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Post by stuartj on Jun 5, 2008 16:40:05 GMT
I haven't read all this thread, or others, and hope I aren't repeating what has already been said; but I have wondered if Hayley could add some more overt folk material into her repetoire. People have likened her to a young Joan Baez, and while I don't think she need or would want to get political, there are some songs in that genre that I think she could do well.
I'm not sure whether "What have they done to the rain" is an anti-war or an environmental song, but it seems to me Hayley could do something like this without compromising herself. Leonard Cohen's, "Susanne", "The Patriot", "This Land is Your Land", crossing over a little further, maybe "Long Black Veil". (Done my many from different Genres, including Baez and Mick Jagger.) Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" -- completely inoffensive celebration of childhood done well by Baez. "Where have all the flowers gone". And stuff of this nature. My notion is that this is more popular in the US, but whether it would make much real difference, I don't know. Maybe I'm way off the mark and these wouldn't suit her, but I don't see why she couldn't do them well. Peter Paul and Mary's "500" miles (I think that was it) is another. There are one or two others that may be better left until she is a little older (that is not a criticism of Hayley) but I would like to hear her do some of the above. Baez had a lot of feeling in some songs that she was personally committed to, but Hayley is probably the better all-round singer. And Debbie Wiseman the composer who has used Hayley on various projects has argued that Hayley can take the simplest of songs and make it beautiful. This could be argued as one of the most difficult things to do, and a sign of real artistry. It seems to me to make the likes of a song like "Suzanne" that may not mean a great deal, but that is a "celebration" of beauty, friendship, etc, (there was a real Suzanne and although she and Cohen were long-term friends they were never lovers [in the sexual sense]) very suitable for Hayley.
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Post by grant on Jun 5, 2008 17:51:04 GMT
Oh, dang. I have double posted again. Would someone please remove that. Hi Stuart You can actually do it yourself providing you are logged in! In your post towards the top right hand corner you should see "quote" "modify" "delete". Simply click on delete and your unwanted post disappears as if by magic! Best wishes Grant
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Joe
Administrator
Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,693
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Post by Joe on Jun 7, 2008 2:41:59 GMT
As posted by larryhauck; moved from the thread "Bon Voyage to Stephany". For Hayley to establish herself in the U S she must be very patient. First she needs to get known on either the East coast or the West coast. Then her popularity would flter in throughout the country. A part in a broadway show or a movie theme would be great. Even another tour with the Celtic Woman group would be benificial. A singing role in a road company of a popular show such as Mama Mia would also help. What it takes to succeed here is exposure-all you can get. You have to be in the right place at the right time and seen by the right people to get a great break. She could even try a stint as a crossover country artist. Hayley is a multi facited talent and she could break in so many ways with the right promotions.
Larry
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Post by Colin on Jun 7, 2008 5:56:31 GMT
Hi everyone
Just a thought - if the Hayley Sings Japanese Songs is successful in Japan, how about trying Hayley Sings American Songs in the USA? Something like:
HAYLEY SINGS AMERICAN SONGS
Can't Help Falling in Love Always on My Mind Moon River Send in the Clowns It Had to Be You Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye Summer Time The Way You Look Tonight They Can't Take That Away from Me Chattanooga Choo Choo (duet with Norah Jones) Stardust A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square I Could Have Danced All Night Somewhere
Perhaps release it worldwide to offset any cost implications of a US-only release. Do our American friends think something like this could succeed? Or perhaps it would need to be more modern songs? Perhaps it might only succeed if she had a footing in the States in the first place, I don't know.
Kind regards
Colin
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Post by Umbobo on Jun 7, 2008 6:24:26 GMT
Actually I'm pretty found of that that would be interesting!
I'm sure it would give off a good sense of patriotism to Americans as well.
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Post by Richard on Jun 7, 2008 7:27:15 GMT
This post has been moved from the Washington, 4th July PBS thread. So I have to ask the question of our North American members, is she well known enough over there to be able to sell out venues in cities in the US and Canada? If not then regrettably, I would have to say she would be better making her efforts elsewhere for now.
Martin Hi Martin, The short answer to your question, unfortunately, is no. She may have a measureable presence in New York city, but that is about it. In essence, the marketing they did for Pure here was expensive, and did virtually nothing for her.
Such presence as she does have here is almost solely attributable to some of the alternative things she tried to do later. As Stephany attests, she did get a small boost from Celtic Woman Other things like her voice on Endless Ocean have also helped, and her You Tube profile continues to grow....
This is enough to sell 30 to 50 thousand records - unfortunately that means she has at best 1/20th of the "market saturation" she enjoys in the UK.
Jon[/quote]
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Post by sonata58 on Jun 7, 2008 12:50:37 GMT
As Stephany attests, she did get a small boost from Celtic Woman Don't underestimate the affect that Celtic Woman had on Hayley. Hey, if it weren't for Celtic Woman, I wouldn't be here.
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Post by stephanier on Jun 7, 2008 13:23:37 GMT
I second that sonata58...that is how I first heard Hayley too! Stef
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Post by stephanier on Jun 7, 2008 13:25:18 GMT
Sorry though, I totally dissaagree with Hayley singing different rypes of music just to get popular in North America. She is a classical cross over artist and probably the best one out there right now...why would she change that ?? Stephanie
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Post by stevemacdonald on Jun 7, 2008 15:17:00 GMT
Sorry though, I totally dissaagree with Hayley singing different rypes of music just to get popular in North America. She is a classical cross over artist and probably the best one out there right now...why would she change that ?? Stephanie But Stephanie, she is changing, little by little. Three years ago it would have been unthinkable for her to sing a Country-ish type of song, and now she's given us "Summer Fly" and "Shiroi Iro Ha Koibito No Iro"! I see this as a gradual concession to wider tastes than crossover allows. It's only a matter of time before her scope of music accommodates much of the modern American songbook. Ironically, this may make her more successful everywhere else in the world besides the States because that seems to be the global standard and we Yanks like to set our own course.
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Post by larryhauck on Jun 7, 2008 17:21:23 GMT
This is for Stephany. The reason Hayley should record some different types of music are obvious. For one thing it doesn't compromise any of her principles. Also it would be the best way to break into the North American market. Once a foothold is established here there would be many opportunities to perform in all types of mucial venues. Many Europeans think Americans are one dimennsional in their musical tastes. This is not the case. We have ecclectic tastes in music. Some like classical, some like pop, some(ugh)like rap,some like light classical,some like country, and others like nostalgic music. Rocker Rod Stewart had a terrific success with his recent old standards recordings. I am almost seventy years old and I don't think I have ever seen an artist that ever came close to having the ability to perform so many different types of music so effortlesy. Hayley's performance on the West Side Story CD was spectacular. She's a natural for Broadway. Hayley is a phenom. All the world deserves a chance to hear her. Great artists with her ability don't come along very often-she is truly a gift from God. If you get a chance to watch the Capitol fourth you should see a wide range of music performed. I'm sure Hayley was invited for her classical skilis. Lastly, Hayley would earn a lot of money in this country.
Be Well, Larry
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Post by stephanier on Jun 7, 2008 18:00:26 GMT
Hi Larry... people all over the world have different tastes in music! Not just Americans. I like Hayley as a classical crossover artist. Just what I prefer! And singing Broadway music isn't the same as acting on the Broadway stage. I dont think it is all about the money for Hayley. Stephan-IE
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Post by Umbobo on Jun 7, 2008 20:11:13 GMT
I think Will Continue to change her music and hopefully one of those signles will land her a spot of the charts overhere on the US. Being from america myself I love all kinds of music and all singers and bands change thier styles of music, they look for new sounds that will capture thier audences. im sure its only a matter of time before Hayley Breaks through here.
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Post by stuartj on Jun 7, 2008 20:51:31 GMT
I agree, Steve. I would like an American's comment on my idea that Hayley could extend a little more into the folk area. I'm not sure how many people here know Leonard Cohen's "Suzanne" but that seems tailor-made for Hayley to me. Also the advantage of something like Dylan's, "Forever Young", is that it ties in the name of Dylan without in anyway compromising Hayley. It seems to me some famous American folk songs would even be closer to Hayley's natural forte -- she has already done Shenandoah, and I wonder if that isn't what helped her get the 4 July gig. I have my tongue slightly in my cheek, but I have thought that Hayley amd Will Martin could do a great duet of, "The Battle Hymm of the Republic". Now that is a sure-fire way of getting popular in the US!
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Post by stuartj on Jun 7, 2008 21:10:53 GMT
Sorry though, I totally dissaagree with Hayley singing different rypes of music just to get popular in North America. She is a classical cross over artist and probably the best one out there right now...why would she change that ?? Stephanie Well, I think that there is more to it than just getting popular in Nort America. Hayley must progress and develop, and the classical crossover market is not only limited but may not remain fashionable. Hayley seemed to be testing the water with her tour with Dave Dobbyn, and I believe her versatility is underated (not on this forum, but by the public at large). Extending her fan base to include more younger people is also an aim, I suspect. But her versatility, I believe, could get her seen as not just the best classical crossover artist, but as a genuinely great singer. Genuinely great by the world at large, I mean, not just by hard-core fans like those of us here. Like it or not, Hayley is operating in the popular realm. Not that this should bother anyone, and it certainly doesn't bother me; but some resist the 'pop' lablel. It depends how you define "pop". Hayley's core repetoire is probably what used to be called "easy listening". But she has the ability to crossover in both directions; and I think she has to use that ability. (In case there is any doubt at all, I am certainly not suggesting that she should do Britney Spears type pop or anything remotely like that; but her duet with Heather Small was something that impressed me. To be honest, I wouldn't have imagined before I saw that that Hayley could have done it, and it opened my eyes to the all-round potential she has.)
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