I doubt that there is anyone reading this blog who is not familiar with the work of Ray Lamontagne. Lamontagne is a bearded backwoods soul singer with a voice that is second to none. He burst on the music scene just six years ago with his enormously successful release "trouble". Since then he has been around but, as anyone who is a fan of his knows, prefers to avoid the limelight. This sort of self consciousness is very apparent in his live performances, but has its own way of captivating an audience. And it is perhaps Lamontagne's apparent and raw emotion (coupled with his voice) that make his music and songwriting so appealing.
I picked up Lamontagne's most recent record "God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise" a couple of weeks ago and it is his finest work. One really need look no further than the album's title for insight into what its about. The album is comprised of ten songs that tell of both love and despair; they are written so perfectly and effortlessly that they without doubt will be enjoyed for years to come. The music is as simple as it is powerful.
God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise was written and recorded in just two weeks at Lamontagne's woodland home in western Massachusetts. A review of the album that I read earlier probably put it best when they stated that "you can practically taste the woodsmoke drifting to the treetops" when listening to the album. The Pariah Dogs (Lamontagne's live back up band for several years) provide the base for the record and really craft the perfect framework to surround Lamontagne's voice. They are loose, live, and give a warm country sound that just plain works.
Take a listen to a couple of tracks. I know you'll enjoy them.
- Ben
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