The Album

Album cover designed by AJ Solomon.

Abby Ritter is not only one of my favorite wizard rockers, she is also one of my favorite humans. She is an absolutely incredible person and her music provokes so many emotions in me. Today I’m going to review her album Live at Malfoy Manor, which was performed and recorded live in Woonsocket, RI. This was part of a Malfoy Manor House Show Series on March 16, 2019. I can’t wait to get into it, so let’s go!

The Tracks

I am both ashamed and proud to say that the only version of this song I know is Abby’s. Rememberall is a parody of Wonderwall by Oasis. It’s a song from Neville’s point of view, and it has a beautiful guitar backing up Abby’s lovely vocals.

Burnin’ Up (Jonas Brothers cover) is not a wizard rock song, but Abby gives us so much energy and laughter with her performance. I love how I can hear the smile in her voice, and the amount of passion she has for her music.

Next Abby sings Valerie (Amy Winehouse cover) and I continue to enjoy her version more than the original. (This is a theme with me for her music.) Every time I listen to Abby play, I am reminded of how talented she is on the guitar and with her singing as well.

The House of Awesome (The Whomping Willows cover) is a classic wizard rock song that Abby takes and makes her own. It’s a high energy piece and you can hear the audience singing along in the background. Abby inserts a bit of humor during where the guitar solo would normally go, and finishes strong.

Abby switches back to Muggle music with Misery Business (Paramore cover). She keeps up the high energy that has been building up throughout her set, and continues to give an amazing performance.

Can’t Trust the News (Enter the Haggis cover) is the final Muggle song of Abby’s set on this album. She jokes that she created this set to “destroy everybody tonight.” Abby uses her voice to imitate the trumpet solo in the middle of the song, which is both beautiful and hilarious.

Wizard ADD is an original song by Abby that details what it’s like to study at Hogwarts when you have ADD. It’s hard to succeed when this magical school won’t follow your IEP. It’s a fast paced, wonderful song.

We end the album and the set with another Abby Ritter original, It’s Intersectional. This is one of my top favorite songs of all time – not just including wizard rock. It has become an anthem for many people in the fandom. Abby sings about intersectionality in the wizarding world. It has an incredibly powerful message and a melody that will get stuck in your head (and you’ll be happy about it). My favorite lyrics are, of course,

Your metaphors can be so strong, and yet it’s just our luck:

When it comes to representation, you really f*cking suck!

Also, for good measure:

You left us with no choice, you see, it has to be this way

We took your world into our hands where it will always stay

In Summary

If a voice could be transformed into part of an Amortentia potion, Abby’s voice would do it for me. Her performances give me life and happiness every time I listen to them. They’re like a patronus you can take with you anywhere. I am incredibly happy that this set was recorded and is available for us to listen to over and over again. I highly encourage you to support her in any way you can so that she is able to create more music!