Time Being - Ron Sexsmith

Advantages: This man has talent
Disadvantages: It may take a few listens

...The release of this the first album by Ron Sexsmith was a long journey that had started in December 1987 when Ron had not long moved to Toronto he went to see a producer called Bob Wiseman, he liked Ron’s songs and agreed to help him record a Demo tape, the producer just had a tiny basement studio this is where the demo was to be recorded, a 4 track demo tape was planned. In the process of recording the demo the 4 tracks turned onto 11 tracks, however Bob Wiseman played for a well-known Canadian band called “Blue Rodeo” and with their busy touring schedule and Bob’s other work commitments the recording of the 11 tracks was stretched over a 3-year period, finally the 11 songs were released as a independent cassette called “Grand Opera Lane” this was early 1991. As if by magic a copy of the tape... Read review

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Advantages: It's Ron
Disadvantages: Can be a little intense

...The philosophy of this 1997 release from Ron Sexsmith seems to be if it’s not broke don’t fix it, as this the follow-up to Ron’s eponymous release from 1995, follows the same formula, the main protagonists from that first album are here. On production the excellent Mitchell Froom and assisting with production and recording as well as mixing Mitchell’s long-time partner Tchad Blake, this is exactly the same as before, this team of Froom and Blake did the same on the first album released 2 years earlier. The musicians that are involved are pretty much the same as well, from the keyboard playing of Mr Froom to the percussion and drum work of Jerry Marotta and Ron himself is playing guitars and singing the main vocals. There is a subtle difference with this recording Sheryl Crow is playing accordion, but sadly... Read review

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Advantages: Beautifully put together
Disadvantages: not all original material (AND she sold out...kinda)

...I cannot believe that this is the first review on Leslie Feist's album "Let it die". She's been around for an age and even had to re-release this album. The first release of this album had 11 tracks, and was re-released then a while later was released with two additional tracks (12. Amourissima and 13. L'Amour Ne Dure Pas Toujours ). Don't start thinking that all of the songs are in french - out of the 13 tracks only 3 are french. Feist is canadian and has actually been singing for quite some time. The first half of the album is her own material and the second half is cover-versions. They are however cover-versions that she has completely made her own (e.g. the bee gees 'Inside and Out' and Ron Sexsmiths 'Secret Heart'). The best of her own songs on this album is 'Mushaboom' which has a great poppy (not tacky) feel... Read review

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