Martin Sexton
Martin Sexton - Black Sheep
11-Track CD
Recorded at Wellspring Sound, Concord, MA and Sound Techniques, Boston, MA
Engineered and Mixed by Carl Beatty and Dave Kirkpatrick, Crit Harmon and
Eric Kilbourne
Produced by Crit Harmon
As one of 14 children, Martin Sexton has often had to rise above the crowd
in order to be noticed Fortunately, this task has posed little difficulty
for the Syracuse native who has become one of Boston favorite adopted
sons. Starting out as a self-proclaimed quiet and reserved child with
"just a pipe dream and my guitar" and no formal vocal training, Sexton has
developed a voice and a sound which cannot be ignored. Whether it be in
subway tunnels or music halls, Sexton's whisper and wail always draw a
crowd, and the crowd always leaves enlightened, enraptured and enriched.
Sexton has won 1994 "Artist of the Year" honors from the National Academy
of Songwriters and a number of Boston Music Awards. His songs have
appeared on local collections such as "This is Boston...Not Austin -
Volume 1" and "The Vineyard Sound - Music From Martha's Vineyard - Volume
3" and also on "The Performing Songwriter's Editor's Choice of Top 12 DIYs
Compilation - Volume 2" and the soundtrack to the 20th Century Fox feature
"Two Days in the Valley."
Combining the silk, soul, scat and smolder of Van Morrison, the Reverend
Al Green, Aaron Neville, Ray Charles and Stevie Ray Vaughan in an original
array of diverse styles ranging from Gospel and bluesy Soul to Folk, Gypsy
and even Vaudeville, Sexton's "Black Sheep" is a true to life spice of
life album which amazes and satisfies throughout. From the opening stories
of leaving one's home and making one's way to the touching tales of love
and loss, Sexton's voice shares the joys and pains of the life experience
with pathos and passion.
Though he has a publishing arrangement with industry behemoth Sony Music,
Sexton has set himself apart from the large Boston talent pool in another
way by choosing a local label over a number of national affiliates (and
still making it on Billboard's "Heetseeker" list) . If Sexton is any
indication, being the "black sheep" may not be a bad thing after all.
- Matthew S. Robinson
© 1997 M. S. Robinson, ARR
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