Final album from venerable singer-songwriter Steve Tilston – 54 years on from his first.
Release Date: 7th March 2025
Label: Talking Elephant Records
Formats: CD / Digital
54 YEARS, 17 ALBUMS – AND GOING OUT IN A HIGH
So here we are. 54 years on from his 1971 debut album, Acoustic Confusion, venerable singer-songwriter Steve Tilston has issued his last offering. Last Call is the 17th album of original material from the esteemed writer and performer and, sad to say, it’ll be his last. But he’s going out on a high, that’s for sure.
Fairport Convention chronicler Nigel Schofield had a lot to say when asked to summarise Last Call, and I make no apology for using his words here: “With the empathetic accompaniment of good friends and long-term musical collaborators [of whom, more shortly…], Steve looks both back and ahead as he traverses the musical spectrum from social and political comment to rustic reflection, from autobiography to eternal geographical history, across blues, traditional folk, poetry and even a hint of jazz. It’s a thing of audible joy and circumstantial sadness.”
Thanks Nigel – That’s Last Call in a nutshell.
A REMARKABLE TALENT
Like many observers, I’m probably more familiar with Steve Tilston’s work through the songs of his that others – notably Fairport, Peter Bellamy, Dolores Keane and Bob Fox – have recorded. If that’s also your experience of Steve Tilston, then Last Call will surely serve as a timely reminder of what an accomplished performer he is in his own right. The quality of his songs is beyond question; his strident vocal delivery and, particularly, his mastery of his acoustic guitar are striking and Last Call is awash with evidence of those talents. As Fairport’s bassist, Dave Pegg is keen to point out: “He is one of my and Fairport Convention’s favourite performers. If you haven’t heard him, I suggest that you go and check him out as soon as possible. A remarkable talent!”
Steve has chosen his backing musicians wisely. Richard Curran’s String Quartet add sweetness when the going starts to get rocky, Hugh Bradley’s flute and double bass bring rich and pastoral elements and Keith Warmington’s harmonica provides a raucous and -sometimes – a bluesy edge. Elsewhere, Alan Cook adds beams of pedal steel, Steve Andrews underpins ST’s guitar and voice with some subtle piano, Steve and Richard Woodcock provide the backing vocals and Tony Orrell lays the foundations with his understated but effective percussion.
APPLE VAPOURS AND A RESTLESS NIGHT
Steve looks back to the innocent days of youth with Apple Tree Town, the song that gets Last Call off to a flying start. His fluid fingerpicked guitar and vivid vocals are in evidence from the outset with an interesting tune that never seems to go where it’s expected. The heady vapours of fermented apples are recalled by Hugh’s flute part and Steve’s lyrics – “Where the orchard once stood, not a single tree stands” – bemoan the way that the passage of time has destroyed a personal Eden.
Harmonica and wistful harmony vocals bring a gentle warmth to the bluesy rag, Biding Time, before guests Johnny Fewings (banjo) and Alan Cook (pedal steel) step forward to spread a weepy coating over the excellent As Night Follows Day. Apparently inspired by a bout of insomnia and homesickness, suffered by Steve during an interminable night in a hotel bed, Steve’s lyrics are suitably world-weary, but they still manage to pick out something to savour – bird song – as the night drags on and on.
A DIRECT HIT WITH A POLITICAL CUDGEL
Set in an unfamiliar environment in an unfamiliar city, One More Day is another bluesy number, with some outstanding guitar licks from Steve, before iconic locations including The Grand Canyon, the Pyramids and Stonehenge are eulogized in the grand, atmospheric, Never Could Have Asked for More, one of the album’s outstanding tracks.
Described by Nigel Schofield as “…a majestic natural epic,” Time and Tide is truly dramatic, before Steve takes up his political cudgel to aim a swipe at a certain bumbling ex-Prime Minister with the bright, jazzy, Hard Cheese. Keith Warmington’s harmonica plays a prominent role and Martin McGroarty throws in some uplifting passages of electric guitar.
MASTERFUL GUITAR
Steve’s acoustic guitar work on the solo instrumental title track is, quite simply, masterful. Steve runs through a conglomerate of styles that range from the melodic to the experimental in what he describes as “A solo guitar journey with a number of my musical influences percolating through.” Have a listen – see if you can put names to those influences…
With lyrics like “My wishing well has run empty; I’m just wishing for the rain,” there’s no skimping on the raw emotion for the sad No Tears to Spare – Steve apparently took the song’s lyrics verbatim from an overheard conversation. The mood flits between country – emphasized by Alan’s pedal steel tones – and flamenco, underlined by Steve’s deft passages of Spanish guitar.
A canvasser for the “wrong” party ahead of the last General Election takes the bullet in Get Away From My Door, perhaps the album’s most overtly political song. And, with lines like: “There’s always some other victim to blame. You have no shame, only your strife – get away from my life,” and “You’ve had your day now. Too much time in the sun. It’s gone to your head – you’ll soon be over and done,” Steve expresses sentiments that hit the bullseye, over and over again.
A WONDERFUL WAY TO SIGN OFF
Last Call is an excellent collection of typically thought-provoking Steve Tilston lyrics. However, to close out the album in grand style, Steve delves into traditional sources and his interpretation of the well-loved Sweet Primroses is respectful, bold and magnificent. His vocals are passionate, particularly as he delivers the song’s “Stand off, stand off” riposte and Richard Curran’s strings bring the sweetening atmosphere of a staid Victorian parlour to Steve’s otherwise piratical performance of the song. It’s a wonderful way to sign off from a stellar recording career.
Listen to Sweet Primroses – the closing track on the final Steve Tilston album, Last Call, below:
Steve Tilston: Official Website / Facebook / YouTube
Keep up with At The Barrier: Facebook / X / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube
Categories: Uncategorised
