Ansley Lister "Tower Sessions"

My music accomplice Bob set me up with this guy by introducing him to me through a YouTube video of a live performance of "Purple Rain".  So my first experience is a Prince cover.  Not just any Prince song, but the iconic power ballad with blistering guitar.  Have to admit that the live version was going quite well until the guitar solo.  Here, Lister dials it back, opting for a quiet, restrained solo.  For my ear, it doesn't work.  The studio cover is contained on "Tower Sessions", and it's the same technique.  So you may guess that I wasn't expecting much when I started spin #1 for this CD. 

Well then BAM!  Here's a live take of the opening track.  Kiss my Stevie Ray Vaughan!  And that's sober SRV, when he added Reese Wynans' organ to the trio.  The rhythm section here conjures up memories of Double Trouble, but I really like how the organ is right up front in the mix.  That fits because Lister isn't anywhere near SRV in either axe-slingin' or singing.  The strength of this record lies in the foundation of these songs and the overall group delivery.  A keeper from start to finish.

But who the hell is this guy?  Turns out he's British and has close to ten records on his resume.  Not all are available stateside, but enough are, so why haven't I heard of him before?  Upon further digging, I found that this record was recorded at the end of his last tour, and that the tracks contained were favorites from the shows, so they've been out on earlier albums.  The difference is the addition of the organ to the tour and record.  So maybe that's why I don't recognize the guy, because without the keys, I would have blown it off as lame. 

If you're a fan of British blues rock, then grab "Tower Sessions".  I pulled up Amazon just to see what was available and the list of names under the "Customers also bought" is impressive; Joe Bonamassa, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Walter Trout, Gov't Mule, Buddy Guy...  So how's that for a RIYL?