Ryan Adams Offers Surprise Valentine Ditty - "Baby I Love You"

© Alice Baxley

"Sad" replaces a jangly 12-string- guitar (?) "Happy" on a surprise Valentine's ditty by singer/songwriter Ryan Adams released today. He also announced his first concert (6/14) of the year at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado. 

It's always a good day when you find music in your inbox, but today's release of "Baby I Love You" by Ryan Adams came as a cool surprise. Battling the aftermath of his divorce to actress Mandy Moore, his last album "Prisoner," released a year ago, had some somber tones to it. His twitter fights and rants on stage mostly going towards Father John Misty and The Strokes didn't help much to improve the grouchy image.

"Baby I Love You" carries that warm California-feel, not unlike the Byrds, from the late 60s, early 70s, without sounding dated to it.

****/***** (4/5)


And no, it's not the famous Ronettes' #24 hit from 1963/64 written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector, who also produced. As a little tidbit on the side, while lead singer Ronnie Bennett recorded the song in California, her cousin Elaine took her place together with Estelle Bennett and Nedra Talley for some tour gigs. The extra background vocals on the recording were provided by Darlene Love and Cher, with Leon Russell on piano.