After two years off and what must be the longest break in his career as a recording artist, Ryan Adams is set to return with a new album titled Ashes & Fire. The album will feature a range of high profile guest spots including singer Norah Jones and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers keyboard man, Benmont Tench. The album was recorded by legendary producer and engineer Glyn Johns (The Who, The Beatles, The Clash, The Rolling Stones). This is all very exciting. See below for the tracklisting and have a listen to my favorite Ryan Adams song, continue reading...
Recently there’s been consistent rumors that Ryan Adams is returning to the music scene in the near future after about a year off. Besides the metal album Orion that was available exclusively on vinyl and online, he’s apparently been working on 2 new full length releases in both Los Angeles and New York City that should see the light of day at some point next year. Thank goodness he’s still making music, this guy has so much talent I’m sure he could write an album a month and I’d still be amazed at the songs he’d produce. Considering I’m all jacked up on Ryan Adams news I thought I’d highlight one of his live performances for this weeks flashback. Here he is on Letterman with the Cardinals performing one of my favorite tunes of his, “Let It Ride” from Cold Roses. He looks a bit ragged in this one, but the performance is spectacular: continue reading...
Theres only 1 word needed to describe this video, Awesome. There are some unforgettable dance moves here, watch and be amazed: continue reading...
Here’s a pretty little new song called “Like Yesterday” by Ryan Adams. No one pumps out more music than this guy: continue reading...
I would consider myself a fairly big fan of Ryan Adams’ music, but I was always reluctant to go see one of his shows on account of his inconsistency as a live performer. I’ve read reviews that ranged from “sublime” to “absolute train wreck” and figured I’d save my cash for more dependable live acts. Recently Adams dropped Easy Tiger, which is what I consider to be one of his finer albums, and he also became sober. He was apparently headed for Gram Parsons-ville and decided to change his lifestyle, which is definitely a good thing. Anyways, word on the street was that his live performances had come full circle and I figured now was the time to see him in concert. It was a good decision.
There was no opening act and Adams and his backing band The Cardinals took the stage at about 8:05pm and did not stop playing for about 2.5 hours. The first set was well balanced between slower country-ish numbers and full on rock songs but the intensity level never wavered. Adams’ voice was absolutely stunning in just about every song and his backing band so tight and powerful that I didn’t want the songs to end. They never changed their instruments once and Adam’s played an electric guitar the entire night, until he sat behind the piano for a few solo songs in the first encore. Highlights for me included an epic version of “Magnolia Mountain” and a jaw dropping solo version of “Sylvia Plath”. Between songs Adams cracked up the crowd with some of the most random stage banter I’ve ever heard including a bit on Starbucks and a long bit on Bon Jovi and costume changes at Giants stadium??? The crowd ate everything up and the band came back out for 4 encores… 4!! The last encore came after the lights had gone up and the house music had started playing… people we’re heading out in the aisles! continue reading...
