Back in October of 2014, Ryan Adams stopped by the Austin City Limits studio to perform two sets of  music, one with his band The Shining and another solo with just an acoustic guitar, a dangerous and honest way to confront the emotions contained in his music. Regardless, the set is as riveting and powerful as you’ll find on this corner of the internet these days, with Adams presenting some of his finest material for the studio audience. 

“If you thought that was depressing, you haven’t heard anything yet,” Ryan Adams quipped after an emotional “Oh My Sweet Carolina” and before the “summer anthem” in “Gimme Something Good.” The set is worth it for the banter alone, but Adams just happens to have a handle on this whole singer-songwriter thing as well. He’ll also entertain you with thoughts from his first time on ACL and why he was so confused his first time on the program. 

Watch the full set below (which also includes an appearance from Shakey Graves) as well as a web-exclusive version of the Cold Roses standout “If I Am a Stranger,” which didn’t make it to air.