Straight TAlkin' (label)
08 July 2013 (released)
10 August 2013
A few years back I was lucky enough to enjoy a burger at a joint called Fat Sam’s in London. Nothing exceptional except that this one of the best burgers I had ever eaten; juicy and full of rich flavour and cooked to perfection with just the right amount of seasoning; to my ears. Aynsley Lister is a perfect example of that burger in music – there are a million others who make something similar but what he does is simply perfect and created with great touch and love for his product. I apologise to any vegetarian readers but you could substitute the vegetable enchilada I had at the same joint – sheer perfection.
On the other hand there really isn’t any substitute for Mr Lister – he is probably the finest guitar slinger that the UK has produced since the days of Peter Green or Alvin Lee and I speak as an avowed fan of the Simon McBrides, Danny Bryants and Oli Browns of this world.
From the first strangulated chord of opener ‘Home’ you know that this is classic Blues/Rock, especially with Andre Bassing’s keys underpinning his emotive vocals and powerful guitar. The rhythm section of Steve Amadeo on bass and Wayne Proctor on drums (both ex-Ian Parker) is solid as a rock and a perfect basic for Lister to spring from – this may be his perfect outfit.
‘Home’ develops into a powerful statement, full of light and shade and definitely the statement of an artist maturing and developing as an adult as well as a musician. His vocal is unusual in that he eschews the usual cod-American accent and signs in a natural tone that definitely places him as British and is all the stronger for it.
‘Insatiable’ is a strong musical statement with echoes of the swamp and a chugging drive while the jaunty ‘Sugar’ shows another side of Aynsley – a fine duet between piano and guitar that develops into a powerful rock ‘n’ roller.
‘Hyde 2612’ is an odd one – dream sequences and an almost psychedelic feel to the lyrics and definitely not your standard stuff – excellent vocals and delightful slide and it definitely shows that Lister is more than just a guitar slinger.
All through the album there are little touches and passages that show how much Aynsley Lister has developed over the years and, like the seasoning on the burger, it is those that take his music to a higher level than the majority of players in his genre.
Don’t miss him when he hits the UK in the Autumn and winter; he is a real talent.
