Customer Reviews

Live from Bonnaroo 2005

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have given Ray Lamontagne's latest effort (Till the Sun Turns Black) a 5 star review on Amazon, but the truth of the matter is, as good as the studio produced albums have been, Ray's amazing voice and vibrant emotional delivery can only be truly appreciated live. On a studio track, some of the things that make his music and his performance so powerful have been glossed over or edited out. Live, you are bowled over with the sheer ferocity of his delivery and his willingness to unguardedly bleed all over the place. The four minutes of the first track on this disc, "Burn," are worth the price of this whole CD. I'm not sure if he is screaming at you or with you, accusing or sharing, but it will knock you flat either way. Get all of this guy's stuff, but beware lest you dislike like "live" recordings and pass up on what is essentially pure, unadulterated Ray. You will surely be missing something.

This cd is Ray LaMontagne live: raw, emotional, spacious, honest...the list goes on. I respect all opinions on music and opinions in general-we all have that right. What the previous reviewer does not realize is that Ray LaMontagne will do what he feels necessary to get his music to the people, because they want it! RL understands that his music is effecting people, moving them, and this is an attempt to get those who haven't seen him live as close as possible to that experience. Much respect for him to come out with this release. There is a new track present on this disc that isn't on Trouble and it is beyond amazing!

I was there ... and realized during the imrov jam of "Forever My Friend" that I had tears rolling down my face. The music, the vibe, the interaction between Ray, CT and Larry was THAT good.

The sound on this disc is great - really captures the moment and includes a bit of Ray's chat with the audience. A video of this show would be to die for!

I was a bit bummed that "How Come" wasn't included, though, because this slower, more raw version (also with a kickbutt improv ending) was much more powerful than the commerical-ish version available on the "Trouble" cd.

He really left it all on the stage that evening.

I was there, and this is a decent soundboard recording of the live show, though not the whole set. At least as I remember it. Good sonics, good selection of six tunes, one unreleased, and an appealing amount of crowd noise. If you enjoy Ray's studio albums, you should pick up this cheaply priced but rich concert experience that showcases his talent as a live performer.

I thought this album was just so so. Ray is an excellent song writer, performer, musician. I think the albums production is pretty bad. It sounds really compressed. Live is hard to do but c'mon. Such a fantastic artist.. They really should have focused on the sound quality.

This is the kind of music that gets into your head. Raw, emotional, and so very relevant. I haven't been able to get "Jolene" off my mind for days.

This is the first Ray Lamontagne album I've purchased and it is by far the best. He has an amazing energy in this live preformance and the crowd goes crazy for it. It is very reminiscent of the classic sixties bands that defined that generation.

Altho Ray's voice is the best, I liked his other album better....especially songs like "How Come?". There were no insightful songs like that on this album. I expected more from him, but he probably doesn't care. LOL He just wants to sing.

After discovering Ray quite late, just a couple months ago, I was blown away by his songwriting and, probably moreso, how absolutely genuine the guy is. After seeing a couple live performances via YouTube, I was expecting a lot more from this Bonnaroo performance. I played the CD a single time and can't bring myself to listen again- it was that bad, IMO. Maybe he was ill or the room just wasn't any good, but it sounds like the guy couldn't even hear himself sing.

Ray Lamontagne is the sultry-smokey-troubadour of the 21st century. His painted words mixed with his warm sugar voice have you feeling sexy and comfy simultaneously.

This live collection of songs are testimony of his ability to hold the room in his hands with his voice.