Recently Mich and I were lucky enough to score tix to Josh Ritter at the Commodore in Vancouver. I can’t really think of a better way to spend a Saturday night, especially since our old friends Jacqui and Glenn were able to join us as well. I’ve really been taken with Ritter’s music in the last year. The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter is easily my favorite album from last year and a must have in your collection as far as I’m concerned. The Animal Years is also a stunning album that you should hear.
When I heard that he was playing Vancouver, and the Commodore no less, AND that it was a Sat. night and thus we could attend, I was excited to say the least. Tix were obtained, friends contacted and everything fell into place. The show was everything I’d hoped. The band was tight, the songs rocked, or rolled (which ever fits the song) and Josh was funny and engaging. In every clip I’ve seen or heard of the guy performing he looks and sounds, more than any other musician I can remember, like he is truly having the time of his life. I wondered if that would come across this time. It did.
Below are a few clips from that night to give you a taste, though of course it’s tough for the “feel” of the night to come across. Above is the set list that the sound guy gave me, signed by members of the band. It was a night to remember.
OK, as a bonus so you can see why this guy has been called by many as the greatest singer songwriter to come along since guys like Dylan, Springsteen, Cohen and perhaps Waits, here is a clip of the song The Temptation of Adam. If I could write a song like this just once in my life, I could be satisfied. I get the feeling though that Josh’s farts are better than any song I’ll ever pen. Oh well.
