![]() The trio eased into things with a couple of snappy little five-minute numbers, “The Great & Undecided” and “The Roundabout.” Boye’s repeating organ motif on the latter was reminiscent of Mike Ratledge’s work on early Soft Machine records, contrasting nicely with Walker’s idyllic acoustic guitar. When I first spotted Boye’s harmonium I immediately dreamt of an evening of Nico covers, but instead the small coterie of music lovers huddled at the back of the Low Beat was treated to four unreleased Walker originals over the course of 45 minutes. If this night was any indication, Walker is more interested in exploring sonic terra incognita than resting on his considerable laurels. So of course they came out and played nary a track from either record. Both Boye and Sulpizio appear on Walker’s much-lauded LPs, 2014’s All Kinds of You (Tompkins Square) and the recent Primrose Green (Dead Oceans). The current tour features Walker’s fingerpicking acoustic guitar, Brian Sulpizio providing filigree with understated electric guitar and Ben Boye alternating between harmonium and organ. Heady company indeed, and the scope and ambition of Walker’s compositions ultimately justify the comparisons, even as his reach sometimes exceeds his grasp. Some critics go west and cite Tim Buckley and the Grateful Dead as major influences, while others jump the pond and refer to Van Morrison, Pentangle, John Martyn and Nick Drake. 25-year-old Ryley Walker arrived at the Low Beat last Monday night with a passel of press clippings that would be the envy of many more established performers. ![]()
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