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Post by Mark on Sept 26, 2006 8:21:40 GMT
Hi Andrew
Sorry I missed you on Saturday, I wasnt able to wait around after the show. It was a great concert, very enjoyable. However, like you, I also would have liked it to have ended with Hayley's Amazing Grace ! It would have been such a fitting ending dont you think ?
I am planning to go to the Christmas Presence concert in Cardiff in December and this time we will be stying overnight within walking distance of the venue if possible !! Are you planning to go to that one ?
Best regards
Mark.
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Steve H
Global Moderator
HWI Management Team / Official Site Photographer & Videographer
Posts: 1,756
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Post by Steve H on Sept 26, 2006 8:32:17 GMT
Hi Neal,
Sorry for all the portraits, this is due more to our position in the front row at Cadogan Hall, some 3-4ft below the level of the stage and only 6-7feet from Hayley. Full length shots from here would give a very out of perspective almost distorted photograph of Hayley, also the only wide angle lens I had with me was for my DSLR which due to the 'mirror noise' we were not able to use.
Dave was positioned further back and has posted many full length pictures for your enjoyment.
I am sure there will be many occasions when we can not get near enough to take portraits and will only be able to take full length 'stage' photo's, however this time we were lucky enough to be able to get the close ups, and we have to take these rare oppertunities when they arise.
I hope this explains the reason why we have posted mainly portraits and upper body shots on this occasion.
Steve H HWI Site Photographer (UK)
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Post by postscript on Sept 26, 2006 8:40:11 GMT
Oh Thomas, you cut me to the quick! We really must watch out for that. We are after all INTERNATIONAL and we do need to be more aware of those who join us from abroad for whom English is a second (or third, in some cases) language, so on my part, sorry we didn't bear that more consciously in mind. My French is so awful they hurriedly speak in English to avoid hearing me mangle their language and I haven't used German for years.
Sorry Thomas. Hopefully, we'll take that point more on board in future. We want our diversity to be a strength and for all to feel comfortable with us. Probably it is being used to your posts here (which of course is a different ball game) that we hadn't thought of conversation being a faster flowing and more demanding medium than writing.
Glad you got home safely and thank you for your contribution of photographs. They are a great social benefit.
Peter S.
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Post by Jeff on Sept 26, 2006 9:10:55 GMT
GALA CONCERT REVIEW (Continued).
And so we came to the star of the show, someone who unlike the other artists had thankfully avoided personal tragedy, didn't have a gimmicky voice and has good dress sense. As Hayley walked onto the stage in a gorgeous blue dress (say what you like, I think blue suits her), she received warm applause and she immediately thanked the audience before even starting to sing ! I have always noticed this about Hayley. Unlike some artists she never takes the appreciation of the audience for granted. She was also quick to acknowledge the wonderful support of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and maestro Simonov with whom she had worked before, in Osaka. It is this basic humility that we find so attractive and yet so lacking in many so-called stars today. She sang The Water is Wide and an aria by Handel, both beautifully. A quick change of frock and she was back later for a rousing rendition of Amazing Grace, ably backed by the RPO, for me the highlight of the evening. All in all a most entertaining and varied evening's entertainment !
It was a relief to get out of the hot hall and into the cool night air outside. While we waited we noticed through an open window that Hayley was at the bar, enjoying a well deserved glass of red wine. When the window was shut at 11pm we knew it would not be long before she appeared. Since Dave had established that I had travelled furthest to be there (sorry Andrew and Thomas, air miles don't count !), it seemed appropriate that I was the first to greet her as she emerged through the stage door. This was my first Hayley concert for 9 months and I was delighted to learn that she remembered me from last year ! I shook her hand and again noticed how slender her fingers were. Up close and without high heels she is indeed petite and delicate, so much so you are almost afraid to touch her in case she breaks, like a treasured piece of porcelain. She thanked me for my present (her favourite organic chocolate.........what girl doesn't like chocolate ?!) and promptly put it in her bag which she had put down on the pavement to leave her hands free. We then enquired about photos. "Why not?" said Hayley. Why not indeed and thanks must go to the two Steves at this point: Steve Hayter for his fine efforts in difficult lighting conditions outside, and Steve Abbott for taking the group photo with Dave's camera. Just in case you're wondering, besides Hayley, I'm the other good-looking youngster at the back ! Next to me is Roger who suggested the group photo to Hayley and who has been partially eclipsed by Richard's head !!
So thank you Cadogan Hall, a venue to come back to. We now look forward to a return visit at Christmas. Start counting the days !
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Post by Belinda on Sept 26, 2006 10:28:14 GMT
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Post by roger on Sept 26, 2006 10:46:59 GMT
Hi Belinda, I think I can answer your question about the previously unnamed people in the front row. Photo re-posted here for convenience as seem to have arrived on the next page! The two ladies standing either side of Hayley are from Aled's Forum. I believe one of them is the administrator. Of course, they were disappointed that Aled was unable to appear but enjoyed the concert nevertheless. At the risk of embarrassing her, the young lady on the far right is our latest member, Katie. For anyone who doesn't know us, the back row are (L to R): Drew, Andrew, Thomas, Richard, Steve H, Me, Jeff, Stuart, Dave, and Peter. Unfortunately Mark had to depart before the photograph was taken. We'll get you next time, Mark! Roger
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Post by Belinda on Sept 26, 2006 11:05:35 GMT
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Post by drew on Sept 26, 2006 14:55:28 GMT
So thank you Cadogan Hall, a venue to come back to. We now look forward to a return visit at Christmas. Start counting the days ! Thank you Jeff for parts one and two. You mention return at Christmas, did I hear Steve Abbott say that there would be London venue for Christmas Presence? There is nothing in the Cadogan Hall programme.
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Post by drew on Sept 26, 2006 15:00:02 GMT
Things you (hope you) would never hear Hayley say. "Drew, you have got five weeks to sort out these roses or you are sacked as botanical advisor."
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Post by Mark on Sept 26, 2006 16:17:13 GMT
Hi Drew
I am sure she wasn't saying that - it fits her expression though !! Sorry to have missed you on Saturday, I am sure we will catch up with eachother at a future venue !!
Best regards Mark.
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Dave
Administrator
HWI Admin
Posts: 7,689
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Post by Dave on Sept 26, 2006 16:21:21 GMT
Many thanks to Thomas for his excellent group photo, which reminded me that I'd promised to email a similar one that I have, to Dawn - a senior member (but not Admin) of Aled Jones' forum. This I have now done so I will post it here as well. The young lady who is with Dawn is Reeta, who is related to Dawn and is from Mauritious but is now here for three years. We may see more of them in the future, I hope so! Hayley, HWI and two Aled fans, Cadogan HallFrom L to R: Drew, Andrew, Thomas, Richard, Steve, Dawn, Roger, Hayley, Jeff, Stuart, Reeta, Dave, Peter, Katie. A little earlier: Hayley and HWI at Cadogan HallFrom L to R: Andrew, Thomas, Richard, Roger, Jeff, Hayley, Steve, Stuart, Drew, Dave, Peter. The always dependable Steve Abbott was behind my camera, thanks Steve! Cheers, Dave
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Post by thomas on Sept 26, 2006 20:59:24 GMT
Oh Thomas, you cut me to the quick! We really must watch out for that. We are after all INTERNATIONAL and we do need to be more aware of those who join us from abroad for whom English is a second (or third, in some cases) language, so on my part, sorry we didn't bear that more consciously in mind. My French is so awful they hurriedly speak in English to avoid hearing me mangle their language and I haven't used German for years. Sorry Thomas. Hopefully, we'll take that point more on board in future. We want our diversity to be a strength and for all to feel comfortable with us. Probably it is being used to your posts here (which of course is a different ball game) that we hadn't thought of conversation being a faster flowing and more demanding medium than writing. Glad you got home safely and thank you for your contribution of photographs. They are a great social benefit. Peter S. Hi Peter! Don't worry about that too much. It was a great concert and you can't have it all. I understood enough to get the sence about that what was said in most conversations just some details were missing. Here I have another picture for all of you. She looks very delighted that so many of us have come. The next is my favorite one. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifThanks to Steve H. who took the picture. It was in the very last minute. Steve Abbott was already calling Hayley that they had to leave. But anyway she had time for a photo. She's very special. More pictures will follow soon. Thomas
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Post by mariannek on Sept 26, 2006 23:45:00 GMT
Hi All, Thank you so much for the reviews & many pics of the Cadogen Hall event. Mind you, the more I see the more I grieve for missing all those opportunities open to you over there. My only encounter with Hayley left me so starstruck I couldn't think of anything to chat about except managing a personal couple of words which she very warmly accepted. She is so adorable ! Marianne
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Post by graemek on Sept 27, 2006 0:15:19 GMT
Here I have another picture for all of you. She looks very delighted that so many of us have come. Thomas Thomas, I absolutely love this 'surprised Hayley' shot. Words fail me to describe it. Fabulous!!! Graemek
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Post by Richard on Sept 27, 2006 7:44:47 GMT
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