Mittwoch, 21. Nov 2007, 7:54

Fri 16 Nov – Ryan Adams & The Cardinals, Ryan Adams

So, I finally got to see the great Ryan Adams live, playing music. With the Cardinals of which we must of course mention. Official artist name: Adams and The CardinalsRyan Adams and The Cardinals

Let's get the unimportant if interesting stuff out the way first. Sartorially again he's borderline irritating. A cool black leather jacket and then a bobble hat. A bobble hat. I knew it was fecking freezing in London this weekend but inside it aint.

The first quarter was a bit of a rush through to be honest. Ryan didn't say anything in between songs. And to be honest his musical variations of the recorded to the live put me off somewhat. I can see why the critics latch onto this, he's so damn good that he can completely change the essence of a tune but because it's never better than the original it's irritating. In fact I'd say it's borderline showing off. Fair enough if it's good and not just bathetic.

It picked up after the somewhat silent first quarter with some very good versions including Cold Roses, When The Stars Go Blue, Let It Ride, Mockingbirdsong.

The Set list:

Peaceful Valley
Beautiful Sorta
The Rescue Blues
When The Stars Go Blue
Off Broadway
Goodnight Rose
Nightbirds
The Sun Also Sets
Halloweenhead
Let It Ride
Freeway To The Canyon
Please Do Not Let Me Go
Bartering Lines
Mockingbirdsong
Wild Flowers
Cold Roses
Why Do They Leave
Everybody Knows
Goodnight Hollywood Blvd.
Two
You Don't See Me Crying
Rip Off
A Kiss Before I Go
Shakedown on 9th St
I See Monsters
=======================
Dear John
Blue Hotel
I Taught Myself How To Grow Old

Easy Plateau was pretty good as a last tune, although they went all white noise on us and I wished it would end, not a feeling you want in an encore. I'd have to say though Ryan's voice was on top form tonight especially songs from Easy Tiger and the simply wonderful new EP Follow The Lights.

There were dull interludes to be honest, a few Neal Casal songs really made you think about how good Ryan's songwriting really is in comparison. Although because I was stuck in the middle of a row I didn't feel I could go for a piss. I was dying by the way.

Some thing's a bit rubbish about sitting down at a gig, especially for an artist who has a devoted fan base as RA.

The Cardinals cannot be faulted for their back up job tonight it has to be said they accompanied his playing wonderfully and in fact I've grown to like them with their nice Cardinals version of This Is It on the new EP, particularly welcome as the album Rock 'n' Roll is bloody weak.

Way too many arse holes shouting out inane things to the band, which they've obviously heard loads of times before. There was a rehearsed skit involving the keyboardist messing up a joke plus Ryan introducing (read dragging out) his 17 week number one hit Rip Off.

I personally enjoyed a lot of the acoustic stuff which I wish he would do more often, just Ryan and a guitar, plus more front man stuff would go a long way I think.

All in all a good gig, he's got tonnes of great tunes to choose from and I couldn't fault any of them to be honest. The omission of Come Pick Me Up makes me wanna see him again at least.