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biography:
Windsor-Ontario based artist
Ron Leary has quickly been gaining recognition as one of Canada's most
important emerging roots artists, much the result of the debut release
"theroadinbetween" (2006) followed by an intense year of
touring Canada coast-to-coast.
photo credit: Ron Marsten
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theroadinbetween reviews:
Vue Weekly (Edmonton, AB) Prevue (Aug 16th, 2007) In last year's The Road In Between Windsor, ON songwriter Ron Leary crafted an album that is burdened with the weight of the world, but which refuses to buckle under the pressure. A song like "You've Got It All Wrong" addresses the woes of a damaged relationship with an intelligent and careful approach that avoids juvenile cliches and instead goes for the emotional heart of the situation, leaving the story partially unsaid and letting the listener decide just how it all turns out. It's that sense of continuum that gives life to the folky strumming that drives the album and makes the songs feel as though they are glimpses into a complicated world without tidy endings. There's a melancholy that pervades the record, but it's not depressing - more like a quiet and subdued contemplation that would be perfectly suited for a summer afternoon in a pub someplace sorta like The Black Dog. - Eden Munro
Windsor Star (Windsor, ON) CD breakdown: 5 stars (Jan 2nd, 2007) Ron Leary - theroadinbetween: Don't balk at the singer-songwriter tag that must accompany this album. Windsor troubadour and perennial open mic guru Ron Leary has more than enough creativity and character to rise above being the quintessential "guy with an acoustic guitar." First, there's his utterly unique voice - a pleading, caught-in-the-throat, tenor that transfixes with its vulnerability. It's like a tightrope act that sometimes verges on faltering, but always returns to balance and beauty. Then there's his exquisite songwriting, which melds rustic sensibilities with coffeehouse poetics and indie rock inspirations. Alt-country doesn't quite describe it. It's too delicate to be roots music, too edgy to be folk. Leary has accomplished a most difficult feat on his debut full-length: a personal sound in a heavily travelled genre. Bravo. - Dalson Chen
Real Detroit Weekly (Detroit, MI) Ear Candy: 4 stars (Aug 31st, 2006) Ron Leary - theroadinbetween: Windsor's Ron Leary has crafted a debut album in the acoustic singer/songwriter-backed-by-an-alt-country-leaning-band vein that wins on all fronts. The songwriting is solid, the production strong and the performances frequently compelling. Leary's voice carries off songs that are a nice combo of Ron Sexsmith and Ryan Adams. - KND
Upfront Magazine (Windsor, ON) (June 2006) Produced by Dean Drouillard, "theroadinbetween" is a feast for the ears. This is still a troubadour's album, but there's lots to entertain those listeners bored with the "guy with a guitar" conventions: strings swell, harmonies lilt, slide guitars haunt, and drums add rhythm and dynamics to songs built well enough for one man and one guitar." - Adam Fox
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articles:
Border Patrol - Windsor's Music Scene - Real Detroit Weekly (Dec 11, 2007)
In Conversation: Ron Leary - CBC Radio 3 (Sept 12, 2007)
Broken Heart & Broken Strings - Upfront Magazine (July 2007)
Songwriter Inspired by Local Stories - Windsor Star (May 17th, 2007)
Track of the Day - CBC Radio 3 (Feb 12th, 2007)
The Windsor Scene - Upfront Magazine (Dec 2006) Ron Leary. The reigning king of Open Mics also happens to be one of our city's most gifted storytellers and possesses one of the most gorgeously awkward voices you'll ever hear. He can make you laugh, cry and fall in love during one of his songs, simply because of his delivery. He could probably convert a room full of lesbians simply by singing them the yellow pages.
Leary Set for Homecoming - Sentinel Review (Oct 6th, 2006)
The Windsor Scene - Upfront Magazine (Oct 2006) Ron Leary: Golden voiced singer/songwriter. Easily Windsor's best kept secret, but he may not be for much longer. CBC has picked up some of the songs from his "theroadinbetween" for their tv series, 11 Cameras. RIYL: Iron & Wine, Calexico, Ron Sexsmith.
Windsor's Own Humble Success - Windsor Star (Sept 11th, 2006)
The Lance (Sept 2002) - "A master at heartbreaking twang, Leary's folk-pop is like an old bottle of whiskey - warm, with a little bite and a velvety finish"
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