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119 of 125 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Singer, Songwriter To Be Remembered., February 25, 2005
Ray Lamontagne, a new name in the market, and an image of a great singer/songwriter is what we have here. A true find, a voice like no others. He has been compared to Otis Redding, Van Morrison and David Grey, However, Ray has a voice of his own, sometimes gravelly, always luscious. His first CD "Trouble" is bound to be a great one. The lyrics alone are enough to bring in accolades, but his voice and the music behind him, guitar, piano, harmonica and bass are all he needs. This is one to be remembered.
Ray Lamontagne spent most of his life moving around with his family, but found himself settled in Maine. He says he was an "oddball", always in trouble and hated school. He and his mom would have fights about his education. He finally made it through high school, just barely. He was working in a shoe mill in a small Maine town, when he woke up one morning to a tune on the radio that resonated in his head. He suddenly realized "This is what I am meant to be doing, singing and songwriting". He never went back to the mill. He set out to find his true vocation. He was found by the people he needed to meet and made this CD in California. Now Ray Lamontagne is touring all over the world, bringing his voice and music to us. I first saw/heard him on Conan O'Brien singing the title song, "Trouble". His voice has a mesmerizing quality that resounds with true vitality.
Ray writes and sings his own songs. "Trouble" is my favorite song with "All the Wild Horses" a close second. However, each song has a place of its own. Ray Lamontagne has given us a CD that begs to be listened to over and over again. Each time you pick up another sound, another lyric you might have missed before, that puts the pieces of this CD together.
A cold winter's night with a fire in the stove, kicking leaves on a frosty autumn day, or sitting in the sunshine on a spring day when the air is fresh and clean are some of the best times to listen to this CD, but, in reality, there isn't a bad time to listen. Love this singer/songwriter, Ray Lamontagne. Whole heartedly recommended. prisrob
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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Stellar Distillation of Folk, September 26, 2004
The first word on the first track of his first album is enough to make any casual listener a devotee. With depth that accompanies wisdom, the grit of anxiety and influences of yesteryear's troubadours, Ray LaMontagne's voice lets out a cry and a lament. He sings "Trouble / Been doggin' my soul since the day I was born," like the words have been growing in his throat for years, waiting for a moment to be born.
That first line from Ray LaMontagne's recent release, Trouble, speaks to the quiet power of the album. It hails the emergence of a new artist to watch but will probably avoid the title of `next big thing.' In the way that the snare drum rim shot at the beginning of "Like a Rolling Stone" blazed the way for the brilliance of Bob Dylan's Highway 61 Revisited, LaMontagne's first word is the wake-up call to everyone looking for the next singer-songwriter whose skill in simplicity is matched by his strength with words. Ray LaMontagne may well be the reason folk music has a future.
LaMontagne's past is the dream of every folk singer trying to pass himself off as the genuine article. He was born into a family of six children from various fathers and traveled around the country throughout his younger years, not because of his mother's whims, but out necessity. He lived in tents and cars, barely making it out of high school because he was always on outsider. It took a song by Stephen Stills to make him into a musician.
LaMontagne credits Still's "Treetop Flyer" from the 1991 album Stills Alone for his conversion from a factory laborer to a folk singer. Following the revelation of Stills, Ray sought other musicians of his ilk, finding Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Neil Young, among others. Trouble sounds like those artists have been gathered together and distilled in a finely crafted, simple and beautiful debut collection from a new artist with no place to go but up.
"Narrow Escape," four tracks into Trouble, is another indication of LaMontagne's early accomplishment. With guest vocals by Jennifer Stills and gentle brushes of cymbals in the background, it is the tale of two lovers escaping the law. LaMontagne's takes his time on the harmonica, drawing out the somber sound while Jennifer makes the song into a effective eulogy.
But Trouble is not a collection of depressing pieces and sad stories. On "Forever My Friend," LaMontagne's deft use of the acoustic guitar makes a joyful noise that rolls along like a long walk through falling leaves. He knows how to take his time and every second comes through with apparent ease.
Trouble is the sort of album that folk music has been waiting for. It is neither beholden to the genre's roots or given over to mandolins and banjos. It excels when it doesn't have to push its tempo or move away from a man's voice and his fingers.
The album winds down with "All the Wild Horses," a soulful, wonderful song that uses a five-piece string section to give LaMontagne a chance to whisper and wish his way to the end of Trouble. In a voice that's part sagebrush and part sandpaper, he carries the album to a quiet conclusion fitting his first work, which will hopefully be a testament for greatness to come.
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85 of 98 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely tremendous debut, September 15, 2004
First and foremost this is a relaxed, sexy album. Possibly the best make-out album released since the mid to late 70s. There will inevitable comparison's of Lamontagne's style to Van Morrison. This is not a bad thing. Personally I would say he's nice cross of Morrison, Otis Redding, and Bob Dylan, with some contemporary 21st century notes as well. As a bottom line, his voice is highly emotive and a perfect foil for the somewhat minimal and honest production on the record.
The album is consistently excellent, and never monotonous. Its still growing on me, but I feell Lamontagne has more staying power than Jack Johnson, or any singer songwriter of this generation except Elliott Smith (RIP).
Get on this album early, it is guaranteed to be smashing success. Hopefully Lamontagne will have a long career. These songs are such a joy to experience.
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