Ryan Adams Sings for His Supper

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on May 29, 2007 8:35PM

Ryan Adams just announced that Chicago is included in a brief string of dates next month to promote his latest, Easy Tiger. This is not so surprising in itself, although we doubt Jim DeRogatis will be in attendance, but we admit we're a bit taken aback by his choosing to play at The Black Orchid. The Black Orchid is easily the smallest room he's played in Chicago in years, and it's lush environs should prove the perfect counterpart for the introspective songs that seem to be Adams' recent fare.

After seeing his listless performance at Lollapalooza last year, we're hoping Adams is in a more inspirational form when he comes through town next month. We're hopeful, since Easy Tiger shows him moving away from The Grateful Dead vibe that has permeated most of Adams' recent work and it's obvious some of that time he's spent with Willie Nelson has rubbed off on him. At the same time, we're still waiting for Adams to really come through on the promise of his earlier discs, and are beginning to worry that he's prematurely mellowing. This'll be a chance to see which way the man is leaning, at least live.

Ryan Adams plays The Black Orchid on June 19. Tickets go on sale this week.