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Concert
Review by Nick Morgan |
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RON SEXSMITH
Dr Martens Freedom Studio,
The Roundhouse, Camden Town, London
July 3rd 2008 |
| It’s
hot. The Thai food isn’t helping, or maybe
it is. But it’s our usual spot before a Roundhouse
gig, and as ever it’s largely full of loud,
thankfully opinionated, and always entertaining
fellow gig-goers, more often than not, as I may
have observed before, a male of the species boring
a female of the species to death with “did
you know that …” musical trivia. |
 |
| It
is slightly different tonight, because the artist
is here too. Ron’s
sitting quietly and politely with his manager and
the gig promoter, doing the obligatory small talk,
and kindly chatting to other diners, even taking
requests. Most of all, of course, he’s trying
not to spill anything puce or pungent on his shirt.
There’s a new Ron album on the way, Exit Strategy
of the Soul, and tonight he’s playing a one-off
solo gig in Dr Martens Freedom Studio inside the
Roundhouse, a sort of small bare-bricked Victorian
torture chamber. It’s hot, very hot. |
| It
must be a frustrating life, producing album after
album of brilliantly-crafted songs – some
close to perfection – and yet never hitting
the jackpot in terms of recognition, or for that
matter, fame and fortune. Travelling the world,
playing gigs to broadly the same or similar audiences
wherever you go, having to play a great show every
night – not easy. So that’s why I simply
have the greatest respect for someone like Sexsmith
who perseveres with his art come what may –
for what it’s worth my spell-checker wants
to substitute Sexsmith with Nesmith – ouch. |
| Ron’s
wearing a smart shirt and jacket – not the
one he ate dinner in (“Do you like it, does
it look ok?”). But the jacket’s a big
mistake – he’s sweating like a waterfall
(“I’m really nervous, I mean this is
London, right?”) but by the time he realises
that he’s stuck – “I can’t
take it off know, you wouldn’t want to see
that”. But we’re all in the boat –
it’s hot. The girl to my right has a small
battery operated fan, which gives us occasional
respite from the sticky airlessness, and counteracts
the intense irritation being generated by the girl
on my left. She’s knitting! According to the
Guardian (well, how else am I supposed to find
out about these things?) there’s some kind
of militant knitting movement threatening world
stability, with warped knitters casting off convention
and needling the establishment, leading to woolly
yarns of stitched-up civil disobedience. Whatever.
All I know is that it’s bloody irritating,
and I can’t help thinking that if I looked
out from a stage to see someone knitting a pair
of socks while I sang my heart out, I might also
find it somewhat disrespectful. |
Thankfully
Ron doesn’t seem to notice, and once he’s
settled down after a couple of songs he slips into
an easy rapport with the audience, chatting about
songs, cracking the occasional joke, and even taking
requests. It’s a really pleasant atmosphere,
just perfect for his songs – which of course
range from the cruelly ironic to the heart-rending.
Twenty-three songs in all, including a good number
from Exit Strategy, such as ‘One last round’,
‘Helpless dream’, ‘Ghost of a
chance’, ‘This is how I know’,
and a frankly tasteless drink song – ‘Brandy
Alexander’ – yuk! To these add a jukebox
full of “the hits” old and new, like
‘Words we never use’, ‘Cheap hotel’,
‘Lebanon Tennessee’, ‘Blues in
the coffee shop’, ‘Strawberry blonde’
and of course ‘Secret heart’, all before
he leaves the stage for a fresh shirt, returning
to finish with ‘Gold in them hills’,
‘Hard bargain’ and ‘Sleeping with
the angels’. It’s a hard act to beat.
It’s easy to underestimate Ron’s guitar
playing (although the five guys taking notes beneath
his fret board obviously don’t) but solo like
this he really stretches himself and pulls out some
cute riffs along with his gentle accompaniments.
And his singing, always deeply engaging, is soulful
beyond belief – he sounds as though he’s
been taking lessons at the
Stax Music Academy. It’s a wonderful gig,
one of those where you feel quite privileged to
be in the audience. And Ron even manages to tame
the temperature with his soothing words and melodies.
Hot stuff. - Nick Morgan (concert photographs
by Kate)
Kate's
gig photo album  |
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