Reviews
Concert Reviews
Totally Enjoyable, Educational, and Listenable
I really can’t express how blown away I was with the totally enjoyable, educational, and listenable stage set and workshop you presented for us this year at the Western Maryland… Read more “Totally Enjoyable, Educational, and Listenable”
Teaching the Historical Roots of Blues
Scott Ainslie stepped onto the stage and swept back his long, graying hair. He slung his 1931 National, a guitar he bought 20 years ago in a pawn shop in… Read more “Teaching the Historical Roots of Blues”
Sophisticated, But Also Intimate
What worked about your show was that it was sophisticated but also intimate. These students identified with you, with your stories and your struggles, and I think this identification kept… Read more “Sophisticated, But Also Intimate”
Reviews of my work in Educational Settings
Tied to the Life and Work of Robert Johnson
During his career, Ainslie has become particularly tied to the life and work of late bluesman Robert Johnson, whose legend states that he sold his soul to the devil at… Read more “Tied to the Life and Work of Robert Johnson”
Didn’t Quit ‘Til The Bell Rang
Scott is an outstanding musician and historian. Students and teachers were actively involved in this assembly. Ainslie was a complete package. Got right into it and didn’t quit ‘til the bell rang.
An Important Teacher and Protagonist
Ainslie is a beautiful stylist who respects the country blues and acoustic blues music, feels it deep down to his soul, and understands its essence. He is not just an… Read more “An Important Teacher and Protagonist”
Reviews of Recordings
Best Album of 2014 – The Times-Argus
The Best Album of 2014, Tammie Award – Brattleboro guitarist, singer, and musicologist Scott Ainslie released “The Last Shot Got Him,” an album created around a 1934 Gibson guitar. [He] has recorded an album that is simple…yet very effective. We hope the CD receives national attention with a Grammy nomination in the Acoustic Blues category.
Sound Stage-Recording of the Month
Ainslie sings and plays with confidence and understanding…The recording is so natural you might think Ainslie has been imported into your listening room.
Aspiring to the Highest Ideals
Ainslie is razor sharp…on a CD which manages to be topical and tender, dark yet uplifting, rich in polished poetry and raw emotion, a love call, and a call to action. “The Feral Crow” is, most of all, a creative achievement that aspires to the highest ideals. It’s the work of a mature artist whose… Read more “Aspiring to the Highest Ideals”
Reviews from Guitar Students
John Gorka
Scott Ainslie was generous with his time and gave me a short lesson on slide-guitar. I think I learned more in twenty minutes with Scott than I had in a couple years of messing around on my own. My family thanks him…
An Extraordinary Teacher and a Gifted Musician
Ainslie is truly an extraordinary teacher and a gifted musician. The things I learned from him, rhythm and right hand technique, slide technique, riffs, and some of the secrets of Robert Johnson’s music, have created a strong foundation that has taken my playing to another level.
Tied to the Life and Work of Robert Johnson
During his career, Ainslie has become particularly tied to the life and work of late bluesman Robert Johnson, whose legend states that he sold his soul to the devil at a Mississippi crossroads. Ainslie was recently part of the official centennial celebration of Johnson’s birth, serving on a discussion panel and playing at the event. Ainslie… Read more “Tied to the Life and Work of Robert Johnson”