Though he remains a solo artist, Ray LaMontagne branches out on his new folk-rock album, Gossip in the Grain, taking some touring bandmates into the studio with him. In a session with host David Dye, he reveals why he wrote a song about White Stripes drummer Meg White, discusses the transformation of the album's lead track "You Are the Best Thing," and plays a sample of the original version.
LaMontagne got a late start in music, deciding to become a musician after he heard Stephen Stills' "Tree Top Flyer" while working the late shift at a shoe factory. He developed his raspy singing style and set to work on a demo, which was picked up by a major record label. Since then, he's recorded two more successful albums that are at once private and relatable. Even though Gossip in the Grain includes more musicians, it still retains the intimate feel of its predecessors.
This segment originally ran Dec. 12, 2008.
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