How did I hear of Aynsley?

Well it was through being a huge Walter Trout fan. Probably back in 1998.

It was at the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth. A chap who owned Reflex Records said that the support was great and make sure to watch.

He was not wrong. I was - as they say - blown away! I was so impressed. I cannot recall be so gripped by a support act since I don’t know when.

From recollection he came on later to play with Walter T towards the end of WT’s set, doing a Hendrix cover - I think! Voodoo Chile?

The whole place was entranced and he was brought back at short notice to do a gig on his own at the same venue and I bought “Messin With the Kid” and “Pay Attention” CDs there and then.

I remember that there were all these real blues merchants positively drooling including well know local character who used to roadie for some really big British rock/blues bands.

Over the next few years I saw Aynsley supporting WT again an then many times on his own, including a very special acoustic gig at the “Frog on the Front” just prior to a Xmas.
I loved “Aysnsley Lister” and “Everything I need” CDs and got him to sign the latter at the “Frog” gig.

I even persuaded my old boss to come to see him at the Wedgewood rooms and he (having jammed with Carlos Santana several times in the dim and distant past - or so he says!) reckoned that AL was one of the best guitarists he had ever seen. Both he and I got on the old mailing lists

I still go to see Aynsley when I can, and buy everything that he does, but the magic of those early gigs has never been surpassed.  Truly astonishing.

IndyScott - 30 July 2008 05:36 PM

I first heard Aynsley surfing through itunes and was just blown away. It didn’t hurt also that the reviews were glowing of his talent. I like the new song on his myspace but any word on a new album?

When I saw him play, he said he was recording this summer, so hopefully now

I loved reading your story, Steve, thanks for sharing. That would be around the time my husband and I started actively looking for bands to go see again after years of being home with babies, it breaks my heart to know I missed out on something so fantastic in its very infancy, it’s nice to hear your recollections.

Yes Steve - an interesting story - isn’t it great when you find a new band that you really like - I was the same with Aynsley a couple of years back and bought all his albums and dragged mates along to gigs etc - I have mentioned before about the Jay Tamkin Band - I first saw them supporting Popa Chubby a couple of months back and again last saturday supporting Danny Bryants Red Eye Band - Jay Tamkin is only 19 and a superb guitarist and do well - one to keep an eye on for sure - look out for some new vids on youtube to be loaded by their tour manager, Caz - she was recording during the gig - I recorded some on my camera but the sound came out too fuzzy, so not worth posting....

and by the way Steve, I presume you have heard Danny Bryant?? - hugely influenced by Walter Trout

Well,in Germany it was not easy,because Aynsley is not that famous here
(I hope my English is not too bad,so you may understand what I write..)

I’ve ordered his album “Everything I need” on amazon.de because it was similar to the music i’ve usually been looking at on this homepage.

I’m so glad,he comes to Germany for gigs sometimes..I always go there if it’s not too far away,I saw him on the Blues Caravan Tour too.

Greetings..
Kate

Nice to meet you Kate.  Which Blues Caravan show did you see in Germany?  I went to Berlin and it was a great night, despite standing almost an hour in the queue in minus 17 degree cold!!

nice to meet you too

It was quite a long time ago,in Hamburg because it’s not too far away from my hometown.
it was in Downtown Bluesclub,not very big there,so I’m always able to stand directly in front of the stage…

Greetings.

Kate - 29 August 2008 06:11 PM

nice to meet you too :-)

It was quite a long time ago,in Hamburg because it’s not too far away from my hometown.
it was in Downtown Bluesclub,not very big there,so I’m always able to stand directly in front of the stage…

Greetings.

Hello Kate

Its always nice to see a great player up close isn’t it?

I see Aynsley has a couple of German dates in November in Freudenburg and Augsburg. Will you be going to either of them? (sorry I’m not sure if these places are near Hamburg or not!)

Hey,no,not really..depends what day it is,then I may think about spending one or two nights in this city

I’m a little disappointed that this great band won’t come to Hamburg this year,but maybe they’ll get there next year ..I hope so!

stevezodiac - 05 August 2008 10:26 PM

How did I hear of Aynsley?

Well it was through being a huge Walter Trout fan. Probably back in 1998.

It was at the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth. A chap who owned Reflex Records said that the support was great and make sure to watch.

He was not wrong. I was - as they say - blown away! I was so impressed. I cannot recall be so gripped by a support act since I don’t know when.

From recollection he came on later to play with Walter T towards the end of WT’s set, doing a Hendrix cover - I think! Voodoo Chile?

The whole place was entranced and he was brought back at short notice to do a gig on his own at the same venue and I bought “Messin With the Kid” and “Pay Attention” CDs there and then.

Ditto, Steve. I saw Aynsley on that 1998 tour with Walter, but at the Astoria on Tottenham Court Road in London. Canned Heat were also on the line-up - more on them below.

I got chatting to someone else where I was standing (immediate front of stage, of course) who had previously seen Aynsley and he told me that he was something special. He wasn’t wrong and like you, I too was “blown away”. As it was a three band line-up and Aynsley was on first, he didn’t get nearly long enough on stage – or maybe he was just so good the time flew by.  There are only a few guitarists that I could say with any honesty that their playing is so natural they look as if they were born with a guitar in their hands, but Aynsley is definitely on that list. I’ve seen a lot of big names, too.

I can’t remember anything Aynsley played, probably because I was so mesmerised, but I was hooked from that moment. I promptly bought “Messin’ with the Kid”, “Pay Attention” and “Aynsley Lister” and wrote to tell Aynsley how good I thought he and the band were. It was nice to receive a thank you back. 

After Aynsley’s set, I was disappointed with Canned Heat and Harvey Mandel’s guitar playing in particular was so forced it was almost uncomfortable to watch and listen to.

As for Walter, there’s no need to say anything – he always gives good value. I just wish Aynsley had joined Walter that night; it would have made the gig perfect.

Phil

I saw him with my boyfriend a couple of years ago when he toured with Ian Parker. Later got rid of the guy, but kept the Aynsley CDs!!

I first came across Aynsley just after Everything I Need came out. I was at a CD Market Stall in Ipswich town centre browsing & the ablum was playing. Having heard a few tracks I bought it there and then and the rest is history.  My(now) 18-year old son is also a huge fan.

We had to wait about 4 years before we were in the right place at the right time to see Aynsley, but finally managed it & this year have seen him at the wonderful High Barn, the intimate gig at the Riga, Southend and others.

Looking forward to the gig in Ipswich on Saturday

Hey N J’s Dog, nice to meet you.  Enjoy Ipswich and let us all know who’s on bass!!

Hey Britbabe

I sure will let you all know - I am as intrigued as anyone as to what is happening. So sad that Jo is going - she is so lovely, but fascinated to see what direction this now takes AL in.