Plus Matt Bailey speaks features a brief interview with the musician
Singer-songwriter Martin Sexton stripped the Beatles’ seminal Abbey Road album down to its core with just a guitar. He played through the entire album and then offered a selection of his own tunes.
Sexton made versatile work of his six-strings throughout the night. Opening with “Come Together,” he rattled the strings and rapped on the guitar’s body to create the iconic hook. Coupled with some mouth noises, it was as fulfilling as if a band had been behind him.
After taking hold of his acoustic guitar, Sexton sat down and slowed “Here Comes the Sun” into a pensively bright ballad. During the Abbey Road set, he told snippets of stories about how each song ended up on the record.
Sexton charmingly lampooned what his wife called Lennon’s “Italian light” in “Sun King” before transitioning effortlessly to “Mean Mr. Mustard.”
Sexton’s voice box is one of intrigue. He can nail a high-pitched nasal tune, dig out a soulful grit in a Lowe register, or put some twang at the back of a phrase. Oh, and he’s an ace whistler. Seriously. He whistles his teeth while staying on tune. A real talent.
The highlight of the second portion of the show was Sexton’s range-sweeping “Glory Bound,” a musician’s road diary song that feels almost like a diary recitation. He followed that up with funky “Ain’t Nobody,” plunking his strings in an irresistible groove.
And of course, there was “Diner,” a song that raised Sexton’s profile when it was featured prominently in the ABC sitcom Scrubs. I spoke with him about that song and the Abbey Road Show in a brief exchange before the show, printed in its entirety below.
Matt Bailey: Tell me about the decision to perform Abbey Road in full. What inspired you to tour with the Beatles album?
Martin Sexton: The reason I wanted to tour performing Abbey Road is because it’s the album that lit my fire as a kid. I discovered it in the 80s in the basement all scratched up in a box with some other LPs from my older siblings. It’s the most influential album that informs my writing, performing and recording style.
MB: How have the Beatles impacted you as an artist?
MS: Aside from Abbey Road, the Beatles in general have always been my favorite band. From the early days to Revolver to Sgt Pepper to the White Album, their range is incomparable. I mean who puts out a record that goes from a solo acoustic Black Bird to a thrashing Helter Skelter on the same album? It’s probably the reason I have a hard time putting a label on my own music today.
MB: It will be 18 years in March 2025 since “Diner” appeared on Scrubs. Did that moment change your career at all?
MS: Well initially I recall getting a nice bump on iTunes after ‘Diner’ appeared on Scrubs that year. All in all, it’s just another brick in the wall. My career has been a series of steps upward and forward. Whether it’s film and tv placements, collaborations with heroes, a major label deal, constant touring, or bits of good press here and there, and last but not least the fans who continue to show up year after year… I’ve been blessed with this long and winding road.
MB: What’s next for you music-wise? Will you be releasing new music soon?
MS: I’ve been dreaming of a cover record. I’ve never done that before and I’d love to put my own spin on something and give it a whirl.
