Ron Sexsmith, The Berkeley Church, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, November 6, 2005
Sunday afternoon, together with about 100 of Ron
Sexsmith's fans, friends and
family, I was invited to the videotaping of an episode of a new music show
called Beautiful Noise. It took place in a church in downtown
Toronto, which had been turned into an intimate, live venue for a series of
concerts.
Monday night Kathleen Edwards; Tuesday, Jeff Healey's Jazz Wizards and Wednesday
the North Mississippi AllStars! But Sunday it was Ron's turn.
The Berkeley Church is located at the corner of Berkeley and Queen Streets,
and from the outside it doesn't look like much. Although the pictures on their
web site give it a stature and presence that it loses in person, inside it's
been transformed. The six cameras rest on hydaulic tripods, and overhead cranes;
the hundreds of lights cast shadows and highlights on the draperies surrounding
the stage. It's all a bit other-worldly. Our names checked off the guest-list
we make our way to the front row. The production manager tells us we may have
our view blocked from time to time by cameras, and to remember to watch our
knees when they move the stairs in and out for the arrival and departure of
guests.
The old saw about "hurry up and wait" being the motto of a production
site proves true. Audience call was 1 p.m., but we're told that taping will
begin closer to 2. "Don't worry," we're told, "There's water
and cheap beer at the back!" Oh, that's all right then!
Tim Bovaconti ("The Bover"),Sexsmith's guitarist, tunes up, then wanders into the audience
to greet his family. The pork-pie hat is a change from the caps he normally
wears. I think it's "Mike Love syndrome!" To each his own. Regular
drummer Don Kerr is on his honeymoon so he's replaced by session player Mike.
Jason Mercer plays electric and stand-up bass, and old friend Dave joins the
band on piano. Mike and Dave have had to learn thirty songs in a couple of
weeks. They're up to the task!
When Ron and band take the stage the first thing you notice is what incredible
sound they're achieving. They play at lower volumes
than I've heard them in the past, and with a precision that proves all the
practicing has paid off. They're ready for national TV!
Ron is a humble and genial host. He is patient, and willing to take stage direction
from these TV pros. He leads the band through a greatest hits selection.
I call them "greatest hits" even though he's not getting the radio
play he so richly deserves. But for fans, these are the songs we love. I didn't
keep notes, but I dare say the set list included almost every song I would
have expected. And some surprises.
Ron wore a sport-coat over a black shirt and a pair of jeans. On the lapel
of the jacket, he sported a bunny pin. "A bunny with attitude!" he
called it. The jacket proved too much under the hot lights, and the makeup
girl, Kim, had to reappear from time to time to touch Ron up, and mop his brow.
The consumate professional, he refused to remove the jacket, for continuity.
The Bover alternated between three guitars. A Rickenbacker 12-string, a Gibson
Les Paul and a Telecaster each provided the appropriate sounds and tones for
Sexsmith's moody and evocative compositions. There's not a lot of room in these
wonderfully constructed tunes for improvisation, but Bovaconti sounded better
than I've heard him. The mellower approach suits him. Mercer and Mike (the
drummer) provided solid support under the acoustic guitar structure from Ron's
Taylor guitar. And the addition of piano gave the songs texture.
Ron played piano during a brief solo section. He dedicated "Tomorrow
In Her Eyes" to his "sweetheart Colleen" who was in the audience.
He introduced his mother and father who had made the drive up from St. Catherines.
"There's a Rhythm," "Hard Bargain," "Secret Heart," "Gold
In Them Hills," "Not About To Lose," "Whatever It Takes," and
a fine take on "Lebanon, Tennessee" (a song he wrote while still
working as a courier) were just a few of the highlights.
During breaks for lighting or battery changes Ron and Dave played a couple
of old standards, just like hanging around the piano at home. Laid-back renditions
of "Don't Fence Me In," and "Stardust." And he sang the
verse! Nobody sings the verse! One time Bovaconti started jamming on some Jimi
Hendrix, he was joined by Mike and Jason, but it fizzled out before it took
any real shape. That would've been fun!
And fun it was. Three hours of a private audience with one of the world's finest
songwriters and his excellent band. And did I mention the special guest? 60s
pop star, and songwriter Andy
Kim joined Ron on-stage for a surprise rendition
of "Baby, How'd We Ever Get This Way." Andy Kim? Hmmm!
When and where is Beautiful Noise broadcast? I don't know. But I'm
keeping my eyes peeled for it, because there I'll be happily focused on Ron
and Band,
in the front row. What a great show, what a joy.
