There was a sweaty, fevered and hungry buzz in the audience when the Cardinals took the stage about 15 minutes later, slowly walking to the front-and-center of the stage and forming a huddle. A-cappella, and in a doo-wop style, the Cardinals sang an ode to San Diego: "San Diego, nice to see you again/ Right next to the water, and beautiful Mexico/ San Diego, thank you baby Jesus for Selma Hayek."

From there, the band tore into a spirited rendition of "Please Do Not Let Me Go," which came off much more energetic than the studio version found on 2003's "Love Is Hell." Not allowing the audience time to catch its breath, the honky-tonkin' continued as the band jammed into "A Kiss Before I Go," keeping all its country-and-western lore intact.

"Blue Hotel," an Adams-penned tune that will appear on the upcoming, Adams-produced Willie Nelson album, toned things down a bit, but the room's mood was quickly elevated by the Bo Diddley influenced "Shakedown on 9th Street." From there, the band weaved long jams into the live staple and improv-heavy "What Sin."

The band then returned to earth, bashing out a series of country-rock tunes. As the first set neared its end, during guitar histrionics, Adams hit his head and bled quite profusely into a hand towel. He lived, and preceded to refer to himself as "an alt-country robot."

Set two began with a solo Adams returning to the stage to deliver a batch of his emotion-drenched, piano-driven songs. Later, resuming his wasted-bard act, Adams ad-libbed lyrics to "Sylvia Plath," referencing her lover Ted Hughes.

When The Cardinals re-emerged, they worked their way through cuts from the 2005 albums "Cold Roses" and "Jacksonville City Nights" before settling back into a long jam centered around the Grateful Dead's "Wharf Rat." Having toured extensively the past year with the Dead's Phil Lesh, Adams shows not only his mastery of the material, but his appreciation, adding his own flair to the oft-covered gem.

The show ended with the Cardinals again in a huddle, reprising their ode to San Diego and Hayek.

Anything is possible and nothing sacred at Ryan Adams' performances. This is a blessing and a curse for his audience, who may witness a flash of inspired brilliance--as it did Saturday--or might have to watch as the show goes down in flames. Adams could care less, as long as the moment is immediate and real.

Set 1:
San Diego
Please Do Not Let Me Go
A Kiss Before I Go
Blue Hotel
Shakedown on 9th Street
What Sin
The End
Rescue Blues
To Be Young
Dear Chicago

Set II:
Elizabeth
Don't Get Sentimental On Me
Everything Dies
Nightbirds
Sylvia Plath
Trains
Peaceful Valley
Cold Roses
Magnolia Mountain
Beautiful Sorta
Games
Two Hearts
Easy Plateau
Jam
Wharf Rat
San Diego Reprise