Blue Boy is a studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith, released in 2001.[7][8] Sexsmith's former label, Interscope, refused to release the album; Sexsmith eventually was able to license and shop it.[9]
Production
The album was recorded in Nashville, over the course of six days, and was produced by Steve Earle and his partner Ray Kennedy.[10] Earle encouraged Sexsmith to record the stylistically diverse songs that Sexsmith normally omitted from albums.[11] It includes a cover of the Kyp Harness song "Thumbelina Farewell."
Critical reception
No Depression wrote that Sexsmith "bonds his thoughtful, elegant wordplay, indelible sense of melody, and demure voice to a myriad of styles."[12]The Washington Post wrote that the album is "shot through with crafty and engaging pop tunes that incorporate everything from backward loops and string arrangements to jazz coloring and reggae beats."[13]Trouser Press wrote that the producers "picked up the tempo, pushed [Sexsmith] to sing more forcefully, got the Hammond organ Leslie cabinet twirling and plugged in the electric guitars — all of which moved Sexsmith to a safe and happy musical place that supports, rather than competes with, his songwriting."[14]
