Firstly a confession, Ryan Adams is one of my favourite artists and so this review will probably be less objective than usual. So let’s start with a summary. Two and half hours of excellence. Simple.
OK more detail required. After joining a queue without really knowing if it was the right queue to get into the theatre I am here at stupid o’clock to bag one of the very limited edition posters. Fortunately I was there just in time as there were only seven left after I bought mine. Andy and myself take our seats mid-way back in the middle of the Palladium looking at the sparse set with just three guitars a piano and some recently stolen lamps from your grandma’s house.
Adams ambles onto the stage and declares himself sick with cold and I immediately worried about what was going to transpire. I needn’t have worried. Taking a song to get his voice and the sound sorted we were then treated to a one man show full of great songs, great stories, pathos, viscous heckler takedowns and a lot of humour. Ryan’s’ story is well known and it’s fair to say he’s had his fill of issues through the years with alcoholism, substance abuse, depression, Meniere’s, sexual harassment allegations and his recent brother’s death. He touches on most of these aspects between songs with honesty and humility.
In keeping with this tour the set is heavy on songs from his arguably his best albums ‘Gold’ and ‘Heartbreaker’, assorted others from his back catalogue along with select covers. Tonight’s covers include ‘London’s Calling’, ‘Panic’ and a trio of Oasis covers from ‘Morning Glory’. It’s a nice distraction but it’s the Adam’s originals that I want to hear.
There are a number of goose pimple moments tonight including WhiskeyTown’s ’16 days’, ‘My Winding Wheel’ and set closer one of my personal favourites ‘Come Pick Me Up’. Despite his cold, Ryan’s voice sounds as strong as ever whether its hushed tones of ‘Ashes and Fire’ or the high notes of ‘Stars go Blue’ or the 1 minute version of ‘Dear Chicago’ to shut up a heckler played at a million miles an hour in a Bob Dylanesque meets punk voice.
It’s a fantastic evening with a strong setlist, 29 songs, and the joy in the room was palpable. The two and half hours flew by and I could have sat there for another two and a half.
A great night of the best acoustic music you could wish for and here’s hoping there’s not long to wait until he’s back electric with the Cardinals.
Keep on rockin’ y’all