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Ryan Adams-more than hype

Just a few notes about Ryan Adams an artist I think many Audiogoners would enjoy but might avoid due to the hype surrounding him and indeed the adverse publicity.
Indeed one member told me he avoided him due to this name being too similar to Bryan Adams!

Who is he?
He's thirty this year, born in Jacksonville,NC was the main man in alt-country band Whiskeytown and has been an acclaimed solo artist since 1999.

Is he good?
He's the real deal but more of that later.

Why the bum rap?
He is something of a wonder kid,songs seem to pour out of him at an amazing rate in a wide range of styles so part of the negativity to me is jealousy.
However he has a self-destructive streak, problems with drugs an alcohol have featured in his life at times.
Occassionally on stage he's been an idiot but I do believe he is 100% genuine,his gig recently in Glasgow was a joy to watch,it's easy to see he's a little misunderstood.
If occassional bad behaviour(and it's minor) was a barrier in chossing music to listen to our collections would be mostly empty.

The music?
Awesome in places,he's the closet to a modern day (younger)song writing genius we have.Part of his problem is he creates so much music that he must find it difficult to find the right presentation for it.
Who does he sound like?
He has country roots (he did a spectacular To Miss Someone in Glasgow,he has an amazing voice when he goes plaintive)with an occassional rockier edge-he can evoke memories of everybody from Dylan,Van Morrisson, The Band,Gram Parsons,Cash, and his new record The Smiths and U2.
He can sound like a magpie at times but what saves him,makes him special is the quality of the songs.

What should I buy?
Probably Gold is the place to start-arguably his most mainstream record,listen to it and don't dismiss it because of the influences,let it breathe and you will hear a very very special talent.
I would also state I'm no expert,like any artist there is an underground network of bootlegs,unreleased songs etc.-I'm sure if the rumours are true some of his best stuff is still in the can.
If you can try to hear some of his most beautiful songs like La Cienga Just Smiled from Gold or indeed Dear Chicago from the otherwise poor Demolition and tell me I'm wrong.
ben_campbell
ben_campbell OP
1,164 posts
 
Zaikesman I think he is original in spirit which is what I tried to explain badly.I think we take a similar view to artists and I think Adams is honest which is how I'd put.
I agree about quantity in those terms (Nick Drake for me) and I again maybe put it badly however he does seem to have that thing Dylan had in the 60's where the music almost seems to explode out of him.
judasmac
25 posts
 
Hey, I'm new to this thread, and I'm new to Ryan Adams. I started listening to Demolition, Gold, and Whiskeytown's Pneumonia without knowing there was any hype surrounding him -- I didn't know about the Gap ad or Elton John etc. The more I listen the more I agree that he IS the real deal, but very much a work in process. He's a real talent, a gifted songwriter, but still a kid, really, and I hope that explains some of the posing and silliness that I hear reported about him. But these three CDs are well worth checking out and Adams is worth keeping an eye on. I buck the trend and prefer Demolition over Gold and even over Heartbreaker, although I know it least well. Demolition is supposed to be demos, but I don't buy it. This is very polished work and well enough recorded, although not as "produced" as Gold (that's a good thing). A bit more exploratory, overall, which is why I suspect it was released under the guise of "demos." Heartbreaker seems a fine CD, but has a more conventional sound. Following too closely in Steve Earle's tracks perhaps. I haven't heard his latest, but I'm sure I'll track them down and follow his career.
ben_campbell OP
1,164 posts
 
Judasmac-Demolition wasn't particularly demos-the material on that record was taken from several different sessions and recordings-if I remember right he had three albums worth of material in the can.He didn't think any were finished and under a bit of pressure decided to realise a compilation of tracks on a single CD.

Ryan was true to form in the UK this week,during the second gig of the tour (which has been getting rave reviews)in Liverpool he terrorised the audience by climbing his PA stacks and performing a version of Sylvia Plath,he looked unsteady on the way up and unsteady on the way down.
Safely placed back on stage half way through the next song he slipped fell off stage and broke his wrist.
End of gig,tour and six weeks in plater for Ryan.
Rock and Roll.
playtrim
16 posts
 
The first Ryan Adams I bought was Rock N Roll last month. To me, all of the songs on Rock N Roll are fun to listen to. I discovered Ryan Adams through the college radio station WLUR Washington and Lee University radio; The students played the Rock N Roll songs on the Radio..... I have since bought all of Ryan Adams and Whiskeytown's recordings ((except for a few "rare import" recordings on the record store shelf... I will buy those when I get around to it.)) The discs I spin the most are Whiskeytown 'Stranger's Almanac', Rock N Roll, and Love is Hell part 1. Of those three, I spin Love is Hell part 1 the most. On Love is Hell, the song I skip to the most is "World War 24"; I love the guitar twang as Ryan sings the chorus......
I was hoping to hear Ryan Adams in concert this winter or spring, but he broke his wrist falling off a stage in the U.K. last week.....
streetdaddy
349 posts
 
I must admit i love his music and have prolly 10 or so of his cd's. Yes, the whiskeytown albums are great. I met him in person 4 or 5 years ago in a bar. He was pretty drunk but friendly enough. Then i saw him in Nashville 2 years ago at the historic ryman auditorium. I brought a friend to expose him to RA. Well, in the words of Simon Crowell "Absolutely Dreadful!" Poor muscicianship, drunk, didn't play any songs i know { i have 10 Albums}. This was were the famous Bryan Adams incident occurred. Pitiful....
It shouldn't effect how much i listen to him but it does.
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