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CD Review by Martin Kemp MARTIN SEXTON Wonder Bar Atlantic · This self-produced album was recorded at the famed Bearsville Studio near Woodstock, New York, and features some of the studio’s vintage recording equipment. · Guest musicians include bassist Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, Paul Simon) and keyboardist David Sancious (Bruce Springsteen, Santana, Sting). This multi-faceted album is a cross between an inspirational Sunday morning gospel revival, and a cheesy Vegas lounge at 3 a.m. An unorthodox combination, but for the most part, Martin Sexton pulls it off. The CD cover shows Sexton looking pensively at a tambourine while wearing a colourful shirt, white tux and a half-grown moustache – kind of a musical used car salesman look. And that’s exactly what he tries to do on this album – sell you a sound that is well produced, yet all over the map. Schmoozy huckster meets Billy Graham on acid. A solid rock sound accompanies Sexton’s multi-range voice, with tracks that meander around blues, gospel, roots, pop and even R&B. There’s not a lot of consistency here, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing – sort of like sampling a different greasy blue plate special each track. Throughout the album, Sexton throws out his half tongue-in-cheek musings on life, spirituality and the road. Highlights of the album occur in songs where Sexton has mixed several layers of his own voice, creating a full-blown choir sound. Mormon Tabernacle, eat your heart out. 3/5

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