Ron Sexsmith: At Midlife, A Songwriter Ponders Mortality

[imported_Next_Saturday]

http://www.npr.org/2013/01/31/170760362/ron-sexsmith-at-midlife-a-songwriter-ponders-mortality


Audio link: javascript:NPR.Player.openPlayer(170760362,%201707 90487,%20null,%20NPR.Player.Action.PLAY_NOW,%20NPR .Player.Type.STORY,%20'0')


Somehow, Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith makes a case of the deep blues sound sweet. The new album Forever Endeavour is his 13th, and the songs show him, at midlife, reflecting a lot on the passage of time.

"I think there's always something comforting about sad songs," Sexsmith says. "It's a shared thing that everyone can relate to."

Speaking here with NPR's Melissa Block, Sexsmith discusses dealing with setbacks — including a health scare and an unpopular album — and how he channeled his energy into new material.

Interview Highlights

On the album's title

"When you're a songwriter, it is a bit like a forever endeavor, because you're trying to do something or write a piece of music that maybe will outlive you. It's like those Stephen Foster songs. Everybody still knows 'Camptown Races.' ... When you're a songwriter, you have a shot at immortality if you're lucky."

On the song 'Sneak Out the Back Door'

"I was feeling a bit rejected by the music industry. It's a feeling that comes and goes, I find. And I was just thinking about disappearing and not wanting to make a spectacle of myself. ... I would never be one of those guys to say, 'OK, I'm gonna do a farewell tour.' I would just not be there anymore, you know? I think that's really the best way to do it. But what happens with me is I get down and I write a bunch of songs, and then I get excited again. And so it's like Charlie Brown trying to kick the football all the time."

[charlene]

Ron and I exchanged tweets yesterday..lol
he had a q&a going...
My order for his latest CD has been placed.
Always been a big fan of Rons.
He's playing Royal Albert Hall in London in March. I may head to TO to see him on March 22.
he was on the radio the other day @ Q107 and sang a tune with Kim Mitchell:
http://www.q107.com/VideoChannel/KimMitchellVideos/View.aspx?PostID=60633 http://www.torontosun.com/2013/02/05/heath-scare-awakens-ron-sexsmith

http://www.ronsexsmith.com/

[Jim Nasium]

Charlene, you may be able to answer this. I saw a movie on TV a couple of weeks ago, and at end of film I paused the thing to read the music credits, and at least one song was credited to Ron Sexsmith. I cannot recall the film, any idea?

[charlene]

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1032628/ - recognize anything??

[Jim Nasium]

Thank you, Charlene, the film is "Intermission." I hope Ron does OK at the Albert Hall, it is a large auditorium , 8000 seats, and he is not that well known over here, I wish him luck. Sadly I won't be able to make it.

[charlene]

He's gone on tour every year in UK since late 90's- http://www.ronsexsmith.com/tour/history/default.aspx?tourid=aef8dcd0-7862-4b06-abf2-ddb03324e52a

I hope he does well too!

[charlene]

http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/02/12/ron-sexsmith-fires-up-hs-jukebox-for-valentines-day/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Ron Sexsmith fires up his jukebox for Valentine’s Day

Ben Kaplan | Feb 12, 2013 11:18 AM ET | Last Updated: Feb 12, 2013 11:22 AM ET

‘There are happy love songs, or romantic, and there are also the sad ones — I love both kinds,” says Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith, who has authored as many sweet laments as just about any other balladeer working today. “Love songs don’t have to be about the good times, but there’s usually forgiveness, and something unpretentious. Zillions of songs have been written about falling in love, but they’re still able to resonate in ways that ring true. I’m a sucker for love songs, anyways.”

In advance of Valentine’s Day, Sexsmith — whose 13th album, Forever Endeavour, was released earlier this month — has drawn up a special playlist for National Post readers, something to replace February’s grey skies with warmth. In discussing his favourite slow jams, the almost-50-year-old let slip a personal anecdote about the love songs in his life. A few years ago, he decided on a Wednesday to get hitched, and that Saturday, he found himself in New Mexico tying the knot. With little time to organize a wedding playlist, he flicked on his iPod and sought out Buddy Holly, his muse.

“I used to write songs with verses and metaphors and realized I wasn’t good at that, and I wanted to simplify things and write something like True Love Ways by Buddy Holly. That was our first dance at the wedding,” he says. “It was our only dance, actually. I’m not much of a dancer.”

Here is Sexsmith’s list of go-to love songs, accompanied by the singer’s reflections on what makes them speak to the heart:

True Love Ways, Buddy Holly
“When I wrote Secret Heart I was trying to write something in this vein. It’s one of Buddy’s greatest recordings.”

Moonlight Becomes You, Bing Crosby
“Beautiful song by Burke and Van Heusen, lovely arrangement and a perfect vocal by Bing.”

Nancy (with the Laughing Face), Frank Sinatra
“One of my favourite Sinatra recordings. Another song by Van Heusen with lyrics by Phil Silvers of all people.”

Overjoyed, Stevie Wonder
“I’ve always loved this song, I think it has one of Stevie’s best melodies and vocal performances.”

I Want to Spend the Night, Bill Withers
“I love everything by Bill Withers, but this one has this great line: ‘I can’t keep looking at loneliness and try to call it freedom.’ ”

Poetry Man, Phoebe Snow
“Even though this song is about an affair, it’s so romantic that all is forgiven.”

Here, There and Everywhere, The Beatles
“One of Beatle Paul’s masterpieces … gorgeous, but you already know that.”

Previous and Few, Climax
“This one-hit wonder song was a fixture of my childhood, and so I still love hearing it on oldies stations.”

Beautiful, Gordon Lightfoot
“From the minute it starts you know you’re in the ‘Gord Zone,’ and it’s one of his most popular songs for good reason.”

Think Well of Me, Jack Teagarden
“My current favourite album is from 1962 by jazz great Jack Teagarden. This is the title track and I love the lines: ‘Every tearful heart needs love today, so be careful what we do and say.’ ”

Help Me (I Think I’m Falling), Joni Mitchell
“What can you say about this song that hasn’t already been said … Joni’s in a league all by herself.”

For the Good Times, Ray Price
“One of Kris Kristofferson’s best songs, it’s a little sad, but romantic at the same time. Ray Price can sing the phone book as far as I’m concerned.”

Just a Little Loving, Dusty Springfield
“How great is Dusty? One of the greatest singers who ever lived and she always had such good taste in song election.”

Never Gonna Give You Up, Barry White
“I wish I could’ve been Barry White for just one day.”

Cupid, Sam Cooke
“I love Sam and this recording so much, especially when you hear this ‘swoosh’ sound right after he sings, ‘And let your arrow go.’ ”

So Much In Love, The Tymes
“I’m a big fan of DooWop music and this could possibly be the best one ever.”

Being With You, Smokey Robinson
“Oh, to sing like Smokey Robinson — and write like him, for that matter.”

The Man in Me, Bob Dylan
“From my favourite Dylan record, New Morning. Bob sounds positively ecstatic on this track, just hear him sing ‘La La La,’ off the top …”

A Love Song, Anne Murray
“Like Dusty Springfield, I think she is one of the best singers ever. So unique and unpretentious, I love her phrasing on this one.”

Any Way You Want Me, Elvis Presley
“A great performance by Elvis in his prime.”

Close To You, The Carpenters
“Lovely song by Bacharach and David, and Karen sings it so well; we could use someone like her now.”

You Make Me Feel Brand New, The Stylistics
“I love the Stylistics and the ’70s soul sound in general. Incredible falsetto singing and lavish arrangements.”

Young Love, Sonny James
“Just incredible vocal performance. This period of music still sounds best to me.”

Twilight Time, The Platters
“‘When purple-coloured curtains mark the end of day.’ I love that — and what melody!”

I Say a Little Prayer for You, Dionne Warwick
“Bacharach and David found the best interpreter of their soulful melodic songs in Dionne Warwick.”

Marie, Randy Newman
“From his wonderful album Good Old Boys. This is definitely one of many songs I wish I could’ve written.”

When Joanna Loved Me, Scott Walker
“Before Scott starting recording his ‘nightmarish’ later records, his first four albums were filled with brilliant originals and obscure standards like this one. It’s a haunting performance.”

Songbird, Fleetwood Mac
“Christine McVie was always my favourite member of Fleetwood Mac, and this is one of her finest moments.”

Darlin’, The Beach Boys
“Great energetic tune by Brian, sung by Carl. ‘I was feeling like half a man, and I couldn’t love but now I can.’ I always liked that line.”

Something, The Beatles
“George’s best song from his Beatle period with a guitar solo so beautiful you can sing it. Sinatra called it one of the best love songs ever written.”

Forever Endeavour by Ron Sexsmith is out now on Warner Bros. Records. For tour dates, see ronsexsmith.com