THE woman who took the closing ceremony of the Glasgow Commonwealth games by storm is coming to Sale.

Karen Matheson, master of Gaelic song, will perform at Sale Waterside Arts Centre on Thursday, September 22 at 8 pm.

She’s well known for appearing with Capercaillie, formed by her husband, Donald ‘many moons ago’, but on this occasion her gorgeous voice will be supported by a four piece girl band called Fara. The three fiddlers and a pianist are the perfect accompaniment.

Karen admits to being 53 saying “Age is just a number but glancing in the mirror of a morning tells a different story -aaaah!

She’s joking. Both she and her voice are beautiful.

She grew up in Taynuilt, a small village in Argyll where she soaked up Gaelic because her mother and grandmother spoke it as did her supportive primary school teacher.

Karen said: “The first song I sang in public was Chuir iad an t-suil a Pilot Ban. It’s about a wee doggie called Pilot.

“I’ve recorded it on my new album Urram.

“Urram came about after losing my parents very close together. I was about to record my usual mix of English and Gaelic songs when I discovered old letters and photographs and decided to make the album from purely traditional material.”

Using Seckou Keita on the African Kora and Soumak Datta on the Indian Sarod was a twist that shifted the project into another realm.

“I angst over song choices all the time. They are like your babies. You nurture them and watch them grow and change.”

* For tickets, priced £16.50, contact watersideartscentre.co.uk or ring 0161 912 5616.