Hello Starling

1. Bright Smile

2. Kathleen

3. You Don't Make It Easy Babe

4. Man Burning

5. Rainslicker

6. Wings

7. California

8. Snow Is Gone

9. Bone of Song

10. Baby That's Not All

11. Bad Actress

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Ritter's literate, highly romantic brand of folk has gained him attention on both sides of the Atlantic. Hello Starling, his third album, sees him pushing the boat out further and trying to move beyond the evident influence of Bob Dylan. It doesn't always work: the up-tempo "Kathleen" and "Man Burning," with their swirling organs, clearly carry the mark of Zimmerman, as does the soft and heartfelt "You Don't Make It Easy Babe," a troubled ode to a troubling girl. But this doesn't necessarily matter. Ritter's vocal performances may lack the intensity and weight of Dylan or Leonard Cohen (an equally heavy influence, most evidently on the track "Wings"), but he has a charm and lightness of touch that will endear him to many. Beyond this, it's a real joy to hear a musician attempting ambitious narratives ("Wings," "Bone of Song") where many singer-songwriters cower cravenly behind impressionistic cut-up techniques or, worse still, spatter us with self-obsessed drivel. Perhaps a few albums on, Ritter will truly find his own voice and be considered a real find. --Dominic Wills

Hello Starling,Josh Ritter,Signature Records,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Folk-Rock,His is the rare type of songwriting: untouched by affectation, embroidered with a quietly plaintive voice and sparse melodies, and with words expressive of another time and place - intangible and idyllic, full of longing and nostalgia.,Pop,Progressive Folk,Rock,Rock/Pop,Singer/Songwriter

Hello Starling

Average customer rating:

Hello Starling
Josh Ritter
Manufacturer: V2 Ada
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Golden Age of Radio
Live at the Record Exchange Ep
Girl in the War
Time Without Consequence
West

ASIN: B000AA7HJW
Release Date: 2005-02-22

Tracks:

Bright Smile
Kathleen
You Don't Make It Easy Babe
Man Burning
Rainslicker
Wings
California
Snow Is Gone
Bone of Song
Baby That's Not All
Bad Actress

Average customer rating:

Following in a grand tradition
There are a lot of things you can do
Reminicent of Early Springsteen
Hitcooper.com Review
Beautiful, just stunning!

Hello Starling
Josh Ritter
Manufacturer: Signature Sounds
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Pop | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Folk Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Golden Age of Radio
Golden Age of Radio
Subtitulo
Till the Sun Turns Black
Trouble

ASIN: B0000AQS3M
Release Date: 2003-09-09

Tracks:

Bright Smile
Kathleen
You Don't Make It Easy Babe
Man Burning
Rainslicker
Wings
California
Snow Is Gone
Bone of Song
Baby That's Not All
Bad Actress

Amazon.com

Ritter's literate, highly romantic brand of folk has gained him attention on both sides of the Atlantic. Hello Starling, his third album, sees him pushing the boat out further and trying to move beyond the evident influence of Bob Dylan. It doesn't always work: the up-tempo "Kathleen" and "Man Burning," with their swirling organs, clearly carry the mark of Zimmerman, as does the soft and heartfelt "You Don't Make It Easy Babe," a troubled ode to a troubling girl. But this doesn't necessarily matter. Ritter's vocal performances may lack the intensity and weight of Dylan or Leonard Cohen (an equally heavy influence, most evidently on the track "Wings"), but he has a charm and lightness of touch that will endear him to many. Beyond this, it's a real joy to hear a musician attempting ambitious narratives ("Wings," "Bone of Song") where many singer-songwriters cower cravenly behind impressionistic cut-up techniques or, worse still, spatter us with self-obsessed drivel. Perhaps a few albums on, Ritter will truly find his own voice and be considered a real find. --Dominic Wills

Customer Reviews:

Following in a grand tradition.......2005-07-27

Hello Starling is the third album by Josh Ritter, a singer-songwriter and guitarist originally from Moscow ID who has been steadily building support since his first self-released album in 1999, particularly in his native States and in Ireland, where he initially toured supporting the Frames. For this album, Dave Odlum from the Frames was enlisted as producer and the album was recorded over a fortnight in February 2002 in a converted dairy barn near Angers in France (also used by Dave Odlum for an EP with Gemma Hayes in 2001), and with Josh's touring band augmented by Dave Odlum helping out on guitar and mandolin.
As a teenager, Josh Ritter had been inspired by discovering Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash playing together on the Nashville Skyline album, and has also acknowledged Townes Van Zandt, Leonard Cohen and Gillian Welch among his influences (there is a nod to Townes Van Zandt on this album's Kathleen, also the title of one of his songs). He studied American History through narrative music at college, spending six months in Scotland at the School of Scottish Folk Studies, and also made a study of American religious music, American Civil War songs and late 19th century popular ballads, parlour songs and cowboy songs.
Although he has found his own voice and a clear natural style it is clear from his stripped back approach and the meticulously recorded instruments that he has learned well and deeply from all these guiding legacies and adaptations. This is an album that has been built to last and leaves one keenly anticipating the next.

There are a lot of things you can do.......2005-05-15

Buy this album and listen to it.
Just like bright eyes brilliant or better.

Reminicent of Early Springsteen.......2005-03-19

Josh Ritter's amazing talent should not go unnoticed for long here in the states as he's such a rising star in Ireland/UK that it won't be long before everyone knows his name. Very reminincent of early Springsteen with his unperfect but endearing voice, his raw passion, and superb song writing this guy is going far!

I dare anyone to listen to "Kathleen" and not be humming before the end of the song and then replaying it to learn all the words. The song promises to stay in your head and heart long after you've listend to the CD!

One of the best singer/songwriters in a very long time! If you get a chance to see him perform live don't walk but RUN to stand in line to see him....you won't be sorry!

Hitcooper.com Review.......2004-09-28

This album is pure, raw folk music. Josh is an amazing poet with a simple, sweet voice. I guess he's huge over in Ireland/England... I'm sure he will soon be huge here in the US... I recommend jumping on his fan bandwagon now... And I noticed that Hitcooper.com chose him as one of their featured artists... Another proof that he's a true artist that's definitely worth listening to...

Beautiful, just stunning!.......2004-05-10

Josh Ritter has an amazing voice. These are my seperate opinions, with 10 the best, 0 the worst.

Bright Smile: 9. Maybe this should have been a little bit faster, but a perfect start to a beatiful fol rock CD.

Kathleen: 10. He hits a great high not, the prime of his voice. A real find.

You Don't Make It Easy Babe: 8. Not my kind of music, but still good.

Man Burning: 10,000. JOSH!!!! THIS ROCKS!!!!! WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SONG I CAN NOT SAY ENOUGH!!!!

The rest are 8's, with the exception of the Bad Actress and Bone of Song.

Tracks:

Bright Smile
Kathleen
You Don't Make It Easy Babe
Man Burning
Rainslicker
Wings
California
Snow Is Gone
Bone of Song
Baby That's Not All
Bad Actress

Tracks:

Kathleen [Live][*]
Golden Age of Radio [Live][*]
You Don't Make It Easy Babe [Live][*]
Snow Is Gone [Live][*]
Snow Is Gone [*][Multimedia Track]

Customer Reviews:

Better than "Age of Radio".......2005-12-29

Ritter does it again, with great songwriting and overall fantastic tunes. "Kathleen," "Bone of Song" and "Snow is Gone" are the best, but almost every track is golden here (I didn't like "Bad Actress").

The live tracks are good, but I don't think they do him justice. I have seen Josh live with his band and solo. Both should be included for live tracks. The in betweens only somewhat capture his natural interaction with the audience. The funny thing is after all the times I've seen Josh is that no matter how successful he becomes, he always seems genuinely overwhelmed that people love his music and come out in droves for his shows. That totally adds to his on stage persona.

This should have been his breakout album, but we're hoping North America will take better notice with the next one and give Josh his due.

Josh is a great guy and his music is..........2005-12-03

I've met Josh, in fact we've sauna-ed together on several occasions, and well, he's just a great guy; completely down to earth and humble. Oh, and his music is nothing short of brilliant. Totally unique, but if I was pressed to compare I'd say its Nick Drake and Leonard Cohen with a positive edge.

Incredible CD.......2005-09-11

Josh Ritter's CDs just keep getting better. I listened to this album with some friends, and just purchased my own copy. Great stuff!

Hope for a new generation. Americana Ritter.......2005-07-20

When I discovered Josh Ritter a couple years ago, I new immediately the brilliance and songcraft of this upright talent. In being a peer of his, I see no other Nick Drake/Leonard Cohen/Greg Brown of our time, and I was sure out of hope until ordering a single of his from Signature Sounds. I've garnered so much appreciation for his music, and his live performances will make you want to be there for every one of them. This gem, Hello Starling, only solidified this state of mind for me. Stellar album, and not one track goes unappreciated.

I would, however, give Joan Baez a thumbs down for her rendition of Wings on her Dark Chords on a Big Guitar album. Too croony, but that's Joan Baez for you.

Make an investment and add this gem to your ears and libraries. 5 stars for this album is underrating it. Pretend 5 is 10.

Keeping this review simple.......2005-07-04

5 stars because it's an excellent album. He's the kind of artist that gets you excited about sharing art.