Blue Boy

Personnel includes: Ron Sexsmith (vocals, guitar, piano); Steve Earle (guitar, bouzouki); Ray Kennedy (guitar, harmonium, chimes); Don Kerr (cello, drums, percussion, background vocals); Jim Hoke (saxophone); Kami Lyle (trumpet); Brad Jones (organ, bass); Patrick Earle (tambourine, loops) Anna Egge (background vocals).
Recorded at Room And Board Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.
Personnel: Ron Sexsmith (vocals, guitar, piano); Don Kerr (vocals, cello, drums, percussion); Steve Earle (guitar, bouzouki); Ray Kennedy (guitar, harmonium, chimes); Jim Hoke (saxophone); Kami Lyle (trumpet); Brad Jones (organ); Patrick Earle (tambourine, loops).
Audio Mixer: Ray Kennedy.
Recording information: Room and Board, Nashville, TN.
Illustrator: Ron Sexsmith.
Photographer: Ana Karpinski.
While its an indictment of the shameful state of the music industry that a highly respected songwriter like Ron Sexsmith is unable to maintain a career on a major label, its a testament to Sexsmith's artistic vision that his eventuation into the indie world doesn't alter his creativity a whit. If anything, BLUE BOY is a marked progression for Sexsmith. Though it's produced by Steve Earle and Ray Kennedy, there's no evidence of Sexsmith "going country" here. Earle and Kennedy are perfectly attuned to Sexsmith's post-Beatles pop classicism. They merely highlight in a fresh, interesting way, as on the infectious opener "This Song," where Sexsmith's reedy voice is brilliantly offset by a soul-powered horn section. Or "Not Too Big," which adds a funky touch to the proceedings. Longtime fans needn't fear; their heroes fragile, transcendently melodic gift remains completely intact here, he's just picked up a couple of new steps along his journey.