Tamworth Folk Club Guest Night

May 2006

Steve Tilston and Chris Parkinson

Support - Anne Adams

I knew this nights guest night was going to be different from previous ones, one reason was that pre-booked tickets had been sold in larger quantities, those left sold quickly at the door and I was only going to be in the audience for the first half because I was joining a small select party on a Donaldson ABTA bonded holiday in Italy early the next morning. (more on this later or if you want the full version, ask John)

With the room full and Steve even bribing the management to bring in extra upholstered chairs from the lounge, the night began with Steve giving us a selection of his favourites known by regulars and appreciated by newcomers. He then introduced Anne Adams who has been to the club before and runs the Crystal Folk Club at Stourbridge. Anne's selection of folk songs went down well with her guitar accompaniment and her smashing Black County accent.

Our main guests, yes two for the price of one, came forward to occupy the centre stage. Steve Tilston and Chris Parkinson are names to conjure with.
Steve can stand shoulder to shoulder with any singer/songwriter in the world, He was borne in Liverpool, but raised in the Midlands and has been turning out quality albums since the early seventies. Over the years Steve has become an all-time favourite on the British acoustic guitar scene. He's a fine singer who combines original melodies with superb lyrics.

Chris Parkinson has played music from the age of five, starting with harmonica, and moving on to piano, guitar, concertina, melodeon, piano accordion, and keyboards and even the fiddle. (how do we get such a wealth of talent to our little room) Chris was a founder member of "The House Band" and has worked in performances and studio sessions with such people as Martin Carthy, Ralph McTell, Mike Harding, Martin Simpson and with Billy Connolly on the BBC series, Billy Connolly's World Tour of England and Wales.

The room became alive when Steve and Chris erupted on their first number, perfection with singing and dexterity on guitar and accordion. The amount of songs Steve has at his disposal is mind blowing, and Chris's pure professionalism kept everybody spellbound, right up to the interval. As previously mentioned I had to reluctantly slip away, but from what has been told to me, nobody wanted the evening to end. A big thank you on all your behalf to our organisers for another great night at "The Gamecock".

RDC 2006