Feb. 27th: Concert review - Ryan Adams and the Cardinals

Ryan Adams, live at the Missouri Theatre (Credit: Jason Gonulsen)

Jason Gonulsen
Special to Metromix

Last October, when Ryan Adams and the Cardinals performed at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, everything seemed to be perfect. You had a beautiful venue, a quiet, yet happy crowd on hand (who didn’t know whether to sit or stand) and a “cheerful” Adams, who had no problem mixing up his 27-song set list and joking with the crowd. Of the 12 or so shows I’ve seen him perform, it was definitely one of the best.

Thursday night in Columbia had much of the same recipe: a gorgeous and cozy seated theatre, a sold-out crowd and a group of artists on stage who ripped through their opening four songs with fierce passion. The opener, Love is Hell’s “I See Monsters,” which is usually saved for the show closer, showed off Adams’ undeniable skills on electric guitar, where he closed the tune with a long, thundering arena-type jam that would make any of his favorite speed metal bands thumb in approval. This had the chance to be something special.

But then, somewhere in the middle of a hilarious story about Dunkin’ Donuts, the requests started coming; and if you’ve been to a Ryan Adams show, you know this is as good of an idea as a “Jump to Conclusions” mat. Chances are, you’re going to blow it with every move you make.

Early on, it was just one guy—some (probably loaded) jerk who insisted on screaming out “Damn Sam,” a tune off Adams’ debut CD, Heartbreaker. Adams tried his best to play along in a professional manner, introducing his band mid-way through the show, performing a brief song for each member that had everyone in laughter. He even admitted to the audience that it was a weird night, that he felt like he was playing to an “NPR show where they discussed leaves,” rather than a “Slaughter-type” crowd.

This discussion on stage led to a beautiful electric version of “Oh My Sweet Carolina,” complete with harmonica, which should have had the power to shut the “Damn Sam” guy up. Of course, that didn’t happen.

So Adams did the one thing I’ve never seen him do—he obliged to the fan and tried to play his request. You could tell it was on the spot, because his band all had “can we just stick to the set list?” looks on their faces while they tried to play along; and for the most part, they nailed it. Adams even included a long jam before the third verse, where it appeared he was teaching the song to bassist Chris “Spacewolf” Feinstein. For this impromptu shot in the dark, I give Adams all the credit in the world, because past set lists will prove that he hadn’t performed this 10-year-old song live in many years.

However beautiful it was, it turned out to be a cold example of why Adams doesn’t usually play requests—because everyone else then wants to become part of the show and give their advice. “Are you now taking requests?” shouted one fan; “Come Pick Me Up!!!” another.

Again, Adams tried to play it off with a cool response of “no, no, no…you don’t understand—it was a miracle that (“Damn Sam”) just happened." But you could tell the crowd was getting to him, and I don’t blame him one bit.

After “Freeway to the Canyon,” a song written and sung by guitarist Neal Casal, Adams gave it one last go of trying to build some new momentum by simply singing. He set down his guitar for Gold’s “The Rescue Blues” and Easy Tiger’s “Oh My God, Whatever, Etc.,” but every attempt to halt the now growing request party was not to be.

On this night, when everything appeared to be in order for greatness to win out, the energy of Cardinology’s “Fix It” wasn’t enough. The steel guitar boogie of "Let it Ride" wasn’t enough. The harmonies on “Two” weren’t enough either.

And for some fans of Ryan Adams’ music, I suppose it will never be enough, and that’s just too bad. Damn, Sam.

Missouri Theatre
Columbia, Missouri
2.26.09

1. I See Monsters

2. Everybody Knows

3. Fix It

4. Let It Ride

5. Two

6. Peaceful Valley

7. Mockingbird

8. Cold Roses

9. Oh My Sweet Carolina

10. Wonderwall

11. Grand Island

12. Damn, Sam (I Love a Woman That Rains)

13. When the Stars Go Blue

14. Freeway To the Canyon

15. Rescue Blues

16. Oh My God, Whatever, Etc.

17. Goodnight Rose