Porthcawl - 28th June 2007

[Stephany]

Woa Mark.
That picture of you & Hayley is GORGEOUS (yes, that word again!). Humm...and that chocolate bar - unexpected guest in Telford, but now it has become a regular!

I'm very pleased to hear that Fiona is the musical director of Hayley's Kiwi Ceili. It will certainly be an exciting concert!

Mark - a little question.
I know you were late booking for Porthcawl and you felt a little guilty about not being able to do your work.
Any regrets?

Lots of love,
Stephany

[Mark]

Hi Stephany

No regrets AT ALL - infact I havent done any work yet today either

I have a couple more shots of Hayley & me, I'm saving my absolute favourite until last

Lots of love
Mark

[Richard]

Hello Mark!

Many thanks for your fantastic report and photographs, and for representing HWI so well. It's interesting to see Hayley wearing green and black yet again, so I'm wondering, has she found an official sponsor?

Now I can't wait for part 3C! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Thanks for your report too, Gareth. It's a pity you followed the wrong crowd after the show, but I'm sure you'll meet Hayley next time.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[grant]

stephany said:

Woa Mark.
That picture of you & Hayley is GORGEOUS (yes, that word again!). Humm...and that chocolate bar - unexpected guest in Telford, but now it has become a regular!

I'm very pleased to hear that Fiona is the musical director of Hayley's Kiwi Ceili. It will certainly be an exciting concert!

Mark - a little question.
I know you were late booking for Porthcawl and you felt a little guilty about not being able to do your work.
Any regrets?

Lots of love,
Stephany

Doesn't look as though he's done much work today either Stephany!! :2fun: Unless, of course, you include concert reviews and posting pictures!!

Best wishes
Grant

[roger]

Hi Mark,

Thanks very much for your superb report from Pothcawl. It is especially pleasing to know she sang 'Sonny' as that implies she might do so again at future events. If she doesn't, you'll have to sing it to us instead!

Roger

[Stephany]

roger said:

It is especially pleasing to know she sang 'Sonny' as that implies she might do so again at future events.

Hi Roger,
I don't think that one would be appropriate for Shepherds Bush

roger said:

If she doesn't, you'll have to sing it to us instead!

Roger

Oh, right! Mark, after you've done your work, don't forget to practice a little bit for us

[Belinda]

Hi ,
Mark sounds like you had a wonderful time at the concert. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifgreat photo's.
I'd love to see Le Notte Del Silenzio live , but somehow i don't think we will see that on a quick tour.

Danny Boy for yes for sure i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Belinda

[postscript]

Garbobabob, Glad you had a great evening even if you didn‘t manage a meet and greet. Hold your hope for next opportunity being soon.

Well done Mark. Superb report. Love your introduction. Porthcawl sounds a place to visit anyway. Must bear it in mind. As Roger has said elsewhere, he and I have learned more about our own country in our different ways as a result of following Hayley. Porthcawl rang bells as perhaps being advertised as a holiday resort by rail in the 20s and 30s. It looks a pretty place—in sunshine!

During the performance, Hayley kept treading on a squeaky floorboard on stage and had to keep moving--this became quite a joke throughout and the audience were very vocal. On quite a few occasions the audience were calling out to her on stage about the rugby etc. Hayley dealt with it really well and appeared to be absolutely loving the interaction. That’s something that I've not seen before.

The audience were also very knowledgeable about Hayley and her songs--I was quite surprised She was so warmly received that she must have commented 2 or 3 times on what a fantastic audience you've been--"I've really enjoyed myself tonight"

Sounds to me like a typical seaside audience. That’s another point we only occasionally comment upon—differences in audiences response. Generally speaking the audiences are within a not too wide conformity but this sounds like a particularly distinctive audience.

It also reminds me of Toast New Zealand where she had to cope with some over flamboyant interactions. This was in a different manner but she again handled it with superb aplomb.

Peter S.

[Martin]

Well done Mark for flying the HWI flag and giving us all a great report and photos. Also to Garbobabob and it's a pity you didn't meet up with either Hayley or Mark.

Now I'm getting worried about this chocolate thing - let's hope Hayley's dentist doesn't sue us.

Martin

[Mark]

Part 3 -Porthcawl - After the show (c)

After my warm greeting from Hayley, I had quite a chat with her and she confirmed that she had really enjoyed the interaction with the audience. I told her that I thought her voice sounded fantastic tonight and she told me that she herself had felt she performed well and "it felt right".

After Ray had taken a photo of Hayley & me with the chocolate, Hayley wanted a pic without. Ray took my camera and this was the result





Hayley wanted to look at the result to see if it was "good enough". When she saw that there was someone in the background, it was back into position for another take. The result of which was this photo - I have to say that this is my absolute favourite. Hayley doesn't have her usual broad smile, I can't really explain why, maybe its the way she is leaning in towards me but, to me its a special photo.





Finally (but not totally last - I hope) a member of the audiance requested a photo of herself with all the performers. I thought this was quite an unusual opportunity and so whilst Ray took the photo for the lady, I snapped one too.






To sum up, this is without doubt one of the best Hayley performances I have had the pleasure to be present at. Hayley was relaxed, her voice sounded amazing and with the added audience interaction and the standing ovation after the final song, it really was a concert to remember.

Best regards
Mark

PS I am trying to sort out my little surprise and will post it as soon as I possibly can.

[Stephany]

Thank you very much for the pictures, Mark.
I said earlier that the previous picture of you & Hayley looked gorgeous but the one you apparently treasure most is BEYOND gorgeous. Absolutely unique!

We are all very eager to discover your surprise! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[dutchjoyce]

Hi Mark,
Was reading the whole story, and i love the pictures.
Very nice!!! And for now.... up to the next concert
See you at Sheperd Bush!!JOYCE.

[Caitlin]

What a way to end the evening Mark! Looks like you all had a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing and I hope you get the surprise sorted out soon.

<3 Caite

[Mark]

Part 4 - Porthcawl - Sonny

Hi everyone

Now for the "little something" that I have been working on. Despite the strict no photography/video recording rule imposed by this venue, when Hayley announced that she would sing Sonny as the final encore, I just had to activate the video recorder in my camera I managed to record the audio all the way through, but had to hide my camera on my knee for most of the song. Hence you only see Hayley for a few moments at the start and at the end.

I'm no technical wizard, and alot of the quality of the recording has been lost in compressing the file. I may have another go tomorrow to see if I can improve it. Anyway, for the first time sung live, here is Hayley singing Sonny ....


[ftp]http://s103.photobucket.com/albums/m135/markell_05/?action=view¤t=CIMG0750.flv[/ftp]

Best regards
Mark

PS I hope you can all download it and the sound isnt to bad

[Caitlin]

Yay! Thanks so much!

The quality is actually pretty awesome. I'm off to listen/watch again.



<3 Caite