Product Description

Debut album from US indie-folk singer-songwriter, who came to music in his late teens after an "epiphany" brought aboutby hearing Stephen Stills's 'Treetop Flyer' on the radio. The album is raw, sparse and ragged, heavily informed by the blues, country and folk, and has received favourable criticism including comparisons to Van Morrison, Hank Williams and Elliott Smith. Produced by alt-country supremo Ethan Johns (Jayhawks, Ryan Adams), it includes the singles 'Trouble' and'How Come'.

Track Listing

1. Trouble
2. Shelter
3. Hold You In My Arms
4. Narrow Escape
5. Burn
6. Forever My Friend
7. Hannah
8. How Come
9. Jolene
10. All The Wild Horses

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #644 in Music
• Released on: 2006-06-19
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
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

Customer Reviews

Trouble? I don't think so!
I've know about Ray for some time and couldn't wait to get my hands on the album. His voice is like something from a distant past of actual singer songwriters. He couldn't be more pained in some of his songs if someone had actually stabbed him with the steely shard that is love. This is a MUST have album that transacends any other artist around today. He's little known and let's keep it that way, God forbid that Radio 1 give him a rave review! Simply astounding.

Simply Sublime 5/5
I can understand why this type of music is not some people's cup of tea; this album isn't something you put on when you need a lift or cheering up.
This is the type of music that you put on when you have just got home from a long days work and want to relax and chill out, open a nice bottle of red, or roll a doobie if that's your persuasion, lie back, close your eyes and allow yourself to be absorbed by the beautiful lyrics and voice of Mr Lamontagne.
His voice is so unique and distinctive, almost mesmeric, I could sit for hours and listen to him sing the telephone directory.
5/5 Thanks for this Mr Lamontagne, the best album I have heard in a long long time.

a gem
this is wonderful music - not especially edgy but interesting nevertheless, and one of those albums you just dont stop playing. Its relaxing without being soporific. I love it, and at the price its a complete steal. Buy it - seriously, you wont regret it