Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10

Christmas can either be an anathema to the soul, or if you are fortunate it can turn the winter period into one of joyous celebration, the message of spirituality, of throwing your life open to new experiences, of understanding that there is more to this time of year than materialism and personal gain, there is empathy, the freedom to sing, or to be silent, to listen at least to the sound of internal delight taking shape and the welcome poise of surrender to a heavenly guide.

The sound of Christmas is different for everybody, for some it is the dodging of the noise of the till, for others it is the delight in hearing choir as they take the audience through chosen and rehearsed classic winter songs. For some though, all they dream of hearing is a passionate voice sing them softly into a dreamland, a place in which for a few hours their lives are sacred, relaxed, in step with their own aspirations and good will to all who love, laugh and live with purpose and pleasantries.

It is in that sense of purpose sought in which Thea Gilmore arrives at the Philharmonic Hall’s Music Rooms as part of her Christmas Party Tour, a selection of songs hung in stockings above the mantle-piece in which the festive cannot but help feel cheery and the more sedate and wary of the time of year and all it brings in terms of memories and reminisce, are given a warm glow of nostalgia, a kindness of love wrapped in the longing of a different time.

An evening in which Ms. Gilmore surrounds herself with smiles and reflections of her considerable talent, and armed with the peace that is entailed in songs such as Listen The Snow Is Falling, December, Midwinter Toast, Sol Invictus, the heart-breaking but undeniably cool December In New York, The Warmest Winter and the brilliant St. Stephen’s Day Murders, all that any audience member could do was to sit and take in the patient calling card of the presents on offer, a musical advent calendar opened one direct song after another, the odd surprise adding sparkle to the festivities on offer.

A beautiful night of music supplied by a generous heart and sincere thought of goodwill to all this coming Christmas, a wave of optimism in what can sometimes be a cold realisation of the year ahead.

Ian D. Hall