Crystal Cathedral, USA (May 6, 2007)

[gerrit]

Hi All,

Please bear with me, I have captured the video. I will make a downloadable link available soon.

P.S. Dave, if you aren't aware of the existence of this open sourcef reeware program, it is amazing: it''s called SUPER v.2007.build.22 by ErightSoft. It is also prone to antics. It even works on Windows Vista and can capture mms files! It's the programme I used to capture this Hayley performance.

Here's the link:
www.hayley-westenra-international.net/hwi/clips/zo07/abide_crystalcathedralmay2007.wmv

I'm not sure if the file is entirely correct. It is supposed to run for about 7 minutes, but it stops after 5 minutes. Yet it works on my computer.

Gerrit

[comet]

WOW FOLKS.

DO NOT MISS THIS PERFORMANCE.

The words of the minister at the end of the performance are worth listening to a couple of times.

There are only a two people on my "want to meet list", Hayley Westenra is one of them and the other is mentioned in this commentary.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee......................................................

comet

[graemek]

gerrit said:

Hi All,

Please bear with me, I have captured the video. I will make a downloadable link available soon.

P.S. Dave, if you aren't aware of the existence of this open sourcef reeware program, it is amazing: it''s called SUPER v.2007.build.22 by ErightSoft. It is also prone to antics. It even works on Windows Vista and can capture mms files! It's the programme I used to capture this Hayley performance.

Here's the link:
www.hayley-westenra-international.net/hwi/clips/zo07/abide_crystalcathedralmay2007.wmv

I'm not sure if the file is entirely correct. It is supposed to run for about 7 minutes, but it stops after 5 minutes. Yet it works on my computer.

Gerrit

Hi Gerrit & thanks so much

Did you mean to leave the little commentary by Robert Schuller off??
I'd love to have a .wmv with the commentary still there.
Or is that the 2 mins. where your clip stopped???

Many thanks again........Graeme

[petertong]

This was so beautiful...

I really love Abide with me... as the words are so true! As much as the Reverend's introduction was true I really think you could see Hayley's modesty there. Does Hayley pick her dresses? I know its the heart that counts, but her dress went perfectly with all the other colours in this vid...

Thanks for sharing this video...

best,
Peter T.

PS: I almost think I like it when she sings in this video more than listening to it on the CD for some reason... anyone else have that thought occur to them?

PPS: I must have missed the commentary on the end?

[Dave]

Hello everyone,

It's me, back again just when you all thought I'd gone to bed for the night (1:45 am!)

I don't usually upload website exclusive videos straight away as I tend to feel that they should have the benefit of the hits - at least in the early days. They would argue that it should be for ever... but these things have a habit of disappearing, so I always grab 'em and usually upload them after a decent interval has elapsed.

But I am going to make an exception in this case - not yet on HWI but I've stuck it in my personal webspace as a standard Windows Media file, playable and seekable (so you can skip from A to B in the file once it's downloaded fully).

The reason is that Gerrit has already posted most of it (thanks Gerrit!), some of you are having problems in playing it at all from the H of P website... and last but not least, it's an exceptional performance and the praise lavished on Hayley at the end (which is included in my version) is quite extraordinary so it's already a talking point!

There is another reason too... Abide With Me is a traditional hymn sung at the FA Cup Final every year and that takes place today (Saturday), returning for the first time to the rebuilt Wembley Stadium in London after an absence of several years. Confession time now: I am hoping this will give my team a bit of luck i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif but I won't tell you who they are...

Enough rambling... here is Abide With Me

And it's now up officially here on the Hour of Power website so please, if you can, give 'em a few hits so they realise how popular Hayley is!

I will try to capture a higher quality version of it on Sunday morning when it is, I hope, broadcast on Sky One TV in the UK.

Cheers, Dave

[graemek]

Dave,

That's marvellous, i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Many many thanks for preserving this incredible gem.

We're always returning to this 'Treasure' theme aren't we?

What an utterly stupendous performance.

Graeme

PS Peter T...I noticed straight away that her dress matched the greenery around her...How does she do it ??

quote :"PPS: I almost think I like it when she sings in this video more than listening to it on the CD for some reason... anyone else have that thought occur to them?"
Peter, I tend to think everybody would want to see & hear their artist once they'd been hooked by audio only.
It's like talking by phone to somebody & being attracted by them. Next comes the very exciting step of meeting them in person (or failing that via video clip)
I love watching Hayley's beautifully expressive face while she is singing. The CD just reminds me of her. It's at the end of the queue as it were but is more transportable than the other media....Graeme

[Joe]

The clip from the H of P site worked fine for me. Oh! Glorious!

Thanks Gerrit and Dave for your captures.

I forgot about the Cup Final at Wembley...I never knew that Abide With Me was sung at the final. Even if the other team wins on penalties!

Looking forward to watching Hayley's performance on Sunday morning!

[milewalker]

dave said:

and last but not least, it's an exceptional performance and the praise lavished on Hayley at the end (which is included in my version) is quite extraordinary so it's already a talking point!

Hi Dave,

I will have to watch this video several more times (any excuse to listen to Hayley ) before I make my mind up about this, but what I think happened there is simply his honest and well meaning personal projection of what he wants Hayley to be.

There is a powerful force afoot among conservative Christian America which applauds and in some cases almost beatifies innocense ( I like to call it the "anti-Britney response) Hayley has appeared on this show three times now, from which I reason that a enough sales do come from the group which watches this program to make it worth doing, but it still isnt enough by itself to get her into the Billboard top 200 even though this is a nationally televised program. There are two problems with this in the long term. First, there arent really enough of them who buy records to ever be a true marketing force, and second, they can be very critical the moment you fall off off that pedestal. And too many things which I think most of us woulf find innocuous can knock you off

As you may already be aware, I think that Decca actually made an initial attempt to market Hayley in America along exactly these lines - Schiller could be a spokesperson for the effect I think she was supposed to have on middle America. Having said this, I think that he was projecting what he wanted to see on Hayley - who still looks innocent enough ,and is sweet enough for this to be a danger While this was happening, my sense was that Hayley was standing there, smiling and nodding politely - and not saying anything about it at all. (I would have probably done the same thing btw). Personally I find it quite hard to read her personal reaction to something from her expressions - I think she would be happy (or at least look happy) touring with a coterie of primary school violin students. If she really is that happy all the time, I envy here.

In the interests of fairness, it is true that some established musicians (many of them come from Country music here) do appear on this show to sing and then actually discuss their faith. My impression is that Hayley has for the most part responded to these discussions by trying as quickly as is polite to get the topic back onto the album she is there to try to sell. (I note she got a plug in for CW there as well)

I should repeat that this is just a sort of first-blush assessment which I may change my mind about after seeing the video several times.

This caveat aside, it was a wonderful performance - in fact it might have been the best live performance of a hymn I have heard since CC brought the house down at the Dove Awards in 2000.

Jon

PS At first impression btw, I didnt hear a note given to Hayley upon opening - which means the possibility of perfect pitch rises its odd head again. What I did see however was Hayley looking over her left shoulder perhaps five seconds before she began to sing - and I think she was looking at the choir director. The mikes were not on at that point so he may have been able to slip her a pitch - or she may also have a device in her ear (they are common in live performances). I will admit that these are possibilities only.

[mariannek]

Milewalker, I have disagreed with you before for what it's worth.
I personally think you just have a really hard time accepting Hayley for the person she is in true life. It sometimes seems to me you are afraid to mention something truly positive and true about Hayley.
You are allowed to disagree of course about my findings.
Hayley is simply all the things Robert Schuller said about her so kindly.
I would sincerely hope he was honest as well! Hayley simply acknowledged his observations about her in the only way she knows...humbly. It is therefore an admirable characteristic of her not to fall over backwards with words of appreciation. I am also sure she would have blushed inside while listening to Robert.
And about mentioning her new Album...give her a break...she needs to eat just like you and me.
There, I have written it.
Take care, Marianne

[mariannek]

dave said:

stephany said:

Hi guys,
I know the show was only supposed to air next Sunday and to be put online the week after, but I managed to get the video before. The Hour of Power website had already uploaded it and they are just waiting to put the link, but it wasn't very difficult to find. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif


Her performance is divine.
Absolutely glorious.

Well done Stephany, that was a cool bit of ferreting!

I am no particular fan of Abide with Me as an album song, unlike several other HWI members who I know absolutely adore it. it is played everywhere so often that I tend to think "what? again???" so my next comment is probably quite meaningful.

I have not yet examined the recording closely but if it was sung "live", that is without doubt the best rendition of "Abide With Me" that I have ever heard. It was a truly exceptional performance.

Cheers, Dave

Hi Dave,
I am totally intrigued about you wanting to check out if Hayley sang live. Sorry, but I do not understand the reason (yet).
But I look forward to your enlightenment, since you are the expert here.
I believe with all my heart it is *live* and therefore believe Hayley exceeded my wildest expectations. She rose to the occasion as she always does performing a song from her new album.
The congregation gave her a standing ovation (well most people did).
Well deserved if you ask me. I stand with them.
Thank you David.
Love, Marianne

[petertong]

Hi John,

Yes indeed - this looks to be one of those performances mentioned in the other thread where she needed no reference note... so perhaps she is APP endowed! Woot i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

I do think you are wrong about Hayley however. I do think she one of those folks that "something" happened to in her heart, and so even though she needs to sell records she knows that success is not ultimately in her control. She came out of obscurity and knows how fickle this world and wealth are. So she is just honestly being herself and - oh boy I'm going to say it - what she is doing when she sings is actually worship in a sense - honoring the One that gave her the gift by using it for others and not for herself. I really can't think of a more joyful way of living life can you? To know *why* you are here, and grow in that... its amazing... I think Hayley *knows* she is not innocent... and her sister/bro/mom and dad certainly know better none of us are!

As far as marketing goes... all the Christians I know that I've played her CDs to love her music (and there are tons on this board as well). I've not met *one* that doesn't (yet). We just haven't heard of her yet!

I have no idea how she picks colours Graeme... that was an incredibly beautiful dress! This performance is better than whats on the CD as far as I'm concerned!

all the best,
Peter T.

PS: Britney Spears is a 7th cousin of mine so be easy on her I certainly hope the best for her (even though I get really tired of what the rags write about her ).

PPS: Sorry if I'm a bit forthright. What can I say - I've gotten too old to not express my opinions - just put it out there and let things fall where they may

PPPS: did you guys notice the part where Dr. Schuler mentions New Zealand and then the camera pans to Hayley and shes really smiling (could it be the mere mention of NZ?!!!!) and then she has to visibly force herself to keep from smiling... that just cracked me up!

[Richard]

Many thanks to Stephany, Gerrit and Dave for posting the links!

It was a fantastic performance by Hayley, and I could tell immediately that she was singing live. Her voice always has that little extra presence when she sings to an audience, compared to her studio recordings.

It was a lovely moment at the end when Hayley almost blushed at Robert Schuller's very true words! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best Wishes,

Richard

[grant]

WOW!!, WOW!! and double WOW!!

I've just watched the video 3 times and, right now, I'm thinking that is probably the most beautiful thing I have ever heard!!

A beautiful hymn sung beautifully by a beautiful young woman in a most beautiful place and I've just realised I've been "hayleywowed" by a video!!

Coming down to earth (well nearly!) I too though immediately, how superb her dress sense. Not only did she look gorgeous in it, but it suited the occasion and the background!

I also loved the introduction when Reverend Schiller looked directly at Hayley and spoke from the heart when he said "... you are wonderful, beautiful".

Thank you so much for 'capturing' this amazing footage for us. as Comet would say - Wowwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!

Best wishes
Grant

[Martin]

mariannek said:

Milewalker, I have disagreed with you before for what it's worth.
I personally think you just have a really hard time accepting Hayley for the person she is in true life. It sometimes seems to me you are afraid to mention something truly positive and true about Hayley.
You are allowed to disagree of course about my findings.
Hayley is simply all the things Robert Schuller said about her so kindly.
I would sincerely hope he was honest as well! Hayley simply acknowledged his observations about her in the only way she knows...humbly. It is therefore an admirable characteristic of her not to fall over backwards with words of appreciation. I am also sure she would have blushed inside while listening to Robert.
And about mentioning her new Album...give her a break...she needs to eat just like you and me.
There, I have written it.
Take care, Marianne

Hear, Hear Marianne !!!

Martin

[Martin]

Hi Grant
Did you enjoy it then?

Seriously, I also thought this was a wonderful performance and very humbling. I can't think of many singers who sound even better live than in the recording studio.

Martin