Songs from the Dress Rehearsal is beautiful album that has been sought by lovers of good music and performance for almost three decades. It is part of a very welcome and indeed essential service by Market Square Music where they are re-issuing, sometimes with bonus tracks, albums that defined one era but have potential to define ours as well.

Steve Tilston is a wonderful writer, performer and guitarist. His work is widely respected but some of his early work had become impossible to find. This CD gives old and new listeners a chance to acquire 11 tracks from 1976 plus six others that were recorded in 1979 but not released.

The album is generally a nice quiet laidback set of tracks. Each is honed to perfection and performed with a passion. Each of the songs comes with background notes and lyrics in the accompanying booklet.

The opening track, "Do What You Please," sets the tone of the album. It is a heartfelt song of loss that is found to be worse in the anticipation than in the actuality. We have all been there, I suppose, and that is the great strength of Tilston's work -- it hits us in our experiences. "Impressions" is another such tale. Who has ever been in a relationship where you both know the future is non-existent but find it hard to end?

Tilston's song "Make Time for Love" could be a worthwhile philosophy of life. In many ways the same could be said for "Sing for Salvation."

Many can relive their youth to the music and lyrics of "Fairground Rock 'n' Roll." You may have called it fairground, carnival or funfair, but the effect was the same. Fun and games, gangs of youths, loud music and flashing lights were the mecca of the teenagers of every town, big or small. Listen carefully and enter that mental time machine.

A favourite track for me is "Mr Dreamer." It is a lovely, country-sounding piece written for a friend having some problems.

This is a fantastic album that is still fresh today, even if it was originally around when many of us were in our teens. It is a great reminder of the quality that existed and sets us wondering about other gems of our youth that we would love to reprise. Whether you recall the 1970s or not, you will enjoy this collection of top-class tracks.

- Rambles
written by Nicky Rossiter
published 26 March 2005