Tanya Brittain - Hireth (2020)

Debut solo album from tanya Brittain. You’ll probably recogniseTanya Brittain’s face and voice as one half of Cornwall-based folk duo The Changing Room, which she created with vocalist Sam Kelly in 2014.

An award-winning songwriter, Brittain has written two albums and four EPs for The Changing Room, songs for other recording artists and for many creative projects, but this is her first release under her own name.

Her original songs in Cornish and English language have been performed by a multitude of recording artists and broadcast live on BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 2.

On this self-produced album, she leaves behind the tales of Cornish wreckers and tin miners, at least for the time being. This is a collection of original songs about longing and includes two tracks in Cornish language plus two traditional songs.

Hireth (the Cornish word for homesickness) evokes a sense of nostalgia. It feels established and a worthy addition to the 60’s folk revival section in any folk collection.

Alan Pengelly (piano accordion), Mark Barnwell (guitar) and Annie Baylis (violin) helped to capture the mood and Celtic spirit of this album, together with Mattie Foulds (percussion) and Ben Nicholls (double bass).

Thick with Breton café ambience, it’s a welcome dose of musical realism. It feels authentic, familiar and grounding, like going back to your roots in some way.