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Four previous solo albums have established that this British bandleader is precocious, good looking and in possession of both pipes and chops. But he’s never sounded like this.
Clearly Lister has thumbed the set texts (Clapton, Mayall, the various Kings), but he’s pulling them in a thoroughly modern direction that means ‘Big Sleep’ sounds like a speedball of Blind Lemon Jefferson and Rage Against The Machine, ‘Running Out On Me’ has the youthful groove of John Mayer, and a potentially disastrous cover of Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’ comes off like a great lost Robert Johnson curio.
Lister is going places and this album is his ticket.
- Classic Rock
Balancing accessible pop and soulful blues….
The recent release from Simon McBride illustrated that the so called grass roots of British Blues is not only alive and well, but in accomplished hands: there’s no better time for Aynsley Lister to have produced the best album of his career.
The likes of ‘Soul’ and ‘Running On Empty’ wouldn’t be out of place on radio, while the Blues Police will have their palates cleansed by the more traditional ‘Big Sleep’ whose acoustic intro is soon dislodged by a huge riff. Listers vocals seem more controlled, while his playing – similarly restrained – is yet another bar at which the rest of us should aim. Oh, and if ‘Superficial’ doesn’t get you waving in the air, you’re reading the wrong magazine.
STANDOUT TRACKS: Soul, Running On Empty, Superficial
FOR FANS OF: Simon McBride, Joe Bonamassa, John Mayer
- Future Publishing
This is Aynsley Lister’s seventh album. The CD has a good mix of songs, which are well constructed and all stand on their own merits. The guitar work is superb throughout, and all topped off with tight support from the rest of the band. Aynsley shows good vocal range and intonation throughout. It’s more on the polished side but there’s grit when a song really calls for it. It is all self-penned with the exception of Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’ – a brave cover by Aynsley which he gives a fresh dust down without losing the pedigree of the original. The song has a feeling of simplicity, but the complex way guitar, vocal and percussion have been moulded together make it an impressive addition. The opening track ‘Soul’ is a catchy and powerful blues-rock ballad with hints of the New Jersey music scene. ‘Times Up’ is a funky blues rock number and see’s Aynsley put his guitar through technically impressive gymnastics. ‘What’s it all about’ is a slower number: the intro is dramatic as you move into a quality blues rock ballad. The vocals and vocal harmonies are impressive: while Aynsley’s guitar cries and wails in the background, reflecting perfectly the sentiment of the lyrics. The last two two tracks, ‘Sugar Low’ and ‘Hurricane’ are superb and this whole CD is outstanding. - Blues matters
Discography
2010 HATMAN2025 'Tower Sessions' CD
2009 HATMAN2024 'Equilibrium' CD
2007 RUF1124 'Upside Down' CD
2006 RUF3014 'Blues Caravan' DVD
2006 RUF1112 'Pilgrimage' CD
2004 RUF3005 'LIVE' DVD
2004 RUF1100 'LIVE' CD
2002 RUF1082 'All Or Nothing' CD
2001 RUF1074 'Supakev n Pilchards' CD
2000 RUF1055 'Everything I Need' CD
1999 RUF1031 'Aynsley Lister' CD
Photos
Bio
“Superb” – THE TIMES
Aynsley has never been an artist to reheat the music of yesteryear. Influenced from an early age by the 60’s RnB era, Lister takes these key elements and mixes them with a more current and melodic lyrical approach.
He is one of very few artists playing blues infused rock with a modern edge -tangible, heartfelt, soul searching and full of fine songwriting; played with passion and vitality. His hard hitting rhythms and guitar work are reminiscent of a young Clapton.
Lister began his career when he signed to Ruf Records in 1998. During his time on the label he worked with producers such as Jim Gaines (SRV, Santana) and Greg Haver (Manic Street Preachers) and recorded four studio albums, two live albums and two DVD’s. However, if these earlier albums were Lister making his mark as a well respected blues rock artist, it was when he signed to Manhaton Records in June 2008 that he showed he had more commercial appeal to a bigger audience.
Featuring John Mayer’s guitarist Robbie Macintosh, Equilibrium was released in March 2009 and received rave reviews everywhere. In addition to doing live sessions for Radio 2’s Bob Harris and Paul Jones, Aynsley was the only British artist to be featured in Classic Rocks review: TOP 10 CONTEMPORARY BLUES ROCK ARTISTS….......alongside The White Stripes, The Black Keys, John Mayer, Jon Spencer, Jonny Lang, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Joe Bonamassa, Derek Trucks and the North Mississippi Allstars. They also listed Equilibrium in the Top 50 albums released in 2009
His live work has seen him work with a whole host of big names. Earlier in his career it was blues legends such as Buddy Guy, John Mayall and Robert Cray, while more recently he played a sell out tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd when their UK tour visited such venues as Brixton Academy, Manchester Apollo and Birmingham’s NIA.
In June 2010, The Tower Sessions was released. Recorded live at the end of a 45 date European tour this album captures Lister and his band in best ever form. Headlining Glastonbury’s Bourbon Street stage and opening for ZZ Top a week later, this was the perfect platform to release what is a document indeed of Aynsley Lister in his best ever form.
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