|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
Special Offers and Product Promotions
- Buy a CD or a vinyl record, get a $1 Amazon MP3 Credit. Limit one promotional credit per customer. Here's how (restrictions apply)
- Includes FREE MP3 version of this album Here's how (restrictions apply)
Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
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
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
61 of 66 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.... Read more ›
"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.... Read more ›
18 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By Kelly N
Format: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.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
"Gossip In The Grain" builds off of both of Ray's older albums. It has the beautiful soulful simple vocals of "Trouble" combined with the amazing instrumentation of "Til The Sun Turns Black". In true Lamontagne style, Ray provides moving beautiful song after song on this album. He also experiments with a more traditional folk sound in tracks such as "Hey Me, Hey Mama". The song "You Are The Best Thing" will become an instant classic and go down as one of the all time greats. If you too have fallen in love with the moving soulful work of this modern master don't hesitate to buy this album. You will not be disappointed!
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format: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.
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.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By G. Willms
Format:Audio CD
Sure, he's expanded his sound a bit on some of these songs, but I find the album as a whole really flat and sort of forgettable. There are a few stand-outs such as the single, You Are the Best Thing, the soulful Let It Be Me, and the back-country porch rocker Hey Me, Hey Mama. Other than those, everything seems to kind of blend together into a whispery mush.
I've heard a lot of Ray's live and rare material that hasn't been included on any of his studio albums and it just leaves me wondering, "Why?" A lot of it is better than anything Gossip In The Grain. Dig 'em out, shine 'em up, and record 'em, Ray. No more gimmicky songs about talentless female drummers please.
I've heard a lot of Ray's live and rare material that hasn't been included on any of his studio albums and it just leaves me wondering, "Why?" A lot of it is better than anything Gossip In The Grain. Dig 'em out, shine 'em up, and record 'em, Ray. No more gimmicky songs about talentless female drummers please.
20 of 27 people found the following review helpful
By Donald G
Format:Audio CD
Ok I see that some reviewers have given Ray an unfair rating on this album. One reviewer said that on some songs it sounded like Ray was channeling Ray Charles and Johny Cash, and acted like that was the highest point of this album. Now I get that Ray's voice is full of soul and he has been influenced by some of the past greats, and that tends to pull in some of the older audience. But when Ray doesn't give them that redundant bluesy/soul sound they get all pissey and call it filler and say they just don't get it. What they fail to realize is that Ray is an artist of his own time, and of course will "channel", if you may, some of his past influences, but in all is more of his own self. I have learned to love his first two albums equally as they are a part of a growing process of a true artist, and after giving this album a couple listens I already know that I will love this one just as much as the first two. If you are on the fence about buying this album and are thinking about passing just because some stubborn oldies didn'nt get "When A Man Loves A Women" (Although a fantastic song!!) 10 times. Wonder no more and purchase this songwriting genius' latest masterpiece!!!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ray is a legend
Bloody awesome voice, Brilliant and amazing vocals, Beyond inspiring musicianship. He has soul, He has grit, He showcases enough variety to keep it all interesting without losing... Read more
Published 2 days ago by Ryan Monastra
5.0 out of 5 stars
Cross between Jack Johnson and The Subdudes
Pretty eclectic; soulful and at the same time, folksy. My weekend music....Ray expresses the many perspectives we all have as we encounter life. Excellent!
Published 4 days ago by Bill Duerden
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Solid Album
My favorite album of his is still "God Willin' & The Creek Don't Rise," but this is still a very solid album. Right up there with "Trouble" for my taste. Read more
Published 5 days ago by K. Spears
4.0 out of 5 stars
Soulful
I listened to all of the sampler files for the album and felt everything sounded wuite nice. this is a soulful album with softer sounds of lament and not much not the driving... Read more
Published 13 days ago by D. Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
sweet songs
I love Gossip in the Grain, Ray LaMontage's music is honest, beautiful and soothing. He is a wordsmith of the highest caliber. I recommend this album to everyone.
Published 1 month ago by Diana Dandeo
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love RayLa Montagne
Wonderful album. Ray LaMontagne's voice is like a loving hug; he draws you in, lets his emotions out and you relax and decompress.
Published 1 month ago by A discerning buyer
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good but more of the same...
I like Ray Lamontagne but his albums tend to be very quiet and melancholy. The first track gave me some hope that this album may be a bit more upbeat but unfortunately the overall... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Bryan Irvin
5.0 out of 5 stars
ORIGINAL and WONDERFUL
Well, what can you say - this is Ray LaMontagne the magnificent, and I mean that sincerely. This man says and sings more in one line than most musicians sing in a whole album.
Published 2 months ago by D Rice
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Ray I have always loved
This doesn't disappoint, and it's one I listen to over and over. Mellow enough to be background, but you won't want to miss a single word. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Linda DeSomber
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love!
If you haven't listened to this artist, now is the time. Blues, rock and soul all blend together. Non-pretentious and gritty.
Published 2 months ago by moongirl
