Continuing the New Year theme, here is ‘Empty Hearts’ by Josh Ritter from his fifth album, ‘The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter’. This song is a beautifully poetic prayer for the year to come. Amidst all of the drinking with friends, the narrator is longing for something more meaningful: “And she’ll know me by the sound of my hoping.” Continue reading “Video: Josh Ritter “Empty Hearts””
Tag: Josh Ritter
Happy Christmas to all our readers from Americana UK
Well that’s a wrap from us for this year dear readers. Thanks so much for all your support for the site which we still manage to scrape along on a shoestring budget, but it happens firstly because of the generosity of all our writers across the UK and beyond who give their time freely to make this happen each day, and secondly because you keep logging on as it were. Continue reading “Happy Christmas to all our readers from Americana UK”
AUK’s editor chooses his favourite 10 tracks from 2019
2019 – what a f-king year (and that word is being censored for you daily digest readers). Sometimes music was the only respite there was from the sheer abject misery and terror of the outside world. Sometimes nestling down with a mug of cocoa and some good americana was the only thing that blotted it all out (spiced up with about 5 shots of vodka). These are the ten songs that kept my sanity intact throughout the last 12 months. Continue reading “AUK’s editor chooses his favourite 10 tracks from 2019”
A Review of the Year: My friend lives in an Ivory Tower, she’s Protected from Misery.
Which is quite lucky for her really – everyone else has probably noticed that 2019 has been one of those years destined to go down in history as interesting – and we all know the value of interesting times. Obviously 2019 will go down as the year of almost continual elections, it’s also the year that proves that we can’t laugh at the USA for Trump anymore. I could make a list of every error, missed opportunity and decision to shoot ourselves in the foot – but really there’s no point is there? Continue reading “A Review of the Year: My friend lives in an Ivory Tower, she’s Protected from Misery.”
Josh Ritter plays NPR Tiny Desk Concert with Amanda Shires And Jason Isbell: Watch
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. Continue reading “Josh Ritter plays NPR Tiny Desk Concert with Amanda Shires And Jason Isbell: Watch”
Josh Ritter + Ida Mae, Union Chapel, London, 23rd July 2019
It was another warm evening for this second night of a two-night stand at London’s famed Union Chapel – the record-breaking temperatures of the day trailing off with a long tail. Under the stage lights, Josh Ritter, with his full band backing him, was showing the effect of the heat but held nothing back on a set which revisited some of his back catalogue but was also a great opportunity to hear the really strong new songs from his latest album ‘Fever Breaks’ live. It was a setlist with two themes – respecting the venue, there seemed to be many of Ritter’s songs which make use of religious, and specifically Christian, imagery with a second strand of concern for American democracy. Continue reading “Josh Ritter + Ida Mae, Union Chapel, London, 23rd July 2019”
Josh Ritter announces July UK tour dates
Josh Ritter’s latest album, ‘Fever Breaks’, produced by and featuring Jason Isbell, has been critically acclaimed with many commentators calling it a highlight of his 20 year long career. We here at Americana UK agree with that, our review awarding the disc a whopping 9/10. To support the album release Ritter has just announced a European tour including several dates in the UK and Ireland. Continue reading “Josh Ritter announces July UK tour dates”
Josh Ritter “Fever Breaks” (Pytheas Recordings/Thirty Tigers, 2019)
For his tenth studio album Josh Ritter has teamed up with the currently red hot Jason Isbell and his 400 Unit on production and playing duties and delivered an album that will only do all of them a lot of good. This is an Americana wet dream become real! All the cards are on the table from the opening groove of ‘Ground Don’t Want Me’, Ritter’s spoken-sung poetic lyricism, muscular Isbell guitars, stentorian piano shapes, chiming solo, chorus laced with harmonies and all of this wrapped in one of those tunes you are sure you’ve heard before but know you haven’t.
Continue reading “Josh Ritter “Fever Breaks” (Pytheas Recordings/Thirty Tigers, 2019)”
NPR previews new Josh Ritter album in full
Well this is a treat for the Easter weekend – NPR are previewing today the new Josh Ritter album ‘Fever Breaks’ which is due out on Friday next week and which, of course, is produced by Jason Isbell, whose 400 Unit serve as the backing band for the record. NPR comment: Continue reading “NPR previews new Josh Ritter album in full”
Three tunes for a Monday! Josh Ritter, Jamestown Revival and Calexico with Iron & Wine
Rolling Stone Country have published a flurry (the non-snow variety) of good tunage over the last few days which you won’t want to miss, so we’re posting them here. First up is Calexico and Iron & Wine who are reuniting for their new collaborative album ‘Years to Burn’ due out June 14th a full fourteen years after they teamed up to release the 2005 EP ‘In the Reins.’ Continue reading “Three tunes for a Monday! Josh Ritter, Jamestown Revival and Calexico with Iron & Wine”