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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
STEVE TILSTON Such & Such (Market Square MSMCD 124), 29 Oct 2003
I was impressed by 'Here Comes the night', covered a couple of years ago by Jez Lowe sidekick, Simon Haworth but Steve Tilston is one of those artists that I've heard about, been meaning to listen to or watch perform, but never got round to it. That was until his new CD dropped on the doormat - album number 15, according to my reckoning, over a distinguished 30-year period.On first hearing I found the album uncomfortably close to the melancholic Nick Drake - someone whose music I don't particularly lament. However, on further hearings the songs subtly seep, unobtrusively at first, into the senses challenging the subconscious to resist, before you are forced to acknowledge the considerable qualities of Tilston as a songwriter and vocalist. It led this listener to draw favourable comparisons with folk maestros Ralph McTell and Paul Brady and the now mainstream David Gray. From the opening track, 'Rare thing', each subsequent song captures an eclectic mix of influences and rhythms coupled with intelligent lyrics and sentiments that caress the soul. Personal favourites are 'Anthony believes', which reflects one man's faith in the face of life's setbacks, 'West end Samba' that is as effective as Gray's 'Babylon' in creating that sense of central London bustle, 'Rolling Down This Roman Road', and the plaintive 'There is a song'. The only traditional song on the CD is a brilliant version of 'The Constant Lover'. Tilston's arrangement is such that it fits perfectly into the mood of the album and you could easily mistake it for one of his own compositions. The credit for the excellent production is down to Tilston and John (Boff) Waterhouse, while the top rate musicians feature Maartin Allcock, Andy Sheppard and Anna Ryder. Marker Square records are building up a strong stable of talent and Such & Such has to be a strong contender for folk album of 2003 - and by the way, Steve, you've made a new convert!
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