RYLEY WALKER & DANNY THOMPSON
ANNOUNCE UK TOUR
Playing together for the very first time on a Music Net Tour in association with Root Music and
Band on the Wall, February 2016 will see two of contemporary folk’s finest artists, Ryley
Walker and Danny Thompson, take to the road for eleven UK shows and what is sure to be an
unmissable collaboration.
Ryley Walker has been compared to many of folk's greats yet has a musical style all his own. Still
only in his mid-20s, he’s well on his way to becoming a major artist as the rave reviews for his
recent album, Primrose Green, attest. For this very special tour, Ryley will be joined onstage by
legendary double-bassist Danny Thompson, one of the founding members of Pentangle, who has
performed with the likes of Richard Thompson, Tim Buckley, Nick Drake, John Martyn and many
more, helping to create the lyrical and jazz-flecked astral folk that so influenced Walker close to
half a century later. As well as performing works from his two acclaimed albums, the shows will
likely include some new Ryley Walker material. Expect a memorable night as these two
immensely talented artists come together to create something exceptional. Dates/info below:
Wednesday 17th February – BRISTOL – St George's
Thursday 18th February – OXFORD – The Bullingdon
Friday 19th February – BIRMINGHAM – The Rainbow
Sunday 21st February – BARTON-UPON-HUMBER – Ropery Hall
Tuesday 23rd February – STOCKTON-ON-TEES – The Arc
Wednesday 24th February – CLITHEROE – The Grand
Thursday 25th February – LIVERPOOL – Music Room, Liverpool Philharmonic
Friday 26th February – LEEDS – Brudenell Social Club
Sunday 28th February – MANCHESTER – Band On The Wall
Music Net Tours: Part of the Arts Council’s Strategic Touring programme, and presented
by Root Music and Band on the Wall, Music Net Tours allow audiences in areas of low arts
engagement to enjoy specially commissioned projects, performances and collaborations by
internationally-acclaimed musicians they would never usually get to see. Additionally, Music
Net works with smaller venues to develop as organisations in all aspects of their operation such
as programming, marketing and administration.
Critical acclaim for Primrose Green, out now on Dead Oceans:
“An instant out-of-time classic… While Walker has absorbed the free-roaming influences of Van
Morrison and Tim Buckley, this is clearly someone reaching for their essence, on a mission to
follow a philosophy rather than to slavishly recreate a mood. There's a sense that this record
represents a snapshot of a restless artist in flux, an evolving creativity.”
Uncut – 9/10 (Album Of The Month)
“Walker has arrived at the same questing folk-jazz territory explored by Tim Buckley and John
Martyn… Utterly delightful and as fresh as tomorrow.”
The Independent – 5 Stars *****
“Just when you think the psychedelic folk of Bert Jansch and Davy Graham has been picked over
so much that its influence is exhausted, along comes someone with such a virtuosic feel for it
that the genre is revived all over again… Ryley is firmly in the lineage of romantic outsider folk
guitarists.”
MOJO – 4 Stars ****
“Combining jazzy looseness, rustic picking and an undertow of drugular mind expansion, this is
one head cocktail that leaves no pain after it hits.”
Q – 4 Stars ****
“Walker has an uncanny feel for the triangulation of folk, jazz and blues that came from the fleet
fingers of Bert Jansch and John Fahey back in the '60s. Both the playing and production have the
lithe, loose feel of a lost album by Pentangle.”
NME – 8/10
“His album offers mesmerising, fluid guitar throughout with variety coming through fingerpicked delight 'On The Banks of The Old Kishwaukee'… Essential listening.”
The Sun – 4.5/5
“Lovers of Bert Jansch and John Martyn will listen to the jazzy chord changes and tales of
misadventures on Primrose Green and wonder whether this is really a new release or are they
experiencing an unussually mellow acid flashback. The record is bound together by an
appealingly laconic mood.”
The Times – 4 Stars ****
“An immersive collection that recalls Van Morrison's materpiece Astral Weeks in its sundappled, lysergic embrace. One to watch and no mistake.”
Guitarist – 5 Stars *****
“For his dazzling second album, Walker flaunts his influences with assurance, while his virtuoso
diligence also upholds their spirit of committed exploration.”
The Independent on Sunday – 4 Stars ****
“A beautiful record… Sometimes a new artist comes along that makes you pause for breath.
Ryley Walker is one of those artists.”
Shinding – 4 Stars ****
A mystical record… Expansive and moving.
DIY – 4 Stars ****
“Out of Chicago comes a wonderful new guitar player with a pastoral vibe and hit of well-worn
English folk.”
Monocle
“Excellent songwriting channeling John Martyn… A wonderful album.”
Acoustic
“Highlights abound on a consistently excellent set blessed with a plethora of satisfying
melodies. 'Summer Dress' recalls Tim Buckley at his most breezy and jazz-inflected, the sultry
The High Road echoes Nick Drake's virtuoso guitar lines and delicate vocals, while Hide In The
Roses pays tribute to Bert Jansch's brooding spare folk.”
Record Collector