It was one of those Sundays, the kind of day most people would spend nursing a hangover with reruns of 24. Dark and dreary, with a thick shower of rain falling from a gray sky. But this was actually the perfect day to slip into a small room at the edge of New Jersey to hear Ray LaMontagne perform tales of love, heartache and sorrow.
Maxwell’s Bar and Grill opened its restaurant doors at 5 PM to several soggy fans who trekked from all corners of the tri-state area. Ray began the set shortly after 8:00, inviting the audience into his memory to share a vivid love story. As he roared the name “Jolene” through his thick beard, the silent crowd absorbed his emotions. “Jolene” set the tone for the show—the audience remained quiet, attentive and engaged.
As an artist who normally lets the music do the talking, Ray broke from tradition to take a few moments through the set to speak to the crowd. The tiny, intimate room glowed with a warm aura. The fans, who are used to seeing their favorite songwriter perform in theaters, saw a different side of Ray and drew them much closer to his music. Everyone could feel the truth of Ray’s stories through the raspy growl in his voice. He’s been through joy, endured pain, and he sat on the stage of Maxwell’s to share it with an intimate room of some 200+ lucky MySpacers.
Thanks to all who helped make this happen – Ray and his band, RCA Records, MICK Management, Maxwell’s Bar and Grill and, of course, the fans who waited outside in the gloomy rain.
Maxwell’s Bar and Grill opened its restaurant doors at 5 PM to several soggy fans who trekked from all corners of the tri-state area. Ray began the set shortly after 8:00, inviting the audience into his memory to share a vivid love story. As he roared the name “Jolene” through his thick beard, the silent crowd absorbed his emotions. “Jolene” set the tone for the show—the audience remained quiet, attentive and engaged.
As an artist who normally lets the music do the talking, Ray broke from tradition to take a few moments through the set to speak to the crowd. The tiny, intimate room glowed with a warm aura. The fans, who are used to seeing their favorite songwriter perform in theaters, saw a different side of Ray and drew them much closer to his music. Everyone could feel the truth of Ray’s stories through the raspy growl in his voice. He’s been through joy, endured pain, and he sat on the stage of Maxwell’s to share it with an intimate room of some 200+ lucky MySpacers.
Thanks to all who helped make this happen – Ray and his band, RCA Records, MICK Management, Maxwell’s Bar and Grill and, of course, the fans who waited outside in the gloomy rain.
