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Story and photos by Kate Seesholtz Playing the first of two sold out shows at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, Jack White immediately had the crowd on its feet. Opening the show with The White Stripes' "Dead Leaves and The Dirty Ground," the song set the pace for the night- loud, high-energy rock.White played songs from all of his collaborations, as well as solo hits. Fans of The Dead Weather were treated to "I Cut Like a Buffalo," while The Raconteurs "Top Yourself" and "Steady, as She Goes" were also crowd favorites. Songs off Jack White's new album, Blunderbuss, and hits from his White Stripes days dominated most of the set. Noticeably absent was radio hit "Love Interruption." Solo songs "Sixteen Saltines" and "Trash Tongue Talker" were well received by the audience, who also went crazy for The White Stripes' "My Doorbell" and "We Are Going Be Friends." The evening was split into two sets, both lasting nearly an hour. Jack White never lost energy and rarely stopped to speak with the audience, other than to introduce a new song or his five-piece band. Playing at the Ryman, he focused some of his set on covers of country and blues classics, adding his own twist to Hank Williams "You Know That I Know" and Howlin' Wolf's "300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy." He remarked that the meaning of playing at this famous hall was not lost on him and his band. White closed down the first evening with the folk standard "Goodnight, Irene." Leading the audience in a "only in Nashville" moment of unity. |