Ok, we just got back from the Ryan Adams show at the Alabama Theater and, true to form, he was brilliant, annoying, arrogant, funny, whiny and pro all wrapped up in the same beautiful wild card that is Mr. Ryan Adams.
So the big thing everyone is going to talk about is how he ended the show early because of song request hecklers. On this issue I was a little disappointed in Ryan. I think we were robbed of at least 30 more minutes of concert time. But this is one of the things I love about him. The human factor. And this also proves that I'm not full of shit because tonight I was burned by what I reluctantly call his "humanity" but I can still appreciate what it brings to my relationship with his art on a larger scale. If he's annoyed or bummed out he emotes it. Some people call it unprofessional. I don't know. Some people think that Joel Olsteen is a christian. Go figure.
People also are upset that The Cardinals do a lot of jamming. Believe me, I sympathize. I definitely do not prefer the jam shit. But at the same time, I think a lot of people are confused about their relationship with artists in live situations. Most people I talk to who are annoyed by the jamming talk as if they are owed something by the performer. I just don't get that. You bought the ticket because you wanted to be in the presence of the artist. Not treat them as a jukebox, right? I mean, if you want them to play all your favorite songs just like they do on the record then make a playlist on your itunes and save $35 and stay at home. Is the jamming a little boring/self-indulgent? Yeah, it is to me. But rock and roll by nature is pretty fucking self-indulgent. And also, I'm not the only human being participating in the musical event. It's a collective, shared experience that I believe everyone should sort of pull together on to make it as enjoyable as possible. i just don't see the validity in being offended by what an artist chooses to do with his/her art. They created it out of nothing. They can destroy it or interpret it in a softer or heavier way. Or they can recreate "Workingman's Dead" in the middle of it. It's their prerogative, really.
And to wrap all of this up I just want to say that I really believe in music. I know that sounds lame but it's true. There is something beautiful and transcendent and powerful about gathering in a room with people and participating in live music. I think it's an important part of any healthy culture. So, you know, let's just all be cool and dig the good vibes and fucking enjoy ourselves. This world is full of pain and music is one of the only drugs that works for me anymore. It's heavenly and beautiful and pure. So, you know....just dig it. I'm tired.
p.s. I don't care what anyone says. Opening with Bartering Lines? Holy shit that was amazing!
16 comments:
as I was walking out last night among the crowd, I was amazed at how many people were angry and upset. amazed, and then I thought, "well - this is what I expected, I suppose."
people were surprised I wasn't upset. I just loved everything about it. I think ryan adams is a living legend. I really believe that.
and he is so authentically tortured, that I think he takes offense (even if it is an over-reaction) reasonably.
does that make no sense?
I'm waiting for CK to make fun of me now.
say what you want. I'm a fan.
I have so many conflicting feelings. It was beautiful. Beautiful, beautiful. And at the same time, I hate how it ended. But I wasn't surprised. And I still feel like I got my money's worth, like I got what I came to see. But it kills me a little that there was more to be heard and we didn't get to hear it. So, I don't know where that leaves me. I need to see more Ryan Adams. But I don't need another breakdown.
Welllll, when you drive two hours to see a show, you hope to get more genius than rant. Also, to take point on your jamming comment. This band may jam, but they are not jamming in the typical sense of "jam bands." Jam bands have more of an improv style with no set beginnings and endings to the jams. But everything i've heard so far from RA lately are ARRANGED JAMS. They are predictable from one show to the next, and have a definite beginning and end.
bart
bmason@advantagefabrics.com
is it pathetic that I am hanging around your blog and refreshing to see what other people say? I really could sit and talk about this show for a few hours.
btm - that makes perfect sense. i think part of being a fan means being more forgiving than i would be, say for britney spears, if she did some grievous things during a show.
everyone needs to get over it. sheesh.
cj - i'm with you on that one. i was pretty disapointed with how he dealt with the hecklers.
bart - I was bummed and i only had to drive a few blocks. i can totally see how it would be frustrating to drive 2 hours for that show.
As far as your jamming comment i dont really know what to say. i've got over 50 RA shows from the last 4 years and i can honestly say that a lot of the jamming i've heard has been improvised. maybe not that night. but a lot of the jams have slowly develpped over the last few years. particularly peaceful valley, mockingbird and what sin. but if you're criteria for what jamming is differs from mine then thats cool. i dont really care.
cj - no way. i could talk about that show a lot too.
my thoughts are on my blog.
My sources say Ryan was pissed because the two previous shows (atlanta and charlotte) people were yelling out song requests as well.
He could diffuse the situation by not taking so long in between songs or, brace yourself, actually putting some of the crowd favorites in the set list occasionally.
I hear his bus got egged at the alabama theatre.
if that's true, boo birmingham. not cool.
solution for a post Ryan Adams funk: go talk about football.
OK, OK, but it worked for me.
I am still digesting last night's show. And listening to RA all over town.
i'm with jon.
If Ryan Adams can, as an artist, be human and cut his show short, why can't fans throw eggs at his bus? I'm just saying, isn't fan-ness just as important as artist-ness to the collective experience? And can't fans express themselves accordingly in the great conversation? Isn't such an authentic reaction from fans just as cool as Adams's wussiness?
On the flip side, maybe the fans are not cool because they bear the name Birminghamians and thereby have a responsibility to uphold that name. Whereas a pop artist is independent, carries no name except his own, and has no accountability, not even to his fans.
Did he play any Whiskeytown songs from the Faithless Street album?
I agree with Jon. Everybody was quiet for the first 10 to 20 seconds between songs. When you take time to tune and screw around for 30 seconds or more, you are going to have people that want to fill the space with something. If they can practice enough to get those amazing tight riffs, then can't they practice the transitions? Ryan, if you're reading this, you're welcome.
I loved the show. It was the first time I have seen him live. I'm sorry but if you go to a Ryan Adams show you should know that it is a possibility that he will do something like this. It's like going to a peep show and then getting offended when they get naked. In the words of BTM, he's a dick, what did you expect?
I am with you, bartering lines was great. Lucy was cool too. My heart fell through the floor the first time those lights on the backdrop came up and when the light focused on the disco ball. That was just an experience.
i saw him last night in mobile, and it was AMAZING. i hate to be the guy who gets to come behind the people who got dicked over, but i am that guy.
that was my first ryan adams concert, and i walked in worried about how it would turn out after the birmingham show. i spent the first half looking around at people talking really loud during the music, talking on cell phones, and gettind nervous that he might walk off the stage at any second. so i felt a little cheated at first because i didn't let myself enjoy it. but then i got over it and realized that he does what he wants, so i should chill.
highlights - i taught myself to grow old, stars turn blue, mockingbirdsing, rescue blues, and two. the whole damn thing ruled.
at one point, fans started yelling out song "suggestions" and he says "oh, it's going to be one of those nights. you people think you came to a bingo game, and you're waiting for your last square to be filled in with your special song so you can scream bingo. well, this night is about a mystical fucking vaginal flower blossoming, not your bingo game. police yourselves, i'm not dealing with this shit again." and that was the end of the requests except for one guy who didn't get the reference.
i liked the "jamming" because it gave a totally new take on so many of his songs. i fell in love again with some songs i had totally forgotten. ryan adams, it was a great night, and i thank you for breaking me in gently to your live show.
"Wussiness" has been bothering me all day. I take it back. In my family we call each other whiney bears, or grumpelstiltskins.
Sounds like Houston (last night) was dang near the best RA show of all time.
Okay i'm late in reading this. It was an amazing show - the first set was one of the best hours of live music i've ever, ever heard. The Cardinals are as tight as they come, and added just the right touches to bring songs from studio-to-stage with brilliance. But the pity party on stage was a bit much. The band enables him ("um, please crowd, be quiet and it will go well for you"...). Be grateful that 2000 people paid $35 to hear your music because they LIKE you. They are most likely your FANS. Song requesting is anyonying - I hate it myself. But it was extremely mild compared to what I often hear at shows. Were there 5, maybe 10 people requesting songs? By no means out of control.
I'm no less of a fan after the show. But on the way home Krys and I were comparing RA's M.O. of clinging to his music to Tweedy's virtual giving the music away. Both incredible artists, those two, but I just love Tweedy's generosity: "just remember what was yours is everyones from now on..."
So Ryan, take your toys and go home. I'll still buy all your albums.
well said, music is my drug.
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