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Concert Reviews

Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs Perform "Live On Letterman"

It’s been just over two years since I witnessed Ray Lamontagne in concert for the first time. After seeing him earlier this month, it is evident that he continues to be a force to see live. On May 11 he shyly walked onto the Letterman stage clad in a jean jacket, jeans and flannel shirt before he kicked things off with the soulful “Repo Man.” With a driving percussion and guitar interlude towards the end of the song, the band impressed.

Not one of many words, there was little onstage banter with the audience throughout the show besides the occasional “Thank you.” Before he began “New York City’s Killing Me,” he whispered into the microphone, “Take a deep breath” to which the room laughed. A slower, more somber track, LaMontagne’s soft vocals accompanied by the band’s soothing rhythms while wavering pedal steel gave the track a rustic, country feel.

The remainder of his set included many tracks off the band’s latest release, God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise as well as some older fan favorites. While “Beg Steal or Borrow” and “This Love Is Over” continued the slow pace, it was on encore number “Henry Nearly Killed Me (It’s a Shame)” that LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs wowed the audience. With a rollicking beat, foot stomping and soaring harmonica, the track had the entire audience on their feet and clapping along.

Watch the complete performance below and for more, visit their Web site.

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