Mary Lydia Ryan
Little Red Boat
Album review by Dyan Garris, NewAgeCD.com
Mary Lydia Ryan is a composer, pianist, vocalist, artist, intuitive visionary, lightworker, and sound healer. But I don’t think we should even try to label her. Any “label” might be way too narrow. From the first notes of her album, “Little Red Boat,” we can feel that this music emanates wholly from her heart, soul, and very essence. Too, she lives on a floating home in the Seattle area, so one can imagine that from this position she has a completely different and interesting vantage point of life.
“Little Red Boat” is a truly elegant solo piano standout. Velvety smooth, it’s like soft rose petals. The album is twelve tracks and forty-three minutes of gentle, flowing, solo piano music that encourages us to sit back and relax deeply to our very core. It’s soothing balm for the soul.
The album artwork for “Little Red Boat,” is adapted from a painting that was given to her in 2015, by Steve Jensen, a Seattle artist. She set it on her music stand and she could immediately feel the music flowing to her and from her. Personally, I find the little red boat to be reminiscent of a tea cup, a vessel, waiting to be filled with the joy of life.
Even though Mary Lydia had eight years of classical training, one of her innate musical skills is, and has always been, feeling the music rather than analyzing, and then interpreting what she feels. Her masterful, graceful cadence, evident throughout the album, “Little Red Boat,” is truly a gift.
“Little Red Boat,” is her second solo piano album. Currently, it’s nominated for “Whisperings Solo Piano Album of the Year 2018.” It’s also on the list of the “Top 3 Best Piano Albums of 2018” at New Age CD.com.
The album opens with the title track, “Little Red Boat.” This is the lovely little red boat on the album cover. Here we are launched gently from the shore into the voyage, with a charming, eloquent melody. Following is “Woman In The Moon,” which was inspired by the moon in the upper corner of the painting. We can feel the feminine energy of the moon drawing us in willingly and deeper into the mysteries of life’s journey.
“Floating On A Gentle Breeze” is soft, gentle, and comforting, just as the title implies. Quite soothing. “The Joy of Ten Knots” (which translates to about eleven and a half miles per hour), is fun, flowing, and here we can almost see and feel the experience of navigating slowly on the waters of life, leisurely passing by other boats and people. Quite likeable.
The tranquil, relaxing, “In Wonder” has a lullaby-like quality that evokes feelings of gazing up at a starry night sky and being filled with awe at the magnificent beauty of the universe. “Sailing This Sea Alone,” is calming, gentle, and contemplative. There is something here that reminds us that we are never really “alone,” even if we feel that we are so in the vast sea of life. This is a definite favorite.
I found myself listening to “How Did I End Up Here,” several times. This is one that perfectly showcases that masterful cadence we mentioned earlier. Harmonious and sweet, with no regret, this is simply reflection. It’s wonderful in every way.
The playful “Gentle Sunshine,” is one where we can feel the warm rays of the sun and the gentle breeze on our upturned faces. Smile and celebrate life. We are invited to fully embrace the dance of life in “Waltz Under The Sun (Kevin’s Song).” May we all glide gracefully through our journey, no matter what ups and downs we may encounter along the way.
Another favorite is “A Song About Sea Turtles.” If you’ve ever had the gift of observing these magnificent, ancient creatures, you will fully appreciate this song. It perfectly captures what should never be “captured” or taken for granted.
For anyone that’s ever had the pleasure of embarking on a gentle boat ride, you know there is something magical about the way the sun sparkles on the water like glittery diamonds. “Sparkle On The Water,” track 11, perfectly conveys this scintillating vista. And although we don’t want it to end, the album closes out with the ultra-relaxing and very beautiful “Ocean Of My Soul,” which brings us to a sublime, harmonious conclusion.
“Little Red Boat” is one of the best piano albums of the year; one that is guaranteed to relax and soothe your soul wherever you are on the journey.
Get it here: http://IAmMaryLydiaRyan.com
