Josh Ritter - The Paramount, Denver 10/11/14

[Blaze]

First time seeing Josh Ritter live. I wouldn't say he is a favorite artist of mine, but he has written a couple of my favorite songs. As a performer, he was great. It was him solo acoustic with an accompanying lead guitarist. The acoustics were great and he was able to command attention in the stripped down manner.

I was fairly disappointed in the choice of set-list. He performed a grand total of 4-5 of his previously recorded tunes and the rest was all new material. The new songs sounded great, much more rootsy and rollicking. However, as he went along playing new song after new song, I couldn't help but get a little annoyed that I wasn't going to hear any old faves live for the first time. Guess it just goes along with expectations. If I was unfamiliar with his work, I would be none the wiser. I can't help but wonder if he was playing a less formal setting (this was a sit-down auditorium show) if he would buckle under audience members yelling out requests. This was definitely a first for me, an artist playing a show full of almost entirely new material.

[Macho]

Denver, huh?

Sonofabitch.

[Blaze]

Denver, huh?

Sonofabitch.

I think you were out in California. Hopefully if he comes through again he'll play some old stuff.

[Macho]

But I wanted you to play the old stuff.

[Blaze]

I'll be blowing into town sometime again soon. Don't think I'm gonna make Sturgill in November...there were talks of my acquaintances doing such things.