Reviews
TAMMIE Award
Best Blues Album 2008
Scott Ainslie wins hands-down for his work on Thunder’s Mouth. He's based in Brattleboro and hasn't gotten much play in this part of the state, but he's as good as it gets in the acoustic blues field. There's a mix of songs from Son House to Robert Johnson, Tom Waits and his own compositions. Ainslie shows that even in rural Vermont we can sing the blues and make it sound authentic.
Down Beat
"The emotional pull of Ainslie's music is always strong, perhaps most so on the slave lament, "Thunder's Mouth," and on the slow, serious folk blues "Another Man Done Gone."
Sing Out
"Thunder’s Mouth, Scott’s fifth album, is a magnificent collection (that) combines classic blues and gospel...four originals, note-perfect African Rhythms, and a well-chosen Tom Waits cover...The cornerstones of this album are Scott’s original songs. Of these, “It’s Gonna Rain” is the show-stopper.
Brattleboro Reformer
"From the first chord -- struck like a call to worship -- Scott Ainslie's new CD, Thunder's Mouth, pulls you forward in your seat and commands your attention.
-Jon Potter, Brattleboro Reformer, Brattleboro VT
Washington Post
"Combining a soulful, robust voice with expressive guitar work, Ainslie covers a lot of ground on this crisply produced session.
-Mike Joyce, The Washington Post, Washington DC
Country Music Facts and News
"Pure brilliance...one of the best CDs you will hear this year and any year."
–Barry McCloud, Nashville TN
Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange
"One of the most wonderful efforts at building a bridge between the traditional and the contemporary that I have ever encountered. -Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange, Peterborough NH
Stamford Advocate
"Robert Johnson has always been a hip reference when guitarists are asked about influences, often, it's nothing more than lip-service. With Thunder's Mouth, Ainslie has continued a career that one can imagine Johnson being proud of. -Ray Hogan
The Corner News
"Produced with Grammy award-winning engineer and producer Corin Nelsen, the album does an amazing job of building a bridge between traditional and contemporary blues.
The Eagle Times
"A sturdy record, powerful both as homage and history. But most of all, it reveals a talented tunesmith shaping his unique vision to deep musical roots.
-Michael Witthaus, The Eagle Times, Claremont NH