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Welcome to Camp Holiday! Please, come in--just knock the extra snow off your boots and gather around the blazing fireplace. Martin Sexton's got his Gibson on his lap, and he is about to begin playing and singing just for you. No place on earth is lovelier than the Adirondack Mountains socked in with December snows, and holiday music just does not get much better than this. So draw up a chair, sit back, relax, and enjoy an authentic, acoustic folk/blues treat.

Camp Holiday covers 12 tracks, including Sexton's sly "Welcome to the Camp." The artist has an incredibly versatile voice, moving seamlessly between sweet reverence and hot blues licks. On "Holly Jolly Christmas," he sounds eerily like Burl Ives and vocally produces a muted trumpet that sizzles. Whatever approach he applies, Sexton effortlessly exudes stylish energy and warmth. "Silent Night" is a heartfelt family affair with Thomas J. Sexton, Jr., and little Briana joining the fun; the harmonies on the final verse are especially endearing. Although I am not a big fan of "Auld Lang Syne," Sexton's version won me over with its simplicity and earthy gusto (and Crit Harmon's lead guitar). The album closes very well with Sexton's a cappella performance of "Let There Be Peace on Earth." All in all, this is the sort of album that makes you sit up and pay attention. Not previously family with Sexton's work, I immediately started checking out his other releases.

Although this album was recorded at a remote mountain cabin, the recording quality is not remote in any respect. The production values are first rate, putting the exciting vocals out front where they belong.

For those who favor folk stylings with a bluesy edge, let Martin Sexton sweep you away to Camp Holiday. And don't forget your snow boots!

--Carol Swanson
(Reviewed in 2005)

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From the liner notes:

Recorded and mixed at the Camp--Adirondack Mountains by Crit Harmon
Unproduced by Martin Sexton and Crit Harmon
Executive unproducer Georganne Calyanis
Mastered by: Scott Hull @Jigsaw Sound, NYC

Martin Sexton--vocals, guitars, human drums, vocal horns, Christmas cookie tin, dinner bell, jingle bells, spaghetti strainer, finger cymbals, salt & pepper shakers
Crit Harmon--lead guitar on "Auld Lang Syne" and hand claps on "Little Drummer Boy"
GG--hand claps on "Little Drummer Boy"
Thomas J. Sexton, Jr.--vocals on "Silent Night"; and voice of king on "Do You Hear What I Hear"
Briana--vocals on "Silent Night"

From the Web site:

In a remote cabin Martin Sexton sits fireside with his old Gibson acoustic and delivers timeless holiday favorites from the Adirondack wilderness.

Complete with a dash of classic Martin - human drums, vocal trumpets and the timely message of peace and giving. Recorded by Crit Harmon (Black Sheep) this record is bound to live in your disc player the entire holiday season year after year.

A native of Syracuse, New York, Martin Sexton grew up on the timeless sounds of Seventies radio, from Stevie Wonder to Led Zeppelin (who led him toward blues legends like Howlin Wolf and Willie Dixon). Sexton eventually migrated to Boston, where he began to build his following singing on the streets of Harvard Square and gradually working his way into the club scene. His 1992 collection of self-produced demo recordings, IN THE JOURNEY, as well as his captivating live appearances, led to a bounty of Boston Music Awards, not to mention the National Academy of Songwriters "Artist of the Year" award. ***

Happily independent, Martin Sexton launched his own label Kitchen Table Records (2002) with his first official live release, a double-cd set, LIVE WIDE OPEN. Mixed by John Alagia (Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer), the sound of the record manages to capture the energy of the artist connecting with the crowd, while at the same time highlighting the joy and skill of any Martin Sexton musical performance.

Renowned as a full-stop road warrior, Sexton has traveled the globe with his guitar slung on his back and a heart full of soul. While his songs are intricate and fully fleshed, Sexton, who manages to play inventive guitar parts while also adding bass lines with his thumb, has no intentions of changing his idiosyncratic live persona. "I'm going to keep it stripped down on the road," he says, "I think there's a surprise element to one guy on stage sounding like three. The road and the records are two very different things. It's like a dual life."

Martin Sexton

Camp Holiday

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Track List