Music review: Ray LaMontagne – 鈥楶art of the Light鈥�
The seventh release from singer-songwriter Ray LaMontagne serves as yet another emotional offering of heartfelt arrangements drenched in intimate lyrics and soothing musical scores that foster a dreamlike aura of comfort and beauty.
鈥淧art of the Light鈥� flowingly opens with traces of Nick Drake as the New Hampshire native鈥檚 soft and ethereal voice narrates the precious memories fondly recalled from a lifetime of living, loving and togetherness on 鈥淭o the Sea.鈥�
鈥淪uch a Simple Thing鈥� is the album鈥檚 first single and delivers a heartbreaking confessional about hanging on to love through difficult times as LaMontagne asks, 鈥淭ell me what your heart wants/Such a simple thing/My heart is like paper/Yours is like a flame.鈥�
鈥淟et鈥檚 Make It Last鈥� is a simplistic masterpiece focused on making the most of our moments together before time robs us of the opportunities to make lasting memories. This haunting arrangement conveys the same sound and sentiment of Pink Floyd鈥檚 鈥淭ime鈥� with LaMontagne tenderly singing, 鈥淪tay for a little while/Share a glass beside the fire/Time goes by so fast, so fast/Let鈥檚 make it last.鈥�
In a rare occurrence, LaMontagne unleashes his inner rocker on 鈥淎s Black As Blood Is Blue.鈥� With an opening riff reminiscent of Black Sabbath, LaMontagne quickly shifts into psychedelic mode by declaring, 鈥淚f I could paint my delusion/I would paint it in colors bold/If I could capture illusion/I would hang it up on my wall.鈥�
Four years ago for my birthday, my daughter got us tickets to see LaMontagne perform at Pittsburgh鈥檚 Stage AE. He had recently released 鈥淪upernova,鈥� containing some of my favorite LaMontagne numbers such as 鈥淟avender,鈥� 鈥淪he鈥檚 the One鈥� and 鈥淒rive-in Movies.鈥� It was a spectacular show as our second-row seats provided for an optimal sight and sound experience.
LaMontagne returns to Pittsburgh with Neko Case for a performance at Heinz Hall on July 3, the day of my daughter鈥檚 birthday. Perhaps two tickets could once again make for another memorable celebration.
Clint Rhodes is the 缅北禁地 music reviewer. He can be reached at clinton43@me.com.