9.27.2005
Whatever it takes
This is a big week for new CD releases, with Wolf Parade, Brad Mehldau, Neil Young, Big Star and Ryan Adams on my personal shopping list (and discs from Blackalicious, Elbow and others likely on that of many others), but I'd like to take the opportunity to write about a fantastic disc that, thanks to its low-key release, runs the risk of falling through the cracks amid the deluge of high-profile fall releases.
Destination Unknown from Ron Sexsmith and Don Kerr is a gorgeous collection of songs that play to Sexsmith's usual strengths -- beautiful melodies, sophisticated yet subtle musicianship and strong wordplay -- and often transcend them thanks to the stripped down arrangements and near-constant harmony singing from Kerr. In the liner notes, Sexsmith says these songs were written around the same time he wrote the songs for his last disc, Retriever. Sensing that these songs were different, he held onto them. He realized that at least one sounded like the kind of tune the Everly Brothers might have done, and decided that a disc with Kerr might offer the best presentation. Good choice. Though these sound much like the best of the quietest material on Sexsmith's other discs, the consistently low-key tone provides the sympathetic setting these songs need, and make it among his best discs.
The sessions started with Sexsmith recording demos for Kerr, who has long served as a drummer, cellist and singer in Sexsmith's band. These served as the base for the recordings that eventually became the disc. Kerr added guitar and harmonies to all of the tracks, and drums to a handful of them. Other Sexsmith band members added strings and other instruments in a few spots, fleshing out an otherwise bare-bones set. The results would be stunning if one hadn't come to expect as much from Sexsmith by now.
For some reason, the disc was released on tiny Emergent/92e Records, yet another stop for the itinerant Sexsmith. Because it doesn't have Nettwerk's modest marketing and distribution muscles behind it, this may be hard to find for those who are lucky enough to hear about it in the first place. The two are getting word out a bit, including this feature on Amazon.com; no matter how you come across it, it's worth the effort.
Destination Unknown from Ron Sexsmith and Don Kerr is a gorgeous collection of songs that play to Sexsmith's usual strengths -- beautiful melodies, sophisticated yet subtle musicianship and strong wordplay -- and often transcend them thanks to the stripped down arrangements and near-constant harmony singing from Kerr. In the liner notes, Sexsmith says these songs were written around the same time he wrote the songs for his last disc, Retriever. Sensing that these songs were different, he held onto them. He realized that at least one sounded like the kind of tune the Everly Brothers might have done, and decided that a disc with Kerr might offer the best presentation. Good choice. Though these sound much like the best of the quietest material on Sexsmith's other discs, the consistently low-key tone provides the sympathetic setting these songs need, and make it among his best discs.
The sessions started with Sexsmith recording demos for Kerr, who has long served as a drummer, cellist and singer in Sexsmith's band. These served as the base for the recordings that eventually became the disc. Kerr added guitar and harmonies to all of the tracks, and drums to a handful of them. Other Sexsmith band members added strings and other instruments in a few spots, fleshing out an otherwise bare-bones set. The results would be stunning if one hadn't come to expect as much from Sexsmith by now.
For some reason, the disc was released on tiny Emergent/92e Records, yet another stop for the itinerant Sexsmith. Because it doesn't have Nettwerk's modest marketing and distribution muscles behind it, this may be hard to find for those who are lucky enough to hear about it in the first place. The two are getting word out a bit, including this feature on Amazon.com; no matter how you come across it, it's worth the effort.
