Ryan Adams touched my soul the other night

I was planning on writing a separate bunch of words for Viva but what I wrote on Instagram is just right...

Ryan Adams touched my soul last evening.

I don't say that lightly.

I've seen Mr. Adams perform many times and last night was special. The first thing that struck me was that he was in the best voice I've ever heard him sing in. Strong, clear and full of emotion. The second thing was how he laid his emotions bare for all to see, imperfections and all. Lastly, and this is very important (for me, at least) is he made this concert photographer not want to take photos. While my usual is surveying the stage and looking for the "right" moments to capture and how to take those photos, last night I rarely put my camera to my eye and instead spent a good portion of the show with eyes closed, letting the music and emotion behind the performance wash over me like healing waters.

I think this photo, without all sorts of photo trickery to make it brighter, captures what is looked like and I hope my above words captures what it felt like.

Thank you, Ryan Adams.