Track Listing

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. The Bad Actress

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14362 in Music
• Released on: 2006-07-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's not surprising that Josh Ritter is big in Ireland--his literate, highly romantic folk could have been tailored for that market. Having gained attention with his self-pressed debut, he pushes the boat out further on Hello Starling, 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 (the latter an equally heavy influence on "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, once Ritter has truly found his own voice, he could be considered a real find. Until then, particularly with the singalong anthem "Snow Is Gone", he will appeal hugely to those who appreciate the lighter side of David Gray. --Dominic Wills

Customer Reviews

Just buy it..... I MEAN NOW!!!!!
Like folk? Like Americana? Like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen,Johnny Cash? Then for God's sake get this. I own just about everything Josh Ritter has recorded and you can still get your hands on. The man's a genius and anyone who's seen him live will have already bought everything he's ever done too! The comparisons with Dylan will more than likely never go away, but it's unfair to label him like that. The strength of the songs and the diversity he has achieved with his 3 albums are a testament to his ability. And they don't half love him in Ireland! Come England, get with the program and make this guy a superstar.

A FOLK CLASSIC
This album is simply brilliant and my enthusiam for it has inspired me to write this review and urge others to listen to it. I discovered Ritter as a support act for Joan Baez. I enjoyed his banter and anti-Bush political comments between songs, but most of all the music. I rushed to buy this album straight away. Rarely has a new CD had so much impact on me. I have enjoyed playing it again and again. The songs stick in your head after very few hearings and I find myself singing and humming them. Its emotional and moving, Ritter's voice gentle and haunting. The tunes are wonderful. Most albums have a stand-out track. I would say that eight of this albums eleven tracks are outstanding, in particular the Dylan-esque "You don't make it easy babe" with its stipped bare guitar and the Baez covered "Wings". They're all good though. I am delighted to have found this album, its the best I've heard in ages. So powerful are these songs they will define an era of my life.

A must have album
Josh's albums just keep getting better and better!! This album has some of his strongest tunes from his live gigs on it - the exceptional Kathleen, current single Man Burning and Snow is gone never fail to get a crowd going and little energy is lost when listening at home. The beautiful opening track 'Bright smile, dark eyes' is perfect and other mellow tracks on the album give it the perfect balance of stomping tracks and mellow tunes.
Having to date only seen Josh solo I was pleased to hear how well a full band compliments his songs....and you can almost hear him grinning his head off as he sings :)

A brilliant album of strong folk songs - keep it up josh!!