RYAN ADAMS & THE CARDINALS
TRIBECA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER - NYC - NOV 18, 2005
“I just got here…”
….said Ryan Adams, a New York resident, two songs into his first set tonight at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in downtown New York. This quote actually sums up the story of both his night and mine. Ryan said it in an effort to calm his fellow Cardinals as their collective glass of patience was already taking on a “half empty” feel. The band was probably justified in their frustration – Ryan claimed he got lost on the way to the venue (and he LIVES HERE).
For me, the quote characterizes my night differently. By now, everyone has heard the horror stories of those who waited in line beginning at 5:30am the day these free tickets became available. The buzz of not only Ryan & The Cardinals, but Jeff Tweedy, The Blind Boys of Alabama, and Aimee Mann all playing free shows as part of the Wall Street Rising/Music Downtown concert series was enough to snake a line around two city blocks. I was one of many who came up empty, and was not keen on the idea of scalping. Long story short, I decided to show up at tonight’s show without a ticket, and instead try my luck with the security guards. Bingo. Thanks Marco, I owe you one.
As I was escorted to the standing-room-only section of the intimate TPAC, I caught the end of the peaceful tune “Nightbirds” (from the upcoming release 29), which was evidently only preceded by spooky “What Sin” and an old Heartbreaker classic, “Shakedown on 9th Street.” Even from my spot in the back, I understood immediately why Ryan was late for the show. Apparently he got lost in a bottle. Or twelve.
Anyway, back to the music. Despite his typical clown banter between songs, which was actually quite entertaining tonight, Ryan’s performance was inspired and outstanding, filled with songs ranging from Jacksonville to Jacksonville…the band’s latest release (Jacksonville City Nights) to Whiskeytown classic “Jacksonville Skyline.” JCN must be selling like ‘hot cakes’ as D-Chappelle would say, because the crowd erupted during the opening chords of each tune from the record. Ryan & The Cardinals treated fans of the new release to excellent versions of “A Kiss Before I Go,” “The End,” “Hard Way To Fall,” and “Games” (featuring Minnie Driver on backup vocals). My girl, Skylar, has pipes. (In my best Southie accent…) How ya like them apples?
Although Ryan took a seat at the piano to play one of my personal favorites, “Rescue Blues,” the clear highlights of the show were “Please Do Not Let Me Go,” which Ryan described as having written in the Chelsea Hotel for best friend Jesse Malin, and “Now That You’re Gone,” which so vividly paints a picture of a soul at its loneliest. These slow, peaceful songs were a delightful contrast to the louder and heavier ones on the setlist, and hearing them live adds another aspect of sincerity to the already painfully honest lyrics.
Tonight’s performance featured an unusually animated and conversational Ryan Adams (even for his standards), confessing tales of unraveled therapy sessions and ruined Austin City Limits tapings, as well as constant under-handed jokes directed at himself and various Cardinals. Overall, the evening was wonderfully complete, as Ryan Adams & The Cardinals displayed their serious talent alongside their jovial nature, and I, like Ryan, was just glad I made it.
[Ryan Adams’ third record of the year, 29, is scheduled for release on December 20.]
