Jimmy Ryan: Buy
Gospel Shirt
Performing Songwriter Jan/Feb 06
TOP 12 DIY PICKS
Jimmy Ryan sings like he means it. "You burned every bridge from here to hell,” he intones with a raw energy that burns out of the speakers. Bluesy electric guitar lines scream over piano, bass and driving drums in “Breaks My Heart.” Other tracks are more laid-back but no less passionate. Intricate mandolin lines decorate “Turn Around” as Ryan invites listeners to “get lost before we’re found.” The title track combines bluegrass with Allman Brothers’ southern rock as Ryan embodies a brimstone preacher, warning us that “You never know when darkness is gonna strike, even the brightest summer day could suddenly turn night.” A veteran performer, Ryan fronted alt-country band the Blood Oranges, Beacon Hill Billies and Wooden Leg before striking out on his own. Gospel Shirt is Ryan’s second solo release and proves that he is indeed a force to be reckoned with.
Jimmy Ryan sings like he means it. "You burned every bridge from here to hell,” he intones with a raw energy that burns out of the speakers. Bluesy electric guitar lines scream over piano, bass and driving drums in “Breaks My Heart.” Other tracks are more laid-back but no less passionate. Intricate mandolin lines decorate “Turn Around” as Ryan invites listeners to “get lost before we’re found.” The title track combines bluegrass with Allman Brothers’ southern rock as Ryan embodies a brimstone preacher, warning us that “You never know when darkness is gonna strike, even the brightest summer day could suddenly turn night.” A veteran performer, Ryan fronted alt-country band the Blood Oranges, Beacon Hill Billies and Wooden Leg before striking out on his own. Gospel Shirt is Ryan’s second solo release and proves that he is indeed a force to be reckoned with.
Lost Diamond Angel
Ex-Blood Oranges stalwart and first-call Boston-area session mandolinist, Jimmy Ryan steps into the spotlight with this penetrating solo outing. Backed by an all-star band, he gracefully weaves alt-country, bluegrass, blues, Appalachian folk and rock into a memorable album.
~ Boston Herald
Recorded with Morphine's Billy Conway (drums) and Dana Colley (saxophones), it's a biting blast of electric and acoustic mandolin wind that mixes rock, blues, country and old-timey music into a swirl of noise and passion -- and easily his best work in years
~ Miles of Music
~ Boston Herald
Recorded with Morphine's Billy Conway (drums) and Dana Colley (saxophones), it's a biting blast of electric and acoustic mandolin wind that mixes rock, blues, country and old-timey music into a swirl of noise and passion -- and easily his best work in years
~ Miles of Music
Private Mandolin Lessons
If you're looking for an alternative to the guitar, how about checking out the mandolin? Whether you're a bluegrass fan or just looking to break up the status quo of your rock band, join mandolin master Jimmy Ryan as he teaches you some Mando Basics. In this beginner class, Jimmy will teach you how to tune, strum and play some simple tunes - all by ear! Jimmy has been playing mandolin for over 30 years. In addition to fronting The Blood Oranges, Wooden Leg and his own solo outing Jimmy Ryan & Hayride, Jimmy's mando can be heard on albums by: Catie Curtis, Morphine, Melissa Ferrick, Mary Gauthier, Laura Cantrell and Warren Zevon to name a few.