MARTIN SEXTON

Sugarcoating

[KTR]

On his eighth studio album, Sugarcoating, folk singer-songwriter Martin Sexton employs his impressive baritone in such a range of vocal tricks that you’d be forgiven for forgetting about his guitar prowess. On any given tune, you might hear his voice gliding into a flawless falsetto, or aping a robust trumpet or strings. In fact, it’s sometimes impossible to discern which sounds are created by wood or brass, and which come from his own pipes. But hovering humbly in the background of this joyful mélange is the satisfying pluck of Sexton’s solid fingerstyle guitar playing, honed during many years busking in Boston. It lends an affectionate authority to “Shane,” a collection of advice to his infant son, and a bawdy energy to “Boom Sh-Boom.” In between, his guitar work helps connect the dots among musical influences from gospel to blue-eyed soul, creating a sound that’s all his own. – KD