Saturday, June 04, 2011

Classic John Ryan Album Released!...

Western Horizons Records announced today they are at last re-issuing The Hope Song, John Ryan with Orchestra, the legendary cult classic which has been the jewel of many a record collection, sometimes fetching thousands of dollars as it passes hands on Ebay.

The record, recorded live at the iconic Brass Guitar in the mid-1990's, features Ryan singing pop and jazz standards in his unique, faux-lounge style which, at first blush, might seem bland, but with attentive listening it blows away the hipper-than-thou cafe society crowd. Backed by the understated Rodney Greaves' Love in a Diner Men's Room Orchestra, Ryan croons, swings, teases his way through classics like Tom Jones' What's New,Pussycat, Andy Williams' Moon River, Captain & Tenille's Do That To Me One More Time and, of course, the incomparable Neil Diamond gem, I Am, I Said.  Fans of his later Johnny Gumbo material might be surprised at this offering, but Ryan is a man of many styles, moods, taste (not that there is anything WRONG with that).

Not for everyone; are you hip enough?

1 comment:

Name withheld by request said...

I saw him live at the Brass Guitar. Great place!- R.I.P.