| . |
| . |
| . |
| . |
| . |
| . |
 |
 |
|
|
| Josh solo in Asbury Park, NJ (Nov. 18) & Philadelphia, PA (Nov. 20) |
| Man, I love it when Josh hits the East Coast. Here's a quick summary of the shows. |
|
| Live at "The Saint" in Asbury Park, NJ |
| It's hard to describe The Saint. It's definitely not the prettiest little bar to play in, but has a charm that one probably couldn't put their finger on unless they've been on the stage. Maybe it's the sound. Maybe it's the intimacy. Maybe it's because it's at the center of legendary Asbury Park (a struggling town trying to reclaim former glory with the help of one of it's nearby residents, Bruce Springsteen). I don't know. But musicians seem to love coming here, and always put on a great show. Josh played acoustic, of course, as part of the Saint's "No Smoking, No Talking" shows, so he had a crowded little room of attentive fans, hanging on every word. (I'm expecting to receive a couple more photos from this show from a professional photographer. Check back.) |
 |
| No, it is not THIS dark in the Saint...but it's the only pic I managed to snap off... |
 |
| Friend (and big Josh fan) Sarah, with Josh and her friend Mike after the show. |
|
| Live at "Border's Books and Music" in Philadelphia, PA |
| Two days later, on November 20th, Josh played a free, "in-store" set of tunes to promote HELLO STARLING inside this bookstore chain. Interesting set: Amy Rigby (an awesome singer/songwriter with a great new album on Signature Sounds) played a few songs before Josh. Traffic and a long drive got her there barely in time, she broke a string during the first song, and the small sound system was on the fritz. She sung her catchy songs brilliantly, though, as Josh played 'roadie' and quickly strung her guitar for her. Josh, however, decided to play his set totally "unplugged." He summoned the nice little crowd forward, and they all took a seat on the ground close to his feet - like it was "Story Time with Josh" at the local library. Definitely made for a unique set of Josh Ritter. Playing in these bookstores is tough, competing with the noises as the store must go on with business as usual, but Josh, with no amplification, pulled through great. |
 |
 |
 |
|
| Live at "The Tin Angel" in Philadelphia, PA |
| This was an awesome, awesome show. Josh sold out this great room, which is part concert-lounge, part dining room, part bar, and ALL "listening room." Josh, being the great dude he is, arranged for me to be allowed to videotape the show - and it was a helluva show. |
| SETLIST: 1. Girl in the War 2. Rainslicker 3. Snow is Gone 4. Harrisburg 5. You Don't Make it Easy Babe 6. Wings 7. Chelsea Hotel [Cohen] 8. Me and Jiggs 9. Hotel Song 10. Bright Smile 11. Bone of Song 12. MURDER ON MY MIND 13. Golden Age of Radio (with Neil Young cover) 14. Roll On 15. Kathleen 16. Come and Find Me 17. BEAUTIFUL NIGHT 18. Lawrence, KS (unplugged) 19. BLACK VELVET BAND (as sing-a-long) |
 |
 |
| Flash photography was not permitted during the show, so I took these two during Soundcheck. Thanks, Josher. |
 |
| Here's Josh during the show, though, having a grand ole time. This picture is actually a still frame from the video that Josh allowed me to shoot. Check back soon, and I'll hopefully be able to post a couple of clips from the concert... Again - thanks buddy, for a great night. |
|
|
| . |