Not sure about the rest of Ry’s tour, but last night’s cozy show at Hiro Ballroom saw Adams taking his new, blue Easy Tiger mantra to heart: seats for Cardinals and the crowd alike; acoustics, pedal steel and brush sticks; low lights and Risky Business shades. “We’re gonna play some music up in this piece,” DJ Reggie offered as he took his stool, but aside from his banter and band intros (“playin’ the percussion like it was nothin’ right now, in NYC, right now … on the bass from outer space,” oh my god, whatever, etc.) it was a night of chilled out rustic rootsy fare on a blazing hot, sticky NYC summer night.
A night to celebrate his Tiger tunes (“Two,” “The Sun Also Sets,” “Rip Off”), sure, but really it played like a showcase for Ry’s vox — which has never sounded better; this was goosebumpy stuff, from a stunning “I See Monsters” right through to his heartfelt folk-ballad makeover/encore of Alice In Chains’ “Down In A Hole.” And though “Halloweenhead” wasn’t accompanied by the requisite Scandinavian disco dancers, Adams did try out some of his patented wtf wit: “We have to write some political songs sometimes about the oppression … of mathematics. We have to stop math. In like, five seconds.” No? Try this one: “That last song was about giving up dairy. Not that I’m cheesy or anything…” Rimshot?
Take him as he comes, we all know the game by now. But for sure, a sober Ry is a better Ry: you’re not gonna lose the oddball quips; apparently he’ll be just as prolific (four-disc boxed set later this year?); plus, like Town Hall, these days we get to hear him brag about how many diet cokes he’s “on” (15 by last night’s count). Easy Tiger isn’t exactly what we were hoping for, but it’s got its keepers and it’s the right record for now. And more importantly, it’s the right mantra.
RY’S SETLIST (via Miss Modern Age)
01 “The Sun Also Sets”
02 “Please Do Not Let Me Go”
03 “Oh My God, Whatever, Etc.”
04 “Let It Ride”
05 “Dear John”
06 “Nightbirds”
07 “Two”
08 “Rip Off”
09 “Carolina Rain”
10 “Elizabeth”
11 “I See Monsters”
12 “Blue Hotel”
13 “Halloweenhead”
14 “Starlite Diner”
15 “How Do You Keep Love Alive”
16 “Winding Wheel”
17 “Blue Sky Blues”
18 “Goodnight Hollywood Boulevard”
—-
19 “Down In A Hole” (Alice in Chains cover)
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Man, I love that set list, but I’m sort of ashamed to say that if I went to a Ryan Adams concert and he didn’t play “Come Pick Me Up” I would be crushed. I’ve been lucky so far.
Obviously since I’ve now put that out there he won’t play it when I see him on this tour. Shit.
The show was just plain awesome. Best I’ve ever heard his voice, and I saw him at least a dozen times with Whiskeytown…
I have some pics from the show up on my flickr page:
http://flickr.com/photos/subcow/sets/72157600511081267/
Jesus, what a setlist. Wish I’d been able to get into that show.
everyone’s got the ray-bans these days
IT WAS AN AMAZING SHOW!
God, I wanted to go so bad. That setlist is amazing. Damn I need some money…
please post that alice in chains cover? anyone?
These setlists have been just as much centered around 29 as Easy Tiger …and that is not a good thing. I guess he never really got to play those songs like they were supposed to be played. However, the boot I heard from the Toronto show was quite impressive; Ryan’s voice sounds downright breathtaking.
Down in a Hole. “Thanks for coming to a concert.”
http://www.sendspace.com/file/xf2ln4
What a setlist…so in envy right now!!!
i posted on CL to buy tix for $250 — no takers.
but i am seeing ry tonight in philly. should be amazing as well…
saw him in toronto last week…his voice was incredible, and the band was excellent, but he sure looked miserable.
no between song banter like usual, didn’t crack a smile, and skipped out on the encore. sound quality was stunning.
Maybe Ryan just didn’t want to be in Toronto….?