Crucial Track for April 17, 2025

"Bright Smile (Live)" by Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band

Listen on Apple Music

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One of the first songs from Josh Ritter where I registered, “oh, this is speaking to me.” The melody shift at “a man is only half himself” grabs me every time. The original on Hello Starling is lovely, but I really like the energy of live recordings. (Find the 2011 Louisville show!)