With Ryan being best known for his role in successful Scots/Irish/Hungarian band Dallahan, it was no surprise that support came from a couple of his bandmates playing solo sets. Andrew Waite's accordion opened the evening with a selection of his own tunes, each one lovingly introduced, and Jack Badcock followed with some of his own songs, delivered in his usual beautifully lilting baritone.
A further Dallahaner, Bev Morris on double bass, took to the stage as part of Ryan's own band, along with guitarist and keyboard player, fronted by the man himself on banjo and a bit of fiddle. In Dallahan Ryan is usually the quiet man of the line up, so there were some signs of nerves in his initial introductions. But as the evening moved along, the crowd got rowdier and the tunes faster he grew in confidence. They played tunes from his newly released album (which I can confirm is excellent) and although there are a few slower numbers the majority showcase the banjo man's rapid fingering and sure command of folk and bluegrass. There's a strong rockabilly undercurrent to much of the work and that had the crowd dancing and cheering with gusto (even including this old man by the end!). Strongly recommended.
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