Music
Press
On Saturday, Boston's Dwight Ritcher Band and Marc Broussard are among the performers at Harpers Ferry in Allston... Ritcher is a more interesting artist whose music lives in several worlds. His shows draw a young crowd eager to dance- sometimes slow, close, and romantic-to his personalized blend of vintage soul-blues grooves played to jam-band length and abetted by rock dynamics, all topped with an original singing style that's appealing in its laconic modernity. - Boston Phoenix
Recorded and mixed with a lineup of stellar musicians at the legendary "Fort", this album is a collage of emotions, style, and production. From the sultry title track "Drive Around Town", to the unbeatably funky AND catchy "Care", Drive Around Town is finally an album that can be played start to finish without having to hit the FF button. What really catches me about the album is the fact that it totally emulates the sonic and acoustic nuances of old school R&B and Soul, but lyrically depicts a life of everyday struggles and triumphs..." - Skope Magazine
It's not often, but some days I wish they didn't ban smoking in the city. There were some bars that were meant to be smoky, and some bands meant to play these smoke filled lounges. Morphine was one of those bands. Dwight Ritcher, though on a different scale, is another. This album contains some mighty fine lounge music, jazz, alternative rhythm and blues, soul-groove music… whatever you want to call it. It feels good. The sound is fresh and inspired, led by Dwight's compelling voice. I can hear the comparisons to Ben Harper, David Gray and Norah Jones coming now. Classy stuff. - What's Up Magazine!
"Dwight Ritcher effectively integrates hard funk and sweet R&B into his originals, with unmistakable traces of James Brown and Tyrone Davis..." - Blues Revue Magazine
“A bright new face on the scene, Ritcher plays a lively, fan favorite brew of rock and blues with a horn section added for just the right spice…” – Steve Morse, - Boston Globe
Discography
Drive Around Town - 2002 Self Released
Radioman - 2004 Self Released
Since the release of Drive Around Town the response has been overwhelmingly positive. The album was serviced to national college, AAA, and Jazz radio, receiving airplay at over 100 stations including KUMD, KXCI, WKDU, KRVS, and WNCW. Drive Around Town also charted in the CMJ and FMQB charts. Radioman picks up where Drive Around Town left off. Meticulously produced by Ritcher and bassist Greg Paraskos, the album interweaves heartfelt ballads with punchier cuts in the funky soul tradition of Marvin Gaye and Al Green. A pair of solo acoustic tracks feature Dwight at his finest, lending a nice balance to the otherwise full sound provided by the band. Downbeat retro styling, appealing to fans of all ages, combines with an original voice to create a fresh sound that is gaining a steady following across the country.
Photos
Bio
Labeled as "Alternative R&B" by his fans, Dwight Ritcher could be compared to artists like Ben Harper, David Gray, and Norah Jones. While strong roots in Blues and R&B are undeniable, the sound is new, fresh, and always inspired. Led by Dwight's powerful voice, the band finds that elusive feel that's at the center of Soul music.
Since Dwight formed his band in the spring of 2001, the five musicians have not stood still. The Dwight Ritcher Band has toured the East Coast, from Maine to Georgia, written 30+ songs and recorded 2 albums, their exciting debut album Drive Around Town and the recently released Radioman. Again Dwight chose to record at the legendary Fort Apache Studios in Cambridge, MA. Splitting their time between New York City and Boston Dwight and his band have become regular fixtures at The Paradise, Johnny D’s, Harper’s Ferry, The Knitting Factory (NYC), and The Living Room (NYC).
“A bright new face on the scene, Ritcher plays a lively, fan favorite brew of rock and blues with a horn section added for just the right spice…” – Steve Morse, Boston Globe
“Rarely do I get a CD that is head and shoulders above everything else; one that stands out as audibly amazing.!” – Cecily Crebb, KXCI, Tucson Arizona
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