Dusting Off Ryan Adams' Demolition and Other CDs
This summer, the album release calendar is very light, so I'm plucking a few CDs from my home collection and writing about them instead. Here are a few discs worth dusting off, with many others to follow in the coming weeks.
Demolition, Ryan Adams (2002)
Comprised of outtakes from two prior albums, this disc still offers standout ballads such as "Cry on Demand," "Dear Chicago" and "Desire" -- essential to any Ryan Adams mix tape. I don't know if the lyrics of the lively "Chin Up, Cheer Up" are happy or not, but with Ethan Johns on drums and Greg Leisz on Dobro and steel guitar, it doesn't matter.
Aces, Suzy Bogguss (1991)
With a pristine voice and fondness for folk songwriters, Bogguss finally got her break with this terrific album. Its four hit singles, including "Aces" and "Outbound Plane," earned her the CMA Horizon Award in 1992. Considering the younger generation now drawn to country, the graduation-themed "Letting Go" deserves to find a new audience.
Don't Give Up on Me, Solomon Burke (2002)
This expressive soul singer teamed with producer Joe Henry for inspired renderings of songs by the likes of Elvis Costello, Bob Dylan, Van Morrison and Tom Waits. His smooth reading of Nick Lowe's "The Other Side of the Coin" asks you to look beyond someone's past, because sometimes they'll surprise you. And this is a fine example.
Heard It in a Love Song, Mark Chesnutt (2006)
Combining country classics with traditional new material, this album may remind you of your favorite honky-tonk band's set list. He nails the title track (Marshall Tucker Band), then covers Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr. and Hank Williams Sr. If you're wearing out Jamey Johnson's That Lonesome Song, track this down.
The Light That Guides You Home, Jim Cuddy (2006)
Canadian music fans may be familiar with Cuddy through Blue Rodeo, a popular band with a track record of blending country and pop music. With narratives based on his personal life, Cuddy is adept at showing you, rather than telling you, the morale of the story, and he's usually kind enough to sneak in a bit of optimism. Hell of a singer, too.
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Chris N. says:
‘Demolition’ has long been my favorite Ryan Adams record. “Nuclear” is my joint.
Jasper says:
Ryan Adams is classic!
Redmaz says:
Did you know that the video “New York” by Ryan Adams was the last video ever shot that featured the Twin Towers? This video was shot from morning to evening on Friday September 7, 2001. 4 days later, the world would never be the same. A very eerie, and sureal video. and now a part of history. You can check it out at youtube. Search…”Ryan Adams New York”
Andrea says:
I didn’t know that the video was shot that close to September 11th. Thanks for that information.
I remember that when I saw it the first time afterwards I couldn’t stop crying. This song remembers me a lot of the feelings and the atmosphere after September 11th.