|
If you have the opportunity to see Josh Ritter live,
do so. The Dylanesque musician will leave you positively
captivated and longing for more. Read on to hear more
about my live show experience!
01.jpg) Intoxicating,
entertaining and thought-provoking, Josh Ritter delivered
a live performance at that left me longing for more.
His deep, varied-tone voice drew me in from
the first song, "Girl in the War." After "Rainslicker",
he played my favorite song, "Snow is Gone." I was so
excited during the intimate acoustic performance because
I was actually watching the guy who masterminded this
song that has moved me so much. Really, I'm not sure
why, even. Yah, the snow is gone. So...
Somehow, these lyrics he writes, these stories he tells
through song, they kind of infiltrate into your soul.
For example, even if you've never asked a girl
named "Jiggs" to the prom (listen to his
oldie, "Me and Jiggs"—cute tune and
well received by the crowd), you're still right
there, relating to his story.
Let me be honest here. I know how Bob Dylan
is, and I've heard his songs. But I don't consider myself
a fan, so to say. Because Ritter is so similar to Dylan,
it was hard for me to figure out why I loved Ritter
and didn't really get into Dylan.
02.jpg) While
listening to Josh, just being there in front of him--well
it kind of spoke volumes to me. I realized that is the
kind of artist who will prove that people my age (Gen-Xers)
can make quality music that ranks up to older stars.
And it also made me kinda proud thinking, 'Yah, that
Ritter guy is 27. It's not only our parents generation
making legendary tunes.'
He's also got a bit of Pete Yorn and Ryan Adams
to him, which allows him to transverse among people
of all ages.
[Kristen steps off music philosophy soapbox.]
Ritter went on to play a breathtaking rendition of
Leonard Cohen's "Chelsea Hotel", followed
by the comical blue-grassy tune "Stuck on You."
All I can say about this song is that you have to hear
it, and once you do, you'll be on the floor laughing
at this cute, witty literary gem about love. All the
folks in the crowd at The Saint in Asbury Park, NJ,
loved it.
Ritter not only played songs from his latest album,
"Hello Starling", but played some older tracks as well.
He comically dedicated "Me and Jiggs" to "Governor Schwartzeneggar."
"It's the kind of time when you think, 'Man, I'm really
glad to live 3,000 miles away'," Ritter laughed.
03.jpg) After
playing other songs such as "Roll On", "You Don't Make
It Easy Babe", "Wings" and "Bone of Song" - some gently
finger picked and some played so loud on his acoustic
I thought his fingers would bleed - a thankful Ritter
closed the show with his signature track "Kathleen".
Ahh. It was audible paradise, and I got chills down
my spine thinking about how cool it was to see this
legend-in-the-making live.
Stumbling over his words, he bashfully bowed for the
audience, thanking them for coming and inviting them
to pick up a CD. Ritter said he was very proud of his
latest release, "Hello Starling."
"It's kind of like being pregnant for two years,"
he joked.
Ritter performed an encore of "California", a romantic,
somber tune finger-picked to perfection.
Because I got to talk to him prior to show time, it
made for an all-the-more-enjoyable evening. Overall,
he's a mature musician, and a down-to-earth guy. It
was an absolutely stellar performance and an awesome
night.
There's an aura about Ritter that is captivating. It's
peaceful, it's introspective, it's mysterious...and
it's nothing short of brilliant.
For some goodies from the show, check out my new neighbor,
fellow Ritter fan and all around cool guy Doug Rice's
site at http://www.dougrice.net/joshritter.
Reviewed by Kristen
Fischer
DiscoveringArtists.com
Photos by Ali
Dadmarz
|
