WaterCoolerGossip

"Momentum, that's a hell of a thing at rock concerts," says Ryan Adams after a stage tech began fiddling with one the pedals or chords at his feet at the end of their opening song on Tuesday night. The crowd began to chatter and the guy in front of me wouldn't quit talking to his girlfriend about the Robin Hood song, meanwhile these two older die-hard fans glared at him obviously thinking "Not this idiot." Ryan's three nights at Town Hall enticed a mixed bag of fans from message board power posters to casual Brian Adams fans, all of whom were expecting a different concert. What Ryan and the boys delivered were their jam-band songs with even a few in alternate versions, which would excite the more dedicated Ryan scholars.

But I can't say that these were everybody's favorites. May I present exhibit A (click to enlarge)—one of the current polls at the RAA message board, which currently has 645 votes (I can't even freakin' vote because I am not part of the forum), asks what's the "Best Song on Jacksonville City Nights?" None of the songs played from that album were even in the top five. Granted the band was not going to repeat two of the more "popular" songs played the previous night and Nora Jones join him for "Dear John," but that night Ryan was not taking orders. One guy shouted a request and he replied, "I'm sorry sir, what can I get you? Would you like a diet coke with that?"

I am in no way saying that the show was bad, I enjoyed it from start to finish. And his ramblings about a conversation with Doctor Who and an explanation of the Quiet Riot band name with a story about wizards in a convenience store were hilarious. Still, the set list Tuesday night was only sufficient but nothing to drool over. However, for those like Qbertplaya, who had the stamina and good fortune to attend all three nights, Tuesday was just part of one long complete show.