Trouble - Ray Lamontagne Single Review

Trouble - Ray Lamontagne Single Review

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Single Review

They say that the 'eyes are the window to the soul', but I'd have to argue that in Ray LaMontagne's case, his soul is evident through his plaintive vocals. LaMontagne had no musical background or inclination until, bored with where his life was going (working in a shoe factory), and waking to the Stephen Stills-penned song Tree Top Flyer, he decided he wanted to become a singer.

These days, this may not be the usual route to musical success, but take yourself back to the Stax/ Motown era, and Ray's story would be quite common, with the majority of the musicians making up the early Motown songs hailing from the nearby car factories.

Leaving work, and listening to a diet of Bob Dylan, Neil Young and Otis Redding, was obviously all of the musical nourishment he required (I can't think of a more balanced diet), and he set off and recorded his first demo in 1999.

Trouble wears it's Otis Redding-influenced heart on it's sleeve, from the laid-back instrumentation to the soulful pleas of LaMontagne. Lyrically, it's not the most complex song you will have heard this year - but that's not the point with this type of song. The second track - Burn, which is a live recording, reveals a softer, more contemplative side to Ray's songwriting and voice.

This is the second outing for the title track from his forthcoming album - itself re-released - but I suspect due to TV coverage and airplay, it will achieve the success it deserves this time around.

Daniel O'Connell

Gigs

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