Check It. Ray LaMontagne and the Pariah Dogs.

Ray LaMontagne is one of my favorite musicians, and thankfully his albums age really well. Trouble is still great all the way through. It's always nice to have some new music, though, and today his fourth studio album is out, God Willin' & The Creek Don't Rise.

The album cover reminds me of Ryan Adams & the Cardinals' Cold Roses - and LaMontagne with the Pariah Dogs are like Adams and the Cardinals. Talented touring bands backing great singers of today - but sometimes you kinda just want the singer on their own. Nevertheless, both are CDs worth having in your collection. You can listen to album tracks here on NPR music, including "Old Before Your Time", which I recommend.

Ray LaMontage is playing the Greek Theatre with David Gray September 10.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: stereogum.com

Do It. Ray LaMontagne at the Greek.

Ray LaMontagne is coming to the Greek Theatre with David Gray on September 8, and I suggest you get tickets for it. They went on sale Saturday, and aren't sold out yet.

I've seen him three times--first at the Troubadour in 2006 (above), at the Orpheum, and at the Hollywood Bowl last summer. In settings both tiny and large (and somewhere in between--the Orpheum) he was touchingly good. All of his songs are enjoyable, and he sings from the heart. "Trouble", "Shelter", and "You Are the Best Thing" are favorites. David Gray's "This Year's Love" is a hit that has maintained appeal after over ten years, and would be great to hear live.

Outdoor summer concerts in Los Angeles are really fun, and it should still be warm enough in early September to drag summer on bit longer by going to see LaMontagne on a Wednesday night.

Plan on attending, you'll be so glad you did.

The Greek Theater is located at 2700 N Vermont Ave. in Los Feliz. Tickets available from Ticketmaster, $45-$75.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: the BEAT