The Josh Ritter Thread

[Kalle]

It leaked on Friday night.

 

I am infatuated, the new record is pretty great upon first few listens, still classic songs but with really interesting and new production.

[kidsmoke]

I got to see him play solo in a room of about 25 people in January 2005. I had the opportunity to spend the month at an amazing retreat in the Cascade mountains, and Josh was there fore about two weeks, taking a break from tour before recording Animal Years. There were about 30-35 people in the village at the time, and while he told us he was a songwriter, we kind of thought he meant that in the bullshit way that everyone's a poet, you know?

 

So we went snowshoeing and generally hung out, and he was just a gentleman to everyone; one of the kindest, most enthusiastic people I have ever met. He read and discussed short stories with us, and occasionally sat around figuring out some stuff on guitar (a friend who was there pointed out later that he was working on 'Thin Blue Flame'). Every night, some of the older men in the place would hang out and play bluegrass. Josh would run and get his guitar and he was like a kid on Christmas morning. He would kind of hang out in the back and play just a bit, really just watching them and having a blast. And we still didn't know who he was!

 

One of his last nights there, it was announced that he would be playing a concert. They put his press kit bio up on one of the bulletin boards. Before I had a chance to read it, I asked him where he was going when he left, and he said, "Oh, to record my next album." I asked where, he said, "Peter Gabriel's studio." By the time I read the bio (huge in Ireland, regularly tours with the Frames, etc.), I was simply astounded at how low-key he had been that whole time given his apparent talent and snappy resume.

 

The concert was one of the best experiences of my life so far. He opened with 'Girl in the War,' told us the story behind 'Kathleen,' and just had so damned much fun. Of all the concerts I've been to, I can't remember one that held my attention more. I think he was easily the happiest person in the room, and that's saying a LOT. He could have rapped off-key for two hours and we would have loved it, given his infectious spirit. He's a truly gifted musician, and just an amazing, kind, loving person.

 

Now I want to hear the story behind "Kathleen". I love Josh's music.

[knotgreen]

Bumping a very old thread to post a link to Josh's new album, Sermon on the Rocks: http://www.npr.org/2015/10/07/445261578/first-listen-josh-ritter-sermon-on-the-rocks?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=allsongs&utm_term=music&utm_content=202508

 

A definite departure from his last album, which I really enjoyed. I think I enjoy the slower, depressing songs. Thoughts?