Ron Sexsmith/ Jim White, Barbican | reviews, news & interviews
Ron Sexsmith/ Jim White, Barbican
Ron Sexsmith/ Jim White, Barbican
An evening of cult singer-songwriters delights audience
Sunday, 01 May 2011
Ron Sexsmith: Purveyor of finely crafted love songs
Two cult singers on the same bill. A stirring prospect in itself, but last night they were both also at watersheds in their careers. The headliner, Ron Sexsmith, was looking to cultivate a more mainstream audience. He’s had his moments over the years, such as when he was covered by Chris Martin, Rod Stewart and Curtis Stigers. But last night he seemed to want the fans to have another look at him. On one song he styled himself as a “late bloomer”, but he didn’t need to convince this crowd.
Two cult singers on the same bill. A stirring prospect in itself, but last night they were both also at watersheds in their careers. The headliner, Ron Sexsmith, was looking to cultivate a more mainstream audience. He’s had his moments over the years, such as when he was covered by Chris Martin, Rod Stewart and Curtis Stigers. But last night he seemed to want the fans to have another look at him. On one song he styled himself as a “late bloomer”, but he didn’t need to convince this crowd.
From the records you might assume that this is music to listen to in a bar by a church in Alabama
Share this article
The future of Arts Journalism
You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!
We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d
And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.
Subscribe to theartsdesk.com
Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.
To take a subscription now simply click here.
And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?
more New music
Albums of the Year 2024: Samara Joy – Portrait
From Grammy triumphs to sonic odysseys: nine of the year's most transcendent jazz albums
Albums of the Year 2024: Mercury Rev - Born Horses
An exploration of inner space, freeze-dried electronica, French nursery rhymes and more
Albums of the Year 2024: Ca7riel & Paco Amoroso - Baño María
Art that creates it's own (deliriously wild) lane
Albums of the Year 2024: Kneecap - Fine Art
The music sector finely emerges from the long shadow of Covid with a bumper year
Albums of the Year 2024: Kenny Barron - Beyond This Place
Consistently glorious - nothing less than a very great album
Music Reissues Weekly: Vanilla Fudge - Where Is My Mind The ATCO Recordings 1967-1969
A wild ride with the ‘You Keep me Hanging on’ hitmakers
Albums of the Year 2024: Meemo Comma - Decimation of I
A concept album from the perspective of an infected planet provides succour and sustenance
Albums of the Year 2024: Amelia Coburn - Between the Moon and the Milkman
An array of albums that have set 2024 alight for this writer
Album: Ajukaja & Mart Avi - Death of Music
Estonian electronica duo enter a domain where nothing is explicit
Jesus & Mary Chain, O2 Institute, Birmingham - Reid Brothers refuse to join the heritage industry
Noise veterans deck the halls with feedback and dry ice
Album: Ben Folds - Sleigher
Folds’ nuanced originals are much better than the by-numbers seasonal covers
Vampire Weekend, OVO Hydro, Glasgow review - a mixture of brilliance and self-indulgence
The New Yorkers offered dancers, covers and great songs in a lengthy set
Add comment