Review: Greg Phillips. Photos: Jason Rosewarne.
Returning to Australia for the first time in almost a decade, this time presented by David Roy Williams, acclaimed Canadian singer, songwriter Ron Sexsmith was back in town to promote and perform songs from his latest album Hangover Terrace. Joining Sexsmith on the tour are his long-standing contributors, drummer Don Kerr, and bassist Jason Mercer, who have worked with Sexsmith on and off since the mid-1990s.
Support act for the evening, Falls came with an intriguing back-story. After spending two years performing every Wednesday night at Sydney’s beloved Hollywood Hotel, Falls (aka Melinda Kirwin) took a leap of faith, travelling to the United States to perform at SXSW. Within months, she signed with Verve (UMG), relocated to Hollywood CA, and released her debut album Omaha. Now, Falls has returned to Australia with new music from her highly anticipated second album, Bodega Rose (out September 22). Joining Melinda on the Ron Sexsmith tour and completing a duo, was Carson Kelly, who had made his way to Australia from Cardiff, Wales via LA and goodness knows where else due to the current global flight re-routing situation.
The pair proceeded to exhibit a sublime vocal chemistry on Melinda’s heartfelt Americana-flavoured ballads. The Melbourne Recital Centre was the perfect venue to showcase their crisp, clear harmonies and Melinda’s life-tale lyrics. The sound from Carson’s borrowed Maton acoustic guitar was pristine too. The tunes “We’ll Whistle Dixie Once More” and “Don’t Bring Me Broken Flowers” were highlights of their short but impressive set. https://www.fallsofficial.com/
Strolling onto stage with Kerr and Mercer, Sexsmith strapped on his Taylor 812ce acoustic guitar and eased into ‘Former Glory’, the opening tune from his 2002 album Cobblestone Runway. With its message of endurance and optimism in trying times, it was a fitting song to begin the show.
Following with ‘Please Don’t Tell Me Why’ and ‘Rose Town’, Sexsmith’s penchant for sixties pop sensibilities quickly became apparent. There’s certainly some Lennon and McCartney running through his veins.
Asking the audience if they were comfortable and happy with the sound coming off stage, someone suggested an increase in lead vocal levels, which he quickly related to the sound engineer before performing the gorgeous ‘Strawberry Blonde’ from his Juno Award winning 1997 album Other Songs.
Introducing ‘Camelot Towers’ from the new album Hangover Terrace, Ron suggested that it’s about the housing crisis which seems to be affecting many countries worldwide. Moving to piano he then told us that he’d spent a lot of time during the covid lockdowns playing the keys. He also joked that while he didn’t suffer ‘long covid’ like a few of his friends, he did acquire “wide covid from eating too many cookies.” The graceful ‘Worried Song’ was then performed to the delight of the audience.
‘Spring of the Following Year’ revealed a sophisticated approach to song construction and an ability to tell a colourful story with minimal words. ‘There’s a Rhythm’ from his 1995 self-titled album highlighted the delicate brush and mallet work of drummer Don Kerr. Then picking up and placing back down his setlist, the wry-humoured Sexsmith told us that “there’s a lot of good songs on there!”
“Cheap Hotel’ is another fine example of Ron’s knack of telling detailed stories within the confines of a seemingly mundane title. It’s no accident that Sexsmith’s songs end up in the repertoire of so many other performers, including Rod Stewart, Feist and Stevie Nicks. One of Ron’s biggest supporters is Elton John, who is constantly praising the Ontario-born songwriter. In fact, on May 9th this year, Elton will receive the prestigious Glenn Gould Prize at a gala in Toronto and has personally requested that Ron performs at the event, alongside Sarah McLachlan and Diana Krall.
At this point bassist Jason Mercer vacated the stage, leaving Kerr at the piano and Ron with guitar up front in the spotlight to play the poignant ‘God Loves Everyone’. Sexsmith then asked if it would be ok if he played one by himself, adding, “Sometimes Bono likes to do one by himself, just to take the edge off!” A line worth the price of admission right there!
With the band back in their original stage positions, they kicked into a spirited ‘Don’t Lose Sight’, the first single that was released from the Hangover Terrace album. ‘Damn Well Please’ can be a singalong Ron observed, “but don’t worry about it,” he said as the crowd laughed.
As he announced each song throughout the night, cheers emerged from various pockets of the audience. Everyone has a different favourite Ron Sexsmith song, a tune that has connected with them in a meaningful way at some point in their lives. ‘Gold In Them Hills’ was one that elicited applause from all corners of the venue. ‘Sneak Out the Back Door’, a gentle rocker again displayed Ron’s talent for creating a finely-crafted pop melody.
Announcing ’Secret Heart’ as his most-covered song, Ron joked that “Bing Crosby and Edith Piaf had maybe covered it too!” The song features clever lyrics that depict a person, perhaps Ron himself, in conversation with his own hesitant heart, urging it to push past fear and confess love to a potential partner.
Arriving back to the stage after merely stepping off for a minute, the trio returned for another three songs, including ‘Lemonade Stand, from an album which Ron and Don Kerr released together in 2005. Finishing up with the contemplative ‘Seem To Recall’ from the 1999 record Whereabouts, it further confirmed Sexsmith’s ability to not only write incredibly insightful songs but also effectively relate those stories and feelings to an audience. The Melbourne Recital Centre crowd rose to their feet to offer the recognition that this master song craftsman and band deserved.
REMAINING GIGS:
Friday 24 April – Theatre Royal – Castlemaine
Saturday 25 April – The Gov – Adelaide
Sunday 26 April – Rosemount Hotel – Perth
Tickets from: https://davidroywilliams.com/tours/ronsexsmith/
SET LIST:
Former Glory
Please Don’t Tell Me Why
Rose Town
Strawberry Blonde
Hard Bargain
Camelot Towers
Worried Song
Spring of the Following Year
There’s a Rhythm
Cigarette and Cocktail
Cheap Hotel
Can’t Get My Act Together
God Loves Everyone
Sneak Out the Back Door
Don’t Lose Sight
Damn Well Please
This Is How I Know
Gold in Them Hills
Get in Line
When Will The Morning Come
Secret Heart
Some Dusty Things
Lemonade Stand
Seem to Recall
