Gig Review
Aynsley Lister
Saturday, 20 September 2008:
On his second visit to Bluesnights, Aynsley once again pulled a very large crowd!
Tonight we heard a very rich mixture of old and new titles played with a confidence and ease that went down well with the audience.
Muddy Waters' 'Can't Be Satisfied' had good picking and a nice solo. A change of style next with Jimmy Witherspoon's 'Tough At The Top'; this had a great jazzy feel. Sheryl Crow's 'Strong Enough' took us into a different territory again, being a gentle melodic love song, and very good indeed!
Still more surprises with Bill Withers' 'Ain't No Sunshine', a really lovely song; it was a very pleasant and emotive rendition. 'Aeroplane Blues' featured Aynsley's excellent slide playing and he finished the set with a superb boogie workout of J. L. Hooker's 'Mad Man Blues'.
Note: Click thumbnail to view full artist image.
Photo credit: Paul Martin.
... continued
The second set also featured a good balance between up tempo numbers and more sedate tunes.
Van Morrison's 'Moon Dance' was well executed, and mellow and easy on the ear. Rory Gallagher's 'Empire State Express' was simple with effective phrasing.
Aynsley played a couple of his own compositions; the first "Rainin'" was quite haunting with its echoing reverb. The second 'Lawn Mower Blues' ( recorded in Clarkdale, Miss.) had an excellent syncopated rhythm that just flowed up and down – very good!
Just a word to guitarists who want to play Robert Johnson songs; towards the end Aynsley played 'If I Had Possession Over Judgement Day'. But the only thing that I could recognise was the lyrics! In music, especially the blues, it's inevitable that things will evolve and change. However, RJ's original recordings are so powerful and intense that (in my opinion) it seems sacrilegious to mess about with them!
Aynsley came back for an encore with Jimi Hendrix's 'Little Wing'; gentle and poignant and a fitting end to what was a very good and most enjoyable concert.
Review by: Lewis A Harris.
© Bluesnights. The Dorset Blues Society.
20 September 2008.
