last Friday I went to the New Theatre in Oxford to see one of my favourite artists. Ray Lamontagne was playing with his band, the Pariah dogs. This is the third time I’ve seen Ray and the band, and each time I’ve been impressed.
The performances are always sensitive – Ray’s a gentle, quiet chap – and even despite some encouragement to engage with the audience a bit more, he got on with his job and played his music in a fairly no-nonsense manner.
He was fantastic – his voice was so pure and rich-sounding it was hard to believe you weren’t listening to a recording. The rest of the band were great too. The main reason I like going to see Ray is that you get a demonstration of really tasteful musicianship. Everything has a place – it’s not busy, but very considered. The pedal-steel playing in particular sounds beautiful.
Ray’s best known song is called ‘Trouble’ where he soars in the chorus unlike in any other tune I’ve heard. It’s also been covered quite a lot, often in shows like American Idol. His other tunes are just as good, though. ‘Jolene’ is a tender song about love lost and fighting drug addiction, and there are many other tales Ray tells, that are just off the beaten track.
If you’re not familiar with him, check him out. You won’t be disappointed.
