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I know Hermione had mixed feelings about this track, but it was always a favourite among a small coterie of her admirers in Durham, not least those who put the concert on. To Melissa Travis it remains one of Hermione's Harvestman's key works, as well as a personal favourite.

'Maybe it's because I was there when she played it - finding myself hypnotised by the rhythms and the melody she later told me came from the Carmina Burana. I saw no contradiction in this - in fact, nothing could have been more natural than having medieval music played on electronic instruments. Not in the sense of Switched On Classics, but something genuinely alchemical and strange. Steve and I had a copy of this at the farm where we were living at the time and if ever we were feeling gloomy we'd play it - very loud - and dance quite wildly until all our cares fell away. To me, it's an essential part of the experience of Hermione Harvestman in general and Hail Bright Cecilia! in particular. I remember eve as late as 1992 I used to tell her how much I still loved her Veris Dulcis - and she'd grunt at me with disapproval. I think it was because she felt that playing actual tunes was beneath her dignity - that it was too obvious a thing to do - or anathema to mediumistic improvisation. But that doesn't distract from what is a very lovely sequence. Even now I might still play it - and revel in it - faults and all. It was only a sound check - the first of two - so you can hear her finding her feet as she reconfigures her equipment - but it did get an enthusiastic round of applause. I remember clapping so much she had to tell me to stop. So at the risk of offending Hermione's ghost, I insist that you include it. If she materialises to haunt you - tell her Melissa told you to do it.'

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from HAIL BRIGHT CECILIA! Live in St. Mary​-​the​-​Less, Durham, Friday 22nd November 1974, released August 16, 2013

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Hermione Harvestman UK

'I feel like Wainwright - we are both hermetic ramblers. He made his books for when he was no longer capable of rambling his beloved fells, and I made my music for when I'm no longer able to ramble the by-ways of Albion - but only to listen, and think "Was that really me? That solitary figure who stood in a landscape dreaming of ages past in dread fear of the future."

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