Last week was a great one for shows here in Boston. Among the best was Josh Ritter and his band performing with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall, the legendary home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Ritter has always been a gracious performer but he was clearly moved by the moment. “This is such an honor,” he said softly before performing the epic “Thin Blue Line” with Boston Symphony Orchestra violinist Alexander Velinzon. Later, Ritter noticeably struggled to restrain his emotions while introducing former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky for a brief reading.

The most apropos and undoubtedly overused line of the night came directly from Ritter’s song “Rumors” — “My orchestra is gigantic, this thing could sink the Titanic; And the string section’s screaming like horses in a barn burning up.”

Sun, Jun 29, 2008 @ 10:00 am |