Sweet-voiced GILIAN GARTRY has sung on a Tyne Tee television series but is just as likely to be singing at a school assembly. James Attlee talks to the lady

Gilian Gartry

Ten years is a long time to wait before releasing your first album, but the fact is that Gilian Gartry has been travelling the length and breadth of Britain since her late teens. She started singing somewhat earlier. "Both my parents were committed Christians and I was brought up in that kind of background. From the age of five I used to like to sing. Then, when I got to the age of twelve of thirteen, I had a friend who went to another church where they had a choir, the Bethany Church Choir, and I joined them." It was through the Bethany Church Choir, as she travelled around with them appearing at different churches, (accompanied by the then-revolutionary backing tapes that their director obtained from America) that Gilian gained much of her early experience. Sometimes, when the choir couldn't make an engagement, Gilian would appear solo. From the age of nineteen, she started travelling more extensively.

"Obviously I got heard more, and I never ever refused an engagement. I sang in every denomination, in schools, prisons and remand centres, I really wanted to sing for the Lord from an early age" Gilian's career took another step when she joined the British Continentals whom she sang with during 1985 and her voice, if not her name, also became known to many thousands through her work on 'Spirit Of Praise' albums - more excellent experience. Although after spending so much time as an almost invisible performer, it must be satisfying to have a record out under her own name at last. "It was a lovely experience. I tell you what the most exciting thing was; I met a guy called Chris Norton. He told me he wrote music, and I said 'that would be fantastic, I've got some words I've been writing for a good few years - I've never been able to sing my own material, I'd be absolutely thrilled if I could have some music put to the words'."

Originally Gilian had been invited by Word to record an album of other people's material, but the newly formed songwriting partnership went so well that in the event, all the tracks on 'With You' carry a Gartry/Norton credit. The album has a devotional, worshipful feel, with a well-executed contemporary backing. Gilian's vocal style is definitely to the mellow-and-melodic end of the spectrum. The songs are all based on her personal experience and centre around her relationship with God. On one track, 'With A Heart Full Of Love', she duets with Martyn Joseph, her pure voice contrasting, yet blending well with his rougher tones. Gilian is very pleased with the album, and is already busy jotting down lyrics for new songs, although the prospect of a follow-up is still far off. Meanwhile she is busy with her day-to-day ministry, doing school assemblies, churches, anywhere there is an opening for her to deliver the message she believes in so strongly. "The most important thing is that people know that Jesus loves them and wants to come into their lives. I want God to use me to make just that little chink in the wall that will start to break the wall down. People seem to listen through music, and if it makes them want to do a double take and think 'is He really there...?' That's my job done!"