Quiet Winter Farm
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RRRyan, Ryan, Ryan. It’s almost impossible for me to articulate just how much I
enjoy his work, but perhaps this will give you an indication. From his collective
projects (first band Whiskeytown, solo projects as Ryan Adams and his recent –
and sadly finished – work with backing band The Cardinals), I have 14 studio
albums, 3 unreleased records and some live stuff too. I recently made a
compilation album of my favourite songs, limiting myself to 17 tracks on a
single CD. Just choosing the tracks (the ordering took even longer) took me
the best part of 4 hours.
I don’t count it as an overstatement to describe Radams (as he is oft known to
his fans) as the best songwriter since Bob Dylan, and the most gifted musical
artist of the last 20 years. His first albums with country band Whiskeytown are a
wonderful expression of his love of country music, combining heartfelt lyricism
with the yee-haw backbone of Carolina folk and bluegrass. The album
Pneumonia (released 2 years after the band split in 1999) is a fantastic record,
boasting an opening 3 tracks – ‘The Ballad of Carol Lynn’, ‘Don’t Wanna Know
Why’ and ‘Jacksonville Skyline’ – that could rival most albums released in the
last decade.
After Whiskeytown’s demise at the end of the 20th century, the 21st’s
beginning marked a new stage for Ryan’s career. Known as a prolific artist, he
has produced a staggering 11 full albums since 2000, when his debut
Heartbreaker was released. Despite this profligate recording style, Adams’
music seldom suffers from the lack of quality control that many solo artists
succumb to. 2003’s Rock N Roll is a record I’m not fond of at all (although some
hold it in higher regard), but that aside, I could listen to any album, any time
and love it just as much as the first time I heard it.
The album art for Heartbreaker
Album art for Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker is a record which features two of Adams’ best songs, the
opening ‘To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)’ and the astounding ‘Come
Pick Me Up’ (see video at bottom), one of my favourite songs of all time and
the best, for me, of Ryan’s career. However, Heartbreaker still beats with the
countrified heart that fuelled Whiskeytown, and although it features some
cracking tunes, is not his most complete nor his best album.
By the time Adams released Gold in 2001, he was gaining some notoriety in the
country music industry. However, Gold marks the first time Adams strayed a
little from his country roots, delivering a barnstorming record which has been
accused of being ‘too commercial’. However, these criticisms are ill-founded.
Gold is one of his best albums, offering a combination of bittersweet personal
accounts – ‘Harder Now That It’s Over’, ‘The Rescue Blues’ – and also
delivering some the best lyrical output of his career (this from the wonderful
‘La Cienega Just Smiled’):
“And I hold you close in the back of my mind
And raise my glass ’cause either way I’m dead
Neither of you really help me to sleep anymore
One breaks my body and the other breaks my soul
La Cienega just smiles and waves goodbye”
One year later Adams released the stunning Demolition, in my mind his best
album, which is ironically a selection of previously unreleased songs chosen
by his dying girlfriend with new, haunting track ‘Jesus (Don’t Touch My Baby)’
to finish the album. It offers an insight not only into Adams’ troubled personal
history (he had a massive heroin and cocaine addiction for several years) but
also the depth of quality in his music, as wonderful songs like ‘Cry on Demand’,
‘Dear Chicago’ and ‘Nuclear’ saw the light of day for the first time.
Okay, so I’m rambling and gushing a lot. I realize this. I could give you an in-
depth appraisal of every album from Love is Hell to Cardinology but I’ll refrain
from doing so. These first three albums are all amazing records, rarely
stumbling through a single track and containing songs of the highest possible
quality. I’ll try and sum up my favourite artist of the last 20 years now, forgive a
little wordiness.
Ryan Adams, I put it to you, is a genius. Not in the Pete Doherty category of
(what I would deem as) drastic fan overstatement, but in the dyed-in-the-wool
musical brilliance category which only artists like Elton John (in the 70s
anyway), Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Johnny Cash inhabit. To
produce the quantity of music he has without releasing utter shit every other
album is an astonishing feat, and Radams has achieved this and more.
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
Ryan Adams (centre) & The Cardinals
Add to his wonderful, wonderful back catalogue his gobsmacking live shows
(anyone who’s seen him will tell you, he’s phenomenal) and you have a recipe
for musical greatness. I cannot think of a better songwriter, more emotional
singer or more ingenious musical mind than Ryan Adams that has existed since
the aforementioned giants of the industry. Ryan should be being held up as
one of the greatest ever, but he’s never achieved the level of fame his music
deserves. Selfishly, however, I enjoy this fact, as I can listen to his albums
personally without ever being confronted with them in the public eye.
When I tell people I like Ryan Adams, the most common reply is ‘do you mean
Bryan Adams’? The groover from Vancouver he ain’t. He is, in fact, the 2nd
greatest musical artist of all time, a genius without recognition and a titan of
musical excellence. If talent equalled fame, Ryan would be dozens of times
more famous than any Lady GaGa or Rihanna. However, it doesn’t, so until he
returns to making music (and I pray he does), we’ll just have to wait and see if
anyone can equal him. My money is on ‘no’ .Luke Grundy
enjoy his work, but perhaps this will give you an indication. From his collective
projects (first band Whiskeytown, solo projects as Ryan Adams and his recent –
and sadly finished – work with backing band The Cardinals), I have 14 studio
albums, 3 unreleased records and some live stuff too. I recently made a
compilation album of my favourite songs, limiting myself to 17 tracks on a
single CD. Just choosing the tracks (the ordering took even longer) took me
the best part of 4 hours.
I don’t count it as an overstatement to describe Radams (as he is oft known to
his fans) as the best songwriter since Bob Dylan, and the most gifted musical
artist of the last 20 years. His first albums with country band Whiskeytown are a
wonderful expression of his love of country music, combining heartfelt lyricism
with the yee-haw backbone of Carolina folk and bluegrass. The album
Pneumonia (released 2 years after the band split in 1999) is a fantastic record,
boasting an opening 3 tracks – ‘The Ballad of Carol Lynn’, ‘Don’t Wanna Know
Why’ and ‘Jacksonville Skyline’ – that could rival most albums released in the
last decade.
After Whiskeytown’s demise at the end of the 20th century, the 21st’s
beginning marked a new stage for Ryan’s career. Known as a prolific artist, he
has produced a staggering 11 full albums since 2000, when his debut
Heartbreaker was released. Despite this profligate recording style, Adams’
music seldom suffers from the lack of quality control that many solo artists
succumb to. 2003’s Rock N Roll is a record I’m not fond of at all (although some
hold it in higher regard), but that aside, I could listen to any album, any time
and love it just as much as the first time I heard it.
The album art for Heartbreaker
Album art for Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker is a record which features two of Adams’ best songs, the
opening ‘To Be Young (Is To Be Sad, Is To Be High)’ and the astounding ‘Come
Pick Me Up’ (see video at bottom), one of my favourite songs of all time and
the best, for me, of Ryan’s career. However, Heartbreaker still beats with the
countrified heart that fuelled Whiskeytown, and although it features some
cracking tunes, is not his most complete nor his best album.
By the time Adams released Gold in 2001, he was gaining some notoriety in the
country music industry. However, Gold marks the first time Adams strayed a
little from his country roots, delivering a barnstorming record which has been
accused of being ‘too commercial’. However, these criticisms are ill-founded.
Gold is one of his best albums, offering a combination of bittersweet personal
accounts – ‘Harder Now That It’s Over’, ‘The Rescue Blues’ – and also
delivering some the best lyrical output of his career (this from the wonderful
‘La Cienega Just Smiled’):
“And I hold you close in the back of my mind
And raise my glass ’cause either way I’m dead
Neither of you really help me to sleep anymore
One breaks my body and the other breaks my soul
La Cienega just smiles and waves goodbye”
One year later Adams released the stunning Demolition, in my mind his best
album, which is ironically a selection of previously unreleased songs chosen
by his dying girlfriend with new, haunting track ‘Jesus (Don’t Touch My Baby)’
to finish the album. It offers an insight not only into Adams’ troubled personal
history (he had a massive heroin and cocaine addiction for several years) but
also the depth of quality in his music, as wonderful songs like ‘Cry on Demand’,
‘Dear Chicago’ and ‘Nuclear’ saw the light of day for the first time.
Okay, so I’m rambling and gushing a lot. I realize this. I could give you an in-
depth appraisal of every album from Love is Hell to Cardinology but I’ll refrain
from doing so. These first three albums are all amazing records, rarely
stumbling through a single track and containing songs of the highest possible
quality. I’ll try and sum up my favourite artist of the last 20 years now, forgive a
little wordiness.
Ryan Adams, I put it to you, is a genius. Not in the Pete Doherty category of
(what I would deem as) drastic fan overstatement, but in the dyed-in-the-wool
musical brilliance category which only artists like Elton John (in the 70s
anyway), Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, Otis Redding and Johnny Cash inhabit. To
produce the quantity of music he has without releasing utter shit every other
album is an astonishing feat, and Radams has achieved this and more.
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
Ryan Adams (centre) & The Cardinals
Add to his wonderful, wonderful back catalogue his gobsmacking live shows
(anyone who’s seen him will tell you, he’s phenomenal) and you have a recipe
for musical greatness. I cannot think of a better songwriter, more emotional
singer or more ingenious musical mind than Ryan Adams that has existed since
the aforementioned giants of the industry. Ryan should be being held up as
one of the greatest ever, but he’s never achieved the level of fame his music
deserves. Selfishly, however, I enjoy this fact, as I can listen to his albums
personally without ever being confronted with them in the public eye.
When I tell people I like Ryan Adams, the most common reply is ‘do you mean
Bryan Adams’? The groover from Vancouver he ain’t. He is, in fact, the 2nd
greatest musical artist of all time, a genius without recognition and a titan of
musical excellence. If talent equalled fame, Ryan would be dozens of times
more famous than any Lady GaGa or Rihanna. However, it doesn’t, so until he
returns to making music (and I pray he does), we’ll just have to wait and see if
anyone can equal him. My money is on ‘no’ .Luke Grundy
Just A few Words about My Beloved Ryan.......
Why pay more for a pet puppy?
"The $900.00 Puppy vs. The $300.00 Puppy"
$900.00 - Both the sire and dam of this puppy came from top quality breeding stock which was developed over
years and years of selective and knowledgeable breeding. Both meet the requirement of the written AKC and
ASCA standard for the breed in conformation as well as temperament. Each has a pedigree, which has been
studied and thoroughly researched. These dogs have been selected to breed to each other because they can
both contribute to the excellence of the breed as well as complement on another.
$300.00 - The dam of this litter was purchased from a local pet store and originally came from a Missouri puppy
mill. She was sick off and on the first year of her life due to too many different types of intestinal parasites and
malnutrition. The sire, an over-sized male, lives down the street and was purchased from an ad in the
newspaper. Neither owner has ever heard of the AKC or ASCA written standard. Neither owner has seen a
written pedigree. The female is skittish and snappy. Her owners hope that having a litter will calm her down.
$900.00 - Before this breeding ever took place, both male and female had test including hip X-Rays, eye tests
and heart tests to determine that there were no physical or genetic problems that might be passed on to
offspring. The breeder is well aware of the genetic problems to which the breed is predisposed and uses no
animal for breeding unless it is certified clear of defects by a qualified Veterinarian. The health of her pups is
guaranteed.
$300.00 - The breeder is totally unaware of the genetic problems within the breed. Trips to the Veterinarian,
except for dire emergencies or yearly shots, are considered too expensive. The breeders' hope is to make
money off the sale of the puppies. If he keeps expenses down, he can by that new couch he's been wanting.
Puppies are sold with no guarantee.
$900.00 - The breeder is a professional and he has a good reputation to maintain. His goal is to produce
beautiful and sound specimens, which anyone would be proud to own. Profit, if any is made, goes toward future
breedings, always aimed toward the betterment of the breed, or for show entries, handler's fees, new equipment
and important veterinary tests. Both the mother and pups are fed the highest quality diet. Many trips to the vet
assure him that mother and pups are thriving under the very best care. The pups are raised in a busy part of the
house where they are socialized, groomed and exposed to different kinds of stimuli. They are touched and
talked to, cuddled and even sung to. They are never sold before they are seven weeks old. Every buyer is
interviewed at length and pups are placed only in homes where they will receive the finest treatment. The
breeder spends time with each new owner, educating and answering questions. Follow-up calls are made to
make sure the pups are adjusting well. Each new owner receives a bill of sale and health guarantees,
vaccination record, minimum five-generation pedigree, guarantee of registration with the AKC or CKC and
thorough puppy care and nutrition information. If the puppy is not considered to be of such quality as it will better
the breed the puppy is sold with a limited registration or non-breeding agreements. The new owners are
encouraged to continue a relationship with the breeder, and to call and ask questions at any time during the
dog's life.
$300.00 - These puppies are born in a box, in the garage and receive little care other than what the mother
gives. To cut costs they are weaned on generic dog food and allowed to nurse on the mother as long as
possible to keep food bills down. The bitch's health declines rapidly due to poor health and some pups are weak
and runty. They are sold as quickly as possible because advertising and vaccines are expensive. They are sold
without having had their dewclaws removed, without shots, parasite checks, vet examinations, guarantees or
information of any kind. They are sold to anyone who has the cash. If the new owner is lucky he may receive a
AKC or CKC registration application. Although the puppy is of very poor quality, it is sold with full breeding
rights. The new owner usually disappears with the pup, never to be seen again. If the market is not good, the
breeder takes the leftover pups to the local pet shop.
The comparison you have just read is hypothetical, but very typical of what we see all too often. Although not
every breeder who charges higher prices is reputable and ethical, pet buyers should keep looking until they find
one that is. When I am asked why my prices are so much higher than those in some newspaper ads, I mail a
copy of this article. Those buyers who respect the quality and excellence are wonderful customers and become
"partners" in this hobby that I love so much. Those that are seeking pets deserve nothing less than a nice quality,
healthy and trusting animal. As well as a breeder they can count on."
- Anonymous
(If you are the author of this piece and wish to be given credit, please contact the owner of this site. Thank you)
"The $900.00 Puppy vs. The $300.00 Puppy"
$900.00 - Both the sire and dam of this puppy came from top quality breeding stock which was developed over
years and years of selective and knowledgeable breeding. Both meet the requirement of the written AKC and
ASCA standard for the breed in conformation as well as temperament. Each has a pedigree, which has been
studied and thoroughly researched. These dogs have been selected to breed to each other because they can
both contribute to the excellence of the breed as well as complement on another.
$300.00 - The dam of this litter was purchased from a local pet store and originally came from a Missouri puppy
mill. She was sick off and on the first year of her life due to too many different types of intestinal parasites and
malnutrition. The sire, an over-sized male, lives down the street and was purchased from an ad in the
newspaper. Neither owner has ever heard of the AKC or ASCA written standard. Neither owner has seen a
written pedigree. The female is skittish and snappy. Her owners hope that having a litter will calm her down.
$900.00 - Before this breeding ever took place, both male and female had test including hip X-Rays, eye tests
and heart tests to determine that there were no physical or genetic problems that might be passed on to
offspring. The breeder is well aware of the genetic problems to which the breed is predisposed and uses no
animal for breeding unless it is certified clear of defects by a qualified Veterinarian. The health of her pups is
guaranteed.
$300.00 - The breeder is totally unaware of the genetic problems within the breed. Trips to the Veterinarian,
except for dire emergencies or yearly shots, are considered too expensive. The breeders' hope is to make
money off the sale of the puppies. If he keeps expenses down, he can by that new couch he's been wanting.
Puppies are sold with no guarantee.
$900.00 - The breeder is a professional and he has a good reputation to maintain. His goal is to produce
beautiful and sound specimens, which anyone would be proud to own. Profit, if any is made, goes toward future
breedings, always aimed toward the betterment of the breed, or for show entries, handler's fees, new equipment
and important veterinary tests. Both the mother and pups are fed the highest quality diet. Many trips to the vet
assure him that mother and pups are thriving under the very best care. The pups are raised in a busy part of the
house where they are socialized, groomed and exposed to different kinds of stimuli. They are touched and
talked to, cuddled and even sung to. They are never sold before they are seven weeks old. Every buyer is
interviewed at length and pups are placed only in homes where they will receive the finest treatment. The
breeder spends time with each new owner, educating and answering questions. Follow-up calls are made to
make sure the pups are adjusting well. Each new owner receives a bill of sale and health guarantees,
vaccination record, minimum five-generation pedigree, guarantee of registration with the AKC or CKC and
thorough puppy care and nutrition information. If the puppy is not considered to be of such quality as it will better
the breed the puppy is sold with a limited registration or non-breeding agreements. The new owners are
encouraged to continue a relationship with the breeder, and to call and ask questions at any time during the
dog's life.
$300.00 - These puppies are born in a box, in the garage and receive little care other than what the mother
gives. To cut costs they are weaned on generic dog food and allowed to nurse on the mother as long as
possible to keep food bills down. The bitch's health declines rapidly due to poor health and some pups are weak
and runty. They are sold as quickly as possible because advertising and vaccines are expensive. They are sold
without having had their dewclaws removed, without shots, parasite checks, vet examinations, guarantees or
information of any kind. They are sold to anyone who has the cash. If the new owner is lucky he may receive a
AKC or CKC registration application. Although the puppy is of very poor quality, it is sold with full breeding
rights. The new owner usually disappears with the pup, never to be seen again. If the market is not good, the
breeder takes the leftover pups to the local pet shop.
The comparison you have just read is hypothetical, but very typical of what we see all too often. Although not
every breeder who charges higher prices is reputable and ethical, pet buyers should keep looking until they find
one that is. When I am asked why my prices are so much higher than those in some newspaper ads, I mail a
copy of this article. Those buyers who respect the quality and excellence are wonderful customers and become
"partners" in this hobby that I love so much. Those that are seeking pets deserve nothing less than a nice quality,
healthy and trusting animal. As well as a breeder they can count on."
- Anonymous
(If you are the author of this piece and wish to be given credit, please contact the owner of this site. Thank you)
