Born on this day ...

[Ruby]

Josh Ritter was born on this day in 1976, in Moscow, Idaho, USA. He is a singer/songwriter and plays guitar, piano, violin and lute. After graduating from high school, he embarked on studying a degree in neuroscience, however, that didn’t last too long and he eventually majored in American History Through Narrative Folk Music – a subject he himself created. He went on to live in Scotland for a while, studying the folk music there, and also spent some time in Ireland. In 2006 Paste magazine named him in their ‘100 Greatest Living Songwriters’ list.
 
I’m really not sure why he’s escaped my notice up to now – other than that there is so much to listen to, and so little time! AND he’s just released a really nice album, his ninth, The Gathering. I very much like the sounds on “Dreams” from this album, but it’s not available yet on YouTube, at least not in the album format – live only, so some of what makes it so interesting is lost. Just going to have to settle for an assortment of other clips for now. There is no pigeonholing possible although he’s definitely rooted deep in his own personal brand of Americana/rock; he makes diverse music.
 
“Lighthouse Fire”, from Sermon on the Rocks … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYO1k7EIti8
 
“The Curse”, from So Runs the World Away … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXBI2_zH9Js
 
And “Showboat”, from The Gathering …