Recap: Ryley Walker brings soulful-folk to the upstairs stage

Ryley Walker | Photo by Rachel Del Sordo | racheldelsordo.com

When NPR’s Bob Boilen introduced Ryley Walker to the PRX Stage of NonCOMM, he commented on the Chicago singer-songwriter’s “soulful fingertips.” And while his Takoma Records style of playing is certainly impressive, its his soulful singing, punctuated with whoops and high-pitched howls, that sets him apart from his peers.

Walker opened his night-one set with “Funny Thing She Said,” a song even newer than his just-released sophomore effort Primrose Green. After a stirring performance of “Summer Dress” he and fellow guitarist Brian Sulpizio paid homage to Van Morrison’s influence with a cover of Veedon Fleece‘s “Fair Play.” The title track / radio single of his new album closed out the set amid cheers from the clearly enthralled crowd. Check out photos and the set list below.

Setlist
Funny Thing She Said
Summer Dress
Fair Play (Van Morrison cover)
Primrose Green