This is an album full of beautiful melodies all delivered with a voice that can melt even the hardest of hearts.
Self Release
Hannah Brine (vocals, compositions); Jamie McCredie (guitar); Hamish Balfour (piano on tks 3-10); Jamie Safir (piano on tks 1 & 2); Ian King (bass); Chris Draper (drums); Debs White, Dave Larkin (violins); Reiad Chibah (viola); Julia Graham (cello); Freddie Gavita (trumpet)
This is the debut album of Hannah Brine and comprises original self-penned songs by Hannah alongside music and lyrics written collaboratively with Michael Garvin and Emily Phillips. The music encompasses a variety of influences from Hannah’s love of jazz as heard in the gentle swing and optimism of ‘Let Love Find You’ to singer/songwriters Norah Jones, Cleo Sol and Rumer.
When listening to these beautifully written songs however it in the songwriting of Joni Mitchell and Carole King that perhaps exert the strongest influence and as a lyricist, Hannah has a way of telling her stories succinctly while managing to pull at the heartstrings simultaneously.
It is this ability to tell a story and communicate it through music that makes this album so compelling and enjoyable despite the underlying sadness in some of the material. Hannah’s honey toned voice caress the melodies imbuing the words with a lightness or touch of gravitas by turns that bring an emotional depth to the music that is wholly satisfying.
The opening ‘One Precious Lide’ is a samba that seems at odds with the lyrics that reflect on losinfg someone close, yet do so as they remind one of the joy of that friendship and life itself. From samba to ballad with ‘You Make Me Believe In Love’, this is a wonderful arrangement for voice, guitar and strings in which Jamie McCredie brings a subtle and gentle contribution that blends superbly with violin, viola and cello.
This delightful combination is also heard on ‘Cobwebs and Lace’ that brings home in the importance of memories in the lyrics, while the arrangement for the strings on ‘Goodbye London’ is absolutely gorgeous. What a song!
Not afraid to place herself in that most exposed of settings, Hannah performs ‘Little Bird’ as a duet with pianist Hamish Balfour in a poignant lyric that broaches the subject of fertility and how the chance of motherhood that may never be.
This is an album full of beautiful melodies all delivered with a voice that can melt even the hardest of hearts. The arrangements are lovingly crafted with nothing wasted or superfluous and Ms Brine’s instinct for when a song is done and complete is spot on.
