Thursday, 15 May 2008
Josh Ritter has a better time on stage (or at least appears to) that 89% of the bands I’ve seen this year. He actually seems to enjoy his work. Refreshing. His set got an automatic bump from “good time” to “memorable” with a stunning acoustic take on Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel #2.” The sold out crowd was polite and attentive, though they needed assistance from the equally annoying/loud people reminding everyone to “shhhh.”
Musically Ritter and crew were tight and compelling. Something for everyone in a crowd that included pretty girls, frat boys, hipsters, hippies, parents and grandparents. Being widely accessible is a quality that Ritter parlays into sold out shows and great records. Speaking of records, last night’s performance had me rushing to my external hard drive this morning to recover The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter and Animal Years. I’ve not yet checked out Ritter’s live double disc (CD/DVD) In the Dark: Live at Vicar Street that was released earlier this year, but his live show is incentive enough to pick it up.
Let us know what you though of last night’s show. Do you have the aforementioned live album? What is Josh Ritter’s best album? You can keep tabs on Josh by reading the blog he maintains at The Huffington Post. Good stuff.
Myspace: Josh Ritter
MP3: Josh Ritter - “Chelsea Hotel #2″ (Leonard Cohen)
MP3: Josh Ritter - “Girl In The War”
MP3: Josh Ritter - “Thin Blue Flame”
More MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic
May 15th, 2008 at 7:02 am
Josh indeed loves his job. He’s one of the best live and studio artists out there and I look forward to his shows because I know what’s in store for the lucky fans out there. He’s just joyful. And it’s contagious.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:42 am
I walked in absolutely bouncing with excitement, and didn’t leave disappointed. That enthusiasm from Josh Ritter and the whole band is a refreshing change from the shows I’ve seen lately where bands are just phoning it in. My face hurt from grinning by the time I walked out the door, and I’ll be singing his praises for weeks, I’m sure.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:58 am
It was the best show I’ve seen all year. He is so alive on stage. Only Jens Lekman seemed as lively on the stage in Madison. We seem to get a lot of folks tired after too much touring (Vampire Weekend).
I think everyone was bouncing as they left. And he is the only performer I’ve heard at the High Noon who could pull off quiet songs and get the back half of the room from talking at the top of their lungs–and he did it just by the pull of his music during his solo songs. And the band was a joy! Great night.