Gossip in the Grain

Ray LaMontagne | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 14, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA VICTOR
• ASIN: B001AX9DT0
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (82 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,418 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #16 in Music > Rock > Singer-Songwriters
  • #25 in Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk > Singer-Songwriters
  • #29 in Music > Folk > Contemporary Folk > General

Editorial Reviews

1. You Are The Best Thing
2. Let It Be Me
3. Sarah
4. I Still Care For You
5. Winter Birds
6. Meg White
7. Hey Me, Hey Mama
8. Henry Nearly Killed Me
9. A Falling Through
10. Gossip In The Grain

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Are The Best Thing, Baby, November 2, 2008

By 

prisrob "pris," (New England USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Gossip in the Grain (Audio CD)

Ray Lamontagne, is an enigma. His voice is breathy and rich and his trademark. His songwriting is brilliant at times. He is a genius at his craft. But, he is not reaching the masses. I found him, oh, several years ago with his first CD, 'Trouble' and his voice and lyrics stirred my soul.

"The Jesus-bearded troubadour is sort of a recluse. He doesn't enjoy doing interviews, refuses to make music videos, and hates reviews of his work--be they positive or negative. But for all the coffeehouse hacks trying to emulate Bob Dylan's verbosity and Van Morrison's impassioned croon, there's the soft-spoken Ray LaMontagne, singing his own wistful tunes without the weight of pretension and the hype of MTV." Joe Tacopina

This CD brings Ray Lamontagne to the fore. He is including a full orchestra. As he said in an interview, "It was time to open up a little bit more, not be quite so reserved in my choice of songs that I wanted to record." His choices in these ten songs are somewhat similar to his first two CD's but tell a story of their own. These songs are richer and more complete.

'You Are The Best Thing'-Best song of the ten and my favorite- backed-up by vocals and this is Ray at his best.

'Let It Be Me'- A traditional Ray song-showcasing his beautiful voice.

'Sarah'- One of the most beautifully written songs- many say he sounds like Nick Drake in this saga.

'I Still Care For You'-The big band background with Ray barely speaking.

'Winter Birds'- The poem like wording is exquisite. The best writing of his career.

'Meg White'- Such a complete sidestepping of his usual fare. Feet stomping good- a tribute to Meg White of the 'Stripes'- you either love it or hate it.

'Hey Me, Hey Mama'- Folksy singing- absolutely love this new Ray- 'Where ya been so long?'

'Henry Nearly Killed Me'-Fast paced song with a story line to be followed.

'A Falling Through'- A quiet, thoughtful song.

'Gossip In The Grain'- Soft, listen carefully to the lyrics- beautiful musical background.

Ray Lamontagne is a musician who has not reached his prime. He has stepped out of his footprint with this CD. Gaining new ground and new fans. He is quietly taking his place along side the greats of his genre.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 11-02-08

Trouble

[[ASIN:B000GPIPVU Till the Sun Turns Black

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touches your soul., October 15, 2008

By 

Kelly N "folk girl" (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gossip in the Grain (Audio CD)

I love Ray LaMontagne and I've been a fan of everything he's done, but Gossip in the Grain is so unique and personal...I was amazed! People who call the songs filler or mush are not able to appreciate the art of the composition and the poetry that are these lyrics. I agree that this is not Trouble, but why would you want it to be? That's been done already! He has grown and evolved into something even more beautiful on this album. Winter Birds could be published poetry as far as I'm concerned. And every song has a hint of a different style and a different time in the history of American music. Please buy this album and keep an open mind.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sold! New Fan., November 30, 2008

By 

Scott Carpenter (Minneapolis, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gossip in the Grain (Audio CD)

I had never heard of Ray LaMontagne before Amazon's recommendation engine pointed out to me that people frequently bought Martin Sexton's "Solo" along with "Gossip in the Grain." I'm a huge fan of Martin Sexton since about a year ago, and looking for more amazing folk/rock music to experience.

So I sampled a few tracks before downloading mp3s for "You are the Best Thing" and "Let It Be Me." Repeated playings of these tracks quickly lead to buying the rest. (And then regretting not buying the physical CD.) Love the whole album, listening to it many times the past couple of days, and now waiting eagerly for his first two albums to be delivered.

The songs really move me. Emotional, honest, real. Ray's voice is superb. "I Still Care For You" didn't click right away, but I quickly grew to appreciate it along with the rest. I don't understand the hate for "Meg White" in other reviews -- it's another good tune and a nice change of pace. "Winter Birds" also good. Mellow, yet engaging. (I don't really know what that means.) All the tunes are awesome. So glad to have found this artist and that I have more to look forward to.