How is it possible to leave a Josh Ritter concert with the largest smile on your face even though a lot of his songs are about heartbreak? One of the many mysteries of the universe
The 23rd minute about "why I don't get invited to do weddings..." is funny. But, I think for a lot of us Ritter fans, a wedding with Ritter playing at the reception (and even the ceremony) would be a dream wedding. I have no idea how he can make such sense out of the chaos of events and emotions of life, but he does. His songs are just "yes, exactly"
I paid good money to see Josh Ritter at the Savannah Music Festival at the Lucas Theater. Wonderful performance. Had never heard Josh before that evening. Was pleased with my evening and it was $$ well spent. I'll go again when he is in the area.
I stumbled upon a few songs at my local Barnes & Noble as they were playing it, and I loved it so much that I bought it. I'm glad I did because this album amazing!
I've watched a few different Josh Ritter live shows on UA-cam and I am just always struck by how much he smiles. He genuinely seems to love playing for and with people. It's just so much joy. I remember having a similar experience when I saw The Swell Season on their Strict Joy tour.
Also, the solo acoustic shows are great. I had a first row seat in Lewisburg, WV (total audience about 150 people) a couple years ago. So intimate you didn't need the mic.
Magical as always. He makes me smile. 2nd favorite performer after Springsteen. To me that says a lot. He gives 100% on stage. Can't wait to see him this Saturday in Freeport Maine!
Sophie Rachel There is no better way to describe Josh playing a show than to mention how happy he is. He is the most joyous performer its ever been my pleasure to watch.
Susan and I will see Josh at the Savannah (GA) Music Festival April 2nd 8:00PM at the historic Lucas Theater. We are really looking forward to his performance and have excellent seats.
totally agree, when I first heard Hopeful the first thing I thought was how it was so "non - Josh Ritter", but I do love it's fire and honesty. Josh can do no wrong.
My 4 & 6 year olds love comparing the live versions of Harrisburg; they find one where Zach Hickman breaks into "Papa was a rolling stone" to be especially hilarious.
Hopeful at 40:00 was a really pleasant surprise. Quite possibly the best song from the new album. Other than that, it lacks an overall poetic poignancy that was so beautiful in his previous records like Hello Starling and The Animal Years.
The drummer has come a long way since the band's appearance on Letterman where they played "To the Dogs or Whoever". I don't think he needed help once!
I loved your comment, made me look up the Letterman performance. :'-) During this one they were 'helping him out' with two band members during the exact same song though. ;-)
You didn't like the new album? I thought it had some of his best songs on there, or maybe not his best songs, but songs that are both good and representative of his work.
So... Is nobody going to mention that ridiculous 'stache? 2:38 I can't get over it. wtf. Is that supposed to be cool? You look like Val Kilmer in Tombstone
Just enough of a vocalist and player to deliver his cinematic lyrics. For more a more virtuosic musical approach look up Punch Brothers' cover of his song Another New World.
Depends on what you're after, I guess. Most good songwriters don't care about a polished performance, they'd rather capture the spontaneity and raw content of the songs themselves. Just an opinion.
James Nelson I just know there are far better players out there. They practiced lots before they felt they were ready for public performance. Ritter hasn't spent many hours on his guitar skills, that is a fact:)
Bright Pincher "Many" is pretty subjective. Josh Ritter probably hasn't spent as many hours on his guitar skills as people who bill themselves as guitarists. But his mode of expression isn't the guitar. It's the songs. So he only needs enough guitar to get the songs out. There are lots of songwriters in that camp - Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed.
***** In a way, he is an even better artist and musician BECAUSE his guitar skills are not that great. Without being a guitar virtuoso he is able to provoke emotions and make great songs. That's what I am looking for when I listen to music.
![SYML - "Sacred Spaces - Recorded Live at St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle" [Full Performance]](/img/n.gif)
How is it possible to leave a Josh Ritter concert with the largest smile on your face even though a lot of his songs are about heartbreak?
One of the many mysteries of the universe
I call it the happy/sad phenomenon- I sometimes look for hasp/sad movies
That age-old question that philosophers spend their lives trying to define, why do melancholy songs make us feel so good.
Never seen anyone who looked they were enjoying themselves so much as Ritter.
"Harrisburg" was absolutely amazing.
The 23rd minute about "why I don't get invited to do weddings..." is funny. But, I think for a lot of us Ritter fans, a wedding with Ritter playing at the reception (and even the ceremony) would be a dream wedding. I have no idea how he can make such sense out of the chaos of events and emotions of life, but he does. His songs are just "yes, exactly"
I paid good money to see Josh Ritter at the Savannah Music Festival at the Lucas Theater. Wonderful performance. Had never heard Josh before that evening. Was pleased with my evening and it was $$ well spent. I'll go again when he is in the area.
Absolutely love Ritter! Thanks for playing in Canada so often!
Just watched the whole gig. It felt like I was there. Joy to you and joy to your music. Thank you!!
I stumbled upon a few songs at my local Barnes & Noble as they were playing it, and I loved it so much that I bought it. I'm glad I did because this album amazing!
I've watched a few different Josh Ritter live shows on UA-cam and I am just always struck by how much he smiles. He genuinely seems to love playing for and with people. It's just so much joy. I remember having a similar experience when I saw The Swell Season on their Strict Joy tour.
Every time I think I can't love Josh more he surprises me. This is amazing!
Saw him last night in Somerville Theater, in Mass. Great old movie and performance theater. Absolutely magical.
Seeing him for the first time next month in San Diego! Love his live performances on UA-cam.
someday i'm gonna see Josh live.....luv this guy !!!!
Do it. A great show, especially if you can catch him with the Royal City Band in a smaller club setting (pre-tour gigs). You won't regret it.
Also, the solo acoustic shows are great. I had a first row seat in Lewisburg, WV (total audience about 150 people) a couple years ago. So intimate you didn't need the mic.
Seen him ten times over the last 9 years. The guy never disappoints. Get on it.
He played at the Green river Festival in Greenfield, MA this past summer. Fabulous evening!
Magical as always. He makes me smile. 2nd favorite performer after Springsteen. To me that says a lot. He gives 100% on stage. Can't wait to see him this Saturday in Freeport Maine!
This was incredible. The only thing better than this is seeing Josh and his ensemble live.
So much joy on his face during "to the dogs or whoever" 🥲🥲🥰🥰
Saw him as a birthday gift. Was my intro to his music, and one of the most cherished gifts of my life. (Thank you, Melanie!)
aw he's so happy when he sings it's cute
Sophie Rachel There is no better way to describe Josh playing a show than to mention how happy he is. He is the most joyous performer its ever been my pleasure to watch.
Susan and I will see Josh at the Savannah (GA) Music Festival April 2nd 8:00PM at the historic Lucas Theater. We are really looking forward to his performance and have excellent seats.
Gordon Malone I hope it was great :)
Scuttler142 A very talented musician. A great concert. Great CD too!
LOVE Josh Ritter!!!!! Thanks NPR!!!
Saw Josh and the Royal City Band at Terminal 5 the other day. Great concert. Thanks for this npr!
This guy, man this guy, he is simply hope for the future of songwriting and music in general.
Love this! Saw Josh last night in Indy. Great show!
Beautiful!! A beautiful voice and a beautiful performance :) xxx
"She's hopeful" ha! Love this album
He's a magical spirit.
Love Josh Ritter. The audio sounds great. Nice job, wfuv & npr.
I love Josh Ritter
totally agree, when I first heard Hopeful the first thing I thought was how it was so "non - Josh Ritter", but I do love it's fire and honesty. Josh can do no wrong.
Just good music. @nprmusic, thanks again
Simply amazing.
Ahhh made my snowy day!
Wonderful!
Love beauty! See you next week in Barcelona!
Oh gosh, it was a long time, i don't even remember how long these songs were on repeat in my CD-player in 2007. From russia with love, comrades.
I absolutely love this. Thanks, NPR! :)
Adding this to my Watch Later List.
great songs... great music :-)
You make me happy every time
this is my absolute favorite version of harrisburg, i keep goign to this video just to hear it! Oh and everything else is good too :D
My 4 & 6 year olds love comparing the live versions of Harrisburg; they find one where Zach Hickman breaks into "Papa was a rolling stone" to be especially hilarious.
Raising kids: you're doing it right.
Hopeful at 40:00 was a really pleasant surprise. Quite possibly the best song from the new album. Other than that, it lacks an overall poetic poignancy that was so beautiful in his previous records like Hello Starling and The Animal Years.
This comment aged poorly. To this day several songs off “the beast in its tracks” are fan favorites at concerts.
wow, this is awesome!
Eu amo
I just had a idea to see what kind of music is it and go to sleep...then one and half hour later Im still here
Anointed
I love it so much
Another question is how can he possibly smile while he plays his songs about personal heartbreak?
Have you seen him live?
There's bittersweetness as I listen to this, thinkng of how I introduced Josh to my ex
josh really needs to rerecord the current version of harrisburg with the royal city band like how they perform it live
The drummer has come a long way since the band's appearance on Letterman where they played "To the Dogs or Whoever". I don't think he needed help once!
I loved your comment, made me look up the Letterman performance. :'-)
During this one they were 'helping him out' with two band members during the exact same song though. ;-)
Thank you
this is epic is all
You didn't like the new album? I thought it had some of his best songs on there, or maybe not his best songs, but songs that are both good and representative of his work.
Lights, from The Beast In It's Tracks
@rami he hardly sucks given the career he's had. If you have nothing good to say yhen say nothing at all
18 people are doing the wrong kind of drugs.
chesterules 20n now
1:12:18
I want to be friends with her.
Is he related to John and Tex?
Produced by Jason Isbell. Now I like his picking but didnt touch my heart with his voice yet. Respect however.
I do to
Marry me Josh
2:36 dat stash.
So... Is nobody going to mention that ridiculous 'stache? 2:38 I can't get over it. wtf. Is that supposed to be cool? You look like Val Kilmer in Tombstone
Must be having a bad night. A little off key
very weak player and vocalist
Just enough of a vocalist and player to deliver his cinematic lyrics. For more a more virtuosic musical approach look up Punch Brothers' cover of his song Another New World.
Depends on what you're after, I guess. Most good songwriters don't care about a polished performance, they'd rather capture the spontaneity and raw content of the songs themselves. Just an opinion.
James Nelson I just know there are far better players out there. They practiced lots before they felt they were ready for public performance. Ritter hasn't spent many hours on his guitar skills, that is a fact:)
Bright Pincher
"Many" is pretty subjective. Josh Ritter probably hasn't spent as many hours on his guitar skills as people who bill themselves as guitarists. But his mode of expression isn't the guitar. It's the songs. So he only needs enough guitar to get the songs out. There are lots of songwriters in that camp - Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Lou Reed.
***** In a way, he is an even better artist and musician BECAUSE his guitar skills are not that great. Without being a guitar virtuoso he is able to provoke emotions and make great songs. That's what I am looking for when I listen to music.
Jesus this chap cannot sing a note
Are you deaf?
+Garrett Randolph no but you must be