Martin Sexton

August, 1998 show review by Kate Rice with a photo by Melissa Henke

"Who the hell is Martin Sexton?" This was the only thought running through my head the first time I watched him perform. Okay, I’m lying. My other thought was "Please, God, let him be a FINE specimen of manhood." Out walked this man with disheveled brown hair (did I mention the sideburns?), jeans, and no offense, but he wasn’t exactly buff.

I was a little disappointed. Then, he picked up his guitar. I might have known to be impressed, had I bothered to read the program. Instead, I was blown away with nothing but what I witnessed.

This normal lookin’ guy had a vocal range not to be believed, and he did THANGS with that guitar! Suddenly, he was sexy. A Chris Isaak with a sense of irony.

Sexton’s performance at this year’s Rocky Mountain Folks Festival once again had me clapping, snapping my fingers, swaying -- all the "groupie" behaviors I’d sworn never to exhibit. I closed my eyes, put down my pen, and felt the music. His folk/blues/lounge style was accomplished with voice, guitar and lyrics. His song "Black Sheep" made a believer out of me. I own the CD by the same title, and have been trying to convince every human being within my reach on the planet that this man’s music is something not to be missed. The CD is fabulous, but Martin could sing with nothing but guitar and still blow me away. He did some scat singing on one song, converted his voice to a trumpet on another, and did a beautiful fade-away by backing away from the mike. Perhaps he’s only following in the footsteps of other performers, but I had never seen anything like it. I especially love that he asks for, and gets, audience participation. Watching him brings as much out of me as he brings out of himself. It’s difficult to take notes during his shows. Who can write when they’re falling in love?