Ray LaMontagne’s backstory is so inspiring, it’s mentioned in every single piece of press he gets (sorta like M.I.A.). So I apologize if you heard this already.
A few years ago, Ray was living with his family in the rural Maine log cabin he built himself. He awoke at 4:30 each morning to work at the local shoe factory. These were dark times, and Ray admits he was on the verge of suicide. On one particular day, he awoke to Stephen Stills’ “Tree Top Flyer” on the clock radio. It was a life-changing event. He tells Details…
“I just sat up in bed and listened. I did not go to work that day; I went to record stores and sought that album out. I just knew. This is what I’m gonna do.“
A friend of a friend put Ray in touch with a music publisher, a major label bidding war followed, and now Ray’s rough-hewn country-rock is garnering critical acclaim worldwide. He’ll be opening for Dave Matthews Band later this summer.
I love his story, how this one song changed his life. I’d never even heard of that song before. Anyway, slow-burner Trouble is getting a lot of play on the iPod these days. Rolling Stone‘s dubbed him “the backwoods Van Morrison” — it’s a perfect description of his sound. Check out the title track to Ray’s debut, and the song that changed his life.
Ray LaMontagne – “Trouble” [Link Removed]
Stephen Stills – “Tree Top Flyer” [Link Removed]
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I love the Buns!
I saw Ray in concert about 2 months ago here in Minneapolis. If you can catch him on his solo tour, it’s very worth it. It was just Ray on guitar, and another guy playing the upright bass. Very faithful to the cd.
Though not the hippest of hipsters, Jimmy Buffett does an amazing version of Tree Top Flyer.
I also saw Ray about a month ago in LA. He was very polite, I love this man !
meh.
boring… been done many times over before.
ooooh, i do like him a lot. and i’d tell people that i like him i just have no idea how the hell to say his last name.
Thanks so much for the Stills track. I had been wondering about that…
kelly-
not real hard.
Lah – mon – tayne (accent on last syllable)
Now go spread the word.
BTW, There are a few live shows available on etree. Good stuff.
Ray’s cd trouble is one of those recordings that makes even the crappiest day better. Gave me that real “high” that music does when it’s at its best.
So I will just stand here and “burn in my skin”.
this is the bizzzzzzzz i have been into stephen stills for a long time and its good to see him get the credit..cheers for the blog
I also saw Ray about a month ago in LA. Awesome show, the guy’s got an amazing voice. He was very polite I guess you could say, he just was shy and thanked everyone for coming and didnt say much.
my dad would like this
“a backwoods Van Morrison”? if Van the man isn’t from the backwoods then where the hell IS he from?!
had letterman on in the background a week or so ago, and heard ran to the tv when i heard this quite astonishing voice. twas mr lamontagne
love ray. heard trouble on THE RIVER, a boston area station, and sought the whole cd.. . great stuff, the guy is rich. very beatle-esque, very cat stevenish, a nice retreat to simple, pure, real songwriting.
a narrow escape reminds me of rocky racoon.
the guy needs a makeover bigtime!!!!!
I totally agree that Ray is amazing, but just a bit strange. I saw him and concert and took some pics if anyone is interested: http://homepage.mac.com/rogerz/iblog/B349824161/C1037051437/E11405513/index.html
if you liked hearing that back story, you should read mc sweeney’s compilation of essays that people wrote about how songs changed their lives. some suck, some are amazing.
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/song/
Van Morrison’s Irish – no backwoods there – they have to burn peat moss for goodness’ sakes.
I saw Ray in Indy on valentine’s day (notably without my girlfriend)–just him and a guy who played stand up bass. It was uber-mellow but on his best songs he sounded great.
Anyways, I heard the story about tree top flyer changing his life. With all due respect to Stills, who has a great body of works with Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, and Super Sessions, Tree Top Flyer is terrible, really bad. I’m glad it helped Ray, but it makes me question his taste.
Can’t find a bio on him that says his age. Does anyone know?
Ray is being compared to Van Morrison but I for one never had to rush out and buy a V.M. cd but I did Trouble and now I want to see him live !
I saw Ray in Nashville last week. I liked it so much that as soon as I got home I bought tickets for his Indianapolis show. I love his CD, but I was blown away by the live show.
Ray’s my CHILL PILL!!! flew out to buy trouble,and been pretty chilled ever since. BRILLIANT!! have told any of my mates that are stressing,to go get it…drove with it blasting out my car,and my god was i chilled in traffic!! this could be the end to my roadrage!!
How old is he?
I love ray. heard trouble on THE RIVER, a boston area station, and sought the whole cd.. . great stuff, the guy is rich. very beatle-esque, very cat stevenish, a nice retreat to simple, pure, real songwriting
heard trouble on THE RIVER, a boston area station, and sought the whole cd.. . great stuff, the guy is rich. very beatle-esque, very cat stevenish, a nice retreat to simple, pure, real songwriting.
Now that’s the kind of story that I’m talking about. Poor guy ? I would hate to have had his job, and I’m sure he was on the verge of suicide. When you’re as creative as he is, and you have to work that kind of job, it’s nothing but torture and death to you. I know as I used to be in a very similar situation. A number of factors got me out (which I thank God for) and now I don’t have to have that feeling of dread that I used to have every night and every morning when I had to get up to go to the office.