Glasgow's Old Fruitmarket with its wooden balconies is one of the city's most atmospheric venues, where you feel almost transported Victorian times.? I always enjoy my visits there during Celtic Connections and chose to see Gilmore after seeing her at the Dylan Concert at last year.

Kris Drever supported her, with Eamonn Coyne (Salsa Celtica) on banjo and Megan Henderson (Breabach) on fiddle.? Kris has a rich vocal and he is a top rhythm guitarist. He sang, among other songs, Burn?s Parcel of Rogues ,and the band also performed some upbeat reels. They're a very accomplished band and I enjoyed their set.

Gilmore is a quiet performer with a beautiful voice. She was supported by Nigel Stonier (her long-time collaborator, producer, husband and co-songwriter) and a full band that included cello and violin strings. She has recorded an album of Sandy Denny songs called 'Keep On Singing' where she's put music to Denny's lyrics.? One of my favourite songs ever is Denny?s ?Who Knows Where the Time Goes?, Gilmore does a convincing job and has a voice with subtle natural depth and highs.? She has to be admired as to emulate an iconic voice such as Denny?s is a very brave task!? I particularly enjoyed her versions of 'Long Time Gone', 'Georgia' and 'Goodnight', She is releasing the song 'London; as a single.?

Bio. Thea Gilmore is a British singer songwriter. She began her career working in a recording studio, where she was discovered by her now long-time collaborator, producer, husband and co-songwriter Nigel Stonier. Gilmore released several albums and made a breakthrough with the release of Avalanche in August 2003, which became her first album to break into the Official UK Album Chart. In 2004, folk singer Joan Baez invited Gilmore to open for her during her US tour.? Gilmore returned to recording with the release of Harpo's Ghost in August 2006.? In 2008 Fruitcake Records? released Liejacker, Gilmore's eighth album featuring contributions from Joan Baez, Dave McCabe and Erin McKeown.

(Fife?s King Creoste and John Hopkins were performing on the same night as Thea at the ABC Glasgow and as I have enjoyed his mercury nominated album 'Diamond Mine' I would have enjoyed seeing him too. This is often the way at Celtic Connections where you are spoiled for choice.)

Review by Pauline Keightley? - PKIMAGE: Musicfootnotes www.musicfootnotes.com/