The sweet and self effacing Ron Sexsmith spent Monday night with us @Newtown (Enmore) for the last show of his mini-tour of Australia. The lights dropped, the crowd rose from their seated positions on the carpet and dance floor (which would not be used for any dancing at a Sexsmith gig!) and Mr. Sexsmith ambled onto the dimly lit stage.

Wearing a dark pinstriped suit, with his pale untucked shirt hanging off of him, Ron looked like he had just flopped out of bed and slipped the suit on. His thick shrubbery of brown hair framed his moon face and he kicked off proceedings with From A Few Streets Over.  From the get go, you could tell that Ron had 400 hundred or so adoring acolytes in attendance and they were truly fans of his art. Now Ron has lots of words and lots of songs. Everyone seemed to want to hear something special and people were calling out for their favourites as soon as the third song was complete. Dapper Ron, as he called himself tonight (due to the suit!) was very accommodating and gave the audience what they asked for.

This made for a rambling, not quite cohesive set, but then again, the Ron Sexsmith sound, as it is, can be jumbled in any form and the set may sound the same. Ron just had some trouble with some of the words, especially for songs that he had not played in awhile, but the gathering laughed along with him and he quietly picked or strummed the chords along with his angelic voice.

Ron also played Speaking With The Angels (one of this reviewers favourites), and Words We Never Use from his 1996 eponymous release. Ron accompanied himself on guitar and keyboards through the night and the sound was fabulous, even when the people around you sang along with him. Even though Ron looked a bit tired, he was truly engaging and welcomed conversation with the audience. One young man ,who was celebrating his 22nd birthday, was amazed when Ron said he had a son his age. Still looking younger then his 43 years, Ron said, “Well, I guess I am officially what you would call a geezer now”.

Ron’s latest tunes from Time Being (2006) were given a good airing this evening. They included Snow Angel, Hands Of Time, I Think We’re Lost, Never Give Up and the wry Jazz In The Bookstore. It was a treat to hear the unadorned versions, but I still pray for the day that Ron will bring a band to Australia so we can hear the full arrangements. When I spoke to Ron recently he joked, “Yes maybe next time I will tour North America on my own and bring the band to Australia.” The cost is  the reason and I guess we are lucky just to be graced with his solo presence.

Ron finished the set off with a cover of Sinatra’s In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning and then one more of his own, the bitter sweet Secret Heart. The faithful slipped out onto Enmore Road with smiles and warmth to take away the chill of an October Sydney evening. Come back soon, Ron!