Time Being - Ron Sexsmith Album Review

Album Review

Beatles fans everywhere should check-out this CD: there's a strong Fab Four musical connection. This is the type of album Macca ought to be doing, instead of that disastrous Chaos And Creation In The backyard. Co-incidentally, producer Mitchell Froom has worked with McCartney. Unfortunately, the hands of time must be moving painfully slow for nearly- man Ron Sexsmith, as he endlessly hangs on for his UK commercial breakthrough. As neat and tidy Time Being is, I believe it won't bring the desired result, though some airplay on BBC Radio 2's eclectic playlist might draw some attention. For some reason he hasn't delivered strong enough of a 'taster' single - All In Good Time - available on iTunes from May 1. A Paul McCartney sound-alike, the Canadian singer-songwriter has been overlooked for quite some time: there's an outside chance things might improve, simply on the back of success by Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, Daniel Powter and Jose Gonzalez. By comparison with the aforementioned, he's got a much better voice.

Doing a bit of stock rotation, he's slendered things almost to the bare bone by using just three musicians - Pete Thomas on drums, bassist Davey Farragher and guitarist Val McCallum. The effect is clean and simple. Bright and breezy, he opens with an acoustic guitar lead ditty, Hands Of Time a very sing-along pretty tune, as indeed most of the songs are. Snow Angel is a gentle plodder that has sublime melodies, harmonies and beautifully sung. A similar musical content and pace continues on Never Give Up, Cold Hearted Woman, and Jazz At The Book Store. More upbeat, he embarks on a hearty jaunt on I Think We're Lost ( shades of Coldplay ) and Ship Of Fools. Closing a solid collection, the simple and rustic And Now The Day Is Done is a fitting stripped-down delicate beauty.

Elly Roberts