Search - Martin Sexton :: Wonder Bar

Martin Sexton
Wonder Bar
Genres: Folk, Pop

Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
1. Angeline
2. Real Man
3. Elephant's Memory
4. Faith on the Table
5. Casino Foundation
6. Where Did I Go Wrong with You
7. She Cries and Sings
8. Things You Do to Me
9. Hallelujah
10. Free World
11. Golden Road

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CD Details

All Artists: Martin Sexton
Title: Wonder Bar
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 2
Label: Atlantic / Wea
Original Release Date: 10/10/2000
Release Date: 10/10/2000
Genres: Folk, Pop
Styles: Traditional Folk, Contemporary Folk, Singer-Songwriters
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 075678340529, 075678340543

Synopsis

Amazon.com

A talent woefully underserved by the term "singer-songwriter," Martin Sexton treads the same lonely path to greatness as Ben Harper. Sexton is building a loyal following drawn by the passion of his live shows. He is so willfully eclectic and confident that he may leave the new listener perplexed by the chopping and changing of idioms; he defies categorization in ways that give the reviewer a hard task in alerting would-be listeners. He sings in the style of a number of soul legends--high one minute, humming from his throat the next--then, as in "Where Did I Go Wrong with You," can croon with himself as accompaniment. He is a fine musician, playing all the guitars on this album, alongside session bassist Tony Levin and keyboard virtuoso David Sancious. He crafts a fine song, too. Among many highlights, the soulful introspection of "Real Man" stands out. One word of caution: the rollicking opener, "Angeline," is irritatingly catchy, but not typical of the rest of the album. --Rob Stewart

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Member CD Reviews

Alan Z. (ZUBEALA) from SEMMES, AL
Reviewed on 11/19/2012...

I agree with what others have said about Martin. You really have to see him live to appreciate his energy and talent. That being said this is still a great CD. I can not help from getting energized when ever it comes up on my MP3 player. Angeline is killer. Faith on the Table makes me get up and dance, but the whole set is very worthy.
Give Martin a try...I think you will like what you hear...but make it a point to see him live.

CD Reviews

Not his best, and it's too damn bad

Maggie Booher | Northfield, MN USA | 11/25/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The only people who know who Martin Sexton is are absolute groupies. I've followed him around on his tours as much as I can provided I'm a poor college student- and I'm sorry to say that none of his albums will come close to his live power. So if you can't go to a concert and you're looking for a great album, one of those to listen to in the dark while sitting on the porch, this is a good one. Good blend of peppy, melancholy, and singable melodies. However, it just doesn't live up to its potential. It pales in comparison to "Black Sheep." And while I'm glad Atlantic Records signed him on and he'll have a wider audience, I think they have done nothing good for his sound. Why can't major record labels just accept folkies as they are and not try to recreate them for the masses? Buy Black Sheep first, then In the Journey, then the American, then this one...."

Growth and Change

ecalnan | Boston, MA USA | 10/23/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"To date, I have not reviewed any albums on this site - however, when I read some of the comments about Marty Sexton's latest effort, I felt compelled. Musicians cannot (and in many cases Choose not to) live off a career of acoustic live albums that showcase their talents in the rawest of settings. Although these efforts may highlight some of their finest talents, fortunately, many of them choose to expand their creative threshholds and embrace new sounds, influences and production environments.As many have noted, Martin Sexton is a rare, unique talent and for those of you who haven't seen him live - do yourself a favor - he is still at the stage of his career that you can pay 15 bucks and actually see him without looking at a jumbotron in some stadium with 50,000 others.This record is one that takes him in a new direction - one that is different from his previous work, but no less intriguing. He taps his influences from gospel, blues, rock and others to push forward a diverse, soulful effort that many of todays bands who just focus on volume should take notice of.If this is your first Martin Sexton purchase, compliment it with a copy of Black Sheep and a live show and you will surely be hooked for life.Good work Marty ! Keep it up."

An Eclectic Masterpiece!

R. Stolzer | WI USA | 02/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Okay, I have to admit that when I stuck Wonder Bar in my CD player for the first time and "Angeline" starting belting out of the speakers, I wasn't quite prepared. But by the time the CD was over, I was hooked, especially by "Faith on the Table". This is a wonderfully rich CD. What some folks considered over-produced, I look at as being beautifully layered. I'm struck by Sexton's eclectic use of instruments, especially his own voice. As I listened more and more, I noticed that Sexton would ocassionally use his own breath to punctuate a point in the music. What I found interesting is that I come to expect that breath when I'm listening now. Beyond the instruments and Sexton's incredible voice, I found the lyrics to be quite moving. "Real Man" is one of my favorite songs because of the lyrics. The lines: "For so many years I believed I was broken. So medicine sweet and the leaves I was smoking. Told me I was strong, righteous and firm. But only if I comply and stay in the terms. With the deal made between weakness and shame. To shelter me from the price of my pain. I'm real I'm a real man yes I am" struck me the first time I heard the song. The same is true from some of the lyrics from "Free World". I've never seen Sexton in concert, though I've heard (and read in these reviews) that he puts on an incredible show. I only have his CDs to go by and that's plenty. This CD is not "Black Sheep". In some ways, I hate to say that it is better, because it's really apples and oranges. But Wonder Bar has a different kind of richness to it. It's definitely more of a rockin' CD and it has replaced Black Sheep as my favorite Martin Sexton CD."

Too good for his own good

Garry Grasinski | Chicago, IL United States | 02/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Martin Sexton is so wonderfully talented and clearly has such a good time singing and playing that you forget just how difficult it is to do what he does. Ever expressive vocals, beautifully crafted songs and quirkily original lyrics make for a potent and completely entertaining album. You may not be able to place him in a specific musical slot, but why try? Just sit back and enjoy a singular talent that is a true force of nature. If only more singer/songwriters had this much to offer."