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Barry Walker Unit
Barry Walker Jr. is a pedal steel guitarist whose technical prowess is rooted in traditional forms and whose compositions push into entirely new frontiers. Rooted in country and folk traditions, his playing explores minimalism, ambient and spiritual music. The Portland-based instrumentalist’s playing is in high demand: in addition to his six solo records recorded under various monikers and collaborative projects Mouth Painter and North Americans, Walker has appeared on dozens of records and performed live with fellow Portlander Marisa Anderson and the late Michael Hurley. His playing with Rose City Band is lauded for its drive and how deftly it intertwines with lead guitarist Ripley Johnson, alchemizing what is often described as “the magic.” His latest work, Paleo Sol, is a collaboration with drummer Rob Smith (Animal, Surrender!, Gray/Smith, Rhyton, Pigeons) and bassist Jason Willmon (Mouth Painter, Fruited Planes). The album’s pedal steel melodies and finger-picked guitar figures create aural ranges and basins, its sonic landscapes carved by percussion and the warm drive of the bass. Drummer Rob Smith says of the record: “This country music is not adherent to ambient, cosmic, or minimalist aesthetics, but it does ignore property lines and takes its cues from the earth and the sky nevertheless. Instead of kicking the stalls and chomping at the bit, we gently pick the lock and slip out into the starry night.”