By: Jen Paulson
 |
| Ryan Adams - Photo by Alexa Jones (click for full set) |
Going into my first experience at the West Bank's Cedar Cultural Center, I was expecting something auditorium-like, but what I found when I walked through it's doors was something not unlike the stage in the gymnasium of one of my first grammar schools. Folding chairs were set out and marked with labels instead of The Cedar's usual first come, first served seating policy. I can now say from experience that there isn't a bad seat in the house—that is, if you can actually see the musician you paid your hard-earned money to see.
A subdued Ryan Adams took the stage about fifteen minutes after the 8:00 p.m. scheduled set time, with a big ol' classy jug of Gatorade in his hand.
"I'm just going to play some music for you..."
The lights were already dim as he dove straight into the first track off Easy Tiger, "Goodnight Rose." The sound was immaculate, and I'll admit it brought a flutter to my heart as his voice cut through the music and the hush of the crowd. He sat next to the upright piano, which brought a cabaret-like atmosphere to that area of the stage, as he read from what I assume was a lyrics sheet. He hasn't been utilizing any instruments on this small-venue tour due to a hand injury, with the exception of his brilliant vocal arsenal. (What's up with this guy and his tendency for arm and hand injuries?) He was left to fidget with his hair and his red-tinted glasses, while making grandiose and occasionally odd hand gestures and singing with a passion I haven't seen at his shows in some time. The Cardinals complemented him perfectly, especially Jon Graboff's pedal steel, which provided the musical heart of the concert aside from Adams himself.
About a third of the way through the show, he asked that the lights be turned down. Way down. It would take a while for the eyes to adjust to his shadowy figure again. Flashes from point and shoots would offer up glances of his face, and it would take until the encore for the stage to be lit up again, and then dimmed to a red glow. However disappointing this might have been, one familiar with his current situation would understand. After a long period of substance abuse, this is his first tour clean. He mentioned that he was nervous, and at one point in the show, a voice from the crowd would call out:
"We're proud of you, Ryan!"
 |
| Ryan Adams with Cardinals drummer Brad Pemberton - Photo by Alexa Jones |
The new album comes out in stores on June 26, and this evening would bring a set that featured over half of its content. Peppered in were stellar performances of classics like "Winding Wheel" and "Goodnight, Hollywood Boulevard." Easy Tiger has some straight-country sensibility to it, which I love, and the evening's lineup of songs were received well by the sold-out crowd. There was rousing applause as they began playing "Two," and I had a strange feeling that people were sort of expecting "Harder Now That It's Over" from Gold, seeing as the two share a similar tempo—but the themes differ significantly. One of my favorites off the new release, "Oh My God, Whatever, Etc." would be one of the night's highlights, as it was downright mesmerizing.
The show went a little longer than I expected, at about an hour and forty minutes, and after a "We're just too lazy to walk off the stage, so we'll just stand up here while you clap wildly as if we left you anticipating our return" moment, they closed with "I See Monsters" off Love Is Hell. Definitely not my first choice for an encore, but it was a more full and organic version of the song than the record's cold, yet effective sparseness. As a booze-free, less raucous outing than my first Ryan Adams Experience at his winter of 2001 gig at First Avenue, this show will probably go into my books as second best. However, as an intimate, heartfelt performance with a crowd of only about 465 people, it was beautiful, and I thank my lucky stars I even got in the door as he enters a new period of his already-prolific career.
Setlist:
Goodnight Rose
Dear John
Oh My God, Whatever, Etc.
Halloweenhead
Night Birds
Winding Wheel
The Sun Also Sets
Let It Ride
Blue Hotel
How Do You Keep Love Alive
Carolina Rain
Rip Off
Goodnight, Hollywood Boulevard
I Taught Myself To Grow Old
Two
Starlite Diner
I See Monsters
Location Info:
Cedar Cultural Center
Artist Info: Ryan Adams
Share this story:
Article comments powered by Disqus