Concert Review: Ray LaMontagne at the Palace Theatre

As promised, JP writes in with a review of the Ray LaMontagne show:

Ray LaMontagne played to a sold-out crowd at the historic Palace Theatre in Greensburg this past Friday. As for the venue, picture Ford's Theatre without John Wilkes Booth. The acoustics were great, the lighting did the trick, and they sold beer out of coolers in the lobby, which was a nice touch.

We were pleasantly surprised by the opening act, The Low Anthem. Each member of this trio played no less than three different instruments, and it was the first time in a while that I didn't want the openers to leave. Mournful and deep turned to knee-slapping, good vibrations on a dime -- imagine a dark Sigur Ros that morphs into something happy and bluegrassy. All tolled, awesome opening act, and I suspect you'll be hearing more of them.

As for Ray, this is the third time that I have seen him, and the first time in three years. When I first caught him in the Rex many moons ago, his painfully shy affect, heart wrenching lyrics and soulful singing convinced me that this young fella had already experienced more lost love than any seasoned blues singer. His amazing voice was only backed by his guitar, with the occasional bass line for backbone. Not that he needed much else.

Well, time heals all wounds, and it seems like it has patched Ray and turned him into a rock star - as much of a rock star as a singer/songwriter could be. He commanded the audience and his band (consisting of an electric/pedal steel guitar, drum and bass) throughout the night. The band was tight and their style perfectly complimented the vocals.

Ray and company cranked up the foot-stomping with "Henry Nearly Killed Me," to be shortly followed by pure Ray LaMontagne - alone on stage with nothing but his guitar, his longing and "Burn." The same contrast was evident in the honky-tonk "Hey Me, Hey Mama" and the somber and delicate "Jolene." Ray's repertoire has expanded, and for the better: you get the broken-hearted poet with just a dose of rockabilly that brings down the house. A perfect blend, and the audience loved it.

Ray LaMontagne has a great career ahead of him, and it was true pleasure to spend time with him again. It will be a treat watching him evolve artistically, but I won't soon forget what kept "Trouble" in my playlist for three years -- poetic lyrics and a hell of a set of vocal chords.

Set list:
1. You are the Best Thing
2. Hold You in My Arms
3. Let it be Me
4. I Still Care for You (I believe)
5. Empty
6. Henry Nearly Killed Me
7. You Can Bring Me Flowers
8. Burn
9. Jolene
10. (can't read my writing and can't remember)
11. Meg White
12. Hey Me, Hey Mama
13. Shelter

Encore :
14. Trouble
15. Gossip in the Grain

Download:
The Low Anthem – “Charlie Darwin”