Description
Ron Sexsmith‘s career seemed charmed from day one. When the lead-off track of your Daniel Lanois-assisted, Elvis Costello-adoring major label debut is as flawless and skilled as “Secret Heart,” there’s simply no room for a rags-to-riches backstory. Sadly the well deserved critical acclaim has never quite migrated across to commercial pay-off for this extraordinary singer/songwriter…but that has never stopped nor deterred nor reduced his amazing & ever exemplary output. That’s why it’s no surprise that on his 17th full length, Sexsmith lives up to the & indeed continues to grow as an artist.
Across 12 buoyant tracks and 32 effervescent minutes, his latest gem (named after the pristine county road located near his Stratford home) and written, performed, and co-produced by Sexsmith himself, The Vivian Line comes off practically as a concept album about the power of resilience, redemption, and positive thinking.
Adorned with earthy imagery across almost every track — and highlighted by the groovy “One Bird Calling” and the livestock sampling “A Barn Conversation” — The Vivian Line is a love letter to his rural homestead and the loved ones with whom he shares , Sexsmith expertly proves that profound emotion and perception don’t have to emanate from sorrow. Sometimes all you need is appreciation, hope, and the sounds of clucking hens. HURRAH for an artist we love so much!!
