not a member? click here to sign up

Josh Ritter

While it would have been good to hear his own ramshackle brand of Americana given a meatier treatment, it can’t be denied that he does have some fine tunes in his canon and a winning way of delivering them.

Phil Udell, 22 Jul 2003

The dominance of the singer songwriter in this country is something that can engender strong emotions. While the fact that a young hip crowd are prepared to gather in such a young hip venue and listen so attentively to one man and his acoustic guitar can only be a good thing, surely the law of diminishing returns must soon start to kick in? It certainly means that, after the perfectly pleasant musings of Martin Finke and Mark Geary, you can’t help but strain stage-wards in the vain hope that a drum kit and a couple of guitars might appear from the dark. No such luck, however, as it soon becomes evident that we are in for another session of soul bearing intimacy.

Josh Ritter, though, is undeniably fine company. A natural storyteller – both in song and conversation – his extended touring experiences in Ireland have given him a strong rapport with the audience here (where else would a Friday night Dublin crowd greet the prospect of a Leonard Cohen cover so enthusiastically?). And while it would have been good to hear his own ramshackle brand of Americana given a meatier treatment, it can’t be denied that he does have some fine tunes in his canon and a winning way of delivering them.

It’s fitting that the roof rasing ‘Me ’n’ Jiggs’ should namecheck Townes Van Zandt for this is the tradition to which Ritter belongs. And though he’s unlikely to ever tap into the global consciousness á la Springsteen, he is clearly capable of touching the very souls of those with whom he comes into contact. And yes, that even includes those who would have declared themselves thoroughly sick of bloody singer songwriters in the first place.

Phil Udell

Artist Related Content

Latest Related Articles For This Artist

Cover Story: Josh Ritter

When his marriage ended suddenly, Josh Ritter lost his way. He started drinking and wandering the streets. The only way to arrest the downward spiral was to pour his pain into his songs. The result is his most torrid album to date. He talks about the genesis of The Beast In Its Tracks and how he managed to banish the despair and build a new life...


Interview: 2013-05-07

WORLD EXCLUSIVE! JOSH RITTER DVD... ONLY 100 AVAILABLE!

Josh Ritter has recorded a series of very special performances for Hot Press readers...


News: 2013-04-26

Josh Ritter on the break-up of his marriage

"I kept away from bridges for a while", he tells Hot Press.


News: 2013-04-24

New Hot Press hits stands tomorrow!

In it, we meet the wonderful Josh Ritter, as well as catching up with Fight Like Apes, Thirty Seconds To Mars and Frank Turner...


News: 2013-04-24

Watch: Josh Ritter in session

The American singer-songwriter was in the studio with The Royal City Band...


News: 2013-03-07

Latest Related Videos For This Artist

Contact Us

Hot Press,
13 Trinity Street,
Dublin 2.
Rep. Of Ireland
Tel: +353 (1) 241 1500

Email:info@hotpress.ie

Click here for more contact information.

Click here to find out more about Hot Press

Hot Press always welcomes feed back so if you've got something to tell us click here.

Advertise With Us

For more detail on how to advertise with Hot Press click here or call us on +353 (1) 241 1540