Ryan Adam's Easy Tiger Fans in Detroit...

Normally, if you were considering a strong line-up of six guys in Detroit, you might think of the Detroit Tigers infield...or even the starters for the Red Wings. But forget all that...this line-up featured Ryan Adams & The Cardinals bringin' their "A" game to the Gem Theatre last night. With such a beautiful, intimate venue and the audience's big expectations, you just figured something special was about to happen. Ryan & his band took to the stage with no opening act. The stage was dimly lit with all members lined up in a row. Mr. Adams was decked out in a sportcoat and a tie and some rose colored lens Wayfarer sunglasses. And that would seem to be how he must be viewing the world these days...through rose colored glasses...sober, positive and ready to share his talents with the world (minus all the drama). Just when fans were getting used to some antics & moods, he seems to have traded all that for a steady flow of coffee, Diet Coke and soulful truth.

Acoustically, the Gem Theatre felt like a studio session with Ryan's voice sounding stronger than ever. This amazing songwriter and this band were there for the music...and it showed. Although Ryan was not yet back to playing guitar (due to a skateboard mishap), it actually seemed to work to everyone's advantage. Without guitars to tune and change, he seemed focused like it was an audition for his voice, his soul and his words. The idea behind this mini promotional tour was a showcase of his latest effort, Easy Tiger (due out on June 26th)...and judging by the crowd response, there are about 450 new "Tiger" fans in Detroit today. The new material sounded great...sung with so much emotion. His voice soared and hit the highs...fans could feel this man's lyrics, full of anguish and uncertainty. Good stuff.

Here is a setlist (to the best of my recollection):
Please Do Not Let Me Go
Let It Ride
?
The Sun Also Sets
Oh My God, Whatever, Etc.
Goodnight, Hollywood Blvd.
Halloweenhead
Blue Hotel
Strawberry Wine
Beautiful Sorta
Two
Dear John
Everybody Knows
Winding Wheel
How Do You Keep Love Alive
Nightbirds
I See Monsters
Encore
Starlite Diner
Blue Sky Blues

It wasn't until about seven songs in that he started to warm up to chatting with the crowd. Someone yelled "DJ Reggie" (referring to his alter hip hop ego featured on his website)and with that he started to come out from behind the low lights. He replied with comments like "Awwww yeah....Snapalicious" and "Me and my crew about to play some music". He joked with the crowd and then whispered "We have to pretend like we're not friends now", so they could get back to "singing songs about people dyin' and depression, up in here." During Halloweenhead, he was singing and giving his guitarist a Frankenstein-like zombie stare as he became preoccupied with his hair and it's ability to looked spiked on command.

At some point, audience song requests reached a fevered pitch. One guy yelled something during a quieter moment and Ryan chimed in with..."We sort of have a setlist"...but then continued on lightly mocking the guy who yelled by saying "I have your Dokken album and you still have my Iron Maiden album...I miss you...remember when we used to ride dirt bikes, back in the day?"
Another funny exchange came when Ryan seemed to have trouble with the sound and communication with his sound man. After several futile hand gestures, the sound man crept into the scene from stage left. Ryan quickly called him out by whispering (loudly) into his mike..."If you tip-toe, no one can see you." He continued in the same voice for a while, even offering a humorous dedication saying..."this one goes out to Nick f-ing Nolte".

His Detroit performance was memorable in way that honored his talents...great songwriting and a voice that just cuts to the bone. Critics are probably on deck to take their shots at this latest release, but he is keepin' it real and bringin' the heat this time. I say, Batter Up....take your best swing. Ryan Adams is back in the game.

Stream his new album on Much Music.

Check back...I managed to capture some video. I'll post it as soon as I can.