Ray LaMontagne

Providence Performing Arts Center

I don't know where I was when Ray LaMontagne went from being an introspective busker with a mildly soulful voice to white R&B crooner wearing his heart on his sleeve. Maybe it was a year ago, when Gossip In the Grain (RCA) hit iTunes, and that first track - "You Are the Best Thing" - came strutting out like Joe Cocker playing a coffeehouse gig. Elsewhere on the disc, the Maine singer-songwriter started his tribute to Meg White with a bit of Morricone's spaghetti western atmosphere, and glided through "Winter Birds" like Bon Iver channeling Richie Havens. There's a glowing warmth in the air wherever he goes. I would have thought the Providence Performing Arts Center would be a tad too roomy for Ray and his followers, but I guess I was snoozing for that impressive career transition as well. Showtime is 7:30 pm | $35.50 + $25.50 | 401.421.ARTS | ppacri.org

Filed under: MUSIC