I saw Ray LaMontagne a few years back at the Orpheum. A friend of mine had an extra ticket, and I had wanted to check out the venue. Sadly, a combination of the most horrific seating locale flush-right (springs pushing through the worn velvet cushions), atrocious opener, embarrassingly rude audience, and LaMontagne so clearly distracted by the vulgarities of his Boston-based followers, all resulted in complete and utter dissatisfaction.
Although the aesthetics and comfort of the Boston Opera House, the lovely opener Leona Naess, and LaMontagne’s ability to perform without distraction all represent noteworthy improvements, Friday night’s show proves to be much the same. It’s a real shame that someone as talented and seemingly kind as LaMontagne attracts such obnoxious fans. I can only speak from my two Boston experiences, so perhaps things are different in other parts of the country; but as the night wears on, I slink further and further down in my seat and count the months until I leave Boston for good.
The stage set-up flies in the face of American individualism: no center stage preening for LaMontagne. Instead he is tucked off to one side within a semi-circle of musicians, one of five that together construct driving pieces stitched with organic, autumnal tones and lyrics.
While his songs generally lack uniqueness and stream together, they are altogether pleasing, with moments of harmonica and guitar twang and grit. LaMontagne highlights his third album, Gossip in the Grain, with performances of “You Are the Best Thing,” “Hold You in My Arms” and “Winter Birds.” Most moving (and alternatively just plain awful), are the moments on stage when LaMontagne’s voice stretches up towards the gilded ceiling, holding onto the words until they were whispers. LaMontagne’s voice is gritty and vintage, while communicating emotion and story through clear lyrics. Cue the most obnoxious of all audience members, clearly intoxicated (though not an excuse his behavior). SItting front, stage left, this fool decides to play a clever game of listen-and-repeat with LaMontagne during “Jolene.” To LaMontangne’s credit, he pushes through the song, emitting a few forced chuckles, and offering, “It’s nice to be loved by strange women” in response to a barrage of “I love you, Ray"s that challenge the repeater in annoyance. LaMontagne then quickly brings back his band.
My advice: enjoy his music in the comfort of your own home, and do not venture out to large venues to catch him live.
Kelli Shaefer’s songs get stuck in my head non-stop. Every other day I find myself waking up with one in there. And that’s a good thing, she’s a talent!
by Siri on Thu Mar 11, 2010 at 04.37 pm from the entry: Artist Profile - Kelli Schaefer (Portland, OR; Winter, 2010)
Probably johnston has wrote a excellent article for the readers and are excellent photographs and thanks for sharing your thoughts
by fake tattoo on Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 10.03 pm from the entry: The Reverend Horton Heat + Nekromantix – Wonder Ballroom (Portland, OR; Jul. 9, 2009)
ha, yes! the photogs in the front row were drooling throughout the entire set…
by chris on Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 01.05 pm from the entry: Washed Out + Small Black - Mercury Lounge (New York, NY; Mar. 7, 2010)
nice pics Chris. Don’t you love it when the artist brings some cool light. It’s a bunch of low hanging fruit after that.
by colin on Wed Mar 10, 2010 at 12.53 pm from the entry: Washed Out + Small Black - Mercury Lounge (New York, NY; Mar. 7, 2010)
WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP WOMP
by BASSHEAD on Tue Mar 9, 2010 at 04.02 pm from the entry: Ginuwine's "Pony" Deconstructed Through Dubstep (Remix)
James,
E-mail me: info@jaredfroiland.com
Thanks!
by Jared Froiland on Tue Mar 9, 2010 at 12.37 am from the entry: State Radio - Showbox (Seattle, WA; Jan.19, 2010)
Check out a sick interview back\slash Magazine did with LMFAO about how they blew up in a down economy, the struggles of entrepreneurship, and getting high.
Here is the link: http://www.backslashonline.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=317:lmfao-entrepreneurship-interview&Itemid=56
by Mike McComack on Mon Mar 8, 2010 at 10.24 pm from the entry: Photo Feature! Black Eyed Peas + Ludacris + LMFAO - TD BankNorth Garden (Boston, MA; Feb. 26, 2010)
I saw LaMontangne several years ago at the Moore in Seattle and I don’t recall the crowd disturbing the set. That being said, perhaps the quiet and intimate nature of his music is just much easier to listen to alone....