Ray Lamontagne thrills Birmingham Symphony Hall

Ray LaMontagne and The Pariah Dogs, with Secret Sisters

Symphony Hall, Birmingham

review by Andy Richardson

It should come as no surprise to fans that Ray LaMontagne decided to pursue a career in music after listening to a Stephen Stills song. The singer/songwriter followed his dream after waking one morning at 4am to Stills' 'Treetop Flyer'.

The Grammy-winning artist is a rarity in the frenzied world of rock because only one thing matters to him; the quality of his songs.

The opening night of his UK tour was a masterclass as he gave ample proof of his artistry by playing tunes from his stunning fourth studio album, God Willin' and the Creek Don't Rise.

LaMontagne proved himself a virtuoso whose grasp of light and shade, rise and fall, soft and loud was exceptional. His distinctive, ethereal voice and slow-strummed melodies captivated his partisan crowd.

It was fitting that LaMontagne opted to pay tribute to another exquisite songwriter druing his gig by featuring the work of Merle Haggard. Haggard was an apposite choice for LaMontagne has in recent times continued a slow but steady drift from the honeyed, So-Cal style of Stills to a more rootsy, country-based sound.

By his own standards, the naturally-shy LaMontagne was a veritable chatterbox last night - for once, electing to say hello to the audience before the halfway point. But with LaMontagne, concerts have never been about the show, they've always been about the music. The Symphony Hall was thrilled to welcome back one of the world's finest singer/songwriters for a truly spellbinding gig.