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Steve Tilston
Ask anyone on the English acoustic scene who their favourite guitarist, singer, songwriter and entertainer is and nine times out of ten the same name will crop up in the top three of every department. Steve Tilston is one of our most celebrated song-smiths; widely recognised within the world of folk and contemporary music: the words, arrangements and subtle, quite superb guitar playing could be no one else.
The writer of the classic songs The Slipjigs and Reels, Here's to Tom Paine and The Naked Highwayman, has turned author. Steve has recently published his first novel full of colourful characters All for Poor Jack is an historical tale set in Bristol and the New World and it's a mighty good read and has been enjoyed by the likes of Bob Dylan no less!
In 2007 a 5 CD boxed-set was released Reaching Back: the Life and Music of Steve Tilston by Free Reed, the company behind the Richard Thompson anthology. In 2009 his early career was hi-lighted in a book Bristol Folk, the story of Bristol's powerhouse folk & blues scene in the 60s & 70s. His 2011 release The Reckoning garnered 4-star reviews in the Guardian, the Observer and the Scotsman, a guest appearance on Later with Jools Holland and the BBC Four Songwriters' Circle series, plus a Folk Awards win: "best original song" for the title track. Steve was also commissioned to write for the new Olympics Radio Ballads series and the Harbour of Songs project. His new trio CD Happenstance with Keith Warmington & Stuart Gordon is out now.
Born in Liverpool and raised in the Midlands, Steve made his recording debut in 1971 with the classic An Acoustic Confusion and has been turning out quality albums ever since. Life by Misadventure, And So It Goes, Solo Rubato and Such and Such all featuring first-class song-writing, quintessentially English in style and typically Tilston, marking him out as one of this country's finest writers. Whilst the instrumental Swans at Coole is testament to his guitar virtuosity. Though known as a songwriter, Steve has always had an ear for the tradition and included new interpretations of old favourites on his original recordings. Of Many Hands is his first "all-traditional" album paying homage to his roots, with unique arrangements of timeless classics. He's also released a "best of" anthology, The Greening Wind and a live album Live Hemistry recorded on tour with Fairport Convention. Back on song-writing form, he released Ziggurat in 2008 from which A Pretty Penny made it into Acoustic Magazine's top 50 songs.
He joined an illustrious band of guitarists including Martin Simpson, Michael Messer and Wizz Jones, when he was invited to contribute to the Guitar Maestro series of DVDs; a combination of live studio performance and interviews, revealing the real passion behind these talented musiciansIf anyone ever deserved the moniker Guitar Maestro, it's Steve Tilston!
He's toured with John Renbourn's Ship of Fools, in a stunning partnership with traditional singer Maggie Boyle (producing the classic recordings Of Moor and Mesa and All Under the Sun), as guitarist with Ballet Rambert, with Maartin Allcock and Pete Zorn in WAZ! with Brooks Williams in A Transatlantic Song-Swap and with his daughter Martha, in the charming "like father, like daughter" show. Current collaborations see him teaming up with Yorkshire alt-country band The Durbervilles and a new trio with Keith Warmington and Stuart Gordon.
A celebrated artist in Britain and abroad, winning accolades in Europe, Australia and the USA, his songs have been recorded by Fairport Convention, Dolores Keane, The House Band, Peter Bellamy, North Cregg, Bob Fox and John Wright. Here's to Tom Paine is the adopted theme song for the Tom Paine Society of America and it's been rumoured, has featured in Bruce Springsteen's live set. His music has also featured regularly on radio and TV.
"He is one of my and Fairport Convention's favourite performers. If you haven't heard him, I suggest you go and check him out as soon as possible. A remarkable talent!" Dave Pegg, Fairport Convention
"It seems to me that Steve Tilston has never sought fame on anything but his own terms. He has been driven by his own enthusiasm for his chosen subject matter. He writes beautiful words and melodies and when our generation of songwriters is assessed on our contribution to our time, Steve's work will rank alongside much better known artists." Ralph McTell
"Steve Tilston has an annoying habit of doing things with his guitar and lyrics that I wish I'd thought of first, coupled with an integrity of expression that compels me to say things like this in public." Chris Smither
"One of the select band of songwriters with the vision to write great songs rooted in the tradition." Robin Williamson
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LocationFirst Parish UU in Watertown (View)
35 Church St.
Watertown, MA 02472
United States
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