Gathering by Josh Ritter - DeepRiffs

ALBUM

In an essay penned for NPR in advance of the release of his ninth studio long-player, Josh Ritter said of creating Gathering: "I had that feeling you get when the sky is suddenly dark before a summer storm; the thunder heads looming at the edge of the fields, the birds quiet. The smell of the gathering electricity in the atmosphere, the certainty of lightning." It's an apt summation of this 12-track set, which eases the listener in with a balmy, a cappella country-gospel opener ("Shaker Love Song [Leah]"), before letting the clouds open up with the one-two punch of "Showboat," a soulful and self-effacing countrypolitan rocker that sounds like a funked-up version of Glen Campbell's "Gentle on My Mind," and "Friendamine," an affable, country-blues boogie with an out-of-nowhere backwards organ solo. What follows is one of Ritter's loosest and most rewarding outings to date, delivering a steady stream of compelling characters caught between bravado and vulnerability, constantly trying to find their emotional footing. Culled from a reported 30 recorded tracks, Gathering doles out its fair share of rockers -- after a brief, sepia-tone Salvation Army Band-style intro, a wash of feedback heralds in the LP's most juke joint-worthy offering, "Cry Softly" -- but Ritter is still a balladeer at heart. The achingly lovely "Thunderbolt's Goodnight" and the gospel-tinged "When Will I Be Changed," the latter of which is a duet with the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir, provide more than adequate shelter from the electricity-hurling antics of the Gods above, and serve as a reminder that behind every wall of storm clouds is a patient blue sky. [Gathering was also released in a two-CD Deluxe Edition featuring home recordings of the album's tracks on the second disc.] ~ James Christopher Monger

1. Shaker Love Song (Leah)

Primary Artist: Josh Ritter; Main Performer
Composer: Josh Ritter; Composer
Music Publisher: Rural Songs; Other

2. Showboat

Primary Artist: Josh Ritter; Main Performer
Composer: Josh Ritter; Composer
Music Publisher: Rural Songs; Other

3. Friendamine

Primary Artist: Josh Ritter; Main Performer
Composer: Josh Ritter; Composer
Music Publisher: Rural Songs; Other

4. Feels Like Lightning

Primary Artist: Josh Ritter; Main Performer
Composer: Josh Ritter; Composer
Music Publisher: Rural Songs; Other

5. When Will I Be Changed (feat. Bob Weir)

by , Bob Weir, Josh Ritter

Featured Artist: Bob Weir; Main Performer
Primary Artist: Josh Ritter; Main Performer
Composer: Josh Ritter; Composer
Music Publisher: Rural Songs; Other

6. Train Go By

Primary Artist: Josh Ritter; Main Performer
Composer: Josh Ritter; Composer
Music Publisher: Rural Songs; Other

7. Dreams

Primary Artist: Josh Ritter; Main Performer
Composer: Josh Ritter; Composer
Music Publisher: Rural Songs; Other

8. Myrna Loy

Primary Artist: Josh Ritter; Main Performer
Composer: Josh Ritter; Composer
Music Publisher: Rural Songs; Other

9. Interlude

Primary Artist: Josh Ritter; Main Performer
Composer: Josh Ritter; Composer
Music Publisher: Rural Songs; Other

10. Cry Softly

Primary Artist: Josh Ritter; Main Performer
Composer: Josh Ritter; Composer
Music Publisher: Rural Songs; Other

11. Oh Lord, Pt. 3

Primary Artist: Josh Ritter; Main Performer
Composer: Josh Ritter; Composer
Music Publisher: Rural Songs; Other

12. Thunderbolt's Goodnight

Primary Artist: Josh Ritter; Main Performer
Composer: Josh Ritter; Composer
Music Publisher: Rural Songs; Other

13. Strangers

Primary Artist: Josh Ritter; Main Performer
Composer: Josh Ritter; Composer
Music Publisher: Rural Songs; Other

Technical Specifications

Volume

1 volume only

Tracks

13 tracks available

Type

ALBUM

Format

Digital Media

Duration

50 minutes and 37 seconds

Explicit

None

Coverart

Available and up to 1500x1500 px

Booklet

Not available

Max Quality

CD Quality (Lossless)

16bit / 44.1 kHz

Stereo

Audio Extension

Lossless: FLAC, M4A, WAV, WV, AIFF

Lossy: AAC, MP3, M4A, MP4, OGA, OGG, OPUS, WMA

Archive Format

Available in these formats: ZIP, TAR, RAR

Lyrics

12/13 tracks have lyrics

Synchronized Lyrics

5/13 tracks have synced lyrics

Genres

Folk, Alternative Folk, Singer & Songwriter, Rock, Contemporary Folk, Adult Alternative, Contemporary Singer, Songwriter, Urban Folk

Label

Pytheas Recordings

Music Distribution Service

RED

Country

United States

Language

English (United States)

Popularity

Release Date

Sep 21, 2017

Track Preview

Available

Delivery Charge

Free

Delivery Method

Digital download link via Email or Personal Dashboard on this site

UPC

886446613734