Saw Ryan Adams & the Cardinals last night............

[shallbe]

Wow. Great, great show. He played for nearly two hours, and they quickly went from song to song. He only spoke once, to introduce the Cardinals, but not himslef.

It is a shame if the Atlanta show tonight is his last with this band. They are truly incredible together. I have seen a lot of acts in my 47 years, but this was one of the best band performances I have seen. The sound, the dynamics, the group interplay and fantastic arrangements were as good as it gets. If anyone in Atlanta reads this--go to this show tonight!

Neal Casal of the Cardinals is a superb guitar player and singer. Ryan is also a killer guitarist, and these guys have the biggest overdriven Fender tones that work so well together. Casal played a Les Paul and SG all night, while Ryan played his 355 and two Strats. They used effects well, and on more than one occasion had great harmony guitar parts. Every song was vastly improved upon vs. the recorded versions. It is like the songs have really been fleshed out on the road with this band. They simply kicked ass.

Ryan sang wonderfully all night. He seems to be very into his music, but a somewat shy performer. When he would get back by his amps, he would just get lost in the sounds and really let go. It was very powerful. The backlit stage was also cool. This is one of the great bands in America right now, without a doubt.

I hope his health improves and his retirement is short. I was already a big fan, but last night was amazing.

[rcargs96]

Great review, thanks.

+1000 on his work with the Cardinals. I was a big fan of 'Gold' but I started to lose interest ('Rock and Roll' is not one of my favorites) until he started working with the Cardinals. All sorts of great YouTube clips, especially with them playing on Letterman.

[Holliman]

If anybody has an extra ticket for tonight's show at the Fox PM me.

[teleking36]

i always find myself chiming in on every ryan adams thread, because he is simply one of my favorite artists of all time, and a HUGE inspiration to me in terms of songwriting and his guitar playing (which often goes understated).

if anyone in the ATL area gets a chance to go to the show, do it!!! Ryan and The Cardinals are absolutely fantastic! I was very bummed that I didn't get a chance to make it to his last Boston show. I wish him a healthy recovery and quick return to a music scene/industry that, IMO, needs him around.

[reddgeetarzan]

Saw him in Louisville KY on Monday. OFF THE HOOK good- I mean, freakin' STELLAR. I don't use those adjectives lightly- got goose bumps all night long. His songs are the kinds of tunes you wish you could write that have always been in your head.....:phones......if that makes any sense???

The band really is incredible- such interplay between them- great tones, even better dynamics. Wow....

My wife even liked it and she's not remotely familiar with his music. One of the best shows I've seen in a LONG time- if you ever get to Louisville, try to see a show at the Palace....wonderful venue.

[soulohio]

man...i just got back from holiday and didn't know that he was playing down in Mobile. i hope he comes around again...

[JMO]

I was also at last night's show, and I concur with Steve. Saenger Theatre sounded great, and the interplay between Neal and Ryan was pretty badass. I actually think I liked Ryans leadwork last night better than Neal's, and I think Neal is one of the better guitarists around. Show seemed kinda short, but the more I think about it, it was perfect because it started out really mellow and gradually gained momentum throughout. My only gripe, as I posted on the Neal Casal thread was the fact that people kept getting up and walking around when Neal would take lead vocals. This was not only rude as hell, but a real shame, as Neal has a great voice, both as a harmony singer with Ryan, and when he took the lead. OH well, all in all, it was a fantastic evening.

[shallbe]

Saw him in Louisville KY on Monday. OFF THE HOOK good- I mean, freakin' STELLAR. I don't use those adjectives lightly- got goose bumps all night long. His songs are the kinds of tunes you wish you could write that have always been in your head.....:phones......if that makes any sense???

The band really is incredible- such interplay between them- great tones, even better dynamics. Wow....

My wife even liked it and she's not remotely familiar with his music. One of the best shows I've seen in a LONG time- if you ever get to Louisville, try to see a show at the Palace....wonderful venue.

I had a couple of people not familiar with his music that were blown away. They left buying CD's and merchandise. I usually don't gush much, but you described it well----OFF THE HOOK. You almost never see that level of interplay anymore. This was truly seeing an incredible band at the height of their powers. We need more like this. The talent and synergy was awe inspiring.

[229someday]

My wife and I saw them here in Tucson just a bit before Cardinology hit, so unfortunately they didn't play anything from the new album. Still, it was a phenomenal show. I've been a Ryan Adams fan since "Strangers Almanac", and back then I saw him at Berbati's Pan in Portland, Oregon. The club made Whiskeytown go on at 7pm or so because they wanted to charge a separate cover later in the night for their "rave dance-night". Adams kept making fun of this, and kept playing over his time limit until he was actually carried off the stage by security.

[slippyknees]

posted this in another RA thread but thought you all'd like it too. it's from the boston show i saw last month. killer band fo sho!

enjoy!

http://www.archive.org/details/ra2009-02-21.flac16_matrix_orpheum

[cg]

Ryan is a HUGE talent. I love his entire catalog.

[shallbe]

posted this in another RA thread but thought you all'd like it too. it's from the boston show i saw last month. killer band fo sho!

enjoy!

http://www.archive.org/details/ra2009-02-21.flac16_matrix_orpheum


Thanks! That sounds great! Even some different songs than last night.

[Gas-man]

man...i just got back from holiday and didn't know that he was playing down in Mobile. i hope he comes around again...

Were you in the UK?


:dunno

[Timmo]

I saw them a couple of weeks ago and while I was kind into their stuff I was pleasantly surprised how kick butt they are live.
I'm a HuGe FAN now !
The Cardinals are a killer band and I was sorry to hear I may not be able to see them in their present form again.

Everynight is different of course BUT RYAN was most talkative the night I saw them.

:AOK

[DaveNJ]

Man, I just love Summer of 69..






;)

[MLG8675]

The Fox show was amazing, as you would expect.

The acoustic show at the Tabernacle a couple of weeks ago was pure magic.

I remember looking over at my wife last night (during "Cold Roses", I believe) and saying "This is as good as it gets!" She agreed.

What a talented group of guys.

I would love to hear a live release of this most recent (and hopefully not really final) tour.

[silencer eleven]

is he going on hiatus? does anybody know why? also what's wrong with his health?

[Platypus]

is he going on hiatus? does anybody know why? also what's wrong with his health?

On January 14, 2009, Ryan Adams announced that he was quitting the Cardinals after their final show on March 20, 2009 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta). Adams cited hearing loss due to Ménière's disease (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A9ni%C3%A8re%27s_disease) as well as disillusionment with the music industry, the media and audience behavior as reasons for his decision.[20] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Adams#cite_note-19)[21] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Adams#cite_note-20)[22] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Adams#cite_note-21)[23] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Adams#cite_note-22) He also stated that he has been working on two new books, in addition to Infinity Blues. [24] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Adams#cite_note-23) The second book, to be released fall 2009, is titled "Hello Sunshine".

from wikipedia

[mnjordan]

I've alwys been intrigued by Ryan Adams, but never checked him out. I checked out the YouTube clip of them on Letterman, and I dug it.

I'm d/ling the album from iTunes store now.

Thanks for the tip!

[3 Mile Stone]

Yep, even though he was not feeling that well in SA he was fantastic, and I agree one of the best bands around. Gonna miss 'em.