Barb Ryman's fifth CD, Earthbound, (2007) was co-produced with percussionist, Marc Anderson, and features 14 original and diverse songs from unique contemporary ballads to traditional, country gospel & bluegrass. In addition to Ryman’s vocals and guitar, the CD features Peter Ostroushko’s mandolin and fiddle, Adam Granger’s flat picking,

Barb Ryman's fifth CD, Earthbound, (2007) was co-produced with percussionist, Marc Anderson, and features 14 original and diverse songs from unique contemporary ballads to traditional, country gospel & bluegrass. In addition to Ryman’s vocals and guitar, the CD features Peter Ostroushko’s mandolin and fiddle, Adam Granger’s flat picking, Prudence Johnson’s vocal harmonies, Dirk Freymuth’s electric guitar, Enrique Toussaint’s bass and Anderson’s percussions. A lyricist of exceptional depth and perception, Ryman’s new songs traverse the Earth, the heart, mysteries of God, politics, women, love, disillusionment, joy, and the whimsical. Included on this release is the title track “Earthbound”, a lively celebration of the creative process, “90 Years 28 Moves”, the melancholic tale of an old woman who can’t settle down, “This Empire Is Falling”, a challenge to the power elite and a call for change, “Song For the Mother’s Gospel,” an archetypal questioning of the fate of God the Mother in the face of praises for God the Father, and, in keeping with her gift for topical humor, “Spam Me”, an adaptation of Roger Miller’s “Dang Me” bemoaning the woes of email spam.

"The Minneapolis Star Tribune had it right. Barb Ryman wears her heart on her sleeve. All the better to touch yours. Try not to be moved by the poignancy of "So Hard to Let You Go" in the face of Ryman's multi-leveled, plaintive repeat of, "I can't move it all". It's a tale of loss made more tender through simple details ("stored in boxes in the

"The Minneapolis Star Tribune had it right. Barb Ryman wears her heart on her sleeve. All the better to touch yours. Try not to be moved by the poignancy of "So Hard to Let You Go" in the face of Ryman's multi-leveled, plaintive repeat of, "I can't move it all". It's a tale of loss made more tender through simple details ("stored in boxes in the room behind the den", "we had plans to paint this room") ana simple arrangement that colors Ryman's Cotton picking with splashes of steel drum, whispered harmonies, and concertina (I think). Another highlight, "Ballad of a Drowning Woman", tells the harrowing tale of a desperate single mother on a journey to the New World. Ryman effectively creates a piece that could be a traditional ballad with authentic-sounding lyrics ("I begged that a maid or a servant I'd be/to earn passage for my family") and more clean finger picking, this time in d minor, the saddest key of all. Everyone's journeying somewhere on "Falling Down to Heaven". Grandpa prepares to "Fly Like an Eagle" to heaven. The protagonist of "Born in a Snowstorm" wrestles with her faith in Jesus as she moves north. The CD finds Ryman uncharacteristically serious throughout, on her own spiritual quest for rebirth voiced in songs like "Paradise" and the countryish anthem "Rise Again". Along for the trip is some high-powered help in the form of luminaries like Irish-American accordion virtuoso John Williams, Steve Tibbetts, and Peter Ostroushko (soloing exquisitely in "Rise Again"). And what an emotional, sweetly acoustic trip it is." David Kleiner, Minor 7th.com

"Ryman's songs of faith display wonder, awe and acceptance." Sing Out! "For her third album Ryman has come up with an interesting bunch of songs about the myths of our times....a simple song about wife-battering called 'The Pain' which features an ancient Swedish vocal technique called Kulning. 'Mother Mary Margaret Iris' questions the vows of

"Ryman's songs of faith display wonder, awe and acceptance." Sing Out! "For her third album Ryman has come up with an interesting bunch of songs about the myths of our times....a simple song about wife-battering called 'The Pain' which features an ancient Swedish vocal technique called Kulning. 'Mother Mary Margaret Iris' questions the vows of chastity imposed on Catholic priests and nuns. 'Temple of the Moon' and 'God Came & He Sat On My Bed' also offer unusual perspectives on religion. 'Queen of the Couch' is a folk-blues song about her 'schmoozing snoozing pooch.' The title track is a metaphor for the attainment of environmental and spiritual well-being. 'Rapture of the Socks' is a phantasmagoria about the perennial mystery of the socks that disappear in every laundry. Some of the dozen or so musicians helping out include of few of the best in the Minneapolis region such as Peter Ostroushko and Dan Newton." Dirty Linen

"Ryman took a 20-year break from songwriting and consequently didn't make her stage debut until she was 40. But in the past few years, this coffeehouse folkie has been making up for lost time. This sophomore CD is a well-crafted collection of unexpected songs about diverting topics: university and hospital bureaucracy, playing to tiny crowds and a

"Ryman took a 20-year break from songwriting and consequently didn't make her stage debut until she was 40. But in the past few years, this coffeehouse folkie has been making up for lost time. This sophomore CD is a well-crafted collection of unexpected songs about diverting topics: university and hospital bureaucracy, playing to tiny crowds and a crazy street person named Maggie. Ryman has a clear and winsome voice, a ready sense of humor, a short-story writer's flair for detail and an excellent cast of local supporting musicians." Tom Surowic Minneapolis Star Tribune "Barb Ryman's talent unfolds on 'Lay Me Open' ... you can't help being amazed at the power of her presence and the sound of her voice. You can't help but listen." Jim Walsh - St. Paul Pioneer Press

Barb's first album "Barb Ryman characterizes herself as "singer songwriter, love junkie, and cultural critic." Judging by the Minneapolis resident's debut CD, Winds of Good Fortune, that description hits close to the mark. Ryman's 11 originals focus on matters of the heart, and the travails of trying to be fully present in America of the Nineties.

Barb's first album "Barb Ryman characterizes herself as "singer songwriter, love junkie, and cultural critic." Judging by the Minneapolis resident's debut CD, Winds of Good Fortune, that description hits close to the mark. Ryman's 11 originals focus on matters of the heart, and the travails of trying to be fully present in America of the Nineties. The title song is a stirring celebration of renewed optimism that showcases Ryman's powerful, slightly twangy soprano. A trio of funny but penetrating songs, Ode to Low Self Esteem, Deep Blue, and Recovering Process Junkie take affectionate aim at the self-help industry. On Winds of Good Fortune, Barb Ryman proves herself a strong vocalist, talented composer, and an astutely irreverent student of the human condition." Dirty Linen Magazine