Scott Ainslie
Press Kit:
 | Biography |
| Reviews |
| Photos |
Solo Recordings:
| You Better Lie Down |
| Terraplane |
| Jealous of the Moon |
Teaching Materials:
| Robert Johnson: At the Crossroads (Book) |
| Robert Johnson's Guitar Techniques (Video) |
| Guitar Workshops |
Schools:
| BluesRoots Teacher's Study Guide |
| Teaching Concerts |
Bookings:
| Loyd Artists |
Contact:
| ainslie@musician.org |
Copyright © 2002
Cattail Music, Inc.
Last modified: April 09, 2004
My book, video, and CD's can be ordered
by mail, using this convenient order form.
| Jealous of the Moon (CD) |
| Terraplane (CD) |
| You Better Lie Down (CD) |
| Robert Johnson -- At the Crossroads (book) |
| Robert Johnson's Guitar Techniques (video) |
![[Jealous of the Moon]](images/jealous.gif) |
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In 1995, Tom Chapin and I co-produced this, my first solo CD. It includes passionate interpretations of three Robert Johnson tunes, Stones in My Passway, Come On In My Kitchen, and Travelin' Riverside Blues. The recordings here have deep musical and personal connections to the ancestral traditions of the blues. And while music is the coin of this realm, were it money, the value I place on my apprenticeship in this tradition could never be paid. Additional songs include: Hard Times, Come Again No More, Date for Church and my original, Jealous Of The Moon. I am accompanied on select cuts by acoustic bass, piano, tenor sax and harmonica. Read the reviews of Jealous of the Moon.
My book, video, and CD's can be ordered by mail, using this convenient order form.
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Although I have become known as an expert on Robert Johnson and the Delta blues, Terraplane also provides strong examples of Piedmont and Chicago styles, gospel and several original pieces. I play acoustic, electric, and National guitars, and even three songs on a home-made one-string diddley bow (can you guess which popular blues legend took his stage name from that instrument?!). Four of the 16 songs here are original compositions; the rest come from Blind Blake, Robert Johnson, the Reverand Gary Davis, John Hurt, Bukka White, John Jackson and Pete Franklin. Read the reviews of Terraplane.
My book, video, and CD's can be ordered by mail, using this convenient order form.
 |
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"You Better Lie Down," brings together a rich and varied body of work from African American blues, worksongs, gospel and rhythm and blues traditions, including songs learned from my field recordings of some of the Southeast's little known blues and gospel musicians. A disk full of remarkable guitar playing and powerful singing, this is a recording for anyone who loves acoustic music and a welcome new collection from the guy who literally 'wrote the book' on Delta Blues legend Robert Johnson.
The instruments used on this recording include a Jean L'Arrivee Maple-body OM from the 1990's, a Michael Gurian Mahoghany body, classical inspired steel-string guitar from about 1974, a National Resophonic Style-O, round neck from 1931., a Washburn fretless bass, and a non-descript Japanese knock-off of an f-style mandolin. Read the reviews of You Better lie Down.
My book, video, and CD's can be ordered by mail, using this convenient order form.
"Robert Johnson/At The Crossroads"
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In 1986, I began
transcriptions and research for a book on Johnson's work for guitarists and blues lovers,
which was published with Hal Leonard Corporation in 1992. This book includes
transcriptions of all of Robert Johnson's recorded blues songs. It is very detailed,
not only in the presentation of tablature and notation, but also in the introductory
biography and the text and lyric transcriptions that accompany each song. NOTE: This book is temporarily out of print. |
My book, video, and CD's can be ordered by mail, using this convenient order form.
"Robert Johnson's Guitar Techniques"
 |
In 1997, I completed a guitar instructional video, "Robert Johnson's Guitar Technique" for the Starlicks Master Sessions series (also distributed by Hal Leonard Corporation). Robert Johnson was the original "unplugged" star - an impassioned master of the blues whose life and death were shrouded in mystery. His playing and singing have burned themselves into the memories of every musician who has heard them, and in the 1960s, cut sharply across the developing foundations of rock and roll. This video lesson is devoted to Johnson's work: this is where part of the mystery ends. I teach seven of Johnson's greatest pieces. Condensing more than a decade of blues teaching, performing and research on Johnson's guitar style, I have put together a concise and accessible demonstration of the techniques Johnson used to create his remarkable guitar parts. In this video, you will travel to the crossroads of the Delta Blues with a contemporary master and learn to play. Read the reviews of Robert Johnson's Guitar Techniques. |
My book, video, and CD's can be ordered by mail, using this convenient order form.
To subscribe to Scott's BluesNotes mailings and his general e-mail list: ainslie@musician.org
Cattail Music, Inc.
101 Washington Street
Brattleboro, VT
05301 USA
Tel. (802) 257-7391