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It has been quite a year for Aynsley Lister. A new album, a new band, a headline European tour and some major
support slots, most notably with Lynyrd Skynyrd.
When it came, Aynsley’s new album ‘Equilibrium’ included a glittering array of seasoned players: Robbie
McIntosh, a fixture in John Mayer’s band since 2006, played guitar and bass; On the drums was the excellent Paul Beavis, part of Andy Fairweather-Low’s backing band ‘The Low Riders’; Experienced session man,
Hammond organ player, Record Producer and University lecturer, Steve Darrell-Smith played keyboards. He was also the album’s producer and provider of the Hampshire studio in which it was recorded.
The Manhaton Records CD brought with it the introduction of several keyboard-infused tunes, so I was particularly looking forward to hearing the material played live. Could there a
better venue in which to hear it than The Stables?
Joining Aynsley on the Wavendon stage tonight are: Daniel Healey on keyboards, Simon Small on drums and Midus
Guerreiro on bass. The opening number is a blistering version of ‘With Me Tonight’, the heart-stopping rocker from Aynsley’s previous album ‘Upside Down’.
It’s
an all-electric set. Several numbers covered acoustically in the studio are played by Aynsley with full gusto using a battery of electric guitars. Call it predictable, but for me Aynsley’s playing is at its most
fluid when he is strapped into his red Strat [with the maple neck].
The highlight of our evening is the material from ‘Equilibrium’, with six of the album’s 12
songs included in the set. Indeed, not least to my surprise, a track entitled ‘Hurricane’ is the star of the show. Isn’t it funny that sometimes you need to hear a song ‘live and direct’ before it begins
to really hit home. Part of the magic here, is the fabulous tone which Aynsley brings to the fore from his Fender, particularly during the song’s opening bars.
Aynsley’s
new companions rock too! All three shine through, actively encouraged by their leader. Simon Small holds it all together, steadfastly keeping the rest of the band to time throughout the 12-song set, a great credit
to any rhythm section and a promising talent for the future. The interplay between Aynsley and Dan Healey is exquisite for the best part of the night. Midus Guerreiro gives it all, galvanising the perfect
combination that is a Fender Jazz Bass and Markbass amplification to very great effect. Wow!
Other set highlights include a stunning redraft of an early Lister
instrumental ‘Quiet Boy’ and two fan favourites from the ‘All or Nothing’ CD - the rocker ‘Balls of Steel’ and the apocryphal ‘Hero’. It’s another great night spent in Aynsley’s company.
Something tells me that 2010 will definitely win Aynsley many more fans and plaudits, not least with the Lister things to come: a live album; another headline
European tour; and a major support slot with It Bites on their UK tour.
Set List:
With Me Tonight **
Early Morning Dew *
Time’s Up *
Sugar Low *
What’s It All About *
Quiet Boy ****
Big Sleep *
Balls of Steel ***
Purple Rain [Prince cover]
Hurricane *
In the Morning **
Hero ***
Encore:
Hush [Deep Purple / Kula Shaker cover]
Equilibrium *
Upside Down **
All or Nothing ***
Everything I Need / Aynsley Lister ****
Visit Aynsley’s official site here
Read our reviews of Aynsley’s shows supporting
the Robin Trower Band on their 2008 UK tour here
Try these other links too …
Simon Small
Midus Guerreiro
Jo Nichols
Spoons
Aynsley Lister mySpace
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