Ryan Adams confirms that “a bedroom full of metaphysical booty” is not a bad thing
Last week, Ryan Adams and the Cardinals stopped by the Austin, Texas studio of KUT Public Radio and performed two songs off Cardinology: a gorgeous slow piano version of “Fix It,” one of my favorite tracks on the new album, and the sweet sorrow of “Go Easy.”
In between songs Ryan discusses the Cardinals shimmering in the sunlight of purity, and how anyone who sees his ex-ex-girlfriend should run.
Fix It (slow piano) / interview / Go Easy – Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
But in terms of viscerally potent performances, I can’t stop watching the way he sings the line at 2:23 – “Look what I did to you, look what you did to me — FIX IT!” (two days later on Letterman). If only wishing that much could make it so.
Finally — according to his marvelously random blog, work is underway on songwriting for the follow-up to Cardinology (shocker!). He writes:
i have been working on sketches for our next record. The paperback dictionary you see here, and the (if you squint) book next to it, are old-school. I have used that little dictionary when song-writing since my first solo album and strangely pack it without thinking from time to time. when i do new songs come round.
the book next to it has all the new songs in it. i found it at the chelsea street markets recently. it’s falling apart some but i don’t mind. so am i.
[thanks for the audio, thebalvenie!]
Name: Heather Browne
I think it’s great that you pointed that line out, heather. I’ve watched that performance several times now, and Ryan’s delivery is just killer. I’m so glad that people see that same raw degree of real emotion in his performances that I do.
Jameson — November 6, 2008 @ 10:32 am
…and yesterday was your boy, Ryan’s birthday (according to Wikipedia and the Boston Globe)…hope you wished him a happy one…
Your pal,
David M.
Murgs — November 6, 2008 @ 10:58 am
fix it is my fav off the new album too. ryan’s such a master at conveying emotion. love the letterman clip! thanks for always posting the best things!
emj — November 6, 2008 @ 11:05 am
aw. you can even see how he got into his metal guitar hero stance for the intensity just then.
i forgot it was his birthday. aw ryan. glad he’s doing well.
asher — November 6, 2008 @ 1:13 pm
Just an observation, but does anyone else see the resemblance of Ryan Adams to Garth of “Wayne’s World”?
Anonymous — November 10, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
So is he or si is his blog?
DeRob — November 14, 2008 @ 1:21 pm
Glad he got dumped (not wishing him ill, just wishing my ears better tidings). Maybe he’ll put out something ragged and depressing – though Cardinology is a grower.
Trailer — November 14, 2008 @ 11:39 pm