Show Recap #5: Troy, NY - Troy Savings Bank Music Hall - 12/5/09

"Now those memories come back to haunt me / They haunt me like a curse / Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true / Or is it something worse? / That sends me dowwwn to the River / I know the River is dry..."

Last night's show at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall was one for the ages. The fifth show in as many days, and Josh and the band pulled out more surprises and curveballs than they have all week. Not one, not two, but count 'em FOUR tour premieres last night, including one of Josh's newest songs followed immediately by one of his oldest. Huge music hall. Huge snow flakes barraging the venue outside. Huge piano for Sam Kassirer on the stage. Huge voice from Zack Hickman for "Wicked Game." Huge encore and cover song. Huge night.

The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is indeed a big, big place. Old, too! Built in the late 1800's, it's a gorgeous cathedral-like setting with tiers and tiers of opera boxes climbing up to the heavens. It's only the second all-seated show of this little tour, but this one feels like it's going to be even more reserved, or quiet, than the show at The Calvin. It has to be, right? When the band takes the stage, it's like children taking to their instruments at a large recital – except for the presence of the diehards in the audience who are already having trouble containing their excitement. Definitely playing respectfully to the famous hall, they open with "Idaho" – a first for this tour. Josh sings almost the entire song alone with his acoustic guitar, as even the band stands motionless, listening. The sound is incredible, the song is as beautiful as always, and it's a real powerful moment right away.

They follow with another tour premiere, "Other Side.' With the band behind Josh on this one right from the beginning, the sound in this hall REALLY hits you. I definitely wasn't the only one to look up in astonishment, jaw dropped, as if we were going to see something; there must be a full orchestra in the ceiling or something. One thing that's noticeable right away – both visually and sonically – for anyone who's seen Josh and the band perform multiple times is the huge grand piano (!) on the stage. During soundcheck, you couldn't get Sam Kassirer off that thing. He was reveling in it. But now it was our turn to revel, because the sound of Sam's playing on that behemoth – in that hall – was something beyond beautiful.

When the song concludes, Sam Kassirer returns to his keyboards (proudly displaying the state flag of Maine, home of his recording studio where he produced Historical Conquests and Josh's new yet-to-be released album among others), for "Rumors." Sure , Josh and the band seem to be respectfully holding back a little, but when this rocker kicks in, it's the audience who starts to have none of that. Three girls in one of the 'opera' boxes are on their feet, dancing proudly. Two more take to the aisle. Another to the back of the room to get enough space to hop around. "Right Moves" is up next, and as always, this does anything except put people back in their seats. Several more pockets of people rise to take to the aisles or their box to dance like no one's watchin'.

Though most of the crowd remains calmly in their seats, they're anything but calm between songs as their uproarious applause and yells are among the most enthusiastic of the tour so far. The new song "Southern Pacific" is next. In addition to the great, hypnotic chorus I've mentioned in previous concert recaps, I must note that what else stands out here is the presence of an "omnichord," a new toy in front of Zack Hickman he uses to make some of the prettiest sounds you've never heard in a Josh Ritter song before. It's harp-like, and it's a touch to this song – and some other of the new tunes – that gives the song a fresh new sound for Josh.

"Troy has the largest amount of Tiffany stained glass than anywhere else in the world," Josh comments afterwards. Hmm. You always learn something new at a Josh Ritter show. "My apartment...has the least." I have to note at this point just how damn sharp Josh and his band look on stage. They've always taken pride in their duds, from classy suits or ties and hats, but on this tour they've also taken to wearing vests (Josh, Austin, Liam). No one outdoes Zack Hickman though, who pulls off a classic three-piece (I think his had about 11 pieces) like a proud southern gentleman. His famous twirling mustache does nothing but further make him the coolest sideman in music right now. Springsteen has his big man in Clarence Clemons. Josh has his in Zachariah Hickman.

Sam Kassirer returns to the huge piano for "Good Man" and it's a crowd favorite judging by the reaction. Again, Sam's piano playing is so wonderful sounding that even Josh pauses halfway through the song to ask him to "play something 'baroque' for us, Sam!" He obliges by running up seemingly each and every key, tickling all the way to the top. It draws both laughs and applause from the audience. "Thank you, we do birthday parties" is Josh's perfectly timed joke. Before toes can stop tapping and dancers can sit down again, "Open Doors" keeps people moving. This song continues to stand out – in a great way – during the show. I revealed in a previous recap that it's due largely to the fact that it's the only song the full band does with both Josh and guitarist Austin Nevins on acoustic guitars together. It's also pointed out to me that Kassirer barely touches his keys during this song. The absence of that, coupled with the dual acoustic guitars, certainly gives this song a whole different sound than the other songs. Personally, I love it, and it just adds yet one more dimension to the wide variety of styles and speeds you get at a Josh Ritter concert.

Before the next song, an adoring shout from the crowd is aimed at Hickman and his famous mustache. He takes that time to announce to the audience that he’s actually the creator and seller of "Dr. Zachariah Hickman's Mustache Wax and Gravity Suppressant." And he's "not just the president, but also a client." Josh has to wait for the laughs to subside, or to "let pathos refill the room" before starting the next song. "Girl in the War" is a highlight, thanks in most part to the amazing acoustics of this large music hall. When Josh backs away from the microphone to sing "Paul said to Peter you gotta rock yourself a little harder / Pretend the dove from above is a dragon and your feet are on fire" mostly unamplified, it sends goosebumps down the arms. He then slowly leans back toward the microphone for "But I got a girl in the war, Paul" and he's back at full volume for "her eyes are like champagne." The drums crash back in and the refrain of "They sparkle bubble over and in the morning all you got is rain" is chilling. What an emotional whallop.

This is the time in which the band then exits the stage, leaving Josh alone on the big stage with just his acoustic guitar. He then introduces another tour premiere by remarking "I love old murder ballads" and explaining that he tried to take all the famous folk ballads and "combine them into one big mess." The result is a new song called "Folk Bloodbath" – and it’s anything but a mess. In fact, it's one of Josh's prettier songs, and if you're familiar with the classic folk tales he references (from Louis Collins to Delia to Stagger Lee), it's a real treat. If you're not, you'll still be hooked; if the chorus from "Southern Pacific" isn’t still in your head, then this one will be ("The angels laaaiiid him away / laid him six feet under the clay / The aaangels laid him away").

Josh then admits "I’m trying to stick to the setlist, but I'm gonna stray." And with that, he pulls out a deep-cut classic. It's so deep-cut, it's not just from his very first album – it's not even listed on the track listing. "Stuck to You" is a hidden track on the eponymous album, and it's also a hidden gem. Longtime fans will attest to that, as Josh then sings his "Science Song" (which it’s also known as) and the audience is in the palm of his hand. Another highlight of the night.

Sam Kassirer is then welcomed back onto the stage and sits behind the grand piano. He's only several sad notes into the next song when it's clear to me what we're about to get. With Josh ditching his guitar and standing lonely at the microphone, Josh starts to sing "He opens his eyes, falls in love at first sight with the girl in the doorway / What beautiful lines, and how full of life / After thousands of years, what a face to wake up to..."  It's the new song "The Curse," this time – and for the first time on this tour – being played with no guitar and just Sam on the piano. Just when I thought this song couldn't absolutely slay me more, it does. The story about a mummy who comes to life one day and falls in love is not just one of the most romantic songs ("The first time he moves, it's her hair that he touches") you'll hear, it’'ll also be among the most imaginative and saddest you'll experience. Stunning. Again.

Josh begins to talk to the audience once more as Sam exits, revealing that his high school girlfriend was 6'7" tall. "We were in 8th grade wrestling together." When he starts to ramble about her becoming a professional wrestler that goes by the name "Vengeance," he apologizes to the audience with a laugh, noting, "I’m having a lot of fun up here." The crowd applauds their forgiveness, and it's they who have the most fun next when Josh strums into "Kathleen." Josh walks over to the drums where he hits the cymbal with his guitar as he plays. When the band slides quickly back onto the stage as the crowd is held at Josh's command in a suspended "whoa oh oh ohhhhh," they storm back into the song with a crash of drums and swirling organ. It's no doubt that this is Josh Ritter's most popular song, and is the true anthem in his canon. When it's over, it draws a standing ovation from many of the people still seated.

The joyous start to "Lillian, Egypt" causes the applause from "Kathleen" to morph into a rhythmic clap along! It's another party for the band onstage; when Kassirer strays from the song during his piano solo to play the festive "Little Drummer Boy," the audience loves it and gets a laugh out of Josh and Nevins, who sit down to gaze adoringly at him. No longer playing this show like the soft opening to a classical music hall, Josh ditches the guitar again to confront the audience at the microphone with the new, rocking tune "Remnant." It tumbles and tumbles and tumbles out onto the crowd. It's the most in-your-face song Josh has right now. Hope you get it at your next show!

"Monster Ballads" brings things back to something a bit tamer, and it's again the sound of Sam Kassirer's piano that steals the limelight – and it should. I think the piano is the heart of this song. Nevins remains after the song, while the other three exit the stage once again. With just Josh and Austin there, they break out the classic cover they’ve been featuring all week during the shows: "Moon River." This has been silencing the rock clubs. But here, in this classical music hall, it's downright ethereal.

The full band is onstage again for the new song "Another New World." If the ballad lovers aren't buzzing about "The Curse" after a show, it's this epic-feeling song that they're gushing about. I'll join in on the gushing: it's a show-stopper. The story Josh weaves here is almost too big to take in with one listen; and the mood the band creates the words are breathtaking. Though most subtle throughout most of the song, it's drummer Liam Hurley that is also perhaps the busiest. Using everything at his disposal – from what appears to be a chain being dragged in a circle around a cymbal, to his fingertips tapping lightly on the skins – he creates sound effects and an atmosphere to the song that is downright cinematic. By the time the song comes to the loud, crashing conclusion, Hurley's drums are the opposite of subtle, gloriously. My god, this band...

The furious finale of "Another New World" bleeds right into Josh’s furious strumming for "Harrisburg." It goes over HUGE with the audience. And it sounds huge. The entire audience rises to their feet now, and this cathedral-like music hall is transformed into a barn stomping rock club. It's an awesome thing to witness, and to be a part of.  When Zack Hickman steps to the microphone to try - only for the second time ever - his singing (belting) of the Chris Isaak song "Wicked Game," he nails it.  Josh and Austin lend some harmony vocals, and the crowd loves it.  They can barely catch their breaths – which they'll need desperately if they're going to keep up their singing along – when he and the band fire right into what is fastly becoming Josh's new signature song, "To the Dogs or Whoever." From the tongue gymnastics in Josh's vocals, to Kassirer's and Hickman's helping to slam Hurley's drums and cymbals, from Nevins' ripping guitar work, to the crowd's chorus sing-a-long, this song has everything. And I mean everything. Pure Josh Ritter.

After taking a bow, the band is off the stage but Josh is quick to return for an encore. An early glimpse at the setlist revealed no song title at this point, merely "Josh solo."

And it was then that Josh delivered the high point of the entire tour, especially – I’ll admit – for your's truly. He talks again with the audience, but this time to talk about a certain guy out there who's been traveling all week with them, reporting back to his fellow fans. I'm too embarrassed to divulge in this concert recap exactly what he said. I was beyond flattered, tickled, humbled, and ultimately very moved. Thank you, Josh. "This is for Doug..."  But thank you even MORE Josh, on behalf of everyone there in that music hall, for what you did next. Josh unplugs his guitar, walks away from the microphone to the edge of the stage, and sings – completely unamplified – "I come from down in the valley..."  It's the Bruce Springsteen classic "The River" that Josh has gained quite a reputation for covering in his concerts. But tonight, after it having been so long since he's last done it, and doing it unplugged (something else he resists these days) belting it out to the cathedral-like music hall...it was just...something magical. Dedication aside, honestly, it was probably THE moment of the tour.

"Snow is Gone" is a fitting way to celebrate a great night, even if the snow outside actually continued to fall. No one cared. The warmth coming off that stage and filling that music hall was blazing. The ushers were dancing and singing.

This was the final night of the tour for me, folks. I hopped off the tour bus this morning to return to planet Earth. I still hope to bring some photos and more though from tomorrow night's final show of the tour at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Check back regardless however, for more odds and ends captured during this amazing year-ending tour from Josh Ritter.

It was only a week on the road, but the memories of those shows will last a lifetime. I hope this site helped those of you who were there to preserve them, and that it helped those of you who weren't feel like you could have been...

More to come, hope you'll come on back.