Here’s one of those six degrees of separation questions for you.
What links Tetbury with this Friday’s gig by Steve Tilston via Al Pacino and John Lennon in only six steps?
Well, the cousin of the chap who maintains the Goods Shed’s website was best friends, growing up in New York City, with Cynthia Nixon of Sex in the City fame.
Cynthia Nixon co-starred with Pacino in the 2002 film People I Know. Pacino later starred in the film Danny Collins, which was directly inspired by a letter that Lennon wrote to Steve Tilston in 1971.
Small world!
Tilston is a dazzling guitarist and song writer, drawing from folk, blues, jazz and classical to create a sound that is recognisably his own.
On Friday he’ll be sharing songs from his latest, probably final, album release Last Call as well older favourites from his vast back-catalogue of more than 20 albums. You won’t want to miss it.
An odd story
How the film Danny Collins came to be “kind of based” on Tilston’s life is an odd story.
In 1971, a 21-year-old Tilston gave a magazine interview expressing fear that wealth would ruin his artistic integrity. John Lennon read the piece and mailed a letter to the magazine, encouraging Tilston to stay true to himself and offering his phone number.
Lennon advised:
“Being rich doesn’t change your experience in the way you think. The only difference, basically, is that you don’t have to worry about money – food, roof etc.
“But all other experiences – emotions, relationships – are the same as anybody’s. I know. I’ve been rich and poor. So has Yoko (rich – poor – rich).“
Tilston never received the letter; it was sold to collectors, only resurfacing 34 years later.
While the Hollywood adaptation reimagined Tilston as a washed-up, drug-addled rock star seeking redemption, the real Tilston maintained his respected career in folk music.
At the Goods Shed, he’ll be ioined by regular Yorkshire sideman Hugh Bradley on double bass plus Bristol music scene stalwart and long-time collaborator, harmonica maestro Keith Warmington and ace jazz drummer Tony Orrell on percussion.
You can expect something very special indeed.
Tickets: Advance £16. On the door on the night £19. Selection of Tables for two or four people also available.
Event Details
Doors and bar open at 6:45pm
Starts at 7:30pm