Ashes & Fire
Encyclopedia
Ashes & Fire is the thirteenth studio album by Ryan Adams
, released on October 11, on PAX AM
and Capitol
. Recorded with producer Glyn Johns
, Ashes & Fire marks Adams' return to recording following the disbandment of backing band the Cardinals in 2009. Regarding the album, Adams noted, "The record is obsessed with time. I believe that there is a kinder view of the self. I'm passing through my own life as a ghost, and looking at these pieces and places in my life. I'm looking at California
, and the idea of being lost and found at the same time." On 16th October 2011 the album entered the UK Albums Chart
at number 9, making his best position in the UK. In the US, it debuted at number 7, making Ashes & Fire his second top 10 album since Easy Tiger
.
The album was preceded by the single "Lucky Now
", Adams' first release with Capitol Records
.
, Adams announced that he was planning to retire from music, due to ongoing problems with Ménière's disease
. Posting on his website, Adams wrote: "I am excited to finish this wonderful time I have had with the Cardinals. [...] I am grateful for the time we have had, and maybe someday we will have more stories to tell together. I am, however, ready for quieter times, as I think it is very evident I am struggling with some balance and hearing issues. [...] Maybe we will play again sometime, and maybe I will work my way back into some kind of music situation, but this is the time for me to step back now, to reel it in." At this time, Adams had written a planned studio album, entitled Dear Impossible, which was subsequently abandoned.
The band played their final show on March 20, 2009 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta and dissolved. Drummer Brad Pemberton
noted, "Everyone was a bit fried, so it was the right time to step back for a minute. I encouraged Ryan to go and get married, and have a life and find some peace; the guy hasn’t really slowed down in ten years, and he needed it as much as we did." Adams later commented on the band's break-up, stating "I wasn't being true to myself [anymore]. I loved being in that band with Catherine Popper
. [...] She was the key. So when she split [in 2006] it was really difficult for me. We carried on because we had to. I had made a commitment to shows and records but my heart wasn't in it. [...] [the band] actually weren't very nice to me by the end. I don't think we were friends anymore." On December 15, 2009, Cardinals bassist Chris Feinstein
was found dead in his New York
apartment.
During his hiatus from music, Adams married actress Mandy Moore
and relocated from New York City
to Los Angeles
. Adams released two books of poetry
, Infinity Blues
and Hello Sunshine
, and, in late 2009, began issuing unreleased recordings through his label, PAX AM
. Two studio albums, Orion
and III/IV
, an EP, Class Mythology
, and various singles, were released between 2009 and 2010. Regarding his struggles with Ménière's disease, during this time, Adams noted, "It took me a little bit of time to get it under control and get my life under control. I was very, very sick. I was very ill. I had screaming loud noises in my left ear from the tinnitus, and I just felt sick all the time."
In October 2010, Adams began making sporadic live performances around Los Angeles, and subsequently embarked upon a European tour in June 2011, performing new songs alongside older material. Regarding the tour, Adams noted, "[It] was the most fun I’ve had ever. I couldn't have imagined it being any better than it was. [...] I just felt really connected and it seemed to me that the people that I was playing for also felt really connected, and it was nice that there wasn’t anything getting in the way of the music." Following the tour's completion, Adams announced that a new studio album, produced by Glyn Johns
, father of Ethan Johns
(Heartbreaker
, Gold
and 29) was scheduled for release in October 2011.
in a song." Adams ultimately decided to name the album after the song, stating, "I wanted it to sound hot, as in temperature-wise, windows-rolled-down, middle-of-summmer, driving-through-California
, hot. In all honesty, it was the right title. [...] I was trying to paint this picture of somebody not destroyed by change. I got the idea from the arcade game, Phoenix." Adams does not refer to his struggles with Meniere's disease
on the album, noting, "[It's] is a personal thing, and I decided it didn't have to have anything to do with my creative life, it didn't need to be a record about recovery."
According to Adams, Laura Marling
's second studio album, I Speak Because I Can
, inspired him to re-write the majority of the album's material. After receiving a copy from former producer Ethan Johns
, Adams noted, "I thought: 'For fuck's sake.' I literally threw out 80% of what I had. And it felt good, to ask: 'What am I really capable of?' I felt competitive again to write great songs."
equipment. Amongst the album's contributors are Norah Jones
, Benmont Tench
, and former Cardinals guitarist Neal Casal
. Casal later commented on working with Adams again, noting, "He’s in fine form. I will always have a connection with him. It doesn’t go away just because you don’t play in the same band anymore."
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
, released on October 11, on PAX AM
PAX AM
Pax Americana Recording Company, also known as just PAX-AM, is a record label founded by Ryan Adams in 2004. Adams initially started the label in order to release demo recordings of material that his former record label, Lost Highway Records, would not release...
and Capitol
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
. Recorded with producer Glyn Johns
Glyn Johns
Glyn Johns is a musician, recording engineer and record producer.-Career:He has worked with such artists as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Easybeats, The Band, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, Eric Clapton, The Clash, The Steve Miller Band, Small Faces, Spooky Tooth, The Ozark...
, Ashes & Fire marks Adams' return to recording following the disbandment of backing band the Cardinals in 2009. Regarding the album, Adams noted, "The record is obsessed with time. I believe that there is a kinder view of the self. I'm passing through my own life as a ghost, and looking at these pieces and places in my life. I'm looking at California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and the idea of being lost and found at the same time." On 16th October 2011 the album entered the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
at number 9, making his best position in the UK. In the US, it debuted at number 7, making Ashes & Fire his second top 10 album since Easy Tiger
Easy Tiger
Easy Tiger is the ninth studio album by Ryan Adams released on June 26, 2007 on the Lost Highway label. Although the album is attributed solely to Adams, Easy Tiger features The Cardinals as his backing band, with Adams stating: "The only real concept of this record was complete and utter...
.
The album was preceded by the single "Lucky Now
Lucky Now
"Lucky Now" is a song by alt country singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, and the lead single from his forthcoming studio album, Ashes & Fire. According to Adams, the single is based upon "my time in New York in my twenties."-Background and composition:...
", Adams' first release with Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
.
Background
In January 2009, while touring in support of CardinologyCardinology
Cardinology is the tenth studio album by Ryan Adams, and his fourth album with The Cardinals, released on October 28, 2008. This album completed Adams' contract with Lost Highway, and marks his final recording session with the Cardinals. A vinyl version included a bonus 7", a comic book, and a...
, Adams announced that he was planning to retire from music, due to ongoing problems with Ménière's disease
Ménière's disease
Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance to a varying degree. It is characterized by episodes of vertigo and tinnitus and progressive hearing loss, usually in one ear. It is named after the French physician Prosper Ménière, who, in an article published...
. Posting on his website, Adams wrote: "I am excited to finish this wonderful time I have had with the Cardinals. [...] I am grateful for the time we have had, and maybe someday we will have more stories to tell together. I am, however, ready for quieter times, as I think it is very evident I am struggling with some balance and hearing issues. [...] Maybe we will play again sometime, and maybe I will work my way back into some kind of music situation, but this is the time for me to step back now, to reel it in." At this time, Adams had written a planned studio album, entitled Dear Impossible, which was subsequently abandoned.
The band played their final show on March 20, 2009 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta and dissolved. Drummer Brad Pemberton
Brad Pemberton
Brad Pemberton is an American drummer, primarily known for his role in Ryan Adams and the Cardinals. Pemberton previously played in Iodine , and was a member of Adams' touring band The Pinkhearts. He is currently touring with Brendan Benson.-Discography:-References:...
noted, "Everyone was a bit fried, so it was the right time to step back for a minute. I encouraged Ryan to go and get married, and have a life and find some peace; the guy hasn’t really slowed down in ten years, and he needed it as much as we did." Adams later commented on the band's break-up, stating "I wasn't being true to myself [anymore]. I loved being in that band with Catherine Popper
Catherine Popper
Catherine Popper is an American musician best known as bass player/back up vocalist for Ryan Adams's band The Cardinals as well as Grace Potter and the Nocturnals....
. [...] She was the key. So when she split [in 2006] it was really difficult for me. We carried on because we had to. I had made a commitment to shows and records but my heart wasn't in it. [...] [the band] actually weren't very nice to me by the end. I don't think we were friends anymore." On December 15, 2009, Cardinals bassist Chris Feinstein
Chris Feinstein
Christopher Todd Feinstein was an American musician, producer, writer and collaborator from Nashville, Tennessee....
was found dead in his New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
apartment.
During his hiatus from music, Adams married actress Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore
Amanda Leigh "Mandy" Moore is an American singer-songwriter, actress and fashion designer. Moore became famous as a teenager in the late 1990s, after the release of her teen pop albums So Real, I Wanna Be with You, and Mandy Moore. In 2007, she took an adult pop-folk direction with the release of...
and relocated from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. Adams released two books of poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
, Infinity Blues
Infinity Blues
Infinity Blues is a book of free verse poetry by singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, published by Akashic Books. The book was set for its official release April 1, 2009. However, it became available in some markets on February 20, 2009. According to Adams, it contains five chapters about "how one person...
and Hello Sunshine
Hello Sunshine (book)
Hello Sunshine is a collection of poems and short stories by Ryan Adams, released on December 1, 2009. The book is published by Akashic Books....
, and, in late 2009, began issuing unreleased recordings through his label, PAX AM
PAX AM
Pax Americana Recording Company, also known as just PAX-AM, is a record label founded by Ryan Adams in 2004. Adams initially started the label in order to release demo recordings of material that his former record label, Lost Highway Records, would not release...
. Two studio albums, Orion
Orion (album)
-Performers:* Ryan Adams – vocals and guitars* Jamie Candiloro – drums and synths* Dale Nixon – bass...
and III/IV
III/IV
III/IV is the twelfth studio album by alt-country singer-songwriter Ryan Adams, released on December 14, 2010 through PAX AM. The album is his fifth with backing band The Cardinals, and was recorded in 2006 during the same sessions that yielded Easy Tiger...
, an EP, Class Mythology
Class Mythology
Class Mythology is an EP by American alt-country band Ryan Adams and the Cardinals, released on April 16, 2011 on PAX AM. Limited to 2500 copies, the EP was released in celebration of Record Store Day, and consists of unreleased tracks recorded for Cardinology .The release comprises two coloured...
, and various singles, were released between 2009 and 2010. Regarding his struggles with Ménière's disease, during this time, Adams noted, "It took me a little bit of time to get it under control and get my life under control. I was very, very sick. I was very ill. I had screaming loud noises in my left ear from the tinnitus, and I just felt sick all the time."
In October 2010, Adams began making sporadic live performances around Los Angeles, and subsequently embarked upon a European tour in June 2011, performing new songs alongside older material. Regarding the tour, Adams noted, "[It] was the most fun I’ve had ever. I couldn't have imagined it being any better than it was. [...] I just felt really connected and it seemed to me that the people that I was playing for also felt really connected, and it was nice that there wasn’t anything getting in the way of the music." Following the tour's completion, Adams announced that a new studio album, produced by Glyn Johns
Glyn Johns
Glyn Johns is a musician, recording engineer and record producer.-Career:He has worked with such artists as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Easybeats, The Band, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, Eric Clapton, The Clash, The Steve Miller Band, Small Faces, Spooky Tooth, The Ozark...
, father of Ethan Johns
Ethan Johns
Ethan Johns is a record producer, engineer, mixer, musician, and songwriter who has worked with such artists such as Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon, Ray LaMontagne, Kevin Prosch, Rufus Wainwright, Howard Eliott Payne, Emmylou Harris, Crowded House, Laura Marling, Luthea Salom, and Crosby, Stills and...
(Heartbreaker
Heartbreaker (Ryan Adams album)
Heartbreaker is the debut studio album by alternative country musician Ryan Adams, released September 5, 2000 on Bloodshot Records. The album was recorded over fourteen days at Woodland Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. It was nominated for the 2001 Shortlist Music Prize...
, Gold
Gold (Ryan Adams album)
-Album:-Singles:-Critical reception:-Personnel:* Ryan Adams – Vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, piano* Bucky Baxter – Steel guitar* Andre Carter – Trumpet* Richard Causon – Piano* Jennifer Condos – Bass...
and 29) was scheduled for release in October 2011.
Writing & composition
Regarding the album's title track, Adams noted, "I thought it was implying the reference of a phoenixPhoenix (mythology)
The phoenix or phenix is a mythical sacred firebird that can be found in the mythologies of the Arabian, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Chinese, Indian and Phoenicians....
in a song." Adams ultimately decided to name the album after the song, stating, "I wanted it to sound hot, as in temperature-wise, windows-rolled-down, middle-of-summmer, driving-through-California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, hot. In all honesty, it was the right title. [...] I was trying to paint this picture of somebody not destroyed by change. I got the idea from the arcade game, Phoenix." Adams does not refer to his struggles with Meniere's disease
Ménière's disease
Ménière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance to a varying degree. It is characterized by episodes of vertigo and tinnitus and progressive hearing loss, usually in one ear. It is named after the French physician Prosper Ménière, who, in an article published...
on the album, noting, "[It's] is a personal thing, and I decided it didn't have to have anything to do with my creative life, it didn't need to be a record about recovery."
According to Adams, Laura Marling
Laura Marling
Laura Beatrice Marling is an English folk musician from Eversley, Hampshire.Initially prominent within the London folk scene, she has also toured with a number of well-known indie artists in the UK. Her debut album Alas, I Cannot Swim and her second album I Speak Because I Can were nominated for...
's second studio album, I Speak Because I Can
I Speak Because I Can
All tracks by Laura Marling.# "Devil's Spoke" – 3:40# "Made by Maid" – 2:51# "Rambling Man" – 3:16# "Blackberry Stone" – 3:28# "Alpha Shallows" – 3:42# "Goodbye England " – 3:45# "Hope in the Air" – 4:32...
, inspired him to re-write the majority of the album's material. After receiving a copy from former producer Ethan Johns
Ethan Johns
Ethan Johns is a record producer, engineer, mixer, musician, and songwriter who has worked with such artists such as Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon, Ray LaMontagne, Kevin Prosch, Rufus Wainwright, Howard Eliott Payne, Emmylou Harris, Crowded House, Laura Marling, Luthea Salom, and Crosby, Stills and...
, Adams noted, "I thought: 'For fuck's sake.' I literally threw out 80% of what I had. And it felt good, to ask: 'What am I really capable of?' I felt competitive again to write great songs."
Recording
Ashes & Fire was recorded at Adams' home studio, using analogAnalog
- In literature and language :* Analog, an object, concept or situation which in some way resembles a different situation:** Analog , a literary work that shares motifs, characters or events with another, but is not directly derived from it...
equipment. Amongst the album's contributors are Norah Jones
Norah Jones
Norah Jones is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actress.In 2002, she launched her solo music career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album Come Away With Me, which was certified a diamond album in 2002, selling over 20 million copies...
, Benmont Tench
Benmont Tench
Benjamin Montmorency Tench, III is an American keyboardist best known as a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.-Early years:...
, and former Cardinals guitarist Neal Casal
Neal Casal
Neal Casal is an American songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist and photographer who has maintained an acclaimed solo career as well as playing guitar for The Cardinals.-1990 - 1999:...
. Casal later commented on working with Adams again, noting, "He’s in fine form. I will always have a connection with him. It doesn’t go away just because you don’t play in the same band anymore."
Track listing
Bonus tracks
- "Petals in a Rainstorm" (bonus flexidisc with pre-orders from PAX-AM)
- "Darkness" (bonus download with pre-orders from PAX-AM)
- "Star Sign" (iTunes bonus)
- "Til I Found You" (iTunes pre-order bonus)
Musicians
- Ryan AdamsRyan AdamsDavid Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
– vocals, guitars - Norah JonesNorah JonesNorah Jones is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actress.In 2002, she launched her solo music career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album Come Away With Me, which was certified a diamond album in 2002, selling over 20 million copies...
– backing vocals, piano - Benmont TenchBenmont TenchBenjamin Montmorency Tench, III is an American keyboardist best known as a founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.-Early years:...
– keyboards, piano - Jeremy StaceyJeremy StaceyJeremy Stacey is a British drummer. His early work included the 1990s band, The Lemon Trees and Denzil...
– drums - Gus Seyffert – bass guitar, electric guitar (2)
- Greg LeiszGreg LeiszGreg Leisz is an American multi-instrumentalist, playing lap and pedal steel guitars, guitar, mandolin, and bass.- Biography :Leisz was influenced early on by the Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers, especially pedal steel player "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow...
– pedal steel (3, 8, 9) - Mandy MooreMandy MooreAmanda Leigh "Mandy" Moore is an American singer-songwriter, actress and fashion designer. Moore became famous as a teenager in the late 1990s, after the release of her teen pop albums So Real, I Wanna Be with You, and Mandy Moore. In 2007, she took an adult pop-folk direction with the release of...
– backing vocals (3) - Chris StillsChris StillsChris Stills is the son of American rock musician Stephen Stills and French singer-songwriter Véronique Sanson...
– backing vocals (3) - Neal CasalNeal CasalNeal Casal is an American songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist and photographer who has maintained an acclaimed solo career as well as playing guitar for The Cardinals.-1990 - 1999:...
– backing vocals (8), acoustic guitar (9) - Eric Gorfain – violin (4, 6 & 11)
- Daphne Chen – violin (4, 6 & 11)
- Lauren Chipman – viola (4, 6 & 11)
- Richard Dodd – cello (4, 6 & 11)
- Sam Dixon – bass guitar (5)
Recording personnel
- Glyn JohnsGlyn JohnsGlyn Johns is a musician, recording engineer and record producer.-Career:He has worked with such artists as Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Easybeats, The Band, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Eagles, Eric Clapton, The Clash, The Steve Miller Band, Small Faces, Spooky Tooth, The Ozark...
– producer, engineer, mixing - Bob LudwigBob LudwigBob Ludwig is an American mastering engineer.He is a well known and respected figure within the music industry. His name is credited on the covers of albums released across the world, and he has won numerous awards....
– mastering - Doug Sax – mastering and cutting for vinyl production at The Mastering Lab, Inc. in Ojai, CA
Artwork
- Ryan AdamsRyan AdamsDavid Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
– photography, art - David BlackDavid BlackDavid or Dave Black may refer to:*Dave Black , baseball player*Dave Black , American author and composer...
– photography - Andy West – art
Charts
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Albums Chart Canadian Albums Chart The Canadian Albums Chart is the official album sales chart in Canada. It is compiled every Wednesday by U.S.-based music sales tracking company Nielsen Soundscan, and published every Thursday by Jam! Canoe and Billboard, along with its sister charts the Canadian Singles Chart and the Canadian BDS... |
21 |