Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
The Enmore Theatre
24 Aug 07

Ah, so this is why Ryan Adams tours.

There was a slightly different buzz in the air as Ryan Adams took to the stage for the last local show in the Easy Tiger tour. Promising us a “feast”, the prolific singer-songwriter and his current band, The Cardinals, delivered up a the triple-treat of Goodnight Hollywood Blvd, Dear Chicago and The End. This is one reviewer that could have gone home happy at that point.

Indeed, it seemed to be a joyous set. With Adams having already commented to the crowd that it was the end of a long tour, he wasted no time in whipping out a fine selection of favourites both new and old. Adams entire solo career was covered in an evening full of surprises, although I am still yet to hear him play anything off 2003’s Rock N Roll. The Cardinals soared on the harmonies for Cold Roses and a gritty rendition of Mockingbird. A few bombs got dropped in the form of the rousing Shakedown on 9th Street (from the solo debut, Heartbreaker) and the more recent Beautiful Sorta, and these really got the crowd going. At least, I think it did. Most of the assembled crowd were in the Enmore’s seemingly new ‘Concert Mode’, with the standing dancefloor found behind the reserved seating at the front.

However, this all created a relaxed and enjoyable vibe at the Enmore on an otherwise rainy and miserable Friday night. The sometimes moody Adams appeared to be far more at ease with the crowd on this particular show – dare I say, he seemed to be enjoying himself – and the crowd returned this enthusiasm with rapturous applause. Although completely avoiding current singles Two and Halloweenhead, this show seemed to be all about pleasing the fans. The notion was confirmed as the encore kicked off with When the Stars Go Blue off Adams successful 2001 record, Gold.

Adams has had a prolific decade or so under the spotlight, and the planned release of a box full of b-sides and offcuts by the end of this year is indicative that he writes almost twice as much as he releases – and having released four albums in the last two years, that is quite a bit. While there are times when you just want to grab the man and tell him to cheer up, it is hard to deny that some beautiful music comes out of that dark and moody place.