Musical Discoveries The Underliving review
reviews and interview © Russell W. Elliot 2006-2011
Priscilla Hernandez is an independent composer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and fantasy illustrator from the Canary Islands who is now based in Barcelona (Spain). Her music can be described as ethereal gothic inspired in fairy and ghost tales and with a great component of fantasy.
"I like reading, writing, composing, drawing and fantasy, especially old fairytales like those illustrated by Edmund Dulac, Edward Gorey,Arthur Rackham among others," says Priscilla. She has have a deep fascination for spectral gothic ghost tales, and feels particularly attracted by the dark side of folklore. Priscilla thinks think that these have influenced her art with a very moody and melancholic flavor. In addition to singing, she plays piano and keyboards, low whistle, recorder, hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer and other instrtuments. Priscilla is incorporating the kantele, jouhikko, harp and other new instruments into her songs.
The artist has earned an intense loyalty from her fans for her music and art work. In addition to performing live, she holds internet-based concerts to reach her audience. Priscilla's first album Ancient Shadows, released in late 2006, is recognized today as a masterful independent project with superb music, outstanding packaging and excellent illustration.
Five years on, Priscilla has reached new heights with The Underliving (Yidneth (Spain) YID2, 2011). She says, "It was a small cooking project, for me it's a dream come true, all I can say it was made with great love the indie humble way." The article below includes our review of The Underliving and is then followed by our interview and review of Ancient Shadows from 2006.
In the closing moments of 2006, Priscilla Hernandez reached out to Musical Discoveries to introduce herself to our visitors. She was already well-known on the internet for her ethereal gothic textures and comparisons of her sound had been made to Tori Amos, Kate Bush and Enya.
Her debut album Ancient Shadows, the story of the ghost and the fairy, immediately drew attention from listeners worldwide and has become the subject of one of 2007's earliest reviews. Presented in a deluxe digipak, the album has two beautifully illustrated booklets with full lyrics and storyline.
A native of the Canary Islands, she performs in front of live audiences in Barcelona, Spain and around the world in places such as the UK and United States whenever the opportunity emerges. She is proud to be entirely self-made as an illustrator, musical artist and vocalist. Learn all about Priscilla in the comprehensive interview below and read our Ancient Shadows album review. The images within this article complement our story and illustrate Priscilla's beauty.
Priscilla's 2011 project clearly builds on her debut in every dimension. The album is comprised of 18 tracks that flow effortlessly from one to the for over an hour. Beautifully packaged in a 190mm wide x 135mm high (DVD-size) deluxe landscape oriented digipack, the embossed CD is accompanied by an extrmely well produced and removable 48-page booklet. In addition to telling the album's story, it includes lyrics to all the songs, over three dozen of Priscilla's illustrations and several new photographs. An access code in the booklet hints that additional materiail will be made available to purchasers.
Enthusiasts will appreciate the length of time since her last album when noting Priscilla's credits for the album: lead and backing vocals, piano, keyboards, harp, mountain and baritone dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, psaltery, Koshi chimes, kantele, jouhikko, double ocarina, glass harp, singing bowls, recorders, flute, irish tin and low whistle, bansuri, chalumeau and sound effects. Partner Hector Corin contributes percussions, electronic drums, synthesizers as well as pianio and Oscar Tribalhunder drum and selected arrangements on several tracks. Biel Fiot is credited for lead cello.
A vast array of guests contributed to the album: Louisa John-Krol, Kelly Miller Lopez, Gaston Iungman, Maria Montes, Svetlana Tovstukha, Richard Waters, Tonika Nova and student children from Kimberly Steele music class. Purchase the product to read where these contributions are heard on the album.
The Underliving is reminscent of the way record albums used to be. While individual tracks are gorgeously produced and stunning in their own right, the album is best appreciated listening to the themes develop from beginning to end while enjoying the booklet at the same time. That the artist has revealed the album's story and included track by track commentary is certain to be appreciated. This album took a long time for many good reasons. In addition to the stunning production, songs were written between 2007 and 2011.
In addition to Priscilla's stunning vocal work, harmony layers building texture behind or alongside her lead, The Underliving's arrangements are more lush, orchestral and cinematic. "In The Mist" opens the album delicately with soaring vocal layers perfectly joined by strings. The richly arranged and percussive title track explores Priscilla's entire vocal range and, wrenched with an intensely emotional delivery, is a certain standout. Allusions to Loreena McKennitt's work begin to emerge as one listens to the rich strings carrying the theme and the percussive textures supporting Priscilla's superb vocal delivery in "Feel The Thrill" that follows.
"Through the Long Way" is the epic that begins the album's next passage. Down tempo and piano driven, Priscilla performed this on the internet accompanied by a backing track to significant acclaim. The richly arranged album version with soaring vocals, lush strings and low whistle is stunning. In contrast to the melancholy "Don't Be Sad" and stunning single "Off The Lane," "In my Mind's Eye" is a more upbeat and celtic-tinged rhythmic number with lush strings supporting the melody. Listen for the moody cello, crisp harp and the sharply contrasting vocal layers in the atmospheric track "Storm."
"The Aftermath" begins a transition into an even more atmospheric portion of the album with shorter tracks that continues with "The Wind Song." Listen for the incredible electric guitar solo in this dramatically delivered number. "Ode to the Silence" is the first mostly instrumental nummber. It combines piano, keyboard and harp with whispy effects, Priscilla's soaring vocalise and also features a great whistle solo.
In the ballad "Northern Lights," cello, harp and whistle join further rich string arrangements and backing harmonies to support a delicately delivered vocal line. The melancholy "Morning Light" follows accompanied by much lighter arrangements that allow Priscilla to emerge almost a capella. In contrast, the powerful ballad "At the Dream's Door" is backed by a rich piano melody. "One Last Hope" may have at one time been the original conclusions of the album. A rhythmic and warmly arranged ballad, Priscilla's lead vocal carries the melody and allusions of Sarah Brightman's work emerge.
"Totonika Nova" is crisply backed lullaby by harp and whistle tones. Listen for the lush vocal harmonies in this short track. In contrast, the "Good Night Kira" lullaby is more richly arranged with cello and dulcimer backing the lead vocal line. The album concludes with an atmospheric instrumental that is not named in the album's booklet.
The Underliving is a gorgeous album both musically and physically. The eighteen tracks flow seamlessly from one to the next and are perfectly accompanied by the lovely booklet. If you have been inspired by this review or Priscilla's debut, don't settle for a download--buy the physical product. Watch Priscilla's website for availability and ordering information. It is an outstanding project and certainly a best of the year!
