Friday, April 30, 2010

Stages: Volume II - Ryan Montbleau

This guy has an amazing voice.  Its unique, its soulful, and it reminds me of Stevie Wonder.  Typically he is touring and recording with the Ryan Montbleau band and all of those albums are great as well.  This time, he released a solo acoustic album.  The proceeds from purchasing this album go directly to recording their next studio album, due out in the fall.  I cannot wait.  Montbleau proves that a guitar is really all he needs to accompany his unforgettable voice.  The skilled picking and percussive sounds he derives from it perfectly compliment his blues-like melodies.  The lyrics are not depressing, more realistic, but always optimistic.  Do not expect Montbleau to blend into the large category of singer/songwriters out there now.  It is definitely a rare sound he accomplishes and as much as I love each album, they are an amazing band to see live as well.  The live shows better exhibit their jam band influences and will always leave you in a good mood.  Don't pass up an opportunity to see these guys in concert!

Some of my favorites songs made it onto this album including "Maybe Today," "75 and Sunny," "City," "Grain of Sand," "Quickie," heck I like them all.  "Duncan" is a Paul Simon cover.  Its a good choice and he plays it well.  Like Simon, Montbleau's musical interests vary widely.  According to JamBase, the Ryan Montbleau Band "weave a tapestry of folk, blues, rock-steady, country, cocktail music, rock, gypsy jazz and psychedelia that’s exciting, elegant and sometimes even elegiac."  It doesn't get any better.

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