Milwaukee is not a town for sulking. I mean, let's all admit it -- we like a good party. So, the chatter in the foyer bar of the Riverside Theater on Tuesday night was no surprise as fans sipped $3 PBR tallboys between Jessica Lea Mayfield's opening performance and the start of the Ray LaMontagne show.
I was excited by the anticipation and the energy in the room, but at the same time, I have to admit I was wondering what this group of people would be like once the lights went down and LaMontagne took the stage.
LaMontagne has been lauded for his sultry ballads illustrating tales of heartbreak and longing to the tune of folk, blues and rock melodies. With "Trouble," the title track from his first album released in 2005 still getting play on local radio, others on network television shows and the recent success of his third release in 2008, "Gossip in the Grain," you could easily get an audience that misses the sincerity in his music.
Too many shows have been ruined for me by star struck concert attendees drunk with confidence, yelling, "You're hot!" or "Drink more beer!" But when LaMontagne and his bassist, drummer and keyboardist/guitarist worked through the first half of the set, all he got -- for the most part -- from the audience was toe tapping and whispered singing. The crowd was entranced by the music as the band was.
LaMontagne took us through a rollercoaster of emotions with a set list that combined newer songs -- "Let It Be Me," "I Still Care For You" -- with old favorites -- "Trouble," "Jolene" -- lighthearted material ("You Can Bring Me Flowers," "Three Days)" and downtrodden ("Till The Sun Turns Black," "All The Wild Horses").
Often compared to Nick Drake and Van Morrison, LaMontagne's raspy, booming voice amplifies his poetic lyrics filled with such beautiful sorrow that I found my rib cage rattling. Some people may find this type of music downright depressing, but it had the opposite effect on the audience last night.
Apparently, I was in a quiet section compared to some of the people I talked to who also attended the show. One guy in the upper balcony kept yelling, "I love you Ray!"
And after hearing LaMontagne play some of his more hopeful cries like "Shelter," many people most likely had to restrain themselves from doing the same.
The only time LaMontagne talked between songs -- aside from a muffled "thank you" here and there -- was to finally answer this guy's catcall.
"That's very kind of you," he said humbly, and then smirked. "I don't know what to do with all that man love."
The audience erupted in laughter and applause. LaMontagne received a standing ovation throughout the three-song encore.
When the lights came on, that happy chatter returned as people spilled out of the theater and into the night.
