Ryan Adams Jams…and Jams at DAR Constitution Hall
Ryan Adams, DAR Constitution Hall, October 30
“Which one is Ryan Adams?” asked my friend at this show. It actually was a valid question. The stage was quite dark, while the lighting occasionally cast shadows on the wall, and we were sitting clear on the opposite side of the arena from the stage. But for much of the first set, his voice did not stand out much from the band. Perhaps he humbly wanted to his band the Cardinals to shine and he did not want to be the center of attention, plausible in that he was always a bit off center, both on stage and in his mood.
Let me not underrate Ryan Adams. Adams’s transition from country to indie alt-rock cannot be understated. He is a superb musician and songwriter. In fact, some years ago, Elton John had called him one of the finest songwriters of his generation. But something was cold and distant at this show, my first time seeing him.
Adams extended some songs into long jams, some of which worked quite nicely, but at times it just seemed he was dragging. He also left a couple of his most well-known songs off the setlist, including his hit “New York, New York.” I thought maybe he was saving it for his New York show the next night at Hammerstein, but it wasn’t on their setlist either. How could he not play that song in New York?!
Sadly, I would learn later, his manager had died that night (of natural causes). It’s unclear whether Adams found this out before this show, which certainly would’ve taken its toll, but there was a lack of energy at this show and there was a definite disconnect with his audience.
I still think Ryan Adams is a gifted musician but for the foreseeable future I’m happy just to listen to him on disc.
Setlist:
Mockingbird
Beautiful Sorta
Cold Roses
Off Broadway
The Rescue Blues
Why Do They Leave
Everybody Knows
Please Do Not Let Me Go
The Sun Also Sets
Halloweenhead
Nightbirds
When the Stars Go Blue
Peaceful Valley
Blue Hotel
Goodnight Rose
Bartering Lines
Shakedown on 9th Street
Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd.
Encore
Easy Plateau
“Which one is Ryan Adams?” asked my friend at this show. It actually was a valid question. The stage was quite dark, while the lighting occasionally cast shadows on the wall, and we were sitting clear on the opposite side of the arena from the stage. But for much of the first set, his voice did not stand out much from the band. Perhaps he humbly wanted to his band the Cardinals to shine and he did not want to be the center of attention, plausible in that he was always a bit off center, both on stage and in his mood.
Let me not underrate Ryan Adams. Adams’s transition from country to indie alt-rock cannot be understated. He is a superb musician and songwriter. In fact, some years ago, Elton John had called him one of the finest songwriters of his generation. But something was cold and distant at this show, my first time seeing him.
Adams extended some songs into long jams, some of which worked quite nicely, but at times it just seemed he was dragging. He also left a couple of his most well-known songs off the setlist, including his hit “New York, New York.” I thought maybe he was saving it for his New York show the next night at Hammerstein, but it wasn’t on their setlist either. How could he not play that song in New York?!
Sadly, I would learn later, his manager had died that night (of natural causes). It’s unclear whether Adams found this out before this show, which certainly would’ve taken its toll, but there was a lack of energy at this show and there was a definite disconnect with his audience.
I still think Ryan Adams is a gifted musician but for the foreseeable future I’m happy just to listen to him on disc.
Setlist:
Mockingbird
Beautiful Sorta
Cold Roses
Off Broadway
The Rescue Blues
Why Do They Leave
Everybody Knows
Please Do Not Let Me Go
The Sun Also Sets
Halloweenhead
Nightbirds
When the Stars Go Blue
Peaceful Valley
Blue Hotel
Goodnight Rose
Bartering Lines
Shakedown on 9th Street
Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd.
Encore
Easy Plateau
posted by Dana @ 3:25 PM
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