One
of Toronto’s favorite troubadours Ron Sexsmith returns with
his ninth solo full length Exit Strategy For The Soul.
Like the title says it is one of his most soulful releases yet
to date and for Sexsmith the tracks had a spiritual element to
them.
The album was recorded in both the cold of London
and the tropical Havana, Cuba which helped shape and mould Exit
Strategy into some new directions for an artist that admittingly
so does not place his music in a Cuban genre but liked the results.
In fact “Brighter Still” was written on the flight
to Havana and cut on the spot with a roomful of Cuban musicians.
Another interesting collaboration that shows up
on Exit Strategy is the standout track “Brandy
Alexander” which was co-written with fellow Canadian singer-songwriter
Feist (her own version can be found on The Reminder) and has A
Girl Called Eddy singing background vocals. This album also has
Sexmith reaching back deep into his own unfinished work with “Poor
Helpless Dreams” that actually predates his first record.
He had several attempts of recording it over the years and never
got a version he was happy with nor seemed to fit with his records
until now.
Exit Strategy For The Soul is another solid
release in Sexsmith’s catalogue and his longtime fans will
not be disappointed. Is this the record that will break him out
into the mainstream so that more people can experience his mostly
hidden talent? Only time and luck will tell but as any fan knows
it is not for lack of talent!
Reece
Michael
For more of Reece Michael's music reviews, check
out The Fire
Note
To see a clip of
Ron Sexsmith performing "Brighter Still" from Exit Strategy
For The Soul, click the play button
One
of Toronto’s favorite troubadours Ron Sexsmith returns with
his ninth solo full length Exit Strategy For The Soul.
Like the title says it is one of his most soulful releases yet
to date and for Sexsmith the tracks had a spiritual element to
them.