Cobblestone Runway

Cobblestone Runway

Track Listings

1. Former Glory

2. These Days

3. Least That I Can Do

4. God Loves Everyone

5. Disappearing Act

6. For a Moment

7. Gold in Them Hills

8. Heart's Desire

9. Dragonfly on Bay Street

10. The Less I Know

11. Up the Road

12. Best Friend

13. Gold in Them Hills (remix)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The title of Ron Sexsmith's 2001 album, Blue Boy, well described a singer who's made a modest career playing pretty, moony tunes about love found and lost. But from the first notes of the sweet-swinging opener, "Former Glory," it's clear that on this follow-up, Sexsmith's forlorn folk-pop is in for a reinvention. Cobblestone Runway adds synthesizers and danceable beats to his usual guitar and vocal melodies, and for the most part the new sounds enliven Sexsmith's songs without strangling them. The disc recalls Beth Orton and Jeb Loy Nichols, but not everything will sound alien to an established Sexsmith admirer: "The Less I Know" is a calm, Beatle-esque pop tune, and cuts like "Best Friends" and "God Loves Everyone" would fit on any of his previous discs. Inevitably there are a few missteps--among them the disco-fied "Dragonfly on Bay Street"--but overall Sexsmith's electro-folk experiment proves refreshingly successful. --Anders Smith Lindall

Tracks:

Former Glory
These Days
Least That I Can Do
God Loves Everyone
Disappearing Act
For a Moment
Gold in Them Hills
Heart's Desire
Dragonfly on Bay Street
Less I Know
Up the Road
Best Friends
Gold in Them Hills [Remix]

Tracks:

In This Love
Spending Money
Don't Mind Losing
Tell You
Gonna Get What's Mine
Speaking With the Angel
Every Word of It
Some People
Trains
Saving Her Love
Laughing Crowd

Album Description

An exclusive-to-Canada 2-CD version of the 2002 album by Ron Sexsmith, Cobblestone Runway, which contains a bonus CD - Grand Opera Lane, his first album originally released in 1991. 24 tracks in all including his collaboration with Chris Martin of Coldplay on, 'Gold In The Hills'. Nettwerk. 2002.

Album Details

Includes a Bonus CD, his Hard to Find 1991 Debut Album 'grand Opera Lane'

Average customer rating:

A strong 3.5 stars
Songwriting triumphs over production values
wonderful
Did you really have any doubts?
Addictive melodies and voice

Cobblestone Runway
Ron Sexsmith
Manufacturer: Nettwerk Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Other Songs
Ron Sexsmith
Retriever
Whereabouts
Blue Boy

ASIN: B00006JJ3Q
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Tracks:

Former Glory
These Days
Least That I Can Do
God Loves Everyone
Disappearing Act
For a Moment
Gold in Them Hills
Heart's Desire
Dragonfly on Bay Street
The Less I Know
Up the Road
Best Friend
Gold in Them Hills (remix)

Amazon.com

The title of Ron Sexsmith's 2001 album, Blue Boy, well described a singer who's made a modest career playing pretty, moony tunes about love found and lost. But from the first notes of the sweet-swinging opener, "Former Glory," it's clear that on this follow-up, Sexsmith's forlorn folk-pop is in for a reinvention. Cobblestone Runway adds synthesizers and danceable beats to his usual guitar and vocal melodies, and for the most part the new sounds enliven Sexsmith's songs without strangling them. The disc recalls Beth Orton and Jeb Loy Nichols, but not everything will sound alien to an established Sexsmith admirer: "The Less I Know" is a calm, Beatle-esque pop tune, and cuts like "Best Friends" and "God Loves Everyone" would fit on any of his previous discs. Inevitably there are a few missteps--among them the disco-fied "Dragonfly on Bay Street"--but overall Sexsmith's electro-folk experiment proves refreshingly successful. --Anders Smith Lindall

Customer Reviews:

A strong 3.5 stars.......2005-03-11

This album is my first introduction to Ron Sexsmith. I can see where people say this album grows on you. I have a feeling it's already under my skin & I'll listen to it many more times.

There's something mellow and approachable about his style, and a familiarity which cannot be denied. He seems to honor his predecessors, yet forge a unique sound for himself.

His voice is what really draws me in. I don't go so much for drippy, poppy stuff, and the instrumentation verges on being a little too Adult Contemporary Top 40, yet I'm willing to look past that because his style is so totally his own.

There's a sweet quality to his voice that is just uplifting and optimistic. I haven't heard his other stuff yet, so perhaps he does get a bit darker. But overall, I felt this album was solid, upbeat and very melodic.

Songwriting triumphs over production values.......2003-09-24

It pains me to give any Ron Sexsmith album less than 5 stars because he's as fine a songwriter as there is. He has suffered the curse of being a "songwriter's songwriter"--Costello and McCartney among the longtime supporters--but he usually connects with listeners in such an intimate way that I found the intrusive production on many of this CD's tracks to interfere with my overall enjoyment of it. A few listens later I felt able to live with the sound effects and odd choices made by the producer, since some of the tracks were treated more mercifully. "God Loves Everyone", "Gold In Them Hills", and "Heart's Desire" really stood out for me. This is not an album I would play to introduce someone to Sexsmith's music, but it is to be admired for its ambitious change of direction, however misguided it might have been. Great songwriting triumphs in the end.

wonderful.......2003-06-10

it's a true wonder that ron sexsmith isn't a household name. "cobblestone runway" is a gem and i'm glad i found it in the most unconventional way. "least that i can do," "the less i know," "these days," and "former glory" are ... well, glorious. very much his own unique self, but capable of evoking thoughts of mccartney, van morrison, and even boz scaggs at their best. a great listen on the very first spin, but actually keeps getting better with every play. simply wonderful.

Did you really have any doubts?.......2003-05-19

More beautiful music from the songewriter extraordinaire.
I have all Ron's CDs and this is my favorite with Other Songs and Blue Boy running a close second. The musicianship is first class as usual and the writing is from the heart. The sound quality is also very nice. I think one of the reviewers here needs a new stereo. My only complaint is a few synthesized sounds here and there the songs could have done nicely without, however, this is a minor issue considering all this recording has to offer. My copy will be enjoyed for many years come.

Addictive melodies and voice.......2003-04-04

I had never heard of Ron Sexmith until I saw his band open for Coldplay in Phoenix in Feb 03. My husband I both enjoyed the performance, and decided to purchase Cobblestone Runway. After the 1st listen, I wasn't sold. But after 3 listens, it has become one of my favorite cd's. I can't get the melodies and lyrics out of my head, even after listening to other artists. Truly addictive, and I simply love his unique voice. Give it several listens, and don't judge it on the 1st play. I am in Amazon.com right now to purchase a 2nd cd from Ron Sexmith. Gotta have more!