Welcome to the mandomaniacal, trans-genre world of
Jimmy Ryan.
"Jimmy Ryan is one of those names woven into the fabric of Americana music. He's not atop the marquee, mind you, a la Lucinda Williams or Buddy Miller, but his contributions are considerable. He's perhaps best-known as one of the principals in alt-country precursors the Blood Oranges, but his cheat sheet also includes the more bluegrass-based Beacon Hill Billies, the rural-rocking Wooden Leg, and [...] an extended stint with Boston folkie Catie Curtis. Ryan may well be residing in your record collection in less obvious places, too -- his oft-unconventional mandolin playing has colored songs by such varied artists as Morphine, Warren Zevon, Dumptruck, Boiled In Lead, Gerald Collier and Mary Gauthier."
--No Depression Magazine
Original Blood Oranges lineup (1987): Andy Churchill (guitar), Ron Ward (drums), Lys Wood (bass), Jimmy Ryan (Time 5-string mandolin)
Chris Gleason (vocals, guitar, tenor banjo), Jimmy Ryan (vocals, mandolin), Joe Klompus (upright bass)
Lucy Martinez (vocals, guitar), Chris Gleason (vocals, guitar, banjo), Jimmy Ryan (vocals, mandolin), Jeff Allison (drums), Jim Haggerty (bass)