From: Pete Fyfe
[petefyfe_at_aol_dot_com]
Sent: 21 March 2012 15:23
Subject: Pete Fyfe STEVE TILSTON
& THE DURBERVILLES review & sleeve
Attachments: ST & The
Durbervilles - Oxenhope.jpg
STEVE TILSTON & THE
DURBERVILLES - The Oxenhope EP (Splid Records CD009)
OK, so I nearly consigned this
5-track CD to the "don't bother" pile. Perhaps I should explain?I hate
half-cocked albums with only a few tracks and, for some reason becoming ever
more popular with ?folk' artists. A lot of my mates, myself included feel
cheated and after all, if you've only got half an album then why bother? Still,
now that I've got that off my chest I'm pleased to report that this is a really
nice recording. The reason I played it in the first place was to hear the
dulcet tones and technically flawless guitar from the always excellent Steve
Tilston. That he is joined by the equally impressive ?country-ish' sound of The
Durbervilles; Lee Walker (12-string guitar), David Crickmore (banjo, mandolin
& electric guitar), Mark Boyce (drums), Gus Taylor (accordion) and Ruth
Wilde (double bass and bass guitar) with nearly all members contributing vocals
really create an impressive wall of sound. From the subtle groove of the
opening track "Oil And Water" to the up-beat Big Geraniums (remember them?)
sounding "There She Blows" between them the ?band' manage to make every track
count so perhaps I shouldn't have been so dismissive in the first place but
please, next time make it the full Monty! By the way, is it me or does anyone
else hear a young Dave Burland (without the burr) in Steve's voice or perhaps
maybe I'm being a tad obsequious? www.stevetilstonandthedurbervilles.co.uk
PETE FYFE