Ray LaMontagne & the Pariah Dogs "God Willin' & the Creek Don't Rise"

My first encounter with Ray LaMontagne was 2006 when "Be Here Now" played on my satellite station while I was creating dinner in the kitchen.  I stopped chopping, listened, and ran into the living room to see who it was.  Bought the album the next day and been a fan since.  I like the fact that his records are different stylistically to a degree.  "God Willin'..." is Ray Goes Country with plenty of Nashville influence, lots of pedal steel guitar and banjo.  Hey, Country sells product as well as anything out there, but what I've noted is how Country has become more pop and rock influenced to do so, which makes a strong case for the current trend of pop music leaning on country influences.  LaMontagne has also produced himself this time, but he obviously learned well from Ethan Johns, who's worked with names like Hiatt, Stills, Crosby, Nicks, Ronstadt...need I continue?  My favorite tracks on this album are the two six+ minute songs, "Rock and Roll Radio" (the lyrics speak volumes) and "Repo Man".  Click the link for a live rendition of the song from the tour.  The audio is lacking but ramp up the video setting to one of the HD versions.  Also do a little search for the videos from the Jools Holland program if you aren't too familiar with his music.  My ears hear Joe Cocker as a heavy influence, but I've not seen anyone else make the same determination.  I also hear a little Roger Chapman every now and then.  Who, you ask?  He was a singer in the 70's for a couple of bands I liked, Family and Streetwalkers.  But my favorite comparison for Ray L. would be this generations' Cat Stevens.