Herdman, Hills, and Mangsen

Priscilla Herdman is a New York-based interpreter of a wide variety of contemporary songwriters. She accompanies herself on the guitar and many of her albums benefit from the accompaniment of her friend, co-producer, and cellist Abby Newton. In addition to a wide variety of American songwriters, Priscilla also interprets Australian and Canadian contemporary folkmusic. Her repertoire includes songs by Eric Bogle, Cathy Fink, Anne Hills, Connie Kaldor, HenryLawson, John McCutcheon, Eileen McGann, David Mallet, Bruce [Utah] Phillips, Stan Rogers, Judy Small, Bill Staines, Nancy White, and many others. 

Along with her soaring soprano, Anne's songwriting has garnered critical acclaim and the attention of her peers. Her songs have been covered by both trios with whom she worked, as well as a growing number of other artists. Her writing is often inspired by news events, and she is a regular performer at The Kerrville Folk Festival (as well as a "Songwriter's School" instructor 1993 & 1995). She has co-written with Michael Smith, Jay Ansill and David Roth.  Anne is also an Equity actress. She began stage work at 12, and her theater work has included the Chicago, Buffalo and Lansing productions of Quilters, Foxfire, The Courtship of Carl Sandburg, and Jim Post's The Heart of Christmas" Most recently (winter 1995) audiences saw her at The Arden Theatre in Philadelphia. She was acting and singing songs that she was commissioned to write (with Jay Ansill, harpist) for Brian Friel's Lovers.

Accompanying herself on guitar, banjo, English concertina, or mountain dulcimer, Cindy Mangsen's repertoire ranges from haunting Scottish ballads to songs by writers as diverse as Jack Hardy and Jean Ritchie. Cindy began performing professionally in 1976 and has traveled extensively since that time. She and her husband Steve Gillette have appeared in concert throughout the U.S. and Europe, and she can be heard singing harmony on many albums, including several of Tom Paxton's recordings.

• Cindy Mangsen's bio
• Priscilla Herdman's bio
• Anne Hills' bio

Reviews

From the year's annual Top 10 Recordings: "Mix the mellifluous voice of Anne Hills with the  crystalline soprano of Priscilla Herdman and the calm alto of Cindy Mangsen, throw in some great songs, add a healthy dose of long-term friendship, and the result is a clinic in harmony...The entire project is well conceived, neatly crafted and expertly performed. Who could ask for more?"
The Hartford Advocate

"This exquisite trio album from Priscilla, Anne and Cindy weaves and blends three of the loveliest voices in American folk...One of 1990's best albums."
Danna Garcia - Canadian River Music

"The only thing better than one beautiful voice is three. Folksingers Priscilla Herdman, Anne Hills and Cindy Mangsen prove the point on their album, Voices."
Pioneer Press (Illinois)

"The whole thing is simply so beautiful, and the harmonies so inventive and tight, but the arrangements never get in the way of the  songs...Highly recommended."
Bill Spence - Andy's Front Hall

"I hightly recommend this CD for the finely tuned vocal blending of these three singers. Definitely a winning combination."
Denise Sofranko - Dirty Linen