Last Call is the last album of critically acclaimed folk stalwart Steve Tilston, who has a shone in a career which has spanned over 50 years. Steve is joined on Last Call by long time good friends and music collaborators, creating an album which covers “social, political, a reflective autobiography, trad folk, blues, poetry and a hint of jazz” within this eleven-track album. The listener is taken on a musical wave of up and down emotions through the imagery of Steve’s words.
The first track is an excellent lead into the journey of the album – ‘Apple Tree Town’. A beautifully arranged acoustic guitar arrangement with Richard Curran quartet and Hugh Bradley on flute. A lively track but quite sad when I heard “where the orchard once stood, not a single tree stands”. ‘Biding Time’ – a bluesy track with harmonica and lovely instrumentals. ‘As Night Follows Day’ The subject is away from home, in a hotel room, can’t sleep, reminiscing and talking to the night. Quite moving. ‘One More Day’ is a bluesy number of a person working underground maybe, and all the working days are hard labour, would like to escape but can’t quite make it.
‘Never Could Have Asked For More’ is about visiting somewhere so beautiful and breathtaking that you can’t quite find the words to describe it. Iconic places such as Stonehenge etc. ‘Time and Tide’ gives me an image of a tide lapping and sometimes dramatic, and the tide waits for no-one. ‘Hard Cheese’ takes us on a different journey of a jazzy 20’s/30’s type of old time, a swipe at certain politicians who aren’t named, with Keith Warmington on harmonicas giving it the swing.
Title track ‘Last Call’ – As Steve says “a solo guitar with a number of my musical influences percolating through”. Lovely tunes. ‘No Tears To Spare’ came about after overhearing a conversation. Quite sad and emotional with varying styles of guitar playing. ‘Go Away From My Door’ – a political swipe at an unwanted voting candidate trying to persuade someone to vote for them, when they clearly couldn’t run a sweet shop! Sound familiar?
‘Sweet Primroses’ is the last track of Last Call. A traditional song reputedly from the West Country. Imagery of summer fields and roses and the troubadour who tries to get the girl.
After 54 years of a glittering career of making 17 albums and delighting his audiences, Steve will still be out and about gigging but possibly cutting back on recording.
Last Call is truly fab album, and is out March 2025, so you can order now! Check out his website for forthcoming gigs and to buy Last Call and other albums, books and sheet music.
Jean Camp
Artist’s website: www.stevetilston.com
‘Last Call’:
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