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Instead of the Saints (BEJOCD-21) is the outstanding debut
single of 18-year-old singer-songwriter Thea Gilmore from Banbury.
Filed under indie-folk, the four tracks betray astonishingly mature
talents from an artist who first came to attention while she was still
at school, doing work experience at Woodworm Studios. A demo tape
of her songs so impressed Beautiful Jo’s Tim Healey that he immediately
offered her a record deal.
Instead of the Saints - the CD single - is the result. The big, shimmering
title track is backed by the dreamy Beelzebub, upbeat Brittle Dreams
and poignant, acoustic Maybe. Thea Gilmore played at the Radio One
Sound City events held in October 1997, where she was rapturously
received by two Oxygen FM critics. ‘Many a time I had shivers
down my spine... She has a beautiful voice... She opens her mouth
and this amazing voice comes out. A singer who really keeps her dignity.’
(Christina Dunphy) ‘ Definitely top notch.’ (Lizzie Ambler).
Thea has also been the subject of a feature on Central TV South.
Thea has now recorded a brilliant debut album, Burning Dorothy (SHAME
1200), on the Shameless Records label. You can buy the album from
us at £12.99 incl. p&p. Just fill in the Honest Jo mail order form. A Thea Gilmore website is currently under
construction - watch this space!.
Meanwhile, for live gigs and all other information write to:
PO Box 118
Sandbach
Cheshire CW11 1FE
Mojo review
Thea Gilmore - Burning Dorothy - album review in Mojo, February
1999
The easy option is lots of ‘English Alanis’ cliches and
indeed there’s plenty of feisty attitude, barbed one-liners,
edgy rock arrangements and hollering affirmations of strident independence.
But the comparisons are misleading. ‘Pontiac to Homegirl’
reveals a writer of intriguing mystique and depth, while Militia
Sister (‘Just because I bleed seems to make me family, I don’t
wanna be your militia sister’) is an oddly moving statement
of post-feminist intent. And ‘Bad Ideas’, both funny and
potent, is so good it’s scary. If we’re in the business
of comparisons, then the freedom of spirit, remorselessly fierce
air of truth and bold range of emotions and musical explosions here
demand they be with Ani DiFranco. All this and tunes too.
Colin Irwin
Bristling with well-observed
barbs, cute self deprecation and well-constructed songs
The Times
Packed with potential...if
one of the major record labels doesn't pick up on Gilmore soon,
they're as stupid as people say they are.
Sunday Times
Copyright © 1996/2003 Beautiful Jo Records