Here’s a bootleg of a recent Josh Ritter show, recorded live at Ram’s Head Live in Baltimore on March 26th, 2009. That’s just a few days ago… like last Thursday.
This bootleg was taped by Peter W. King, who is someone I have never met before in my life. I would, however, love to buy Peter W. King a beer because he did a fantastic job of capturing this show. From what I can gather, he used a Studio Projects LSD2 microphone, which is a pretty hefty stereo mic. I’ve always wondered how people get these microphones and recording equipment inside the venues to tape shows.
I’m a big advocate of bootlegs (obviously) and I think it’s a smart move for artists to not only allow but to encourage bootlegging. These recordings give fans and non-fans alike a chance to hear what the music sounds like in a much more revealing environment than a studio recording offers. The songs usually sound pretty close to the studio version, but in some cases they are extended or contain different instrumentation. This variety in the songs give the listener a chance to find out more about the artist… it gives them an opportunity to hear what the artist really is all about. The dialogue captured in the bootlegs also shows more of what the artist is all about. Sometimes the dialogue is more interesting than the music!
If the listener digs it, they will more likely be compelled to seek out the official release and pick it up. In this day and age where there is SO much music to be heard, the key is to get someone to listen to your songs… very few people will buy an album without sampling a single track. So as an artist, you gotta give them as many chances and avenues to hear the music. Bootlegs are passed around and usually never go out of style because they are all special moments. No overdubs, no studio magic… just the musicians and their instruments. The more they are passed around, the more ears they will fall upon.
Ritter never fails to deliver. He sounds great here and has all the energy I’ve come to expect from him. Spread this one around… and if you ever meet Peter W. King, shake his hand for me and buy him a drink.
Your Dig-It Downloads:
Download: ZIP OF SHOW
Intro
Download: Other Side
Lillian, Egypt
Right Moves
Empty Hearts
The Curse
Monster Ballads
Download: Roll On
Circle Around You
Download: Kathleen
Mind’s Eye
Another New World
Bad Actress >
Rumors
Download: To The Dogs Or Whoever
Pre-encore crowd
Encore Intro
Download: Snow Is Gone
Popularity: 1% [?]
Thank you, thank you, thank you! That is all :)
Thanks! I can’t wait to listen to this. I at his show the following night at Messiah College in Central PA, which was also really impressive. Josh Ritter is one of my all-time favorite artists.
Wow. I have heard of Josh Ritter but haven’t heard very much of his material until now and I will say it again. Wow. The music,lyrics and his voice are great. I will be researching more of him. And I agree bootlegs are the best way to really get to know an artist.
Thanks so much Thomas, these live bootlegs are the best thing to pass the time at work. I pop my ipod on and time flies. I just captured audio of a few shows of a person who shall remain nameless ;-) and the chatting and jokes are just as great to listen to as the music and does let you get to know the performer better. So, I’m with you on this subject, kiddo.
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!