Distant Days

In a similar vein to Richard Thompson's Acoustic Classics is Steve Tilston's 19-strong set of revisited songs going as far back in his career as An Acoustic Confusion, released in 1971. Unsurprisingly, this solo project is impeccably played and sang, with the lack of ornamentation giving the songs plenty of room to breathe and lending a simplicity that harks back to Tilston's days touring the old folk clubs with Bert Jansch and Maggie Boyle. Also effective are the previously unreleased instrumental nuggets placed throughout the set like interludes, adding texture by shifting the focus from the vocal to guitar lines.

‘Let Your Banjo Ring’ works nicely as a change from the fingerstyle guitar work throughout the tracks and adds some southern American flavour to the palette. ‘Goodbye to the Snow’ uses ten-string guitar to bring another alternative sound to the mix, backing a lovely song about the change of seasons in the mountains. Possibly best of all is the final track, ‘The Slip Jigs and Reels’ from Of Moor and Mesa in 1992; this cracking romp boasts a strong and catchy vocal, sharp lyrics and an upbeat strummed guitar line. A nice way to end an impressive musical journey.