Ray LaMontagne

The story of Ray LaMontagne is dramatic enough to build another film called Ray around. By now you might have heard the story. Amongst a hopeless period in his life while working long hours in a Maine shoe factory, LaMontagne awoke to his alarm clock at 4:00 a.m. The radio was playing Stephen Still’s “Treetop Flyer” from his 1991 album – Stills Alone and it touched LaMontagne in a surreal way. A life changing experience convened and so did LaMontagne’s life, as he taught himself to free the music trapped in his soul. Learning to sing from the gut in the vain of the bluesy howls of Otis Redding and Ray Charles, LaMontagne proves "mission accomplished" on his debut album Trouble.

Produced by Ethan Johns, (Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon, the Jayhawks) who also ads the drums, bass and piano parts, Trouble is all heart and trembling white soul. LaMontagne’s voice molds a heartbreaking mix of Joe Cocker, Van Morrison and Damien Rice with bits and pieces of folk, country and rock. The ten tracks create an aura of 70’s folk – as trials of grief, hope and love surface through a melancholy vibe. All ten tracks on the album, tug at you like Rice’s breakthrough album O, beginning with the stunning simplicity of the title track, followed by the lush strings of “Shelter.” “Hold You In My Arms” and the cinemagraphic “Narrow Escape” utilizes LaMontagne’s sure voice to set scenery and mood. Sarah Watkins of Nickle Creek plays fiddle and sings on “Hannah” and “All the Wild Horses,” adding another touch of gracefulness to the mix. Oddly enough the one true upbeat number “Now Come,” sounds eerily like Cocker’s “Feeling Alright,” bringing this brand of white soul full circle. Certainly LaMontagne’s story is worth hearing, but it’s this artist’s voice and his Trouble that is just as triumphant.