(Warner) 5 stars
That Ron Sexsmith is a consummate tunesmith has been freely acknowledged by artists as diverse as Lucinda Williams, Elvis Costello and k d lang.
But the Canadian balladeer’s own interpretations hold the strongest appeal, allowing words and melody to breathe.
On `Time Being’, with gun producer Mitchell Froom back at the helm, the instrumental emphasis is on acoustic guitars and long-time Costello drummer Pete Thomas helps provide rhythmic input.
Sexsmith delivers a low-key, but deeply satisfying performance of newly-minted originals that somehow manage to emerge like classics.
Notables are the lilting opener `Hands of Time’, infectious `All in Good Time’ and persuasive `Never Give Up’.
There’s an intriguing change of pace and mood on the Beatlesque `Ship of Fools’ and `The Grim Trucker’, while his closer, `And Now The Day Is Done’, is a gorgeous ballad that lingers long after Froom’s piano fades away.
– Mike Daly