“I don’t know the chemical formula for stardust. What I do know is that Steve Tilston has a rare and precious gift that transcends mere musical ability.” Folk on Tap

The writer of the classic songs The Slipjigs and Reels, The Naked Highwayman and Here’s to Tom Paine has been given the Free Reed Records boxed-set treatment! The company behind the Richard Thompson anthology released last year has just released Reaching Back: the Life and Music of Steve Tilston a deluxe 5-CD selection featuring classic, rare, previously unreleased and new recordings by Steve himself as well as contributions from fellow musicians and admirers: a timely celebration of one of this country’s finest performers.

“His music has a flow and poignancy, which makes it, stand out from the plethora of singer/guitarists on the scene.” Guitar Magazine

Steve Tilston has been described as, an artist of “stylistic versatility and consummate musicality,” “a complete guitarist,” “a singer songwriter of rare talent” and “absurdly accomplished.” Ask anyone on the English folk scene who is their favourite guitarist, singer, songwriter and entertainer and nine times out of ten the same name will crop up in the top three of every department.

“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

He is a favourite amongst his peers too with Dave Pegg, Ralph McTell, Chris Smither, Wizz Jones, Robin Wlliamson and Bert Jansch among others having nothing but good things to say about him. His songs have been recorded by Fairport Convention, Dolores Keane, The House Band, Peter Bellamy, North Cregg, Bob Fox and John Wright and Here’s to Tom Paine is the adopted theme song for the Tom Paine Society of America and rumour has it has been sung by Bruce Springsteen in selected live shows!

“Classic songs sung beautifully - a truly wonderful CD.”  Mike Harding, BBC Radio 2

Born in Liverpool and raised in the Midlands, Steve Tilston is one of our most celebrated song-smiths, in a career spanning thirty years he has become widely recognised within the world of folk and contemporary music: the words, arrangements and subtle but quite superb guitar playing could be no one else.

“He's an unsung hero quietly going about the art of music making.” Zip Code

Steve made his recording debut in the early seventies 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 Swans at Coole; an instrumental recording is testament to his guitar virtuosity. He’s also released a “best of” anthology The Greening Wind and a live album Live Hemistry. His 2005 release Of Many Hands is his first all-traditional recording and in 2006 he joined an illustrious band of guitarists (Martin Carthy, Wizz Jones) recorded on DVD in the Guitar Maestro series.

“…can stand shoulder to shoulder with any guitarist/songwriter in the world.” Dirty Linen