Simone Felice & Josh Ritter - ABC Music Deli, 13 July 2012

This was a pretty phenomenal tour and I'm really glad to have seen their show at The Corner. Sadly Josh Ritter hasn't been back since then and I was in Sydney to see Wilco when Simone Felice played a solo show.

This is a performance and discussion they did for ABC radio during the tour. It's a nice little sampler for anyone unfamiliar with their work. The only thing that would have made it better is if they'd sung something together as they did at the shows. Finally, although the comment at the end of the main set makes it sound as if there are a few bonus songs available, the only one I could find is Charade. Not sure if that's because there weren't any others or they've been taken down.

New York Times
Folk Bloodbath
Scarecrow
The Temptation of Adam
One More American Song
Change of Time
Charade [Bonus]

https://mega.co.nz/#F!8J8ARITa!IN_Q8Uwl_CVxX14qWfEr5w

Josh Ritter - New York, 6 March 2013

At Josh Ritter's co-headlining show with Simone Felice he promised to return next year (i.e. this year) with his full band. Any promise like that made on stage (including 'we'll see you again soon') is effectively a legally enforcable contract, so I'm becoming increasingly worried that Ritter might be in a bit of trouble, because his current touring schedule isn't leaving him a hell of a lot of time to fulfill that promise.

Until he does finally make it down here again, here's a set he did for NPR radio just a few months ago. The set focuses on his newest album The Beast in Its Tracks. While it isn't as immediatley accessible as say The Animal Years, it really rewards repeat listens.

https://mega.co.nz/#F!9RVVyQDb!Eu_BAEr_uGJvkfcVfrbjxQ

Josh Ritter - NPR Tiny Desk Concert

If you’ve visited here a few times you’ll have noticed that I’m a Josh Ritter fan, and not above regularly mentioning his greatness in the hopes of converting newcomers to the cause. Anyway, in light of his newly announced album, which seems to fit in nicely with his recorded promise for a mid-year tour with his band, here is a nice short recording from NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts series (you can download these as podcasts, and sometimes get them as videos through NPR’s site). Enjoy.

The Temptation of Adam

Lark

Rattling Locks

Kathleen

http://www.mediafire.com/?76kfuf9df81f3

Josh Ritter - 11 July 2012, The Corner Hotel

I remember thinking early in Simone Felice's set that this was in some ways a perfect show - two artists who I didn't really know well when their show was announced, but who I'd now buy tickets for on the day they were released.

Of the two artists I know a bit more about Josh Ritter, and I'd say that delving into his catalogue I'm now a real fan (for those unfamiliar either Animal Years or The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter are both great).  There was bit of surprise in the blogosphere when Ritter was announced as the opener, as quite a few people thought he was the bigger act.  This was reinforced a bit by the large and passionate crowd that arrived early to see him.  Ritter was clearly warmed by the reception and the respectful attitude of the crowd (talking was minimal).

The set itself managed to mix hits with new material, including an outtake that must surely be destined for his next album.  With only an hour to play there were always going to be a limit to the number of songs that could be played, but that was about the only criticism that could be made (and he mentioned that he planned to return with his band for a full tour early next year).

The quality of this recording is excellent.  A little bit of crowd noise, but not much considering this was an acoustic show.  Girl in the War was played unamplified at the edge of the stage, so I had to crank the volume up for it to be easily audible.  That introduced a bit of hum, but was unavoidable. 

I really can't recommend this show enough (and Simone Felice's set was just as good!).

Monster Ballads
Good Man
Wolves
Folk Bloodbath
The Temptation of Adam
Rattling Locks
Kathleen
Naked as a Window
Girl in the War [unamplified at edge of stage]
Galahad
Snow is Gone

Change of Time [how many shows have you been to where the opener plays an encore? although I think the crowd would have torn the place apart if he hadn't come back, we were literally desperate to hear more]

http://www.mediafire.com/?qt2ob823psgfb