Thea Gilmore's Angels In The Abattoir update - July 2012

Ok this is a first from Underwurld's resident Angel. Thea Gilmore has sent out a heartfelt and honest assessment of the Angels In The Abattoir fan programme...

In Thea's own words: "So here goes...I hope you all know how valuable you are to me. Obviously, your financial support has been a significant part of my income for the last few years, but AITA has been so much more than that. A connection, a community, a discipline.. Its yielded songs that would never otherwise have been written, and given me a focus and a drive that I don't want to do without."

"I want to GIVE you Angels In The Abattoir free for a while. Instead of a business deal, let's be friends. I still get the fun of writing for you directly, having direct communication and most importantly (for me) I don't feel guilty that I'm letting you down when I'm juggling albums, kids and the nasty side of the business I'm in, and can't dedicate the time AITA deserves."

This didn't come as a massive surprise, as Thea has not given enough time to the supporting website and the attention it deserves, but it's a wonderful gesture to loyal fans. All existing Angels' subscriptions are suspended but memberships are not. This means that new fans cannot start joining for free but existing fans get to remain part of this great fan base and continue to get exclusive songs, at no cost - at least until the programme is updated.

Two key questions from a short FAQ included in the email...

Q. I don't understand why you'd do it?
Because I think you lot are amazing. Because your support means the world to me and because I don't feel I'm offering you value for money right now. So while I get the nuts and bolts of Angels In The Abattoir sorted, I want to give you something back. Plus, if one of my kids gets chicken pox and I can't make it into the studio to record a monthly track one month, I'm not breaking a contract. I like to think I'm pretty honourable and unlike a lot of the music business, this matters to me.

Q. So is this the end of Angels In The Abattoir?
Nope. But it will change. It needs to be better organised, better value and better run and all of this takes time. I want to offer monthly subscriptions, different musical avenues, perhaps introduce new artists through it as well.. But to do it, I need the cogs of the operation to run smoothly so my little one girl band can concentrate on what's important.

And so to July's song: Just Because. This is another wonderful vocal arrangement with Thea in great voice and accompanied by acoustic guitar. Some great lyrics including "There's not a rumour I haven't laid to waste; No sense of humour that I cannot disgrace..." and a rising high-pitched chorus that echoes the sentiment of the current situation and Thea's response to a great idea that desperately needs an update.

Here's to the future and the continuation of Angels In The Abattoir.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (June 2012)

June's song for all us lucky Angels is another cover, this time from Mike Scott (Waterboys). This is Thea's rather softened take on the original which can be found on the 2006 album Book Of Lightning. If anything I expected this version to be a bit more darkly venomous and cynical but instead there is a lightness to it. Scott's vocal on his version is wonderfully direct and dramatic and musically it is more robust but I like what Thea has done with this. An acoustic guitar and a voice with a much more engaging chorus that gives a completely new perspective. And it slowly builds to the end without the need for a big guitar solo. Excellent.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (May 2012)

May's Angels song was a tad late due to the dreaded 'unforeseen technical difficulties' but here it is...

In Thea's own words: "The first is my Meatloaf moment!.. not from a soundslike point of view.. but a 'what was it he wouldn't do?' perspective! So here is The Word.. and if anyone can guess what the word is, they're a better poet than I am. Answers on a postcard."

The Word is undeniably beautiful, an uncluttered, slickly produced piano ballad with an infectious repetitive chorus in which Thea issues the simple refrain: "There's a word for this". So is the word 'love'? That would be too easy but maybe the point is that things are not that simple and cannot be summed up in a single word.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (March 2012)

The end of another month brings all the Angels a new Thea Gilmore song. This one is very much a new song, written and performed the day before it was sent out last week. This is what Thea says about It's True:

"I've been deep in writing mode, getting songs together for a new album.. so this month, I'm sending you a song that I literally wrote yesterday. It may end up on the record, even I'm not sure what I think of it yet but its about as hot off the press as its possible to get so let me know what you think."

It's True is a slow melancholic piece with beautiful poised vocals and a delicate production.

I hope this doesn't end up on the new album, not because it's not a good song but because it will be become nothing more than a free preview. I also don't believe it's quite strong enough for a new album - maybe as a calm closer or with a bit more work, a serene mid-point.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (February 2012)

The end of another month brings us lucky Angels another offering from Thea Gilmore. This month is a rejected song from the Victor Gregg documentary entitled This Is The Time.

Thea doesn't say anything about the song but it's certainly a departure from her typical sound. This is a dark, slightly tribal and with a distinct Native American vibe. Part blues and part Americana with a distant wordless chorus - this is very atmospheric and moody.

In other news, here are Thea's latest tour dates (with Joan Wasser, Maddy Prior and Bellowhead):

May 19: LIVERPOOL Liverpool Philharmonic 0151 709 3789 liverpoolphil.com
May 20: NOTTINGHAM Royal Centre 0115 989 5555 royalcentre-nottingham.co.uk
May 21: BRIGHTON Festival 01273 709709 brightondome.org
May 22: COVENTRY Warwick Arts Centre 024 7652 4524 warwickartscentre.co.uk
May 23: LONDON Barbican Centre 020 7638 8891 barbican.org.uk
May 24: BASINGSTOKE The Anvil 01256 844244 anvilarts.org.uk
May 27: GATESHEAD The Sage Gateshead 0191 443 4661 thesagegateshead.org
May 28: MANCHESTER Bridgewater Hall 0161 907 9000 bridgewater-hall.co.uk

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (January 2012)

A great start to 2012! Thea Gilmore has given all her lovely Angels a fantastic new song, exclusive to all subscribers and no one else! Hold Still is a deep and meaningful piano ballad with huge deep echoing vocals and plenty of atmosphere. Here's what Thea says about the song:

"This is a title that I've had for a while and I could never quite write the right song for it. I'm still not sure that the song quite lives up to its idea, so you may hear another song with the same title somewhere down the line (some of you may be interested to know that I wrote 3 Red White And Black's before finally settling on the right one!)"

A song worthy of a new Thea Gilmore album.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (December 2011)

The final song from Thea this year for all her lovely Angels is another double: the rather pleasant But Me and a brief take of Auld Lang Syne.

But Me is full of haunting, echoing, spacious vocals set to a simple guitar backing. No write-up or explanation from Thea this time but the message is positive and upbeat in spite of a sedate and measured delivery. A gorgeous love song emerges in the last minute.

Thea's take on Auld Lang Syne is equally beautiful and as expected. A cappella and only one verse but a rare and special performance.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (November 2011)

This month's feast of sound from Thea Gilmore to all her lovely Angels In The Abattoir is a cover of Mark Knopfler's Piper To The End. Thea original had a new song ready but 'technical issues' got in the way so we will have to wait for that. Anyway... this appears on the documentary Victor that was broadcast by the BBC earlier this month.

Thea says "It just so happens that Mark is a very good friend of the guy who wrote the novel 'Victor'.. a lovely man called Rick Stroud.. so imagine the sweat on Nigels brow when he realised that his guitar solo would be under the scrutiny of the Knopfler himself! Luckily, word came back that he loved our version.. and he was also pretty busy playing support to.. err, Bob someone at the time so all was fine!"

It's a great version that is true to the original and Nigel is superb.

Also Thea appeared on The Andrew Marr show... very brief but see it here...

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (September 2011)

This month Thea has provided her lovely Angels with five (yes five!) demos from her 2000 album The Lipstick Conspiracies. This is not my favourite Thea Gilmore record; her début Burning Dorothy and follow-up Rules For Jokers are both excellent in comparison. Anyway, the five demos are:

• Lidocaine Baby
• Exit Route
• Forgotten
• Generation Y
• Night Driving

Thea says about the demos: "These come with a proviso though.... the next time I see you all, you must must promise not to laugh in my face about the silly Minnie Mouse American accent I'm using on them. I was young, foolish, listening to far too much Joni. Aaaargh.. maybe I've been too hasty! Enjoy the giggle!"

As you might expect these songs are very stripped-down complete with scratchy guitar and raw vocals. In spite of Thea's critical assessment, she sounds fantastic. Young and filled with energy and angst. Forgotten (probably the best song) is complete with a cheesy drum machine. The frantic Generation Y needs a lot of work and it shows greatly the benefits of these early takes to see how the finished articles evolved. Night Driving is not far from the final version.

Some new songs next month please!

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (August 2011)

It's been a busy time for Thea Gilmore. So much so that we didn't get a July song at all. She has a good excuse though...a new baby son born a couple of weeks early and requiring some much deserved rest and recuperation. Now at the end of August, Thea wanted to make it up to her devoted Angels by providing two songs but a call to provide for a new Amnesty International collection of Dylan (who else?!) tracks. A studio version of I'll Remember You (previously performed live) will be her contribution.

This month's song is the delicate but striking This Road The King. A simple acoustic backing adorns Thea's piercing vocals. She introduces it as "well, the parenthood thing is looming large in my life right now, as you may expect. One guy about to head to school for the first time and one just born.. It got me thinking about what lies ahead for my kids". This both celebrates and berates the highs and lows of growing up and making your way in the world. And the observations, as always, unfold beautifully.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (June 2011)

A really interesting song this month, recorded by Thea while on her way to Glastonbury...

I will let Thea introduce the song:

"We're travelling to Glastonbury festival to play John Wesley Harding on the acoustic stage.. I have very deliberately avoided all TV footage of the festival so far because its been raining solidly for three days and I don't want to know the quagmire that we're about to drive into.

I am at this point, 35 weeks pregnant and the size of a house, literally, a good sized, 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom family home.. it is hot and humid and grey and my fuzzy brain is trying to process everything that I need to think about for the performance that night. We've left all motorways and major roads behind and we're winding our way through English, pastoral, summer greenness.

And then two things happen, the more mundane of them being that I realize I desperately need to use the bathroom..  and the sun comes out..

So here's what we do, we stop.. in a tiny lane. I make myself more.. ahem... comfortable.. and then, just for fun, we get the guitar out and record..."

The song is 'Give Me A Place To Stand', a sad, melancholy ballad that doesn't quite sum up the glorious English summer festival mood but instead adds a sense of perspective on the world.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (May 2011)

This month's song from Thea Gilmore to all her lovely Angels is just a bit special. A live recording of I'll Remember You taken from the Bob Dylan birthday show at Union Chapel on May 24th. This coincides with the release of her new album: Dylan's John Wesley Harding.

Here's what Thea said about the show...

"The Dylan show worked a treat at Union Chapel... it was a really atmospheric night.. appropriate churchy-ness and gothic lighting. A great band and a fabulous crowd.. so for all those of you who were there, thankyou for making it so special."

Thea dedicates the song to a dear departed Angel; a lovely gesture.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (April 2011)

For April, Thea has provided her Angels with a new song: Money Shot. Here's how she describes it:

"So here is a track that popped into me a few weeks ago.. about living life in the public eye, about damage and loss.. probably about someone in particular, but I'll leave that up to you to decide."

Not the best song Thea has written musically and somewhat tired and well-trodden subject-matter. Plus a really odd whistling ending that doesn't really work. But the lyrics are spot-on and worthy of much better arrangement. They can't all be gems.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (March 2011)

Nearly the end of another month and the exclusive track for all us Angels Of The Abattoir is a song that was left off probably my favourite Thea Gilmore album, Avalanche. First off it doesn't sound like anything else on Avalanche, which is why it was rejected. Maybe the mix was/is all wrong: here is what Thea says about the song:

"One of the nice things about clearing out your house is that you find all manner of curiosities, and I found a disc with monitor mixes for Avalanche (for those of you who don't know the jargon, a monitor mix is a very rough reference mix of what's been recorded before the real mixing begins) and It had on it a song that never made it onto the album.. so I thought I'd send it to you because I always liked it and regretted not finishing it".

One thing I love about Avalanche is how 'space-aged' it sounds and I can't imagine this song with that sort of production. It is a solid, tuneful, stripped-down acoustic piece but one wonders what it would have sounded like given a bit more time and different arrangement. Guess we will never know. Oh it also features Robbie McIntosh (from Paul McCartneys band, Pretenders et al) and backing vocals by Dave Hull-Denholm who used to be in Lindisfarne.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (February 2011)

The end of February brings another Angels' offering from Thea Gilmore. This month is a heartfelt, emotional, and slightly wistful ballad The Learning Curve.

Thea says, of the song: "It's a bit of a musing on growing up really, the ideas and dreams you have as a child that don't quite bloom in the way you think they will. But they are replaced by a quieter kind of magic. And we all know that quiet magic is the good stuff. So here it is.. My learning curve.. I hope you like it."

This is another cracking vocal from one of the best British singers in the business and I'm glad to be part of its 'magic'. Yes this lacks the polish and production of anything on an album but it is this intimacy and connection that can only occur between an artist and her fans. Excellence yet again.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (December 2010)

This month Thea Gilmore's Angels In The Abattoir song is a bit of an odd one. During her recent live shows Thea has performed a version of the Guns 'N' Roses anthem Sweet Child O' Mine and this version is from the Gateshead show recorded this month during the tour.

Typically Thea's version focuses on the words - Sweet Child O' Mine actually has some wonderful lyrics and here they take centre stage. There are two excellent string pieces to replace the Slash guitars and the only issue is the sound quality at the top end of the choruses.

Hopefully Thea will record 'a proper version' in the studio soon.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir (November 2010)

November's new tune from Thea Gilmore for all Angels In The Abattoir fans is something very special. Thea describes Lovers as a song about relationships, decline and longing but also adds that she hopes it has 'life beyond her' which is an odd thing to say but makes perfect sense. I think every singer wants their music to continue through others, not ripped-off and used as an easy option but given new breath from new blood.

As for the song, Lovers is a beautiful ballad with a sweet premise and wonderful melody. Again Nigel Stonier provides the co-write and as a duo they are making great music. This could easily be a track from Murphy's Heart and I would have put in place of one or two of the others that actually made it. But I'm glad she didn't. This is a song worthy of her fans and the way they are contributing to Thea's vibrant and energised career.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir Update (October 2010)

The end of another month and this means another Thea Gilmore song for us Angels In The Abattoir. This month is another revisited song written by Thea and Nigel Stonier: Blue Shadow from Nigel's album Brimstone & Blue, reworked by Thea.

Thea describes it as 'a song of longing and loss.. maybe of a friend or a lover, but I remember very clearly when we finished this song that we both really loved its simplicity and ache..'.

I like the take, in particular the simple piano leading into the middle of the song, and it's another solid vocal from Thea. That said, something new and more upbeat would be great.

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abattoir Update (September 2010)

A new song from Thea for all us lucky Angels this month is Carousel Queen, a slow purposeful waltz that Thea describes as 'a combination of enjoying the ride and being nicely worn in. So I guess a song about growing up really'. Lyrically the song is interesting as the metaphor begins and quickly turns into something else: 'the louder you scream, the faster I go', and the sinister nature and usual spikiness is great but it lacks a decent chorus (Thea is too high). Musically it tries a pseudo-roots vibe but constantly feels like a fragment or a Murphy's Heart out-take. We can't hope for the quality of songs such as God's Got Nothing On You and You're The Radio but it would be nice once in a while...

Thea Gilmore - Angels In The Abatoir (August 2010)

This month's Angels In The Abattoir song coincides with the release of Thea Gilmore's new album Murphy's Heart so it's been a busy time for an artist who is making so much new music. So I'm not that surprised that the song for August, entitled Got To Run is about flight over fight. Thea describes it simply as 'an abstract song about flight and hiding'.

Got To Run is a stripped down, single guitar and vocal piece that has a work-in-progress demo feel about it, at least musically. Lyrically it hits the mark with some good lines and the production is deep and clear. But it would be too rough around the edges to be an album track of any note and possibly an out take from Murphy's Heart. Not bad...but can do better!

Find out all about the Angels scheme here.