Steve Tilston — Last Call

Liverpool born folk singer/songwriter, Steve Tilston released his debut album, An Acoustic Confusion in 1971, since that time he has recorded a host of other records, both solo and with a host of other bands/ artists including two albums with his ex-wife Maggie Boyle, an album with the band Waz! and Jez Lowe, to name just a few. Last Call is to be the final album in a career spanning more than 50 years.

The album opens with "Apple Tree Town", and Steve’s guitar picking style is immediately under the spotlight. It’s an up-tempo number with lyrics that see Steve harking back to his younger days. "Biding My Time" is next and it’s an up-tempo, bluesy number with a really catchy sing-along chorus that has a really optimistic feel to it. "As Night Follows Day" is a pretty, reflective piece that recalls feelings of insomnia and homesickness. You can almost picture Steve sitting alone in a cold, miserable hotel room with his acoustic guitar for company as he writes this song. "One More Day" is another bluesy number which once again highlights Steve’s guitar picking style as he sings 'One more day on the circle line. One more day and you’ll lose your mind. Round and round in this goldfish bowl.'  "Never Could Have Asked For More" is one of my personal favourites; it’s a song that delves into humanity’s rich past with flourishes of Egyptian music that add a little extra something special to the proceedings. "Time and Tide" is up next and continues the album's sense of reflectiveness, before the jazzy strains of the politically infused "Hard Cheese" ring out as Steve berates a former Prime Minister, his privileged upbringing and his public-school education. The title track, "Last Call" is up next, and it’s a pretty acoustic track that highlights many of Steve’s musical influences and styles. You can hear the influence of English folk legends like Davy Graham and Bert Jansch punctuated with flashes of flamenco-style guitar picking. "No Tear To Spare" is a melancholic tale of missed opportunities and disappointments that is based on an overheard conversation. "Get Away From My Door" is another political song that deals with a doorstep conversation that takes place with a Conservative party knocker who is trying to tell Steve what a good job his party are doing. It’s a cutting rebuke of his party’s inability to rule for the good of the country. The album closes with Steve’s interpretation of the traditional song "Sweet Primroses", a song about a visually challenged suitor who fails to recognise the young girl he has previously tried to court. It’s a fine way to bring not just the album to a close but an entire recording career. 

After a career spanning 54 years, you obviously learn a thing or two about what constitutes a good song. Steve Tilston has certainly done that; the songs on Last Call feel as vital and important as any of the songs he has written and recorded throughout his esteemed career. He is an important figure within the folk music scene, and this album feels like a fond farewell from a man still at the top of his game. Performance-wise, it’s a work of genius, Steve’s picking is sublime, and the assortment of musicians who join him across the album provides exceptional support. It feels very much like the reflective experiences of a man looking back across that 50-year career and identifying key moments that have helped shape his outlook. 

Last Call is a very good record that will help to bring closure to a very important recording career. Fortunately, Steve plans to continue to play live for the time being, and if you get the chance to see him playing these songs live, it’s well worth a look.