Ron Sexsmith
Exit Strategy Of The Soul
(Warner)
Ron Sexsmith is one of the country's best songwriters---always flying under the radar of mass popularity, even though Dylan and Costello are professed fans. The singer's often accused of being a sad sack, and Exit Strategy Of The Soul has its share of neurotic love-loss songs, like "Hard Time," but Sexsmith's piano, and a horn and percussion section recorded with Havana musicians, bring levity to lovely melodies and poetic lyrics. A real treat is "Brandy Alexander," a song about a favourite beverage Sexsmith originally co-wrote with Feist (she sings back-up here). His version, like a late-night bar confession, delivers more personality.
---Sue Carter Flinn