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Written by Raymee Holshouser Tuesday, 09 October 2007 14:08

                             

Adams, like handing a pacifier to a baby, played a few songs off the latest disc, Easy Tiger.  "Good Night Rose," "Two" and "Everybody Knows" were crowd favorites, despite Adams' making sure the audience knew it was out of obligation.

 

 

 

The Pageant, St. Louis

Thrice I have psyched myself up for a Ryan Adams gig and thrice I have gone home disappointed. And I say this with absolute humility because I blame myself.

As I drove home after Adams' sold-out show at the Pageant last weekend, it occurred to me that my disappointment was directed at the wrong person. I have only myself to blame for being a fan and for loving the music and having an honest desire to hear it played live by a musician whom I truly believe to be one of the best of my generation.

Ryan Adams did not make me go to his concert and he did not make me buy his records, even when he was out-of-his-mind recording them more quickly than one could digest. I blame myself, you see? I have such high expectations.

But still, a girl can hope. I arrived hopeful and to a semi-packed house filled with college-aged hipsters and alt-country obsessives. "An Evening with Ryan Adams" sounded perfect as I watched fellow concert goers take their seats.

A sober and smiling Adams took the stage and opened with "Peaceful Valley," from second installment of his 2005 recording trilogy, Jacksonville City Nights, going on to play songs from Cold Roses and Heartbreaker.  One of the most beautiful performances of the night was "Please Do Not Let Me Go," a brutal ballad from Love Is Hell.

Backed by the Cardinals, Adams' live sound is impeccable. The Cardinals, Adams long-time companions, are a brilliant and powerful band.  Brad Pemberton, Jon Graboff, Neal Casal and Chris Feinstein help Adams achieve not only a fluid sound, they provide stage presence and appeal as well.

Adams, like handing a pacifier to a baby, played a few songs off the latest disc, Easy Tiger.  "Good Night Rose," "Two" and "Everybody Knows" were crowd favorites, despite Adams' making sure the audience knew it was out of obligation. Um, hello? Are you not touring in support of said disc - a disc that has earned new fans and widespread industry support?

Overall, the show felt slow, laborious at times and even a little confusing. Maybe I drank too much vodka, but I felt left out of the joke. But, in the words of Adams' himself "Ha ha ha, wink wink wink!" The joke's on me! But now I'm resolved to keep Ryan Adams where I like him best - in my car and in my headphones. | Raymee Holshouser

 

Set List:

Peaceful Valley

Beautiful Sorta

Goodnight Rose

Cold Roses

Dear John

Bartering Lines

Games

Two

Everybody Knows

Set 2

What Sin Replaces Love

Peaceful Valley (reprise)

Please Do Not Let Me Go

Off Broadway

Wild Flowers

I See Monsters