If this is Steve Tilston’s finale – certainly the title aludes to that – then he’s going out reassuringly in style. “It feels like the time is right,” he confided to me in a recent interview. Certainly some are unaware of Tilston history, his work inspires many to cover his compositions, Fairport Convention often, songs such as ‘The Naked Highway Man,’ ‘Over The Next Hill,’ leading to questions at his own gigs about why he’s playing Fairport tracks. Fortunately Steve is a very patient man and just smiles when he relates the story.
He’s always been an eclectic writer, his early albums were entitled ‘An Acoustic Confusion,’ ‘Collection,’ which gave you no real hint of the diverse palette you’d find on each, equally here at the curtain call of his recorded career you’ll find material set in all manner of clothing from blues, country to jazz and of course folk. In fact in a nod over the shoulder to the influence of trad folk on his creations the final song is a courtly, string loaded version of ‘Sweet Primroses,’ with it’s bittersweet lyric, twisting love and betrayal.
Whilst some of the album is gentle even reflective, Mr. T. can equally handle social conscience, “Get Away From My Door,” hands political canvassers a great deal to think about whilst “Hard Cheese,” calls out half truths and deception within Westminster. His skill as a guitar player shines through on the title track a waterfall of melody tumbling through styles, it also reminds you that he’s a fine musician as well as wordsmith.
Hand picked, his small but perfectly formed backing crew include Richard Curran’s sympathetic and apt string arrangements, decent electric guitar from Martin McGroarty and careful pedal steel by Alan Cook, a man who knows how to handle that particular instrument with the light touch of appropriateness. The cover has Steve pointing at the setting sun which may be a hint at his intention. I’ll leave you to mull that over yourself.
He’s no thought of giving up on the gigging front though, a glance at his website reveals a full schedule of shows has him all over the country well into the autumn promoting this fine release which is a perfect reflection on an artist who has always delivered work of high quality. I kind of hope he isn’t closing the studio door altogether, but, if he is then Steve Tilston has left a deep impression.
Simon Jones.
