by Brian D. Holland

Everything I Need, a re-release from British blues-rocker Aynsley Lister, is a breath of fresh air from start to finish. However, it’s no surprise that many blues-rock listeners haven’t heard his name, nor have they been exposed to his exciting guitar playing style and potent vocal ability, even though he’s been releasing impressive records since 1999 and touring extensively. Great music these days is often eclipsed in a world dominated by machine-generated pop. However, as I’ve noted before in my reviews, good stuff is still out there just waiting to be found.

On a level comparable with a mere handful of current players, with the incredible ability to do so as well, Lister displays absolute devotion to great classic rock and blues music. The album’s title song, ‘Everything I Need’, gets it all started in a distinct ZZ Top mode. Lister’s Billy Gibbons-like rhythmic chops (or if one wants to go back even further, John Lee Hooker) are solid and crunch laden. The song changes key midway through, and his gripping lead solo tears it up with flair.

Many of the songs are in a classic rock vein, though dynamically fresh in style and performance. Lister gets into a few raucous blues rockers, too, including ‘Quiet Boy!’, an instrumental displaying amazing six-string competency within a progressive 12-bar blues. ‘Need Her So Bad’ is a slow blues boasting amazing licks and smooth tone. Tony Joe White’s ‘As The Crow Flies’ has a Bad Company acoustic flavor to it.

The icing on the cake is Lister’s cover of ‘Little Wing’. It’s him on guitar and vocal. Though he stays loyal to the song’s signature form, it’s done with flair and masterful commitment. His chops are impeccable, and are heard in lucid clarity. He pauses after finishing the Hendrix classic, and then breaks into the album’s bonus closer, ‘Identity Blues’, an acoustic number done with slide and classic steel tone.

Obviously, Ruf Records foresaw the significance in re-releasing this Lister gem, originally issued in 2001. It’s diverse in style and the guitar playing is amazing throughout. The rhythm section, made up of bassist Matthew Kay and drummer Wayne Proctor, keeps the whole CD rockin’ hard and solid.

Everything I Need Track Listing:

1. Everything I Need

2. Angel O’ Mine

3. Soundman

4. As The Crow Flies

5. Without U

6. In The Beginning

7. Quiet Boy!

8. I Believe

9. Need Her So Bad

10. Little Wing (Into bonus track: ‘Identity Blues’)

All compositions by Aynsley Lister, except for ‘As The Crow Flies’ (Tony Joe White) and ‘Little Wing’ (Jimi Hendrix).

Ruf Records - 2006

Links:
Aynsley Lister
Ruf Records
Everything I Need on Amazon