I know the song You Are the Best Thing- which is a wonderful song that uses classic 70’s R&B arrangements - could be Al Green or Van Morrison…
Now he has a new band - RM and the Pariah Dogs - and the new CD is coming out in a few weeks. The track I have heard is Beg Steal or Borrow- much more of an Americana feel - the pedal steel lead about 2/3 of the way in is really sweet.
He’s not breaking new ground, but I like how he works within existing idioms. What do Dopers think?
He is one of my favorite artists right now. He sounds like rod stewert doing folk tunes. Truly love this guy
I don’t know much about his music other than the fact I really love and wish I had his voice. A friend just went to his show and apparently he yelled at a girl because she was talking very loudly while he was performing. That made me have more respect for him.
I saw him at White River State Park in Indianapolis a few months ago. He was very good.
She has a lovely voice, but none of her songs that I’ve heard really do it for me. Too emo.
I’m not a fan of the whole folksy-emo genre, but I love his voice. His songs also remind me of my bf who first had me listen to him, which doesn’t hurt either.
Put me in the ‘thumbs up’ column.
I think he tries way too hard. His singing sounds really tortured to me.
It’s right up my alley, but for some reason it just doesn’t do it. For comparison, I really like:
Josh Ritter - Really bummed I could only find a live version of this, but it’s pretty clean. His vocals aren’t as good as Ray’s but I think his songwriting is better.
Ryan Adams - REALLY bummed I could only find a live version of this. See if you can track down an album mp3 (if you’re at all intrigued of course). His vocals are amazing (fast forward the video the three minute part and you can see a bit of what he’s capable of) and he (generally) works within a folksy americana inflected style.
This version is great too.
I like him, but I like guys like this on general principles. He toured with John Prine and Levon Helm last summer and that was pretty cool, two of my all time favorites. That’s how I got on to LaMontagne in the first place.
(Check out Todd Snider too. But that should be another thread.)
I lost track of him a bit – I remember really liking his debut, Trouble, but I somehow forgot all about him afterwards. Perhaps it’s time to give him another go!
He is one of my favourite musicians. You are the best thing was the first dance at our wedding. I’ve been a fan since his first album and have seen him live a number of times. That’s where he truly excels, although he doesn’t really interact with the audience at all, no more than a few hushed thank yous. It doesn’t take away from his amazing voice which deserves a live hearing to really appreciate.
I could listen to a couple songs but any more would put me to sleep. And everything reminds me of that commercial with the dog.