AN unusual CD of Icelandic traditional music has been recorded by a Worcester woman who was born in north Iceland.

Soprano Bra Grmsdttir, has recorded songs learnt from her father, and grandparents, as well as music found on manuscripts.

She believes the CD, called Funi, could be the only traditional Icelandic music CD released in this country.

Bra performs her music shows with guitarist and partner Chris Foster.

"As far as we know this is the first CD of Icelandic traditional music released in the UK," she says.

"It's also the first CD I have released with my singing on it.

"Funi means fire, it was also the name of a favourite horse belonging to my grandfather.

"My grandmother wrote a poem about the horse called Funi, and I sing the poem on the album.

"Many of the songs I sing on the record were also learned from my father and grandfather."

Aside from Chris on the album, John Kirkpatrick, of Brass Monkey fame also plays the accordion and concertina on the CD.

Bra and Chris will be playing the tracks from the new album at Worcester's Huntingdon Hall tomorrow, and those people who catch the duo live will be able to see John Kirkpatrick appear in the show as a guest.

The album which has 18 tracks, can be bought from Oakstone Classics, Reindeer Court, in Worcester and at live gigs.

The CD is accompanied by a 36-page booklet which features photographs personal to Bra.

"The booklet is in English, everything is translated in English," she says.

"There are many beautiful pictures from the farm where my grandparents lived in the north of Iceland where I grew up.

"Some of the songs of the album are from manuscripts.

"One song has text from the 14th Century. It is an old Catholic poem."

Bra grew up in Reykjavik the capital of Iceland.

"It got quite dark for most of the time in winter, especially December and January," she says.

"The Northern Lights in winter time were beautiful, like flying lights in the sky, a kind of green colour."

Bra appeared on Icelandic television at the age of 12.

"I may be a soprano singer, but I have a large vocal range and I'm not trying to sing like a classical singer," she says.

She then lived in Denmark, Norway and Holland.

"I wanted the chance to see the world," she said.

Catch Bra and Chris at Huntingdon Hall, CrownGate, Worcester, tomorrow. Doors open at 8pm, and tickets cost £8.50, or £7.50 concessions. For details, contact the box office on 01905 611427.