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Josh Ritter – Backstage Recordings, Vol. I

By
Austin L. Ray
on October 29, 2007 1:35 PM | | Comments (100)

I’m not a gadget type of guy. I’m rarely allowed to drive, have an alarm on my watch that I’ve owned for three years and can’t figure out how to turn off, and have occasional struggles with things like light switches, elevator buttons and elevators. So, when it comes to recording songs on the fly I like to keep things decidedly one-button simple.

What follows are a couple recordings done backstage by myself or with friends from the tour. They’re rough, but it’s a lot of fun.

Jess Harper is the lead singer of Old School Freight Train and, like Zack and I, is a big Randy Newman fan. After the show at the 9:30 Club in Washington D.C. we went over to our friend Ed Romanoff’s apartment and recorded a few Newman tunes.

Here are Jesse, Zack, Ed and I singing “Louisiana 1927” and “Lonely at the Top.”



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By Melissa on March 6, 2008 5:23 AM

Going to your blog has become a new mode of entertainment since I have discovered your music...and there’s always so much stuff to amuse us. You are a great inspiration to people who love music. Really enjoyed the concert in Calgary! On call right now at the hospital and this gets me through the rough times. Awesome job, guys!

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By darren on February 23, 2008 3:57 PM

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By Linnae on November 21, 2007 10:21 AM

Josh,
Oh how I love these backstage recordings!  Thank you for them.  The guitar even sounds lonely in “Lonely at the Top.”

By Sue on November 15, 2007 7:40 PM

This is a wonderful idea.  The blogs and backstage recordings are a fantastic way to let us peak into the lives of creative people who live what they love to the utmost.  Beyond that, I love these songs.

By MaryR on November 8, 2007 4:23 AM

Fantastic; Love your Music,Josh--

By top on November 4, 2007 12:22 PM

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By Jason on November 3, 2007 6:01 PM

Josh, my wife and I had the chance to see you perform last night in Nashville.  It was simply an incredible show.  Your and the band’s performance was impeccable and your enthusiasm was contagious.  Thanks for a great night.

By Elizabeth Kathleen on November 2, 2007 1:09 PM

Hahaa, this is amazing, I love it.

By Susie Hillman on November 2, 2007 4:12 AM

A classic right-brained person’s problem. My dad’s an artist and he can’t operate zippers. Anyway, thank you for your fantastic show at the Showbox tonight in Seattle. I am happy that I was shameless enough to embrace you in the wings and thank you for your music that feeds my soul. I wish you the very best and can’t wait to see you and your fabulous band again as soon as possible.Oh, and your forearm tattoos are gorgeous.

By WRLT DJ on November 1, 2007 10:27 PM

Damn, that sounds great! Looking forward to having you in the studio tomorrow and getting to hear you play live!

By Sheri on October 31, 2007 6:38 PM

Love it! Listening to them just makes me smile!
Thanks for sharing!

By Cato on October 31, 2007 5:48 PM

SHORT PEOPLE GOT NO REASON,
SHORT PEOPLE GOT NO REASON,
SHORT PEOPLE GOT NO REASON,
TO LIVE!

:P Sang that to a short friend of mine once and she got quite irate. Had to explain it was a Randy Newman song, I hadn’t just made it up.

These are great by way Josh!

By Leanne on October 31, 2007 10:20 AM

These are fantastic! Thanks for sharing Josh! Looking forward to your Philly and NYC gigs!! You guys are the BEST!!

By Lauren G on October 30, 2007 5:34 PM

Thanks for sharing these lovely little gems! I’d love to see you perform these kind of off-the-cuff tunes at a show sometimes, much as I love singing (quietly) along with the familiar tunes. Your SF show was fabulous, by the way! Shared a table with a few recent Oberlin grads who were grinning ear to ear with pride. =)

By Jerry on October 30, 2007 9:39 AM

Amazing.

By Laurie on October 30, 2007 7:28 AM

Whoa- are you sure you didn’t sneak Randy in the back door???!!!

By Jenny on October 30, 2007 12:45 AM

Awesome harmonies on Lonely at the Top!  My friend and I saw you at the Showbox in Seattle—I enjoyed one of your birthday cupcakes and TOTALLY loved the show!!  Your voice is really versatile—it’s amazing.  I’m a music teacher and a writer...LOVE your music and love your blog!

By Elise on October 29, 2007 11:36 PM

Recording on the fly - I love it. Somewhere Randy Newman was smiling that night, and he didn’t know why. :)

See ya in chapel hill…

By Mike on October 29, 2007 11:16 PM

Josh! Thank you so much for these and this one came out of left field for me, but, Randy Newman? I Did Not Know. Good call. He is very prolific and covers a wide range of things, but he CAN Write Songs That WILL Tear Your Heart Out. or two. Please, though, don’t start singing Short People....

By sar on October 29, 2007 10:34 PM

woo hoo! seeing josh ritter this wednesday in birmingham!! oh hooray!

i know that’s not related, i’m sorry, i’m just really psyched. i needed to share.

By heather on October 29, 2007 10:16 PM

nice and raw, i like it.

ps- unfortunately it can be lonely at the top, the bottom and everywhere in between . . . .

:)

By Stephanie on October 29, 2007 9:39 PM

Really nice. Thanks again for signing your set list at the Tucson show. I continue to tell everyone I know about your music.

By Nick on October 29, 2007 7:22 PM

Absolutely amazing! Can’t wait to see you in Manchester and hear the new album played live! I’ve been to see each of your manchester gigs since you supported Counting Crows at the Apollo many moons ago… very excited.
Nick x

By Eric B on October 29, 2007 7:16 PM

I love the songs. It was such treat to see you play in the Somerville theater, i’ve been a big fan for a long time! Can’t wait for December to see you play at Club Passim :-) thanks for these songs! ~eric

By Bdog on October 29, 2007 6:38 PM

Damn Josh, if I hadn’t read your blog I would swear that Randy was singing on those tunes. Sweet music for sure, wish I had been there.  Moving to Kellogg so it looks like we will almost be neighbors!

By Andrea on October 29, 2007 5:21 PM

Wow! I’m the first to comment. Josh, I’m painfully aware of not being “a gadget type of girl”! I’ve got some horribly funny stories. Thanks for sharing your road adventures with everyone, the extra music is fantastic! It sounds like you are always living your life just as you imagine it… thanks for taking us all on the ride! ~Andrea

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