Cindy Mangsen - Biography

Cindy Mangsen is "one of the best singers in American folk music" (Come for to Sing). Accompanying herself on guitar, banjo, English concertina, or mountain dulcimer, Cindy'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 has appeared in concert with such performers as Pete Seeger and Dave Van Ronk, and can be heard singing harmony on many albums, including several of Tom Paxton's recordings.

Cindy's first solo album, LONG TIME TRAVELING, was recorded live to 2-track and released on the Hogeye label in 1983. Cindy was aided by musicians Anne Hills, Jan Burda, and Fred Campeau, and the record, chosen one of the Top Folk Albums of the Year by the Chicago Reader, will soon be reissued on CD. A second album, SETTLE DOWN, was released in the Spring of 1988 on the Front Hall label, with backup by Anne Hills and Abby Newton.

A recording entitled, VOICES, released on Flying Fish Records in 1990, features Cindy in a trio with Anne Hills and Priscilla Hedman. the three women have received enthusiastic reviews both on record and in live performances. "As unique voices each is superb; as a trio triumphant... Deftly they go to the heart of each song, intense, tender of playful" (Cornell Folk Song Club Newsletter). The album has been called a "clinic in harmony... The entire project is well-conceived, nearly crafted and expertly performed" (Hartford Advocate).

a digitally-recorded project produced in 1991 is a live concert company disc of Cindy and her husband, Steve Gillette. The recording was chosen one of the Top Ten Folk Albums of 1991 by Rich Warren (WFMT), Mike Flynn (The Folk Sampler, and Tina Hay (WPSU, University Park, PA).

A solo recording entitled SONGLINES was released in 1993. Hailed by Scott Alarik in the Boston Globe as one of the Top Ten Folk Albums of the year, the album was produced by Pete Sutherland, and features backup by Steve Gillette, Anne Hills, Priscilla Herdman, Abby Newton and others. It includes both traditional and original material, "gorgeous, pure vocals, and remarkable arrangements." (Boston Globe).

a duet album with Anne hills entitled NEVER GROW OLD was released by Flying Fish in November 1994. The album is a recording of traditional songs featuring many guest artists including Gordon Bok, Steve Gillette, John Hartford, Priscilla Herdman, Laurie Lewis, and Tom Paxton.

Cindy has made guest appearances on many syndicated and locally originated radio programs including All Things Considered (NPR), Mountain Stage (West Virginia Public Radio), Simply Folk (Wisconsin Public Radio), The Folk Heritage (WGBH, Boston), The Flea Market (WBEZ, Chicago) and The Hudson River Sampler (WAMC, Albany), and has been featured in concert on the public television series In the Tradition. She has performed at many major U.S. and Canadian folk festivals: Champlain Valley Festival, The Eisteddfod, Falcon Ridge Festival, The Great River Festival, The Kerrville Festival, Old Songs Festival, Owen Sound Summerfolk FEstival, Philadelphia Folk Festival, Vancouver Folk Festival, Walnut Valley Festival, and Winnipeg Folk Festival.

For more information, please see Cindy Mangsen's Web site.

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