Product description Ray Lamontagne - Trouble - CD .co.uk Some singer/songwriters (think Paul Westerberg and Elliott Smith) develop their world-weariness through the unforgiving trials of passing years and the heart-breaking grind of the music business. Others (Van Morrison, Neil Young) seem to have sprung from out of nowhere with the fully formed soul of a life well-lived. Ray LaMontagne belongs with the latter. On this, his debut, LaMontagne has crafted a handful of quietly devastating meditations on life and love--and delivered them with a raspy vocal all his own. The simple, mournful lyrics of "Burn," "Shelter" and the title track recall a Hank Williams ballad, and the reserved production by alt-country/americana genius Ethan Johns (the Jayhawks, Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon) make this a great disc for smoky Saturday nights, and rainy Sunday mornings. --Ben Heege Review "Over a period of years I taught myself to sing from the gut and not from the nose."So says Ray Lamontagne about his long journey from factory worker to singer-songwriter who has created a timeless album of graceful, genuine songs about heartbreak, vulnerability and hope.Ray had been working in a shoe factory for four years, when one day he awoke at 4am, in the same manner as usual, to the sounds of "Treetop Flyer" by Stephen Stills on his clock radio. He missed work that day to get a copy of the album and then left his job so he could be become a musician. And so his music education began, he spent a huge amount of time intensely listening to Crosby, Stills & Nash, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Ray Charles and Otis Redding.Lamontagne's voice is strong but with a quaver and a dry, rasping quality that hints at an inside breakability. It took Lamontagne over 3 years since his epiphany before he could start looking for gigs. He would tell himself; "You just have to find your voice, it's in there". This was someone who had problems speaking to people, let alone singing to them.The subject matter of the album is doubtless inspired by a lifetime of travelling around with his mother and five siblings. Themes such as shelter and companionship reoccur. The story of the factory worker from Maine is certainly romantic, but how does the music stand up?I love it. He manages to make typical singer-songwriter three chord fodder, with subject matter that's been heard a thousand times before, sound interesting and fresh. The title track, "Trouble" tells the original blues tale: "Trouble been doggin' my soul since the day I was born ... worry just will not seem to leave my mind alone." On the other hand, "Forever My friend", with a backdrop of bongos and shakers and an irregular meter, is a song of pure unbridled optimism. "How Come" speaks for many, letting rip with the lyrics "I said how come, I can't tell, the free world from living hell?".The album's success is not without the aid of Ethan Johns, whose production skills, string arrangements, bass playing, drumming and percussion could be responsible for turningTrouble into something special.As Lamontagne says; "Life is so difficult, the thing about music is that you can take deep things that hurt you and turn them into something beautiful." If this album were to be the result of one man's life, and he finds there isn't another in him, I think this would be understandable. A classic - listen incessantly. --Lucy Davies Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off in a new window
V**R
Trouble: Ray LaMontagne - Assured debut that suggests this singer/songwriter is going places.
Trouble is the first album from singer/songwriter Ray LaMontagne. The style of music is relatively laid back country/folk, with LaMontagne's expressive, rough around the edges voice centre stage. Singing songs about life and love, obviously written and sung by someone who has been there and done it, LaMontagne reveals himself to be a songwriter of depth and, importantly, maturity. There are some beautiful melodies to be found here, and some great lyrics.The overall production is extremely well done. LaMontagne's voice and guitar with the shuffling snare beat lend an intimate, confessional air to the album, but riding along behind is a backing full of violins, cello and harmonica which gives the album a real depth. The strings are very sympathetic, punctuating the album rather than overpowering it. It makes for a more complex and interesting listen, and really lifts the already good performance from LaMontagne to a new height.Strong writing, great singing, great backing and production. In all a 5 star album, and I look forward to hearing more from this artist.
B**Y
Awesome
Have been a fan of ray's for a long time-was lucky enough to see him in a tiny venue a few years ago, where he basically played this album-just him, his guitar and a double bass player.This album is the nuts-Trouble and it's chorus reminds me of Otis Redding's "I've been loving you too long" with his swooping vocal stle in the chorus. Ray's voice can go gospel with amazing strength and clarity, but can also go hushed and mournful too. To give you a guide, I definitely come in on the gospel/tougher side of things (huge fan of James Brown, Otis, the Black Keys blah blah). Overall,the slower, softer side of the album does win out, but the tunes, for me at least, are so beautiful (by and large) that it really doesn't matter. Give it a go, and if you can, go and see him in concert. His new album, and his newer gigs are, unfortunately, veering to the softer, more morose side of things, but he still possesses one of the greatest live voices you will ever hear.
C**E
an amazing beautiful voice
a real folk album here, don't come across those much now. Everything tries to blend itself into pop or into some other genre, but this is a true album, and the title song 'Trouble' perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the album, what a voice, an amazing beautiful voice. I've seen peopleon talent shows like X-factor trying to simulate the soul he projects out but no one can do like he can. Some of the songs seem a bit void of meaning and go on a bit but the album flows greatly, if you love folk you'll love this.
J**N
Great album
This album is timeless. Ray’s vocals are incredible. One for the ages.
M**E
... isn't one song on this CD that I don't like. It's pure magic
There isn't one song on this CD that I don't like. It's pure magic. I can't believe that I'm going to be seeing Ray in the UK in 2018! This CD obviously is a must for any Ray LaMontagne fan.
B**S
The Voice
That's what this album is all about: Lamontagne's incredible vocals. Even though most of the songs on "Trouble" tread a well worn path in terms of structure/melody/chord sequence etc, I still think it's his best release by far. There are some genuinely lovely songs here, with "Narrow Escape" and "Jolene" being particular standouts for me (great lyrics and beautiful vocal performance). I just wish he'd make another one like this!
A**R
What a voice
Love all the songs, such pain in his voice on some of them really like this cd
D**Y
Christmas Gift
Bought for a friend from their wish list for Christmas.
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