Aynsley Lister - The Official Website

Classic Rock Magazine (UK)

Guitar Clinics, a monthly column in ‘Guitarist Magazine’, albums that wow their fans but get no radio play or media coverage, a lifetime of pub gigs… While Americans like John Mayer get US Top 10 albums, ‘Rolling Stone’ front covers and supermodel girlfriends, today’s British blues rock guitar heroes are destined to walk a less glamorous path. Most of them deserve it – Aynsley Lister is one of the few who could rise above it. He’s got the chops, the looks and the songs – his one drawback could be his name (It’s either cool or Coronation Street: either way you wouldn’t want it on a T-shirt).

‘Upside Down’ is bursting with killer riffs and songs that could easily reach a massive audience, given a Kevin Shirley production, some decent marketing and a lucky break. Will someone please throw some money at this dude? 7/10 Stars

Guitarist Magazine (UK)

Young bluesman turns singer songwriter and comes up with a gem

His fourth studio album, and the first to consist entirely of self penned songs, if there was any justice in the world this should put Aynsley right up in the premier league. From the opening fierce punchy riff of ‘Find My Way Home’ through to ‘Falling Down’, a song reminiscent of the now defunct Arc Angels – the pace rarely slackens: even his acoustic offering ‘Beautiful’ would give a certain Mr Blunt a run for his money. Aynsley’s guitar has never sounded better and while the radio friendly ‘Ice I’m Upon’ and the lurching shuffle of ‘With Me Tonight’ are all familiar ground, this is a great album

4/5 stars

Julian Piper

getreadytorock.com

‘Upside Down’ is Aynsley Lister’s first solo album since his successful ‘Pilgimage/Blues Caravan’ collaboration, and his first with his new band.. It is therefore pleasing to report that this is easily his best ever album.

We always knew Aynsley to be a top notch guitar slinger but he has brought a new found song-writing sensibility to bear on some classy melodic rock. Of course he’s had his moments before with such gems as ‘Angel ‘O’ Mine’, but this album takes him up to a new level.

Unsurprisingly, Aynsley has shifted the focus slightly away from rocking blues to a more AOR approach of yore but at the same time he displays a new maturity in his song writing. Thus while the straight to the vein rocker ‘Find My Way Home’, along with the slide led, powerhouse feel of ‘In the Morning’ and the pounding rhythmic pattern of the title track confirm the qualities we already new about, there’s a new confident undercurrent that branches out in new directions.

Rock Blues fans will undoubtedly lap up the brace of outstanding, guitar led shuffles, most notably ‘With Me Tonight’ – which employs a David Grissom style Texas feel – and the monster undertow that drives ‘Disorderly Me’, but there’s some real light and shade here and a good use of dynamics.thoroughout the set.

Even the acoustic efforts, rather than being a brief respite from some serious riffing, dig deep both in terms of emotional content and lyrical expression. The suitable titled ‘Beautiful’ is a lovely ode to his daughter while on ‘Rain’ Aynsley brings real presence to the fore. And in a market dominated by a million notes offering all too few moments of real insight and meaning, Aynsley Lister has stepped up to the plate with an excellent album that is full of effortless playing and first class production values. He works up some melodic grooves, delivers several catchy hooks, and uncovers moments of real feel. The whole thing is driven by some killer licks that provide the fuel for a very impressive album which might just unlock some deserved Stateside radio airplay.

Review by Pete Feenstra

www.toxicpete.co.uk

Hey, British blues rock is doin’ just fine. When you come across something as tasty as Aynsley Lister’s ‘Upsidedown’ you feel comfortable once again in the knowledge that the blues is alive and rockin’. And, not only the British contingent but world blues, blues in general is once again cool and acceptable and thankfully, still has a place in our hearts and minds. Quite right too!!

Part of the resurgence has been made possible by the ‘youngsters’ of the genre – people like Aynsley Lister. Hard working, persistent and aggressively prolific writers and players – skilful and wise ‘young’ blues monsters that have been knockin’ on the door now for what seems like an eternity.

At last, Aynsley Lister is reaping the rewards of his toils and ‘Upsidedown’ is a great work that richly deserves success. Contemporary blues the like of which us ‘Brits’ haven’t really had since the days of John Mayall and his numerous spin-offs and influences. Yes, ‘Upsidedown’ shows that you don’t necessarily have to be old and down-trodden to write and sing the blues. Likewise, you don’t have to be American. Ok, you need passion, you need understanding and you need dedication. But, as the ever-rotating wheel of musical acceptance slowly moves it’s bound to settle once again somewhere need Aynsley Lister’s place. And for me, it’s a welcome return to a genre that’s been misunderstood and often mis-represented. Lister doesn’t do that 60’s style British blues – his is more sensitive to the ears of modern muso’s – his appeals to a new generation of blues freaks. A generation that’s needy and looking for musical inspiration – something that rocks their boat as well as being sympathetic to the modern way. Aynsley Lister fits the bill nicely with his gentle but heartfelt and soul searching blues way. Lister seems to have found just the formula required with ‘Upsidedown’; rockin’ blues with a modern edge – tangible blues, acceptable blues, but still blues through and through.

With his gentle approach Lister never tries to ram his blues down your throat. Subtlety is the key here. Subtlety backed by stunning guitar work, sensitive vocals and damn fine writing. ‘Upsidedown’ is right on track – right on time. As the music world is once again waking up to the call of the blues, ‘Upsidedown’ from Aynsley Lister is set to be at the forefront of the realisation that the ‘blues’ is just not gonna go away – it may get re-modelled – it may undergo changes – but, the blues, in one form or another, is here to stay – and so is Aynsley Lister.

‘Upsidedown’ is simply superb in every way!

Modern Guitars Magazine - Jan 2007

Review of the re-released ‘Everything I Need’ by Brian Holland

MOJO - ALL OR NOTHING

There’s no young English blues guitarist with more vivid musical ideas than Lister… with this album, mostly electric and entirely electrifying, Lister challenges anyone to keep up with him… His guitar playing on tracks like ‘Say Goodbye’ or ‘Balls Of Steel’ is a fire hazard! 4/5 stars

GUITAR BUYER - ALL OR NOTHING

...The songwriting is strong – all self penned with the exception of Hendrix’s ‘Crosstown Traffic’ – the vocals assured and the guitar playing is well worth the price of admission, concentrating on good solid playing rather than flash frantics… a fine album… Best bit? Lead guitar on “Say Goodbye’ and ‘What U Got 4 Me’. 3 Stars

ROCK SOCIETY - ALL OR NOTHING

From the opening salvo of driving heavy blues rock on ‘Say Goodbye’, there is barely any let up in the music… an album of staggeringly powerful rock… its not as blues based as you might expect… the best album I’ve heard so far this year and I can’t see this slipping out of my top ten come December… Superb!

GUITAR TECHNIQUES - ALL OR NOTHING

Chances are you’re either gonna love or hate Aynsley Lister. Love him because he’s a fine lyricist with more than just the blues under his belt… or hate him because of his age. Here we love him… even when he’s exploring more subtle territory as on the acoustic ‘Without Wings’, guitar and voice are in perfect unison… Best Bit? Make sure you don’t miss the hidden track at the end for pure unplugged genius. Album Of The Month, 4 Stars.

ROCK SOCIETY - SUPAKEV N PILCHARDS

A warts’n’all, unedited live performance of raw in yer face blues… vocally he’s accomplished but his guitar techniquue is quite extraordinary, simultaniously playing bass and lead licks and maintaining a high evel of intensity throughout. This may be stripped to the bone but its all the better for it and if you can’t catch him live then this really is the next best thing. Magnificent music.

MOJO - SUPAKEV N PILCHARDS

A stylish and swaggering collection of 21st century blues… Exchanging the security of his band for a stripped back acoustic live album, Lister is spurred on and thrashes his guitar and rhythmic bass drum with all the vigour and belief of a crusading envangelist.