Ryan Adams & The Sweetheart Revolution
12.07.01 Madison, WI @ Barrymore Theater
by: Robyn Nisi

I don't know how much more I could take. What's happening here? A good songwriter and musician, sure of his ability to become a solo act, puts out a few albums which attract critical respect and some commercial attention. Then what happens?

"I make more money in two days than you do in a year."-RA to heckler in Madison audience, 12/7/01

I was beyond excited for this show, having been a longtime WT fan. But after it, I was disappointed and embarrassed for someone who I thought was a compelling musician with a solid future. He got up on the stage, mentioned how wasted he was, insisted on wearing awool scarf and hat, and despite his obvious (from my view, in the makeshift third row of standing fans) sweating, only briefly took them off (concerned with the image? Your call). I know a lot of those who wen tto this show were excited by the almost three hour-length set, but for him to wander off into drunken and unskillfully played guitar solos (and re-play multiple songs from the set in different (?)mediums during the encore) was tedious. The only time the audience really seemed into the show was when he played "NY, NY" and covered the Rolling Stones' "Brown Sugar" (considering his recent successes, it doesn't really surprise that the audience wasn't yelling out to hear "Lo-Fi Tennessee Mountain Angel").

"Tell me something...do you like living with your parents?"-RA to an audience heckler

Maybe some people think he's charmingly comical by his quick ability to reply to audience hecklers, and in the past I've seen evidence that proves it, but Ryan was WAY too defensive and angry in his replies. Yeah, he did offer a semi-apology halfway through the set, but every comment he made beyond that (dissing the Strokes, Winona, more estimations of the audience heckler's IQ, something about new music being "a bunch of kids from Massachusetts but pretending to be from North Carolina staring at their shoes" ) didn't change the tone of the show. I really like Ryan Adams' music and look forward to hearing more. From his interviews, he seems to be eager to keep going with this gig. But his image campaign as the "drunken troubadour"--a hot, new and monumental rock genius--and not the quality of his music seems to be forefront in his world these days (I thought his new, soon-to-be-released music played at the concert was--at best--derivative of Willie Nelson's weakest moments). The next morning, after eating a bagel at Einstein's on State Street (where "NY NY" piped over their speakers), I visited Badger Liquors, famous for their clever and hilarious window ads. One of the "Everything I Need to Know in Life I Learned from Drinking" rules posted on their window stood out to me: "The best drunks are young, intelligent, and attractive." How true.



Ryan Adams & The Pinkhearts
12.05.01 Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
by: Matt Zimmer

Been a while since losering has been updated, thought I'd share my slightly-altered-by-Bacardi-thoughts on Ryan's show last nite at First Ave.

Ryan took the stage at First Ave. at about 10:45 after a low key but pretty set by Leona Naess. He was wearing a kinda dorky hat that I thought made him look like Steve Martin's Wild and Crazy Guy character only with dark hair. My friends and I argued over whether he would open with Firecracker or New York, with the latter getting the leadoff treatment. I'd like to have a song by song setlist, but I was drinking and I knew the mental notes I was trying to make would escape me by today, and I was right. What I know he played, in not necessarily this order was, New York, New York, To Be Young, Rescue Blues (the rockin' version I had heard about, which was very cool), and then Nobody Girl, which he prefaced with, "This is dedicated to all the victims....of Grammy winning actresses." Next, I think, came Touch, Feel & Lose, which was great, and he then played a 10 or 12 minute jam version of Tina Toledo, which featured very cool guitar work from both Ryan and Brad Rice, despite Ryan complaining several times about how his hand, "really fuckin' hurt." He then played Stars Go Blue, which was even more beautiful live than on record, and, even cooler, when it was finished they played it again. I never heard anyone play the same song twice in a row, but there were no complaints, as the song definitely benefited from the plugged-in guitars. He did a lot of joking around in between songs and was very, very funny. They played half of a punk song I didn't recognize somewhere in there, and as a nod to the Minnesotans, Ryan played half of the Bob Dylan song Mississippi, from his new album Love and Theft, complete with a half-joking Dylan impression. He commented on how great Love and Theft is, and then, to my stunned amazement, the band played Gram's Sin City. I couldn't believe it. Sin City!! It was really beautiful, with Bucky Baxter's steel guitar leading the way. After that they played Lovesick Blues, which sounded much better here than on the Timeless record. It gets better. A roadie they called Chief was celebrating a birthday, and in his honor, they played a note for note cover of Brown Sugar, with Chief on rhythym guitar. Sin City and Brown Sugar in one night, and he still had another great cover coming. Between songs, he somehow got hold of a box of Rolling Rocks, which he passed out to fans in the front. He then took out $50 from his wallet and yelled to the bar to bring more. "It's Rolling Rock but it'll learn," he said. I think it was then that they played La Cienega, followed by Somehow, Someday, which I could have swore he began with the guitar riff from Don't Wanna Know Why, probably just to tease the old Whiskeytown faithful. He even muttered something like, "Isn't that a Whiskeytown song?" into the mic. Everyone cheered, but instead he played Firecracker, albeit without harmonica, much to my dismay. They left the stage, but when Ryan returned for the encore, he said he was playing till he couldn't play anymore. First he came out alone, and played Winding Wheel and Don't Ask for the Water, which he added is his favorite song on Heartbreaker. The band returned, and this is where things get a little hazy. I know Gary Louris from the Jayhawks joined the band on stage, and they played a familiar song I can't remember today, and about three or four more songs I'd never heard that alternated between punkish and very bluesy, the most blues-like songs I've heard from Ryan. Somewhere in there they played the I'm Tired song I have read about, which was pretty damn good, and finally Come Pick Me Up, with harmonica. I assumed that was the end, but, at 1:35 AM, they played Elton's Rocket Man, and they played it great. When it ended, sold-out crowd screaming, Ryan said, "We better go, because we're starting to suck." We couldn't have disagreed more.

Hope I wasn't too long, just had to tell all the great moments.
Matt



Ryan Adams & The Pinkhearts
07.14.01 Nashville, TN @ Exit/In
by: Kristin Angelique

i was 13th in a long line of people praying they'd get in, they said about only 30 unticketed people would get in, and i came down from denver on a greyhound bus so i was praying hard. i met a couple from seattle and another couple who drove 3 hours. inside i met 2 guys from cleveland and another from maine. this was definitely a highly anticipated show.

it was so awesome! first, stateside rocked the house. they are really, really good. john paul keith is way cool and he has excellent songs. you can order their cd from their website, statesiderocks.com...

then ryan came out with brad (drums) and billy (bass) from stateside, plus bucky baxter on steel guitar and keyboards and brad rice on guitar. ryan introduced the band and told us it was "gonna be a little loud and a little fun, is that cool?" then they kicked out lotsa jams together on a bunch of songs i hadn't heard before with lyrics like "bathing suits and porsches...the yankees lost to the braves" (on a song with a chorus that was "give me an answer"), "tennessee sucks in the summer ...what've you got that can put us under.... hey they've got good songs man, they just don't drum" this song was slower and kind of a free jazz thing. (ryan played this song twice tonight) then they cranked it back up again and added more feedback... "it's like you're talking all the time..." (that's all i could make out enought to quote)--

then he f***ed with our heads and said than you and goodnight... but he was joking... then said he was "gonna play a bunch of shit and wanted to get his rocks off, i'll bum you out later" then he went into a song that started out "it's a long way down but i feel alright" , then another all out rocking song, something like "you said you said you said you wanna but you never said why" i don't remember him giving the names of any other songs... but he introduced the next song as "i took your puppies to a race car track (and you know you're never gonna get them back, ok)" and told us we could all sing along to the chorus like an alt.barry manilow concert. then he said he'd been up all night thinking of something to say, he was making a statement for the world like bono... didn't have his glasses so couldn't be on larry king. the puppies second and third chorus get modified to say that one (of the puppies) ended up on valium and the other one on crack, ok... then he sang another slowed down- then speeded up song, a really pretty song, with beautiful steel guitar punches from bucky. the one line i can quote best is-- "they don't know you anyway, they don't know you, they don't watch you walk away, just a nobody girl, with a radar to the sea?/scene?, when the emptiness found you you find all the ? you need... say you follow your heart, honey you're just being lost...you could follow your god...but how much would that cost, they don't know you anyway, they don't know you, they don't watch you walk away... it's such a beautiful song. ryan then said he doesn't know the words to the song he just makes 'em up. their next song was the most pop song so far (maybe because it was the shortest song of the night) with lotsa hooks and a sing-along chorus (i'm still waiting on you or, maybe i'm sick of waiting on you") then ryan disappeared, came back and said he'd had to go find a cigarette. then he said stuff about a song title... i am the black wizards that he said he bought for $8 and then he said some stuff about a guy from mayhem and i just know he made me laugh with his imitation of said guy. then he talked some more, threatened to put his marshall up to 10 and pull a j. mascis on us... (his guitars and i guess harmonicas were stolen, that's f***ed) then for a few songs it was just ryan and bucky, and ryan sang-- oh my sweet carolina, it was so beautiful, and i was so thankful that everyone kept quiet during most of this time, (there were a fkn lot of screaming girls tonight) quiet enough to hear bottles getting knocked over. i don't know the name of the next song, (he knows my name? angels call?) but it was a really lovely blues song. then he put on bucky's hat, and said he looked like a social distortion record cover now (while they were on columbia anyway) then another song i haven't heard before, but maybe this is the new song i read was sort of van-morrison-like...

ryan said he wanted to play (more electric) guitar, been listening to too many ramones records... and after a bunch of drunken requests he got everyone to shut up, asked for "megadeath" lighting and played "to be young (is to be sad, is to be high) and everyone started singing along... ryan did a slightly different version tonight though, it was way cool. then the band came back out, ryan was wanting to rock out, and they so did. it was the shit! (that's good...) i don't know the names of the songs... but he did a black flag cover, i think it's called nervous breakdown, i've always called it head on my shoulders... and before that was this longest song which was maybe called silver and gold and segued in and out of the stones' midnight rambler... man ryan really played the f**k outta his guitar, and everyone in the band was on fire, it was fkn great. oh yeah, and then they played that tennessee sucks in the summer song again, cause ryan wanted to. thank you to whoever answered my prayers and let me get me into this sold-out show. i am so so grateful. this night will forever be very special to me. thank you exit/in for being so nice to us fans and making room for us- you rock! -- kristin angelique



Ryan Adams & The Pinkhearts
07.14.01 Nashville, TN @ Exit/IN
by: Anne Courtney

I was at the show in Nashville last Saturday. I've never been to Nashville before - great city, and the Exit/In is a great venue. Small enough to be intimate, not so small that you couldn't get tickets. At least in advance - there were lots of people lined up outside, and I'm told it was sold out. Stateside rocked - really terrific tight band. I bought their cd at the show, and it's great.

By the time Ryan & co came on, the place was *packed*. He played a set with the Pinkhearts, which included the rhythm section from Stateside. Some covers and lots of new stuff (some of which I recognized from the snippets on the internet) which was great - really Stones-y sounding. Then he played some acoustic stuff, including To Be Young Is To Be Sad and Sweet Carolina.

He took a break, then came back out and played a while longer with the band. I'd like to be more specific, but I have to admit that I had a couple of drinks and things got a little hazy there towards the end. Great great show - definitely worh the trip. -- Anne
Oh, and he wore a red & white gingham shirt, for those who care about such things. Very cute. :)



sxsw 2001
by: liza
sxsw was a blast and i was lucky enough to catch almost all the former members of whiskeytown do their thing (whether separately or together). first day, wednesday march 13, the guitartown party was held. this was just the first day of many, and what a way to kick things off. skillet gilmore was on drums for thad cockrell & the starlights's set. remember this fellow's name, it will be all over the place. what a voice thad has! great voice, wonderful music, there wasn't a person there who wasn't totally into this set. amazing. the next chance to see a whiskeytown member was during robert becker's set. he asked caitlin to come up and sing one they had done at van's club. with becker on acoustic guitar and caitlin on harmony vocals, they sang "somebody remembers the rose"... it very nearly made everyone stop in their tracks to listen.

later that night was caitlin cary's showcase at the waterloo brewing company. the crowd was pretty sparse up until the band came onstage. line up: caitlin cary on vocals and violin, skillet gilmore on drums, chris stamey on acoustic guitar, aaron olivia on bass, and mike daly on electric guitar and vocals. with intros like, "this is my attempt at dusty springfield" and her comebacks to a fellow who should have set a self-imposed limit on drinks, "i don't think we're allowed in san fransisco anymore," caitlin shone brightly. the band played a few songs off of waltzie and a few new ones, but the true highlight of the show was when caitlin called up thad cockrell to the stage. their beautiful voices intertwined around the crowd and had everyone in the place mesmerized. "please break my heart" was the song that truly caught everyone's attention and held it there til the end. amazing.

friday afternoon was the bloodshot party at the yard dog gallery... with hay on the ground, and fajitas on the fire, the yard dog has the potential to be more of a social gathering than anything else. but caitlin & co played early in the afternoon and again, held the audience at rapt attention (which was pretty hard considering all the free beer!), especially when thad cockrell came to the stage. i sure hope they plan on recording together...

if i were to head down south a little more, i could have caught caitlin and mike daly again play a short set at maria's taco xpress... but i didn't (if you did, send me a review!)

later friday evening was the grand finale. the big to-do. the lost highway showcase at the cavernous austin music hall. after being patted down for cameras and recording devices (hello, sneaky people, send me your pictures! my camera is way too big to hide..) and watching the jumbo-tron (interesting not-decided-on-yet cover art for the new whiskeytown album... simple black, a tv left on color lines) tift merritt started out the evening and who was her guitar tech? none other than mr. chris stamey. skip ahead a few acts to ryan adams's set. line up: ryan on guitar & vocals, john paul keith on guitar, billy mercer on bass, and bucky baxter (yes, *that* bucky baxter!) on lap steel. all these fellows play together and have recorded together on disgraceland records. i wasn't sure what to expect for this show, but i figured ryan would pull out a few stops. stops he did. now here's a hall full of people wanting (or, if nothing else, thinking they were gonna) hear material from 'heartbreaker' or maybe some new acoustic stuff. boy were they wrong... Wrong with a capital "W" this show rivaled any rock show. the guys all looked like they were having fun just rocking out... they went way over their time limit, played nothing new, and got the music hall (mostly full of industry-types) all riled up. good job. how punk rock is that?

and lastly, on saturday night, alejandro escovedo played the bloodshot showcase and ryan adams backed him up for a few numbers.

also, spotted in the crowd for the lost highway show, was none other than ms caitlin cary. and at the sacremento band, forever goldrush's set, was mr ryan adams.

sxsw 2001 whiskeytown member count:
caitlin cary = 5
ryan adams = 3
mike daly = 4
chris stamey = 4
skillet gilmore = 4
phil wandscher = 0 (somebody up in seattle please see phil play and send in a review!)



Ryan Adams
11.02.00 Turf Club/St.Paul
by: Dave Tack

Got to the club fairly early and got a table right up front. a super cool country bar, with four big pictures of neil young hanging above the bar. pink christmas lights hang above the raised stage leading to multi-colored lights lining the back of the stage, giving a near "lounge singer" ambience. ryan commented that if he lived here this is the only bar he'd go to. a few familiar faces still buzz over last night's show, but haven't found any avenuers...dammit! the opening act wasn't too great, where the lead singer looked like a poor man's jay farrar, but the songs eventually got tedious. one of his lyrics included the phrase "purple shampoo". i tried to slam my summit winter ale to no avail. they still weren't very good. i made my way to the front of the stage for this incredible set:

1. to be wrong
2. winding wheel
3. amy
4. damn sam
5. wonderwall
6. gimme sunshine
7. abigail
8. oh my sweet carolina
9. call me on your way back home
10. i want it that way
11. new song
[--i asked van alston what the name of this song was, and he said he's not even sure, but agreed that it's amazing. some lyrics were "watchin the sunrise in your eyes" and "spending all my money makin make-believe". it was a great tune]
12. hey there mrs. lovely
13. mining town
14. just like a whore
15. 16 days
16. dancing w/the women--sans harmonica...drat
17. memphis--i requested it and he played it. it was magical.
18. firecracker
[--just wrote it that night at soundcheck. had van come up and hold it for him so he could keep standing and playing. said he wrote it for "lou". he turned as faced the side of stage while he played this, so he could sing it for Emmylou, who was standing right there. he looked giddy playing it for her. another great tune.]
19. come pick me up--did it standing and had the elvis bop with his hips.

ryan really seemed to enjoy himself while playing here. van said they were having a really nice time, and ryan kept commenting how he loved playing both nights because the crowds were so nice. hopefully he'll be back soon.

don't think this experience will be matched, unless i somehow get backstage at the upcoming u2 tour.

everybody there got great shows. it's too bad everyone here couldn't have been there. sorry this is long, but i wanted to share this story with people who are as excited about him as i. hope you liked it.
cheers...dave



Ryan Adams
11.01.00 7th Street Entry/ Downtown Minneapolis
by: Dave Tack

Arrived early to a very small, very dark 7th steet entry. the rain outside is far from dampening the moods of the people steadily amassing inside. the stage looks like it's set up for an open mike night for a poetry reading, while shafts of red and blue light illuminate the cigarette smoke as a disco ball spins in the darkness. 2 chairs sit solitary, one with its legs wrapped in duct tape. the club reminds me of a really shitty basement where all you can do is either store bags of potatoes, or have a bunch of friends over and have a party. people are shadows with voices blowing smoke. a very interesting musical juxtaposition is occurring, as right next door Rancid is playing at First Avenue. the opening act is great. 2 guys from the band Bellwether. great harmonies, great songs, great voice. a great opener. ryan comes on earlier than expected with hair all disheveled, black glasses, a checkered shirts and well worn blue jeans. his set list is as follows:

1. gimme sunshine
2. just like a whore
[-commented, "I tried to write a song about fuckin. That D'Angelo guy, now he can write songs about fuckin'. This song is for D'Angelo and his naked self."]
3. amy
4. to be young
5. damn sam
6. sweet lil gal
7. abigail
[-"I could easily fuck this song up too, because it has too many chords, like christina aguilera."]
8. wonderwall
9. oh my sweet carolina
10. winding wheel
11. come pick me up
[--"many people think this is autobiographical, which its not. its not a song about fucking someone over. its about bringing that girl home, knowing all these things are eventually going to happen, but bringing her home anyway."]
12. i want it that way--backstreet boys
13. what sin
14. i still miss someone
15. hey there mrs. lovely--my request
16. little susie
[--rolling stones w/guy from audience on guitar and ryan stutting around doing an awesome keith richards with a dead on english accent.]
17. avenues
18. mining town
19. 16 days

yes, tommy, your mystery guest was there, however emmylou harris chose to stay at the back of the bar and watch rather than join ryan on stage. the best part wasn't necessarily his songs, rather it was his between song banter that was very funny. he kept worrying that he was talking too much, but he was great. ryan was very congenial, staying after to sign posters or in my case my green notebook. he wrote "art fag books rule" then signed his name. no high-brow "rock star" attitude. it was a great night.



Ryan Adams
10.05.00 Virginia/Iota
by: Bradley Bessire

[this is a response in reference to the below review] <<< Then I heard they were to play DC at the (now late) bayou. I even managed to get a free ticket(thanks Dan) and by 11:30 they were off the stage and headed home to Raleigh and me not even getting to hear a single note. The reviews of that show were pretty much "45 minutes of drunken attitude and a few good songs" >>>

It was more than 45 minutes and a few good songs. Im also in doubt of the drunken attitude. They were a bit surly (aren't they always?), but the whole attitude was quite positive: the band was really gelling...they had a chemistry that was working on all levels. 3 of us had gone on the reccomendation of a friend...having NEVER listened to whiskeytown in our lives. We ALL became instant fans and were in awe the entire time - Im not exagerating. The show was quite brilliant. Ed fromOhio (ex-fIREHOSE guitarist/singer) played lead guitar - what a loss that he doesnt continue to play with them. His folk/punk style added an extra edge to an already amazing sound...definitely putting the alt in the alt.country sound. Ryan and Caitlin were also in perfect form...their happiness was contagious...and infectious. Their harmonizing and general bantor were that of 2 people who were really happy with what they were doing. While I am ususally hesitant to see a band I know nothing of (i like to be somewhat familiar with what I am about to hear) I could not have asked for a better show. They played several songs off of Pneumonia...Dont Wanna Know Why...The song was so perfect I remembered searching through their older works to find it. Fortunately we were able to hear it at SXSW last year as well (which was really short and REALLY filled with attitude). Those that were lucky enough to see it (which, unfortunately were very few) will remember it for a long time. In all of the live shows I have seen it still remains one of the best.

The IOTA show was good too...just not AS good.



Ryan Adams
10.05.00 Virginia/Iota
by: Mark Meyerson

It has been almost three years since this guy named Ryan Adams popped up on my musical radar screen. There was this album that people couldn't stop talking about. Well, not that many people, but one's who's musical opinion I respected greatly. So I went out and bought "Strangers Almanac" by Whiskeytown. Nearly three years later it is still in heavy rotation in my cd player. It is an album that I think everyone should own and is one of the best things I heard during the entire 90s.

Then I heard they were to play DC at the (now late) bayou. I even managed to get a free ticket (thanks Dan) and by 11:30 they were off the stage and headed home to Raleigh and me not even getting to hear a single note. The reviews of that show were pretty much "45 minutes of drunken attitude and a few good songs" Well even though he was working on side projects in NYC, working with James Iha, recording a new album and doing spot appearances solo and with the band, the man never seemed to make it near DC ('cept an opening slot for Fogerty that I didn't feel like shelling out $40 to see him from a mile away) for another 2 1/2 years.

Well when it rains it pours, first we get Heartbreaker. Man what an album! The first song "To Be Young(is to be sad, is to be high) sounds like it was soaked for a few days in a entire bottle of 'exile on main street'. Some highlights being an stunning duet with the beautiful voice and soul of Emmy Lou Harris on "Sweet Carolina" This song would have fit wonderfully on any of Gram Parsons later albums and doing it with Emmy Lou further cements that . And if that doesn't get you, the duet with Kim Richey "Come pick me up" with lines like "come pick me up /take me out /fuck me up /steal my records/screw all my friends /behind my back /with a smile on your face /and then do it again /I wish you would " Lastly, one of my other favorites "Winding Wheel", where Ryan give a Dylan-like feel to this powerful song about love and devotion.

Around the same time I found out that he was playing Iota. Iota is pretty much the premier club for small Americana bands to play when they come through dc. On a regular basis people like the Gourds, Slobberbone, Kelly Hogan, Jon Doe, Alejandro Escovedo (who incidentally make an awesome contribution on Strangers Almanac), Asylum Street Spankers, Chuck Prophet, Last Train home, Neal Casal and so many more play this hallowed stage. But the one problem (and advantage) is the club fits around 80 people. So needless to say when I found out that Ryan was due to show, I knew that we needed to get there way before showtime. And my preparation paid off, as the last people to get in were around 8:15 (for a 9pm show!). Because we got there early, we got to catch some of the sound check. The only thing worth noting is the "chocolate milk" song that he wrote on the spot "I drink it when I wear a dress / I drink it when I wear a kilt / ohhh I love that Chocolate milk".

The rumor mill had said two things: One: NO WHISKEYTOWN songs and Two: he was debuting songs on a daily basis. Well, one was true and one wasn't. The opening act was a Dana ? who put on an inspired set with a Buddy Rice backing her up on guitar. Apparently she had shared a room with Ryan way back and this was this way of paying the favor back,. The crowd was attentive and receptive to what she had to offer, but you could tell that every one was waiting for her to get off stage.

Then Ryan finally took the stage. With sloppy hair, a torn shirt and just an acoustic guitar, he grabbed the attention of everyone in the room. Unfortunately for most, he sat on a chair and since the stage was low, most couldn't see (cept us since we were standing on tables and chairs in the corner) the first song was most likely a new song(?let my sun shine in?) Then in to "Sweet Lil gal" He did a passionate rendition of "Amy", a song named after the girl who somewhat named the album. When the first few chords of "sweet Carolina" came over the PA, the crowd drew silent. I had wished that he would do this one live with Emmy Lou or someone else, but standing on his own he made us all thing of home and things we missed (and that harmonica, mmm). The same goes for the next in the set "To be young" on the album it has a "ho-down" full band sound, but live he created a more intimate feel and made it stick to your ribs. He went into "bartering lines" and exited on "Damn Sam" with a howling harmonica solo that is the real essence of that song.

Ryan at that point took a little break to catch a smoke, stand up so the crowd could actually see him and talked a little bit about some stuff that he'd been doing. An audience member chimed in with " Play something that you wrote today". His face lit up like a little boy with a bb gun and stated "yea I've been doing that a lot lately, so here is one I wrote today" and he proceeded to tell us how he had in his mind this woman and all she wanted to get in to her boyfriends "big Black car' when he broke in to the virgin rendition of an unfinished "Big Black Car" So excited by the audiences reaction, he decided to treat us to another one he called "summertime (like a whore)" Both songs were great and later in the show he proceeded to tell us that "heartbreaker" was somewhat of a concept album and that there were a lot of really great songs that he's made around the same time. His feeling was that he didn't want the new album to be a "best of" what he had written recently, but just one's that were focused on the 'heartbreaking" concept. With that he said there were a few more new ones to be played.

But instead of breaking in to some more new songs, he decided to wow the crowd with "call me on your way back home" into one of my favorites "winding wheel" . But it didn't take him long to start with the new songs again: "Don't ask for the water" and "oh my sweet valentine" with lines like "cause there ain't nothing like a petal in a rain storm" and "kick love in the guts" these new songs really sounded ready to be released. He then told us a story about how much the Canadians really liked his Elmo shirt. and gave us another new song " Hey there Ms Lovely" with lyrics "When you cry/I get scared...I want to dry your eyes with cinnamon and pears?" He finally finished this set with at great "Come pick me up". The crowd really loved this one, cheering loud when it started, applauding after an awesome harmonica solo (causing him to stop and say "come on you're making me blush") and a roaring applause at the end

After a short break Ryan took the stage and was very appreciative of the crowd and he really liked being able to showcase so many new songs. He also bitched a little about some of the people talking in the back (it was getting pretty loud) and he offered to pay any one their $12 bucks if they would leave, that didn't work that well, but you could still hear fine. The encore started with two more new songs "Born yesterday" with lines like "all my day dreams feel so nice /medicate my worried life /something else for me to hold onto" and "Today" (I know your love has finally come to stay, Today). These new songs really had some staying power and made me very happy to hear them "road tested". But needless to say, I came to hear some of made me become a huge fan of Ryan Adams. So while I was going to the bathroom my ears perked up when I heard "when I see the moon, I hear the sound of the strip" By the grace of the musical gods above, we were treated to a wonderful and soulful rendition of the one and only song from "Strangers Almanac", that is "dancing with the women at the bar" well that did it for me. Really a good note to end on.

Take a great fall night, my girl and some of my good friends, put us in a small room with a Mr. Adams, pepper the night with most of the tracks from Heartbreaker and throw in 9 brand new songs and let the cherry on the top be "dancing with the women at the bar" Well, that my friend is a night to remember! tapers were spotted. please e-mail me directly!

Set list: let my sun shine?/ Sweet Lil Gal/ Amy/ Sweet Carolina/ When youre young/ Bartering Lines/ Damn Sam/ big black Car?/ Sumertime(like a whore)*/Call me on your way back home/ Winding wheel/ Don't drink the water*/ Oh my sweet valentine*/ Mountain?/ Hey there Missus Lovely*/ Come Pick me up

Encore: Born Yesterday*/Today*/Dancing with women at the bar
[*indicates new song]
[?indicated new song but didn't know title]

thanks for reading and I owe some credit to the losering site for song titles of most of these new songs and thanks to http://www.come.to/ryanadams for the pre-show info and tons of other stuff. and lest we not forget Postcard and Avenues mailing lists

Mark Meyerson
PS and bollocks to the idiot Buzz McClain who wrote a lame review of the show in the Washington post and the only interesting thing he could come up with about the show was how people thought it might be Bryan Adams. silly boy go listen to N-sync



Ryan Adams
9.24.00 Chicago/Schubas
by: Patrick Sandusky

I think the person who wrote the review [from the sun times]was dead on - no more to add other than when Ryan played "Dancing with the woman at the bar" he started it off by saying "This next song is an oldie, or at least an oldie where I come from." Which is a line from back to the future. I thought that was pretty funny but I seemed to be the only one laughing.

Also when someone asked him to play 16 Days he said, in a lighthearted voice, something to the effect of (I am paraphrasing) "No, no, no - I've moved past that stage (in my life), I've already done that, not well mind you, even in this very room - it's hard to play well when you are constantly fighting gravity."

Played one Whiskeytown song - Dancing with the women at the bar in a second encore. Played most of heartbreaker - (not in order)

To Be Young (is to be sad, is to be high)
My Winding Wheel
AMY
Oh My Sweet Carolina
Call Me On Your Way Back Home
Damn, Sam (I love a woman that rains)
Come Pick Me Up
To Be The One
In My Time Of Need
Sweet lil Gal (23rd/1st)

Plus Sweet Valentine, and three new songs one called "Idiots rule the world" and another called "Baby Doll" (I think)



Whiskeytown
Raleigh/Lakeside Lounge 9.17.00
by: Jonathan Lee

The Lakeside is a small bar, so the band was just set up in a small corner. There isn't even a stage really, just a section of floor that rises up a couple of inches. I was standing just to Ryan's left so I was up close and personal for the show. The band was Ryan, Caitlin, Marc Smith (rhythm guitar {he's from local band Patty Hurst Shifter who'll have a CD out soon on Ricebox}), Skillet Gilmore-drums, "Rooster McGhee" -bass (aka Chris Stamey from the DB's, etc.), and Tonya Lamm (Hazeldine, Las Tres Chicas) occasionally got up to share harmony vocals with Caitlin. They went on shortly after 11:30 and played until close to 1 o'clock. They opened with a brand new song just written that day called "Unstable" which floored the entire crowd right off the bat. They followed that up with a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" which prompted a heckler in a cowboy hat and poncho to start up with Ryan by saying "How about playing something a little less boring?" Ryan then proceeded to rip into his ass with a song he made up right on the spot. I can't remember all the words, but it went something like "hey guy wearing the stupid cowboy hat, that poncho makes you look gay, I don't know, but I've got a feeling you probably think it makes you feel cool that way." Those aren't the exact lyrics, but pretty damn close. I sure hope someone was taping this, if you hear anything please contact me off-list. For a song he made up right off the top of his head it was pretty well realized and funny as hell!! They then went into a punk rock type number that I think might be called "Breathe," but I'm not totally sure. I think the guy in the cowboy hat liked that one, it certainly wasn't boring. Next came "Drank Like A River" and "Mining Town" from Faithless Street. They followed that up with three from Stranger's Almanac: "Yesterday's News," "Dancing with the Women at the Bar," and "16 Days." I was caught totally off guard by the next tune when they broke into "Burning Bed" from the Backslider's second album Southern Lines. Ryan only got about one line into it before he had to summon Chip from behind the bar (both he and Kenny Roby bartend at the Lakeside) because he didn't know the words. I don't know what you'd call it..Whiskeysliders (?) but Chip backed by Whiskeytown was one hell of a close to an astounding evening. It didn't seem like they played for very long, but they always leave me wanting more. As far as their sound, it was definitely more of the bluesy Stones side of Whiskeytown which left Caitlin's fiddle playing buried in the mix for most of the evening, but I think it was just the swift kick in the ass me and everyone else needed to finish off Sunday night. I've got a setlist below, some of the songs may not be in order and I may of even left some out. They started to play "Wonderwall" to the tune of another song and then went immediately into something else. I also think there may of been an instrumental in there and maybe even a Stones song. They were very loose, but by no means sloppy. I know they didn't have much rehearsal time. I got to speak to Ryan for a bit after the show and he was curious as to what I thought of the show and the future of Whiskeytown. He had made mention earlier in the evening from on stage that if all went well tonight he would definitely consider it. He said he was really enjoying being back home and around all his old friends. As far as the fate of Whiskeytown, who knows, but after talking to him for a few minutes I left with the impression that last night really may of been their last show. I meant to ask him about the tour of major cities he has alluded to when "Pnemonia" comes out but I forgot. If last night turns out to be the last show then they certainly went out with a roar rather than a whimper.

Here's what I remember of the setlist (corrections, omissions and the exact running order are welcome):

Unstable (new song)
Dreams (Fleetwood Mac)
Song about the heckler in the cowboy hat
Breathe
Drank Like a River
Mining Town
Yesterday's News
Dancing With the Women at the Bar
16 Days
Burning Bed (Backsliders song with Chip Robinson on lead vocals)



Ryan Adams
Seattle 9.9.00
[submitted anonymously]
I have to share my experience in Seattle. I drove up from P-Town, made it into town around 5, I decided to go figure out where the Tractor Tavern was. I drove around for what seemed like a lifetime, but eventually found the place. I parked and walked up to the front door, "doors open at 8pm" it said. As I turned around there he was, he was talking to one of the No Depression guys excitedly...He was carrying his guitar in a padded gig bag. I was dumbfounded and lost my chance to introduce myself to one of my favorite musicians. I went downtown to the Salmon Homecoming to kill some time. I headed back to the Tractor around 8:45. When I got in to the bar, You’ll never guess what I saw next... Ryan tending bar. So, now I had to take this ooportunity, I went over and asked him for a McTarnahans (my personal favorite micro-brew), he said ok and then went to the bartender and said, what is a McTarnahans?, then turned back to me and said, we dont have McTarnahans anymore. I said, oh, ok give me a Heineken on Tap. He retrieved the beer and I couldn’t help myself...I said "are you Ryan." He looked at me kinda funny and said, "yeah" so I reached out my hand and introduced myself and told him I was a big fan. He said thanks a lot. He stayed back behind the bar for a good 2 hours. He is a lot smaller than I remembered from seeing him w/ Whiskeytown. He seemed to enjoy being behind the bar. It was cool to see... now for my completely biased review of the show itself...

He started the show with "Make me a list," it was a good version. It was rather loud in the bar itself, but when he started playing the bar became amazingly quiet. Everyone’s attention was on Ryan. I can not for the life of me remember the set list, but it included, Firetruck and things, Sweet Carolina, Hey There Mrs.Lovely, In my time of need, and some others I assume that were off of the new album. I don’t own it, yet. He did an unusual amount of bantering, it was awful. It wasn’t particularly funny either. After he made so many points by working behind the bar, the ego started creeping out. Like his comment to the No depression Leader, Peter, that he should be on the cover. That he was drunk the night before and berated Peter for not putting him on the cover. He said it jokingly, but it was very pompous. Then he proceeded to say how everyone has been telling him how great his solo stuff is and he wanted to say "just once, that this has been amazing for me." I don’t know what exacly it was, but I really was turned off by his stage persona. I’ve read about it before from tons of different sources, but had never witnessed it first hand, now I have. Every time I’ve seen WT he had a great stage presence. In any case, even with my sour feelings for his stage antics he played a good set. His music is incredible. He controlled the room that night. Now, for the strangest part of the show for me -- he played a Backstreet Boys cover! I’m not kidding, I don’t know the name of it. But I recognized it from commercials etc... It was hilarious... Somebody asked for a song and he said "no I’m not playing that, but I’ll play you the Backstreet boys." the requested song rhymed with Backsreet or something like that.. Then he played a verse and chorus from that song. He made that song sound good. His banter was actually pretty cool during this part of the show. He made fun of the backstreet boys, but gave props to the songwriters for writing cool tunes that the boy toys can sing and dance to. The set was only about an hour... disappointing. He should’ve been turned up a lot louder, too. It was a good show, but I anticipated a much better one. At least I can now say, one my favorite musicians served me a beer. Was anyone else there? What was your impression? He started playing my personal favorite, "Hey there Mrs. Lovely" about three times, but kept on stopping to add to his banter... It was hell. I would get all ready for the song, then he’d stop... like three different times, but he did end up playing it. He played the Strip for his encore. Weird... when people were clapping for him to come back out, somebody came on stage and said if we kept on clapping he wouldn’t come out. So it quieted down and he came back out after like 5 minutes. That is my story and I’m sticking to it...



Seattle 9.7.00
No Depression's turning 5
by: Derek Porter
Wow. That was a really, really cool 5th Burpday party last night. It was a panel discussion type thing at the JBL Theater at the Experience Music Project, featuring the three brain-trusts behind the magazine, Peter Blackstock, Grant Alden, & Kyla Farichild, Victoria Williams and Mark Olson and Mike Russell (I think) of the Original Harmony Ridge Creek Dippers, and Mr. Ryan Adams.

It was set up mostly like a panel discussion, with the No Dep. guys answering questions about the magazine and the y'allternative "scene". Then Mark and Victoria sang a couple of songs that I should probably know, but I don't. One about Nevada?

Then the host asked Ryan if he wanted to play one, but he said no, cause he was too tired. It was really funny. He eventually played Oh My Sweet Carolina, from the new record, and a song I didn't recognize. Both were fu@king amazing. Ryan later mentioned that he'd missed like, three flights or something, in order to get here on time, and he sounded a little jet lagged when talking, but he also mentioned he was feelin' ok, as they have a "pretty good bar upstairs". Much as I hate to say it, for all the crap he gets and brings on himself, he was seriously enigmatic, polite, and interesting last night. He kept apologizing for not sounding/playing well, when in reality, he played and sang, IMHO, quite brilliantly, and quite frankly, his songs kind of lend themselves to sounding a little ragged.

Someone asked if he ever posts on the AOL No Depression site, and he said something to the effect of, only when he's had a few and he's got something funny to say. Then he'll often regret it in the morning. Probably where he gets the majority of his bad rep, doing crap like that in the media.

Someone asked about the new Whiskeytown record, and he sounded frustrated as all hell, describing the Seagram's (sp?) buyout and how the label is almost holding the record hostage, not releasing it themselves, but raising the asking price when other labels inquire about releasing it. Ryan said how he took it as a sign to end the Whiskeytown thing.

They all talked about life on the road and bad warmup experiences, most notably, Ryan talking about how Whiskeytown's opening up for John Fogerty sucked ass, how the crowds didn't like 'em, how Fogerty was kind of odd. Then he said he just got tired of it and they started fucking around, dressing like Hershey's Kisses on stage, and playing Poison covers. Ironically the crowds really liked them when they were being silly, evidently.

Anywhoo, it was a hell of an evening, and is making me look forward that much more to the shows this weekend!



Ryan Adams
Nashville 10.28.99
by: Steve Schenkenberg
So Avenues-guy Pete Reap and I fly from Chicago to Nashville (very cheap ticket) last Thursday. An ex co-worker picks us up at the airport about 4:35 p.m. We drive to the heart of the downtown, park, and head into an Irish bar for a Guinness. The NASHVILLE SCENE has a small write up that proposes that if Ryan Adams doesn't show up A) in love with "his own myth" or b) having to "leave mid-set to puck his guts out," than his "magnolia drawl" and songwriting will make for an incredible night. The paper advised the reader to "buy a ticket and take the chance." The waitress couldn't believe we came all the way from Chicago just to see "Brian Adams."

The three of us then headed up to the strip of bars where live musicians play in four-hour sets starting, usually, in the afternoon. In the first place, we ordered a few Budweisers and watched an enthusiastic foursome play to a varied crowd. Pete requested "Ring of Fire," which they played in fun fashion. There was a guy in the booth across from us with loads of tattoos on his bar arms; he shook his head to every beat and salted his plate of fries after every bite.

We then headed two bars up to Tootsie's, which, according to our guide, is *the* place to see if you're in town. The walls are lined with pictures of past performers Hank Williams, Tom T. Hall, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, and you name it. The trio on stage ended their set by covering "You Don't Have to Call Me Darling..." The leader asked if I liked to sing, because there was a break between musicians and he wanted to rest his voice; he had been singing and playing since 2:00. During the interim, we met and talked to Wanda, who has waitressed since the bar opened in the '50s. (Earlier, she had climbed on stage and sung what was certainly an old standard.) Wanda told us stories of Willy Nelson hanging out, Kris Kristopherson stopping to visit her often, and Tom T. Hall streaking the entire bar way back when.

We headed across the street to (I think) the Music City Bar for some cans of Pabst and the tunes of another foursome. One local guy at the bar gave me a huge hug as we walked in.

Back at Tootsie's, we met Brenda Best, who was headed up next for a four-hour set. She had changed clothes from her jeans and shirt into "something a little sexier," as she told us: a sort-of-see-through black dress over a short black skirt. She was something. Played guitar, sang, told stories, and, every few minutes, announced, "It's time to do that special toast." She continued: "Everyone raise your glass and HOLLER!! Now...take a SWALLER...(and as she pointed to the tip jar) and thank you for you DOLLAR!!" Each musician went out of their way to explain that they were paid only in tips. We each bought a three-song CD (titled something like "An Original Woman") and she signed them all.

Worried that the Ryan Adams show would be packed, we left for the more Vanderbiltish area where the show was. We walked by the venue and the door was open, with the opener (forget his name) doing a sound-check. No one was around. Our friend - who had never heard Whiskeytown - chuckled a bit that we were so worried about getting a good seat.

We headed into the Irish restaurant next door for some fish and chips. Outside, we met a few local fans, very excited for the show. Our waitress was from Scotland.

About 9:00 or so, we entered the Exit/In and got a table up near the front. There were about 15 tables scattered where people would usually stand in front of the stage. Very dark and very casual. The opener, who was probably 22, had a few okay songs (including a few tongue-in-cheek country-rock tunes). By this time, there were maybe 100 people there.

Ryan came out in blue jeans, plaid shirt, jean jacket, black-framed glasses, and shaggy hair. He set a notebook out in front of him ("I'm now officially an art fag"), settled in with his dark-brown acoustic, and started the show. There was no introduction, just the deep-sounding string-picking of the first ballad. The first line: "Make me a list ... /...of all things I don't want to know.../...to keep me sane." The chorus was, "Cause I know a thing or two.../...Cause my birthday, it keeps falling.../...on the day before yours does, too.../...ooow, ooow." He never introduced a song, or acknowledged the crowd reaction. The place was silent, except for the bottles smashing into the trash cans behind the bar. For most of the night he used no pic, mostly strumming and picking with his thumb. He drank nothing, smoke a few cigarettes.

Song two started this way: "Hold this letter up to your chest.../...and I dare you not to feel a thing." It continued, "Ain't it funny how I'm losing you.../...now that I'm trying to find myself.../...Ain't it funny we're acting out.../...now that we're so unrehearsed."

Song three had the remarkable line, "I'm making up memories of you.../...making up memories of you.../...but for now, your picture'll do."

Song four finally picked up the pace - just a bit - and his voice sounded even beetter than it had before. The chorus: "There ain't nothing like a petal in a rainstorm." (I suppose he could've been saying "puddle," but I'm not sure.)

A few more songs, including one with the line, "The empty bottle it misses you.../...and I'm the one who it's talking to," and another about kid-love with the line, "I wanna dry your eyes with cinnamon and pears."

Ryan then introduced his "good friend" Gillian Welch. As I wrote before, I goofed up and tried to switch my tape-sides and rewind. I think I hit the pause button or something. Anyway, I missed one that Gillian led, one that Ryan led, and a beautiful "Dancin' With the Women at the Bar."

My tape starts back up with the two of them doing Neil Young's "Helpless." It was one, he said, of "a few covers we decided we both liked to play." They then played Gram Parson's "Return of the Grievous Angel" and a very slow "16 Days."

They left stage, and Ryan came back out for an encore. As he settled in, I requested "Nighttime Gals," which I had heard three years ago in Chicago and on a radio broadcast. He asked, "Who knows that song?" then asked, "You really want to hear that song?" I said "Yes," and he played a beautiful version, repeating the first verse to make a third verse.

He then played something that might've been called "Marie Antoinette." It had this striking chorus: "Is it funny when you're laughing at me? Is it funny when you're laughing at me? Is it funny when you're laughing at me? Well the jokes on you. Cause I feel sorry for him." That "him" - instead of "you" - is such a cool curve ball.

The next, and last, song was "Avenues." Gillian watched, captivated, on the side of the stage.

That was about it. Pete and I bought T-shirts with an American flag that read: "Ryan Adams Is On Fire - Somebody Put His Ass Out"; and on the back: "Ryan Adams Solo 1999 - Working for a Whiskeytown Free World."



from: Al Garrett
Springtown, TX.

I had a close encounter with Ryan in Austin last weekend at SXSW. I saw Whiskeytown's set at 10PM at the Austin Music Hall... then traveled quite a distance to a much smaller venue to see a band called Saltine at 12PM. The first "big dog" to enter was Mike Mills from REM. Then after Saltine's set, I looked up and there was Ryan talking to Miles Zuniga of Fastball. I grabbed a coaster from the bar and bravely walked up and shook hands with Ryan and asked for his autograph. He was SO gracious and nice to talk to and get this - how quick and sharp he was: he said "what's your name?" - I said Al so he wrote "To Al - Don't call me Betty" Ryan Adams. (you know the old Paul Simon song). Then when I asked him when we could expect the next Whiskeytown record - he told me he had just ben dropped that day by yet another record label but was still looking - that the album was finished and ready, that Catlin was working on a solo album and he was too, that Whiskeytown would probably put out two more albums then call it quits (DAMN) and then that he would like to put out a solo record about every eight months. He was very chatty and I really enjoyed talking to him.



Ryan Adams 02.12.00
Portland, OR @ The Aladdin
Chris

It was a wonderful evening at the Aladdin theater on Saturday. My 10 year old daughter and I had great seats in the second row and she kept the set list. Kim Richey came on and sang 2 songs while Ryan and Chuck Prophet finished their cigarettes. They joined her and the three of them rotated singing, while the other two sang back-up, played harmonica (Ryan) or guitar. Ryan sang:

Don't Fail Me Now
Sweet Carolina
Oh My Sweet Valentine
Memories of You
Dancing with the Women at the Bar
"The Song that Pissed My Mom Off"
Hold Onto, Make Me a List
Hey There Mrs. Lovely
Losing You
Time of Need (Encore)

The first song Ryan apparently wrote about 20 minutes before coming on stage, I'm guessing on the title. I'm not sure of the second song's title either, I don't see it in the lyrics on Jason's webpage. This is an incredibly beautiful song, it received by far the strongest ovation of the evening. Ryan introduced one song as having 'pissed my mom off, which is nothing new', I don't have a clue of the title and again don't see any lyrics that come close on Jason's list. He was pretty funny when it came to singing Hey There Mrs. Lovely, he couldn't decide whether or not to sing it because although he was 'pretty sure it was good', he didn't like it because it was too mushy. Ryan was pretty amazing. A bit goofy, no polished or professional demeanor, just like his songs... real.