Apologies for completely missing this last week – Josh Ritter played one of NPR’s magical little Tiny Desk concerts last week, as they described it “with the enthusiasm of a young child and the wisdom of an old soul”. Accompanying him was Amanda Shires on fiddle and Jason Isbell on acoustic guitar, both of who played on Ritter’s recent album ‘Fever Breaks’ which indeed Isbell produced. You can watch it below.
NPR went on to say: “Each song was filled with frustrations regarding the treatment of refugees, immigration, politics and our hearts. On “All Some Kind of Dream,” he sings, “There was a time when we were them / Just as now they all are we / Was there an hour when we took them in? / Or was it all some kind of dream?” When the song ended, Josh stared into the NPR crowd. “I feel like the big thing that we all have to fight against is this notion that we’re not all human beings,” he said. “And they’re trying to break us in every number of ways, all different little groups, and that we have no power, but we have power!”
Then he, Amanda and Jason launched into another Josh Ritter piece of passion, “The Torch Committee,” a song I believe is about evil and complacency. The trio ended with a new song, one I’d not heard before called “The Gospel of Mary.” It imagines Joseph, Mary and their child as refugees. Honestly, it was a draining concert with challenges to who we are and who, as a country and a people, we wish to be. As the applause faded Josh hugged his bandmates, thanked the crowd, smiled and said, “America, we love you, but you’ve gotta change!” Music can do that, and Josh Ritter is an agent for that change.”
It’s a lovely set for a Monday morning full yet again of grim news. Take some time out for it.
