.

Inger, thank you...so much good stuff under the radar! And I agree, Ron is comparable to no one and incomparable to everyone. Ian, I missed your Travis tip, just saw it, thanks! I've heard a wee bit of Travis (someone said my stuff reminded them of Travis, a compliment!) I definitely dig them.

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Hey Slim!  Here's a treat for you!  Two amazing female musicians who are strong as women of integrity and whose lyrics and music are a vital and sensitive expression of this integrity.  Here is Suzanne Vega and Vanessa Paradis joining in song and singing, "Blowing In The Wind", by Bob Dylan.  It really is quite something and not to be missed.  Hope you enjoy it, Brother!  Peace and Love, Maria

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-csk1uP7Mk 

I think that somehow Somewhere inside of us We must be similar If not the same.............
                                   Suzanne Vega's, "Left of Centre"

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"Well, to find, not the meaning of life because I believe in mysteries, I believe that there is a mystery that goes far beyond our understanding." Paulo Coelho

You know what really hit me in your email was the Vega lyric quote! That's a wonderful line.

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