I need to preface this article by saying this is less of a live show review and more of a commentary with my relationship to the music of Ryan Adams. Despite everything that has been said about the history of Adams, his musical output, and so-called artistic wrong turns; Ryan Adams is the reason I love music the way I do. He is the reason I am writing for this blog, the reason I spend every amount of expendable income on records and shows, and the reason for the deep connection I have towards music as a whole. Now go ahead, call me a super fan, call me a fan boy, but my God do not criticize my devotion towards his art- because I hope that everyone can feel as connected to something as I do towards his songs.
I can remember falling asleep to Gold on the ride home from my grandparents Christmas-eve celebration. I remember Peter handing me the Heartbreaker CD, and for the first time being completely floored by the power an album can have over one person. I remember listening to “Hardest Part” in Aaron’s car as we drove around PV, staring out the window across the cliffs towards the ocean. In fact, you could choose any song from his vast catalog and I will attach it to a specific moment that has now become unforgettable in my life. And in so many ways, that can explain my appreciation of Adams. Yes, Ryan has a history of releasing anything and everything he records- some of which is not his best material, but I can promise you it was exactly what he was feeling at that time. And through his prolific catalog, true fans develop a relationship with this artist in the same way you develop a relationship with a close friend.
In many ways, Ashes & Fire is Adams’ most important album since Heartbreaker. In the span of 8 years, Ryan released 10 records and an infinite amount of demo’s and b-sides; along side personal issues revolving around women, drugs, and a temper that can be described as tumultuous at best. Since Easy Tiger, Adams went off the radar leaving the musical world, and even his truest fans, to question if there would be another serious release. But after initial tracks from Ashes & Fire and the stunning performance at the Largo, it is apparent that taking a step back was exactly what Adams needed. In the brief hiatus it is clear that Ryan came to terms with many of his issues, leaving a man whose personal growth had finally caught up to his artistic brilliance.
Ryan Adams at The Largo was undoubtedly a show for the fan who never gave up on Adams. A show for the fan who scours YouTube for demo’s and b-sides, for the fan who has downloaded Suicide Handbook or 48 Hours from the forums, and for the fan who has given black metal a chance because of Adams’ outspoken devotion to the genre. Adams lead off the set with a chilling rendition of “Oh My Sweet Carolina” followed by favorites such as “If I Am A Stranger” and “Blue Hotel”. New tracks such as “Ashes & Fire” and “Lucky Now” were performed against the older catalog demonstrating the new materials ability to perfectly fit in to Adams’ classics. Songs such as “Let It Ride”, “Firecracker”, and “Everybody Knows” were stripped down and stronger than ever, much of what someone who has seen him on multiple occasions has come to expect. A piano rendition of “New York, New York” and a raw version of “Two” were highlights amongst highlights, creating a whole new love and appreciation for some of Ryan’s best known tracks. However, what made this show truly memorable were the songs you never thought you would get a chance to hear live. Songs like “Sweet Lil Gal (23rd/1st)”, “My Blue Manhattan”, “Please Do Not Let Me Go” and “Winding Wheel” were only the tip of the deeper tracks he performed. Towards the twilight of the set fans were stunned with “Cannonball Days”, a b-side from Gold, and Whiskeytown favorites “Jacksonville Skyline” and “16 Days”. Adams ended the nearly 2-hour set with “Strawberry Wine” off the under-appreciated 29 leaving an audience speechless, trying to process all of what they had just witnessed.
Interspersed between songs was Adams’ wonderfully amusing and witty banter demonstrating not only his off-beat sense of humor, but a new found calm as displayed in the new material. Their is a sense of refreshment knowing that Adams will never create another Heartbreaker, but really- why would you want him to? What was displayed at the Largo, and what can be expected with Ashes & Fire, is a man who has found some sort of peace in his life. Looking forward fans should be excited to see the beautiful result of Adams’ new found sense of personal and artistic clarity.
