listen to the new track, ‘beg steal or borrow’ from ray lamontagne’s forthcoming, ‘god willin’ and the creek don’t rise’

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Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

listen to the new track, ‘beg steal or borrow’ from ray lamontagne’s forthcoming, ‘god willin’ and the creek don’t rise’

ah, ray. it was sweet, sweet news a few weeks ago when it was announced that ray lamontagne will be releasing the follow-up to 2008’s gossip in the grain on august 17. the album, god willin’ & the creek don’t rise, will be released under the moniker, ray lamontagne & the pariah dogs. as anticipation mounts heading towards the release date, ray had done us all a beautiful favor with the youtube-embedded release of a new track, beg steal or borrow.

ray lamontagne beg steal or borrowwell friends, i’ve done us all a favor and obtained the track for your listening pleasure. the track seems to fit squarely in the description that was offered on the press release announcing the upcoming album:

Entirely self produced (for the first time) God Willin’ & the Creek Don’t Rise was recorded in two weeks at LaMontagne’s home in the woods of western Massachusetts. The newly restored historic home served as a homemade recording studio for Ray and his fellow musicians. The setting provided a backdrop for the creation of songs imbued with Ray’s signature poignancy. With Ray’s vocals at the forefront of the songs and a loose, almost live sounding recording, the album stands as a testament to a band at the height of their powers. The newly coined ‘Pariah Dogs’, consists of Jay Bellarose (drums), Jennifer Condos (bass), Patrick Warren (keyboard), Eric Heywood (guitar) and Greg Leisz (pedal steel guitar). Individually, these musicians have contributed to the live work of such heralded musicians including Beck, Joe Henry, Tom Waits, Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams and Joe Cocker to name a few of their career highlights. Together with Ray, they shared a sense that the sessions for this record were rare and extraordinary.

extraordinary, indeed.

so, check out the track and see what you think. it’s classic ray, with some slide guitar and a jangle that underscores the tune’s front porch melody. without further ado, here’s the track, beg steal or borrow.