Congleton Unplugged Festival 2013 - 1/2/3rd March 2013
John Ainsworth
I first encountered John Ainsworth, last year, at The Rittz and Friends Festival, here in Congleton.
The lads from The Rittz had, specifically, told me to watch out for John.
I watched. In fact, I was so busy watching, I forgot that I was there to take photographs and video. In short, I was, completely, astounded. I still am.
I had been looking forward to the Congleton Unplugged appearance at The Beartown Tap for weeks. I really wanted to see John live, again, now that I knew more about him and his music. I loved the songs that I knew, his playing, either on six or, twelve string guitar, and singing, are both phenomenal and refreshing in this X Factor age of acceptable mediocrity.
The lads from The Rittz had, specifically, told me to watch out for John.
I watched. In fact, I was so busy watching, I forgot that I was there to take photographs and video. In short, I was, completely, astounded. I still am.
I had been looking forward to the Congleton Unplugged appearance at The Beartown Tap for weeks. I really wanted to see John live, again, now that I knew more about him and his music. I loved the songs that I knew, his playing, either on six or, twelve string guitar, and singing, are both phenomenal and refreshing in this X Factor age of acceptable mediocrity.
Type 'John Ainsworth' into YouTube. You will find: Running From The Devil, Mind Explosion, Dreams, Heaven and Hell, and turning To The Dark Side, at least. His website, johnainsworthmusic.com has these songs on it. Do yourself a favour and go along there and have a listen. If you aren't convinced, well, I'd save yourself some precious minutes for the end of your life. Stop reading now and buy copy of The Sun.
John's music is in a class of its own. Live, it just leaves you in a state of pure astonishment. The songs possess an ethereal quality that seems far beyond the reach of his youth, and feature some outstanding guitar-playing, melded with a very distinctive vocal style, courtesy of his chorister background.
Who does he sound like? Personally, I hear lots of different things in his music but, in my earlier review, my initial impression was:
'Acoustically-speaking, he is John Martyn, Richard Thompson, Tim Buckley, Roger McGuinn, and Jorma Kaukonen all rolled into one pair of skinny jeans.'
I don't know that he 'sounds like' anyone, specifically, but having thought about it, I'd add Jon Gomm to that, earlier, list. You could say that one song has a bit of a Dave Matthews-y feel, others a bit Al Stewart-y, others sound like someone else. That's music.
John's music is in a class of its own. Live, it just leaves you in a state of pure astonishment. The songs possess an ethereal quality that seems far beyond the reach of his youth, and feature some outstanding guitar-playing, melded with a very distinctive vocal style, courtesy of his chorister background.
Who does he sound like? Personally, I hear lots of different things in his music but, in my earlier review, my initial impression was:
'Acoustically-speaking, he is John Martyn, Richard Thompson, Tim Buckley, Roger McGuinn, and Jorma Kaukonen all rolled into one pair of skinny jeans.'
I don't know that he 'sounds like' anyone, specifically, but having thought about it, I'd add Jon Gomm to that, earlier, list. You could say that one song has a bit of a Dave Matthews-y feel, others a bit Al Stewart-y, others sound like someone else. That's music.
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What John has done is to dare to sound different, now. Whilst there may be distant echoes of others in his music, I can't think of many others forging a similar path, today. In my opinion, songs like Running From The Devil and Mind Explosion, are not only of the highest quality but, I feel, have great commercial potential, too.
If this young chap isn't at Glastonbury in the next year or two, I'll be very surprised. Check out his music and go and see him playing live. You will not be disappointed. Mark L. Potts The God of Thunder 5th March 2013 |
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