BBC Radio Wales Studio - 4th June 2007

[Andrew]

andrew said:

Hi All,

I hope you all have a wonderful time seeing Hayley in Cardiff tomorrow. Really disappointed that I won't be unable to join you this time- unfortunately I have a university exam to sit!!!

Andrew

Hi Marianne and everyone else!

LOL I would have moved heaven and earth to have been there if that were possible... EEK! LOL - my grammatical error in the above quotation... I'm sure that must have had you all wondering whether I was going to show up???

Cryptic?

Andrew

[grant]

Cardiff “Take 3"

I arrived at BBC Wales in Llandaff at just on 5pm, having travelled up to nearby Danescourt station on the little ‘cross-city’ train. I am the first to arrive. Shortly, I am joined by Steve and Stuart Hayter, closely followed by Peter Such. We made our way into reception to sign in, and are then shown into the restaurant where we are offered complementary wine and soft drinks. We are all very relieved to be told that Hayley is in the building rehearsing and that she is in fine voice.

It has turned into a lovely evening so we settled ourselves on the veranda to wait for the others. Roger and Dave (but they’re not coming are they?) arrived next followed by Mark and Caite. The other Mark and David from Scotland completed our little band of Hayleyites.

We are anxious to get to our seats and, as it’s almost 6.30pm we make our move to the door. “Are we going somewhere” asks a very stern looking front of house lady. I guess we’re not then! Apparently we will be taken through when it is time. Eventually it is time and we are walked through to the studio where seats on the front two rows have been reserved for us.

It is a long time since I’ve been in a recording studio. This one is square with a bare wooden floor, high ceiling and walls covered with acoustic panels. Our host for the evening is Alan Thompson and he begins by explaining that the recording is for the BBC’s “In Concert” series to be broadcast in October. He also explains what is going to happen during the evening. Then, for the purpose of the engineers we practice our best hand clapping and “Oooohs and Ahhhs” in response to some well known Hayley facts. There is a slight delay whilst the engineers check their levels, giving Alan the opportunity to suggest that Hayley may have gone home!!

Hayley’s support tonight is a young lady of 19 called Holly Holyoak from Newport. Some of the guys know Holly and her parents from previous concerts but she is totally new to me. Consequently, I am quite taken aback by the power of her voice and several of us agree that she’ sounds a bit like Katherine Jenkins. Holly sang four songs, opening with ‘O Mio Babbino Caro’ and following with ‘Shine’ ‘The Nuns Chorus’ (I think!) and closing with ‘A Time To Say Goodbye’ An excellent performance very much appreciated by the audience.

Time now for a bit more adjustment to recording levels during which our host explains the reasons for the previous cancellations. One soon realises that, although Hayley was only suffering from minor ailments each time (thank goodness!), even the slightest imperfection caused by them would be far more obvious with the ‘high-tech’ equipment in use here and for broadcast too, than would possibly be the case in a concert venue.

Having received the nod from the engineers, Alan introduced Hayley and we all clapped loudly as we had been told to do – No Hayley! Another couple of minutes and the musicians appeared; Fiona Pears on violin, Al Gurr on piano plus a couple of ‘newbies’ – a chello and a guitar.

Then it was the turn of a very relaxed and happy looking Hayley in a stunning black dress that we haven’t seen before (I’m no good at descriptions in these situations so I’m afraid you will have to wait for the pictures! – Oh yes! There are lots of pictures!)

To be continued…

[comet]

Hi Grant
I'm jumping up and down now
Are we there yet ?
Are we there yet ?

You are a tease !

comet

[flip8]

C'mon Grant, we're on tenterhooks and the weavers are on their way... D:

[roger]

Grant mentioned the dress but was somewhat elusive in its detail. The official description is a "slinky black" number which was how Hayley described it when I asked! Not that I care but I knew you lot would want to know! Aren't I good to you?

Roger

[flip8]

A 'slinky black' number, eh? I suppose that'll have to do for now.

[Stephany]

Thanks for asking, Roger

Grant, that was a fabulous post.
You sure know how to tease us...

[Richard]

Hello Grant and everybody!

I'm reading this with great interest, but I won't comment until I've read the whole story and seen the photographs.

Richard

[grant]

Part 2

Hayley went straight into her performance with “Let Me Lie” and hearing tracks from Treasure for the first time was quite something to behold. For me, this song sounded even better sung live than it does on the CD! We knew what was coming next when Hayley announced “This next song has over one hundred verses ….. and the doors are locked” She giggled. “Don’t worry, I’m going to sing my three favourite verses” thus came “Shenandoah”

Hayley introduced her band next, apologises profusely to all for forgetting both the new musicians surnames, then turning to the audience saying “well we’re all on first name terms aren’t we guys?” Next came one of the tracks from Treasure that I’d been waiting to hear Hayley sing live – “Santa Lucia” I find this such a happy, lively tune and loved to watch Hayley sing a song she so obviously enjoys doing.

Little did we know that one of the highlights of the evening was about to happen as Hayley introduced “One Fine Day”. WOW!! This performance by Hayley sent shivers down my spine from beginning to end, I loved it – what more can I say. As the applause died down, Hayley beamed a huge smile and let out a sigh of relief; explaining that she had been nervous about doing it tonight LIVE FOR THE FIRST TIME!! In fact, I think quite a lot of what Hayley sang was live for the first time as you will realise shortly. Hayley is obviously in very high spirits and enjoying herself, because she said so. She also said she was happy to be back in her second home after spending so long on a tour bus.

An old favourite next in the shape of “May it Be” one of only two songs that any of us had heard her sing before tonight. Next, Hayley went straight into “Summer Fly” but halted a little way in saying that it was too fast. For the first time, really, did we now realise that we were at a ‘recording’ and not a ‘concert’. We were experiencing a ‘mistress of her art’ at work, something only a privileged few ever get to see. Fiona made some comment that she couldn’t count an laughed. Hayley apologised to her audience saying she had made a mistake (where else would you hear a performer say that!). They began the piece again, but Hayley was clearly not happy and it was abandoned; Hayley asking the audience if it would be OK to do the song again at the end. Everyone was happy to agree.

Hayley continued with “Danny Boy” explaining the history behind the song and then another old favourite which Hayley said she had been singing for as long as she could remember. This was, of course, “Pokarekare Ana”

That was to have been Hayley’s last song but she said that they were going to have another go at “Summer Fly”. Watching both Hayley and the musicians, it is easy to see why this is such a difficult song. Both musically and vocally it is fast and very wordy and if the two halves aren’t together, it aint gonna work!! And it didn’t.

Hayley, however is totally unfazed. Her “I’ve got to give this 100%” mode kicked in and she retired to the back of the stage to converse with each of her musicians in turn. I’ve often thought that I would love to be able to sit in at one of Hayley’s recording sessions to see how it works and hey, guess what guys? That’s just what we are doing!! Truly amazing to watch. It’s interesting too, to think that in many situations like this you would be beginning to feel very sorry for the unfortunate performer! Not our Hayley! You just knew that she was in control and that it was going to work and, of course, it did. Bravo Hayley – you are one very special young lady!!

The performance over, it’s time for Hayley to have a brief chat with Alan and he asks her what she has been doing and what her plans are for the rest of the year. Typical Hayley! She has to think about that one, then talks a bit about Celtic Woman and says she has a summer concert schedule; that she’s working on “West Side Story” alongside Vittorio Griggolo. Next she surprised all of us, I think, by suggesting that she will probably be working on a new album (You heard it here first folks!!)

Time to depart now and, with no explanation as to what is happening next, we hang about in the studio lobby. The BBC seems to have fallen over with their lack of communication, but we are not to be outdone so we hold our ground.

To be continued……

Will our intrepid Hayleyites get to their lady in time?
Tune in at 6.30pm for the final heart stopping instalment!

[Caitlin]

I suppose I'll stop in and do my part before the photos are posted

Okay, so here goes the ensemble description for everyone.

Hayley was found styling the classic slinky black number every girl should own. While this was a classic black dress it was very unique and elegant coming to mid-knee. It was gathered (the material was all brought together, or bunched in simpler terms) in the front at the top in the middle and the extra material made for a nice design on the front of the dress. The straps started about an inch thick and became wide enough to cover her shoulders and stayed that width until they met with the back of the dress. Her shoes were classic black two-inch (or so) stilettos, but also with a unique twist. The material crossed in an X over her toes which gave the shoes a little more spunk than the regular black stiletto. To bring the ensemble together she wore a simple black beaded bracelet and chandalier earrings (also of black beads).

<3 Caite

[flip8]

I envy you your eye for detail, Caite.
And Grant, you'd make a great soap opera announcer.
Another album, you say?]I'll have to keep my eyes peeled.

[Stephany]

Fantastic report, Grant.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I'm actually jumping up and down, like Comet.
The story about "Summer Fly" is extremely interesting. If I remember well, Hayley sang it in New York at Ulysses and it seemed to work. Very curious.

grant said:

Next she surprised all of us, I think, by suggesting that she will probably be working on a new album (You heard it here first folks!!)

WOW........this is fabulous!
Thank youuuuuuuuuuuu Grant
Caite, lots of thanks for the VERY detailled description of Hayley's dress! You have very good eyes!

[Caitlin]

stephany said:

The story about "Summer Fly" is extremely interesting. If I remember well, Hayley sang it in New York at Ulysses and it seemed to work. Very curious.

I think I can answer this one Stephany! It was her first time performing it with this particular group of people. So that could be why what happened did.

<3 Caite

[comet]

HI folks.
On the shoe subject Nana Mouskouri and sometimes Sinead O'Connor kick off their shoes to sing as it alters the back position. I often wondered if Hayley removes or wears soft shoes while recording.

comet

[Stephany]

Thanks for the quick answer, Caite.
I'm so thrilled that you could make it to Cardiff.
Looks like you all had a smashing evening!!

I'm pleased to hear that Hayley was in good health.
Has anyone asked when this particular recording will make it to BBC Wales ?! You make me envious!