Ray Lamontagne

Ray Lamontagne is a warm, folky singer and songwriter.  Lamontagne's discography extends back to 1999 when he recorded 10 songs and sent them out to music venues but his big break came from his second album, 2004's Trouble, which made over 500,000 sales around the world.  Trouble features simple drum beats and acoustic chord progressions with the driving power behind his voice.

Two songs, "Trouble" and "Hold You in My Arms" captured my attention.  In both songs, Lamontagne's soft folk progression attracts you into almost a trance but strikes out at your attention with his terrific builds into the chorus.  The more powerful strumming and drum beat build into the chorus combined with his vocal change reflect on his mastery of dynamics.  Particularly interesting to me is how his voice manipulates the transition smoothly from the calm you hear throughout the bulk of the song into a hearty and more raspy sound which becomes the dominant and by far most memorable factor of the song.  The musical dynamic changes into the chorus are important for creating the emphasis which makes Lamontagne's music so attractive and successful.

"Trouble" and "Hold You in My Arms" are posted below.

Since 2004, Lamontagne has released three more popular albums.  Check out Ray Lamontagne if you don't know him because you won't regret it.  I see how the power that Lamontagne creates through even such simple music makes him one of the most talented folk writers today.