Ryan Adams Performs Solo At Mercury Lounge On This Date In 2000

In the midst of the demise of his band Whiskeytown, singer-songwriter Ryan Adams began to emerge a solo artist, issuing his debut solo album Heartbreaker in September 2000. Earlier that year on a winter night in New York City, Adams emerged to play an unannounced set featuring many of his newly penned tunes alongside some of his former band’s best-known songs.

Adams was asked to perform at the Mercury Lounge following Philadelphia band Marah’s last-minute cancellation. The lucky few locals who got word of the impromptu performance were treated to Ryan performing solo, armed with a guitar and notebook loaded with all-new compositions.

Whiskeytown favorites “Dancing With The Women At The Bar,” “16 Days” and “Houses On The Hill” with the accompanyment of Whiskeytown’s pedal steel guitarist Mike Daly were mixed with brand new originals, many of which were never recorded for an album. That night in NYC saw Ryan showcasing “The Poison And The Pain,” “The String And The Wire” and “Mining Town.” Adams also played “Statuettes With Wounds” which he wrote for his Whiskeytown band mate Caitlin Cary though she opted not to record it.

A partial soundboard recording of seven of the 16 songs performed at the Mercury Lounge can be streamed below:

Setlist (partial)

Dancing With The Women At The Bar, The Poison And The Pain, The String And The Wire, Statuettes With Wounds, 16 Days, Mining Town, Houses On The Hill