When he was seventeen (Haven’t we heard this before?), Ronald “Ron” Eldon Sexsmith started playing at the Lion’s Tavern in his home town of St. Catharine’s, Ontario. It was 1981 and he soon garnered a following as the “One-Man Jukebox” for his impressive ability to play whatever was requested. But after a few years, when he grew tired of playing the same old stuff and began to experiment with more obscure (and interesting) tunes, the days of the One-Man Jukebox were numbered.

In 1985 he moved to Toronto, got a job as a courier, formed a band (called The Uncool) and released a cassette, and then another, and still another, along the way being rejected by every major Canadian label.  Far from an over-night success, it wasn’t until 1995 that Ron Sexsmith finally had a hit, “Speaking with the Angels” that at long last led to a contract with Geffen Records and a self-titled album that earned wide attention within musical circles, especially after Elvis Costello began to recommend it.

As more albums were released more recognition followed, from Elton John, Paul McCartney and Ray Davies.  As a matter of fact after Sexsmith recorded “This is Where I Belong” for a Kinks tribute album, Davies invited him to perform with him at a concert in London. Sexsmith songs have since been covered by a broad range of artists including: John Hiatt, Sheryl Crow, Leonard Cohen, k.d. lang, Michael Bublé and (those who have read prior “postings” will find this fitting) Rod Stewart.

About his songwriting Ron Sexsmith has said, “…my main objective is to try and stay out of the way of the song. I want to write songs that are good whether I’m singing them or not.”

Today’s selection comes in praise of a month known for its rejuvenation; a month that always starts on the same day of the week as July (except on leap years when it starts as the same weekday as January) and always ends on the same day of the week as December.  It’s the closing track of Sexsmith’s second (major label) album in 1997, “Other Songs”.

LISTEN TO TODAY’S SECTION – Sunday 1 April 2012

April After All

 It’s really coming down

Raining cats and hounds

It’s falling on parades

And on the plans we made

But there’ll be other days

And things will turn our way

The rain has got to fall

It’s April after all

 Even the longest night

Will lead you to daylight

It’s the way May leads to June

And it’s how I’ve come to you

The world goes spinning round

Life goes up and down

And rain is bound to fall

It’s April after all

 There’ll be other days

Darling come what may

The rain has got to fall

It’s April after all

Tears are bound to fall

It’s April after all