Ray LaMontagne is a throw-back to an era when expert songwriting and soulful singing were the only fuel needed to make a run to the top of the charts. Today, a different fuel mixture is needed for pop propulsion, where the two main ingredients are beauty and boobs. So when Ray LaMontagne won three Grammys in 2005, it was a deviation from the norm. He has neither beauty nor boobs.
When I heard Ray LaMontagne for the first time on WTMD‘s World Cafe, little did I know that I was listening to a grizzly-bearded white man with a sour countenance and an affinity for plaid collared shirts. It makes me happy to know that soulful singing can come from anyone with the soul sing it.
“Let It Be Me” was the song that introduced me to Ray LaMontagne and it was his voice, not the tastefully-played guitar, that hooked me. Let’s see if it hooks you too.
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His voice definitely doesn’t match his look, does it. But you know it has a nice sound. Of course, it would put me right to sleep but I like it! thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you like it!
OK my first two cents; I like it. At the risk of over thinking it, there is some air in his voice where you would expect to hear the grit or raspiness in other voices. First thing I thought was there is a hole in the sound, not in a bad way though. OK that’s 2 and 1/2 cents.
Great observation. LaMontagne’s sound is very breath-y. That’s kinda why I like it, I think.
I saw him in concert a few months ago in DC. Just him on guitar, and an awesome upright bass player. It was an amazing, inspiring concert.