"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."