Chris Ritter –Dual Diagnosis
Chris Ritter has a new album, Dual Diagnosis, that was formally released May 11, 2024 and landed on Spotify on Mother’s Day, and, in Chris’ words, “that coincidence was meaningful as I lost my wife (and mother of our daughter Maddie) to cancer 5 years ago on June 4, 2019. The record is dedicated to her.” Maddie, by the way, appears on the album as well, playing organ, singing, and co-writing one particular song.
Raised in Lubbock, Texas and currently residing in Austin, Chris Ritter has been steeped in the quality side of the Texas music scene and it flows through his songwriting.
“Leaving LaDiosa” is the album opener and it’s easy to see why it was picked. This song has quite lovely, memorable phrasing: “I’m leaving LaDiosa, I don’t know where I’ve been, I gotta get away somehow, I gotta find a friend… Maybe I don’t give a damn for you, you’re just stuck in LaDiosa too.” The subtle but melodious pedal steel is a nice touch.
The next song “Heroin at Christmas” is all about being out of place – “I’m a bent down nail head, I’m a beer can on fire, I’m a seventh grade yearbook, I’m a hole in a shoe.” Highly relatable. “Rodeo Clown” squeezes your heart with lines like “Jesus had just two rules: love God and each other, You fed god to your army, you fed hate to each other.”
Later in the album is “Song For Christy,” co-written by Chris and Maddie Ritter, with lovely fiddle, and is an honest, pretty and sorrowful ode to someone who’s loved very much. “Come on Christy let’s get high, and watch somebody play awhile, and laugh at how the world looks now to me. You’re the one who makes me smile, even if it’s just awhile, that’s the way this short life has to be.”
“Wounded Crow” showcases the emotional connection that Chris makes seem so effortless, and the easy acoustic guitar and fiddle carry you home: “bright star, show me the way home, show me the way out of the dark…the wounded crow keeps crowing and I’m still stuck down south.”
The significance of the dedication of this album to his wife who passed away is honored all throughout the album, as it is thoughtful, profound, and heartwarming. It is available for listening here in several formats: https://artists.landr.com/064837902111 Find more information on his website, here: https://www.chrisritter.com
The album was produced by Chris, mixed and mastered by Pat Manske at the Zone Recording Studio. Musicians on the album are Chris Ritter (songwriting) production, editing, vocals, and rhythm guitar; bass on tracks 6 and 7; Maddie Ritter on organ, vocals and songwriting on track 8; Lloyd Maines on steel guitar and dobro, and rhythm and lead guitar on tracks 1, 3, 4, and 5; Chris Haigh on fiddle; Andy Warner on rhythm guitar, lead guitar, and bass on tracks 3, 8, and 9, piano on track 8; and Ian Hernan on mandolin. Nick Arledge painted the cover art.