STLBlues05 wrote:
I view it like this,...when you go see him live,...it's like seeing a friend that annoys you sometimes, but you know that deep down you can trust them so you put up with the crap. I trust that he'll give me a long show and it may not always be the songs I want to hear,...but it's a talented musician playing, and revealing from the guts, and not someone going thru the motions.
STLBlues05 wrote:
Cold Roses
Jacksonville City Nights
Strangers Almanac
Love is Hell
Heartbreaker
Pneumonia
Demolition
Rural Free Delivery
Gold
Rock n Roll
I confess to not really knowing a lot of his work, but...
Where to begin?? I'm a pretty big Ryan Adams geek. I remember seeing shows Whiskeytown opened for Son Volt and Steve Earle. I've seen Ryan solo 5 or 6 times. I've seen all sides of him. I saw him open for Alanis Morrisette where he was more controlled. I was at the Nashville show where he booted the guy out, which I still think was a set up. I was at the Wiltern show which was mentioned earlier and it was probably the most professional straight show I've seen him do. It was a stellar night.
Most recently, I saw him in Hampton Beach New Hampshire and it was such a perfect show. He was so warm, humble, and sweet to the audience. He had even written a song specifically about the town which melted everyone there. It was possibley the most endearing moment I've ever seen at a show. I'm not from that town, but I just thought how cool it would be for someone to take the time to write a song especially about my hometown.
People love to slam him it seems,...maybe because he responds to it and feeds it. He's like the hyper kid that gets picked on because it's funny when his face turns red. From what I can tell,...he just does what he wants on stage so as to not get bored. Most people play the same songs, the same way, over and over and become parodys of themselves. However, he is constantly mixing it up and giving it to you as he's feeling it at that moment. I appreciate that.
I view it like this,...when you go see him live,...it's like seeing a friend that annoys you sometimes, but you know that deep down you can trust them so you put up with the crap. I trust that he'll give me a long show and it may not always be the songs I want to hear,...but it's a talented musician playing, and revealing from the guts, and not someone going thru the motions.
Cold Roses
Jacksonville City Nights
Strangers Almanac
Love is Hell
Heartbreaker
Pneumonia
Demolition
Rural Free Delivery
Gold
Rock n Roll
Yeah I love Ryan. I think Gold and Love is Hell is his best. He has an amazing voice when he wants to, but sometimes he tries to sound like someone else and it just sounds funny. The thing I don't like about cold roses is that I think its HORRIBLY produced. The hi-hat is overwhelming and the whole albums sounds like it was recorded through a cell phone in a garage. What I used to LOVE about Ryan was his attention to detail in the production. I think he owes a lot of that to Ethan Johns who did Whiskeytowns last through Gold. Listen to those records and the sonic landscape. Its amazing. I guess I would compare it to Jay Bennet era Wilco vs Wilco now. If you want some great albums, pick up Whiskeytown's Strangers Almanac and Pneumonia and Ryan's Gold, Demolition, and Love is Hell. Also the new one sounds pretty good but same lousy producer as on Cold Roses
Damaged Son wrote:[ saddened me more than anything else cause he doesn't need to act (or be) a reckless drunk to entertain the crowd. His songs do that well enough on their own (which is kinda the interesting thing about his music...if you don't like a certain number of his songs, chances are that 1/3 or 2/3 of the rest of the audience adore them but don't like the ones you enjoy!).
I agree. I love his music so I will ignore the antics and the drama and continue to buy whatever records he puts out. But it is a shame if it's not an act and he really is that unstable/troubled/moody/whatever. I finally saw him live for the first time this year and was rather disappointed. The crowd was annoying, talking during the slow songs and yelling out requests, and Ryan just lost it. He started rambling, complaining about the air conditioning noise, lashing out at the talkers, making up song lyrics, and then ended by pouring out his bottle and spitting on the stage before walking off. However, he did play for almost 3 hours but the second half was just a mess. I saw him again recently and it was a completely different experience. He sang and played brilliantly, and appeard quite humble on stage. You certainly take your chances when you buy a ticket to one of his shows. I would gamble again.
I like most of his stuff except R&R. Love the new one. STill think Cold Roses is one of hte best of 05 so far. Not so sure about the recent love of The Grateful Dead though. Saw him butcher Wharf Rat and someone said he tried to do Dark Star. I mean come on, Dark Star without Jerry......its bad enough The Dead try to still play it
rock n' roll is a cool record. I love "Burning Photographs" It sounds like Stone Roses. As much derision as (B)Ryan Adams may deserve, hes alright with me. I like some of his stuff, dont like others.
Whiskeytown is great. One of my favorites. Ryan Adams' solo stuff is good, each album tends to be a different musical direction for him, which helps keep it interesting. Heartbreaker I think is his best work. Then Gold, then Demolition. Love is Hell gets a liitle moody, but has many highlights. Rock & Roll kinda lost me, but a new direction for him. Cold Roses is somewhat of a throwback to his Whiskeytown days.
There are times when I think he is a genius and his music just blows me away, and other times when I absolutely despise Ryan Adams. I don't know what it is. I would like to see him live.
I've gone right off Adams. I loved Whiskeytown, but Adams' solo stuff is a bit poor, in my opinion. 'Heartbreaker' is one of the most overrated albums of recent times. The only one I like is 'Love Is Hell', which no-one else seems to like!
Must be a pain in the ass when everybody else is out of step with you.