Customer Reviews

Black Sheep

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Martin Sexton, has a vocal style like no other, it is powerful, emotive, and soulful. Those who are new to Sexton, would benefit by picking up black sheep, as the arrangements are simple, not over-produced, allowing the listener to appreciate the amazing beautiful vocals, with a range that I've never before heard! He accompanies himself on most tracks with an acoustic guitar style, that is percussive, and fitting to his musical style. Lyrics reflect his personal life journeys, and are intimate and inviting. Sexton does not fit neatly into a specific category, he is simply great music, highly recommended.

Black Sheep, finally rereleased for those of us who missed it the first time around, is an outstanding work of art. Martin Sexton brings us an album that cries out with pure honesty. If this is your first time listening to him, start with this album. I was first attracted to him becuase I was a Dave Matthews fan and I heard that he did some nice solo acoustic stuff. I couldn't have imagined how this album would completely captivate me. He has a unique blend of rythem and voice that is soothing and emotional. Do yourself a favor and get this album today.

I was first introduced to Black Sheep last year when I was a freshman in college. It was playing in a friend's dorm room, and the creative instrumentation along with smooth, passionate vocals drew me in instantly. For months after I found out who Martin Sexton was and the name of the CD, I looked in every music store but couldn't find Black Sheep on the shelves. I soon forgot about it and stopped looking.

About a year later I passed by another friend's room at school and heard a voice that could only be Martin's blaring through his door. (His flawless falsetto is unmistakable.) Needless to say, I went nuts. My friend lent me a mix tape of songs from Martin's three albums (Black Sheep, In the Journey, and The American), and then asked if I wanted to accompany him and some other people to a concert of Martin's at a rather intimate venue in Middletown,NY.

Although I wasn't too familiar with all the songs yet, I went to see him live, and was totally blown away. He and his percussionist, Joe, have a synchronocity that is unsurpassable--and it was obvious that they enjoyed every minute of that show. The friendly, familiar atmosphere of the show (including the president of the school in which the concert was held personally introducing Martin) made me realize that this singer/songwriter/performer is all about personal experiences. His concert was an intimate event, and so is his music. He sings from the heart, conveying his situations with passion as well as with grace.

In the lobby outside the auditorium, Martin's promoters were selling CDs, and this is where I finally picked up Black Sheep. Not only is it fun to listen to with tracks like "Diner" and "Gypsy Woman," but the songs' lyrics have such strength that I find myself thinking about him as a person as well as a performer. Martin sings about leaving home, traveling to find himself, and returning after he's had enough "Freedom of the Road." Highlights for me include "Caught in the Rain," where he takes a break from guitar licks and driving percussion and simply sits at an acoustic piano; "Over My Head," which builds from an innocently quiet guitar intro to an internal epic about looking out into the ocean and trying to find himself; and "Can't Stop Thinking About You," which includes a wonderfully provocative muted trumpet and slow, driving lyrics comparing his self-destructive love for another to "loving a house on fire, burning and yearning 'til the damage is done." Whew.

This CD never gets boring, just better and more burned in your brain. The final track, "America the Beautiful," is awesome! Martin takes a song that is familiar to a lot of us and puts all his soul into it to make it HIS. Once you hear his voice, you will realize that virtuosity is an understatement for Martin. Pick up Black Sheep because after you've listened to it, you'll wonder how you went all this time without it.

When I first listened to this album, I loved Glory Bound and that was all I listened to, I thought the other songs were either not so impressive or a bit silly. But you know how some of your all time favorite albums took you a while to "get" and love? Black Sheep is like that, the more you listen the more you love. You'll look back (like I do) and wonder why you didn't "hear" these songs at first like you do now.

probably one of the most talented musicians alive today. i even had the pleasure of seeing him live just recently, and what an amazing experience! i would hate to say it, but he's better live than on his albums! although, i suggest getting hooked on this man's captivating voice that way before you see him live, to really understand his powerful music. his work is like nothing out there, and black sheep is definitally a great album. 6 stars out of 5, really, if i had to rate all of his music!

Take this cd with you on your next airplane flight, in case of a crash that leaves you stranded. Martin Sexton is a superb, under-recognized talent. Terrific and soulful lyrics, vocal and guitar.

This is the best of the Sexton CDs - the others have, unfortunately, been overproduced. Those who have seen him live will wonder why he is singing with a blanket over his head on the Atlantic records; everthing which is held back on the albums is released in person. The producers of 'Black Sheep' were good enough to flesh out the songs acoustically with light backup and smart enough to let the voice go (....) I don't have the quote from the jacket of 'Black Sheep' handy, but it hits it right on the head.

As to why Sexton isn't immensely famous: he can't be pigeonhold & thus is difficult to mass market. I don't know anyone who has listened to his music who is not now a fan, and, as attested above, his concerts are a truly joyous experience.

...I finally found this CD. As with most of Martin's music, it's drawn from personal experiences. I'm more impressed with his singing and lyrics than with his songwriting, but this CD is excellent nonetheless. Hard to pick out any weak tracks, although 'Glory Bound' is definitely the highlight.

I first heard Martin Sexton on a CD my mom picked up. I don't normally like "folk" music, so when she told me Sexton was "folk", I prepared myself not to like it. Maybe that's why I was so swept off my feet. His yodeling and raw guitar work was some of the most amazing and unique I had ever heard. I listen to every kind of music: jazz, swing, rock, rap, you name it. But Martin Sexton is unlike anything I had previously heard. I have recommened his CD Black Sheep to all of my friends and much of my extended family. I also recommend it to every person visiting this web page. Congratulations to Martin on his success!!

Words really can't describe how awesome Martin Sexton's music is. In the indie-released Black Sheep you can feel so much emotion in every song because of the simplicity of it all. Guitar, piano, just enough drums to keep the beat in your head, and the incredible voice is all that the songs have and all that they need. I had the pleasure of catching him live in Austin, TX and it was one of the best shows I've seen in my life. It was just him and a drummer, and half of the set it was only Marty! The man has tremendous talent.