Album Review
The art of solo guitar has provided many with tremendous pleasure. While Rom Ryan is adept within many styles, his mix of pure gentleness and dazzling intricacy on the classically-inspired compositions runs through the core of this album. In the opener, "Cielo Vago," we hear a Southwestern piece, with swaying cactus gliding across the wind-blown prairies as the picking slowly picks up. With "Eyes of the Blue Dog," Ryan draws you in with his promenade of flowing lines, while the third track, "Baghdad Radio," lives up to its title with its Middle Eastern march into the fired-up passion and interplay of his high-stepping, multilayered delivery. Bear in mind, however, that Mysteria is solo guitar, without any overdubs. Sparks fly in the foreground like a whisper in the darkness, while caressing fingers of fluid music converge from all sides. Expressions of discovery and wonder highlight "Island of the Falling Star" and "Cloud Surfer," while Ryan turns inward in the second half, as tempos slow, allowing the listener to emerge with deep satisfaction from the enchanting, wistful approach of Rom Ryan's Mysteria. ~ Backroads Music/Heartbeats, All Music Guide
