Happy Birthday Ryan Adams: Revisiting His Best Improv Songs
Today, Ryan Adams and Bryan Adams both celebrate their respective birthdays. After you let the most incredible coincidence in the history of the world sink in, take a minute to revisit some of Ryan’s most prolific improv songs he delivered on the most recent leg of his tour.
Adams, who turns 40 today, made it a habit on this tour to play a fun, city-specific improv song which mostly referenced a crowd member or favorite memory from that city. Take a listen below as the guitarist plays odes to security guards, mystery women, and the balloon guy, among others. Adams’ tour resumes tomorrow night in Indianapolis, IN.
“Three Fucking Balloons”
The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass attendee who brought four balloons with him got all the attention he could handle as Adams serenades the gentleman with “everyone’s favorite song off of Heartbreaker.”
“Security Guy From Milwaukee”
If “Three Fucking Balloons” was more of an uptempo rocker, the ode to the security to what sounds like the tune to Dire Straits’ “Sultans of Swing” is more introspective. Adams touches on why he never made it through Breaking Bad and apologizes for cussing as he toasts to a security guard (who probably owns a lot of ELO records) during one of the best shows on his recent tour.
“Change the Boat”
Adams and the Shining got a little funky with “Change the Boat” in Santa Barabra, with this 80s-inspired tune about wearing oversized suits and hanging out with Billy Ocean.
“Mystery Woman From Seattle”
There has never been a response to the random “I LOVE YOU” call from a lady in the audience. In this video, you’ll also get a bonus cover of Alice in Chains’ “Nutshell,” so I suppose things could be a lot worse.
“Gold’s Bar”
Gold’s Bar is a wonderful place. Located next to Gold’s Gym, you do nothing but trade fishing stories, drink gin and listen to KISS. So, Gold’s Bar is heaven. Let’s all visit Kansas City one day. The overt Johnny Cash impression (as Adams calls his “scary voice”) even gives the singer and his band a laugh midway through.