Customer Reviews

Cobblestone Runway

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I dont know anything about ron sexmith so i cant give you a comparison with his earlier work, nor can i compare what i hear with other peoples opinions. I work at cd shop and i get to hear alot of new music everyday and much of it is nice for a listen or two. But this album is touching, usually sweet, emotional and optimistic etc... His voice is honest and unique and up close (exaclty like a cross between aaron neville and nick drake), just like he is sitting in your livingroom with a nice quiet band talkin about life with you. Its not a life changing cd like Neutral Milk Hotel's Aeroplane over the sea, or Radioheads ok Computer but its cool, or dylan bringin it al back home but... If you dig chilled out simple sonwriter stuff with a minimal band (some nice spacy sounds) this would be a worthy addition to your collection.

Ron Sexsmith, once again, provides us with another in a line of low-keyed, interesting, flawed and sporadically beautiful albums. Voices like Sexsmith's are not likely to be heard on, say, American Idol. Although he probably nails more notes here than on any of his previous recordings, his voice remains an acquired taste--fragile, frequently struggling with pitch, manifestly human. Like his voice, his songs strive for simplicity and directness. When Sexsmith fails, his songs become sentimental and/or trite. However when he scores, as he does more frequently, his songs convey elegance and purity. This is his most elaborately produced and risk-taking cd, including, believe it or not, a disco track, which may dismay some of his core audience. But we find this his most consistent and listener-friendly record to date. As such, it should expose him, deservedly, to a wider audience.

it's a true wonder that ron sexsmith isn't a household name. "cobblestone runway" is a gem and i'm glad i found it in the most unconventional way. "least that i can do," "the less i know," "these days," and "former glory" are ... well, glorious. very much his own unique self, but capable of evoking thoughts of mccartney, van morrison, and even boz scaggs at their best. a great listen on the very first spin, but actually keeps getting better with every play. simply wonderful.

I had never heard of Ron Sexmith until I saw his band open for Coldplay in Phoenix in Feb 03. My husband I both enjoyed the performance, and decided to purchase Cobblestone Runway. After the 1st listen, I wasn't sold. But after 3 listens, it has become one of my favorite cd's. I can't get the melodies and lyrics out of my head, even after listening to other artists. Truly addictive, and I simply love his unique voice. Give it several listens, and don't judge it on the 1st play. I am in Amazon.com right now to purchase a 2nd cd from Ron Sexmith. Gotta have more!

Don't know if anyone else can write music like Ron's anymore, this album just grows and grows on you. ... Get this album, spin it for half a dozen times, and I guarantee you will fall in love.

What can I say?Like Tim Hardin I or "Five leaves left".Yes , yes'. Classic stuff a la "reason to believe" Try not to break to "God loves everyone". Since the miracle of "Ron Sexsmith" he made marvellous songs but not an album like this, so deep and so rich. The duet with Chris Martin so beautiful...!Forget about other overrated songwriters, Ron and Rufus are the ones because they send the joy of life with their voices and songs.What a production Terefe!!! Buy this for the sake of the eternal song. J

I got this cd based on the recommendation of a friend with similar music tastes (Lucinda Williams, Nick Drake, Tom Waits, Bob Dylan) and I really, really love it. It took me a few listens to get used to his voice -- it's imperfect, but it soon became apparent that there's a lot of emotion in his voice and the wavering sort of makes it all the more worth the listen. I especially like Former Glory and Up the Road. The latter is a nice love song that sums up a lot of feelings in simple, sweet lyrics. I would highly recommend this cd (and I'm looking forward to getting some of his older stuff, myself).

Overall, a very solid album. Great tunes, excellent lyrics, good mix of styles, from folksy/countryish, to more straightforward pop. Nevertheless, what should be highlighted is one song in this album: Gold in Them Hills. It's one for the ages. In the same league as Carole King's "You've Got A Friend", Billy Joel's "She's Always a Woman", or Elton John's "Your Song" (to name a few all time popular pop songs), this song will become a pop standard.

I would rate Joni Mitchell, Lucinda Williams and Ron Sexsmith as the top 3 songwriters of the past 30 years, if not 50. It took a little while for me to grow into his groove but once I got there, I was totally hooked. Beautiful melodies ala early Paul McCartney, senstive lyrics think Paul Simon, it boggles my mind that Ron is not a much bigger name. As to his reference to religion in the latest album, I think it was his response to Sep 11 and was in no way condescending. I first heard of Ron through Lucinda William's Starbucks Personal Choices CD and this is my first exciting discovery in quite a few years, the last being Lucinda a few years back. I am going to see Ron perform at Joe's Pub in the Public Theatre NYC tonight and I can't wait!

Cobblestone Runway is yet another amazing CD by one of Canada's finest musicians. Ron not only writes beautiful lyrics but also makes original and memorable music. I am a big fan of Ron's and he has really outdone himself on this CD. If you are new to Ron's music, Cobblestone Runway is a great intro for you. If you are a fan, you already have this or have ordered it and are waiting not so patiently. You need this CD. You'll love it!