Ryley Walker at the Empty Bottle in Chicago on March 5, 2022

After uploading my recording of openers Bitchin Bajas, the headlining act that evening is up next.

Ryley Walker is one of our best songwriters and performers in the US at the moment. Aside from the strength of his compositions, he makes an effort to improvise at each show so that each is unique. Add to the mix a rotating selection of all-star jazz musicians from the Chicago scene and it is an irresistible combination.

For many shows I upload here, I eliminate the stage banter, since I believe most of the time that what the performers say to the audience is more a reflection of what was happening in the moment and doesn't sound "right" to me to present it after the fact. Ryley is the exception. His between-song banter is better than most of what I have seen in comedy clubs.

I feel a strong need to mention Ryley's amazing band for this show -- the always-amazing Bill MacKay on guitar, wonderful bassist Andrew Scott Young, and versatile drummer Quin Kirchner.

Purchase Ryley's latest album here.

Recording details:

RYLEY WALKER
2022-03-05

Chicago, IL at the Empty Bottle

Ryley Walker: guitar, vocals
Bill MacKay: guitar
Andrew Scott Young: bass
Quin Kirchner: drums

Set list:
01 Banter - They Make Sausage Out of Opening Bands (0:56)
02 Striking Down Your Big Premiere (5:09)
03 Banter - Chili’s Was a Dark Zone (0:52)
04 The Halfwit In Me (15:10)
05 Banter - That Last Song Was a Ripoff of Jim O’Rourke (0:31)
06 Axis Bent (4:55)
07 Banter - I Was All Nervous (1:58)
08 Shiva With Dustpan (6:28)
09 Telluride Speed (7:59)
10 Opposite Middle (3:33)
11 Banter - Mom’s in Merch Mode (2:42)
12 The Roundabout (11:54)

Total time = 62:07

Source 1: mono SBD feed (shared with Quin Kirchner via XLR splitter cable)
Source 2: Stereo pair Beyerdynamic MC930 on 10 foot mic stand in NOS configuration, in front of mixing board.
Recorder: Sound Devices MixPre 6 at 24/96
Software: Audacity, Fission, xAct

downloads:

16bit, 44.kHz FLAC files (362 MB)

these lossless files can be burned to CDR, if you are into that

320 kbps mp3 files (144 MB)

highest quality lossy mp3 files possible