Search - Priscilla Herdman :: The Water Lily

Buried Treasure

Paul Meehan | Alexandria, VA USA | 07/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I recently stumbled onto this lady's version of 'The Band Played Waltzing Matilda' on YouTube, and bought this CD only to have her exquisite presentation of that classic. What a bonus that there are so many other outstanding tracks, all of which conspire to earn it five stars. I hadn't previously heard of her (this album dates back to 1976), but she is now up there with the likes of Judith Durham ('The Seekers'), Loreena McKennit, Kate Bush, Enya, and several others in my pantheon of muses.

I have heard many versions of 'Matilda' over the years (being an ex-Australian soldier myself), and I have to say that Priscilla's is without a doubt the best of them. An exquisite harmony between voice and instrument persists on all the tracks on this CD, up there in the same class as Loreena McKennitt's 'Lady of Shallot'; as close to perfect as there could ever be.

Besides 'Matilda', Priscilla's presentations of 'The Water Lily' and Scotland's 'Jock o' Hazeldean' are sure to haunt me for many years.

It's also worth mentioning that the CD jacket contains brief explanations of the songs' origins (many are poems by Australia's 'People's Poet', Henry Lawson), with credit to the original authors. A nice touch.

So; Thank You, Priscilla! I can't help but think that somewhere up there, Australia's Greatest Poet is looking fondly down upon you; you have done his work great justice.

And to those of you who like any of the other ladies I have mentioned, this CD will surely not disappoint you.

"