Katriona Gilmore & Jamie Roberts

The last time I saw Katriona Gilmore And Jamie Roberts, it was performing on Stage Two at the Cambridge Folk Festival, seeing them perform in the more intimate setting of the Square And Compass, the legendary 18th century Purbeck Inn that has in it's past played host to the likes of Augustus John, Astronomer Sir Bernard Lovell and Nobel laureates, Sir Alan Hodgkin and Sir Martin Ryle, was no less impressive.

The number of musicians beating a path to the bar of the Square And Compass is equally impressive, Corrine West and Kelly Joe Phelps had played the night before and being on hand, Corrine stepped in to play the role of sound engineer on the night for Kat and Jamie, who were playing two forty minute sets.

It had been a glorious day, something that also seemed to bring a number of walkers to the pub, seeking to unwind from a day on the hills. A sheepdog found its way into the music room and entertained it's self chasing a round a chewed bit of stick, silently during the set. Unusual though this seems to be at a gig, it added to the distinct homely feel of the venue.

Gilmore And Roberts warmed immediately to the intimacy of the venue and sized their sound accordingly and lets be honest, it's a beautiful sound regardless of whether is floating around a large tent or a small room. The combination of tunes, songs and harmonies just bring life to where they are playing and despite being lit by a single bulb, they brought real light to the room.

Being such an intimate venue, I really got the chance to see how consummate a guitar player Jamie Roberts is. He plays sat down, often playing the guitar lap style and using it as a percussion instrument as well as stringed one, it means that whilst it's easy to see Kat's fiddle and mandolin playing, Jamie's is hidden in most venues. I was fortunate enough to be in a position to watch his playing and boy is it impressive.

He managed to snap a string during one of two new songs the duo were giving an airing to in anticipation of recording their third album early next year. Kat's fill in jokes aside, if the album is as good as the two new self penned songs imply, it's going to be a cracker. String repaired the duo slipped back into the middle of the song as though the poor cheese jokes hadn't happened.

For those that made the trip from nearby Poole and Bournemouth and further afield, it was a night that justified every mile, for the Worth Matravers, they must feel really lucky to have such a wonderful venue on their doorstep. It was one of those nights when you just had to be there and they don't come around that often.

Neil King