live @ Birchmere 10.13.2000
No amount of listening to Martin Sexton’s recordings prepares you for the sheer physical sensation of hearing his voice live, and when the Syracuse, NY native leaned into the opening “Where Did I Go Wrong” at the Birchmere Friday night, a palpable wave of excitement rippled through the crowd. Though his studio output has been frustratingly inconsistent---the latest, “Wonder Bar”, is another uneven affair---Sexton thrives live; during two sets Friday, his remarkable vocals dominated, evoking the pinched howl of Tim Buckley, the sonorous growl of Van Morrison, even Al Green’s velvety shout, often on a single number. That Sexton and his sidekick/drummer Joe Bonadio made a drum kit and guitar into a wide and snappy rock-soul-folk backdrop was a bonus.
In a masterfully paced first set, Bonadio smacked a variety of percussion gadgets, propelling Sexton’s guitar forward through new songs like “Angeline” and “Faith on the Table” as well as a moving version of Ray Charles’ “Hard Times” and an intense “Glory Bound”. After intermission things got looser: Sexton channeled Billie Holiday and John Lennon (“Helter Skelter” surfaced from a 20-minute musical swamp that seemed to be based on “Gypsy Woman”) and went through a bushel of early material. Sexton’s first two discs---’Black Sheep’ and ‘Into the Journey’---have recently been reissued and versions of “Freedom on the Road”, “13 Step Boogie”, “Diner” and “Candy” seemed imbued with reawakened enthusiasm.
Like Bruce Springsteen his formative years, Sexton’s touring and tireless, engaging performances has earned him a loyal following, and Friday’s stellar show indicated that it is high time he gives his people what they want: a live album. Friday night’s set would have made a very good one.
Washington Post, October 2000
