The Healing Guitar
Salvatori, 2022
8/10
The exceptional guitarist and composer Jimmy Ryan brings along Dan Van Schindel for these 5 tracks that the producer Tom Salvatori culled from pieces that Ryan performs sans vocals.
“Walden” opens the listen with a very dreamy tone, where the cautious guitar and restrained drumming emit a nearly meditative tone in their hazy exploration, and “Twilight” follows with a very pretty melody guiding the reflective nature.
Halfway through, “Alphaville” offers a very intimate landscape, where the more pronounced drumming is quite absorbing alongside the stirring guitar, while “Equinox” moves a bit more firm, where waves of beauty flow with a poetic demeanor.
“The Healing Guitar In Nature Suite” exits the listen, and it’s a 28+ minute track the embraces the sounds of birds into the comprehensive finish that incorporates bits of the previous 4 tracks, and brings the recently located selection “Continuum” along for the ambient texturing.
A very aptly titled body of work, Ryan’s relaxing delivery was inspired by his recent health struggles, and it makes for a very refreshing journey for the body, mind and soul.
Travels well with: Jimmy Ryan- Astral Cafe; Steinar Karlsen- Destination Venus