Josh Ritter

Josh Ritter can simply be described as the most talented lyricist of our time. His ability to string together words in a fashion that is so thought provoking it takes multiple ventures to fully appreciate the story line and overall message. Though I say story line, in describing Ritter's lyrics that does not necessarily mean that his songs are ballads, his music should be classified as works of art made to be displayed, and analyzed to the point of exhaustion. Here are two quotes from one of my favorite songs by Ritter Snow is Gone "But I'd rather be the one who loves than to be loved and never even know," and "But I'm singing for the love of it, have mercy on the man who sings to be adored," these are only a few of the lines that had me completely enthralled with the meaning behind each song.

Josh Ritter grew up in Moscow, Idaho in 1976, his early inspirations into singing and song writing were Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan's "Girl from the North Country." In his teenage years he attempted to write songs using a lute that his father had built before buying his first guitar at K-Mart. He attended Oberlin College to study neuroscience but later changed his major to the self-created "American History Through Narrative Folk Music" while in attendance to Oberlin Ritter recorded his first studio album Josh Ritter. He then continued his musical pursuits after graduation by moving to Scotland to attend the School of Scottish Folk Studies for six months, after his time in Scotland he returned to the states to continue writing and recording. Ritter has recorded and released six studio albums and three live albums along with two EP's.

Josh plays with the The Royal City Band, a group of musicians some of which have been playing with him for almost ten years. I recently had the opportunity to see Josh Ritter live with the Royal City Band at the Cat's Cradle in Carrboro NC, and I must say that it was by far my favorite concert I have ever had the pleasure of attending, to simply put it the mix of a personable venue such as Cat's Cradle, Josh Ritter's never ending smile while performing, and the energy of a perfect crowd, made the show, but the most interesting and memorable moment from the concert was in the middle of one of their songs the entire band switched instruments, leaving Josh at drums, the bass player at keyboard, the keyboardist at lead guitar and the lead guitarist at bass. But with these songs I hope to give you the interest and pure jubilation in Josh Ritter that I already possess.
The Curse by Josh Ritter

Kathleen by Josh Ritter
And lastly if you enjoy these songs and would like to browse more of Josh Ritter's music then simply go to this link and choose an album and each song will be available to listen to, personally i recommend the album The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter, and then songs Temptation of Adam, and Right Moves.

http://joshritter.com/music/