Ok, so Ray is probably one of the biggest oddball artists I have in my library, but I love him. I’ve never really been a big fan of the hippy 70’s look and attitude, but “Shelter” is one of those songs where the meaning goes way beyond the artist’s looks and personal beliefs. Thus, I deem it very appropriate for the blog.
Here’s a bit of info about Ray from the ever famous Wikipedia:
“Raymond Charles “Ray” LaMontagne (born June 18, 1973) is an American singer-songwriter who lives on a farm in Maine with his wife and two sons. Reportedly, after hearing a Stephen Stills song, LaMontagne decided to quit his job at a shoe factory and pursue a career in music. He has since released three albums, Trouble, Till the Sun Turns Black and Gossip in the Grain. In the UK, Trouble was a top 5 hit, and the title track of the album was a top 25 hit. Till the Sun Turns Black was a top 40 hit in the U.S. A soft-spoken person who is known for his raspy voice, LaMontagne has won a number of awards for his music and has performed at several charity events.”
This song is the best he’s ever written and performed, in my opinion that is. I own all three of his albums, and nothing else even compares to “Shelter.“ If you listen to the words carefully he’s broken up with whomever he was with, but regardless of their relationship status, he’d do anything to protect and love them. That’s commitment on a whole other level.
Because Ray is extraordinary live, I’ve posted the BBC version of the song. “Shelter” is the first song and “Hold You In My Arms” is the second. Enjoy!