Aberglasney Gardens - 27th June 2008

[thomas]

Hi Mark!

Nice to hear you had a great time and I'm sure Eugene as well.
Can't wait for your report. You're very lucky to hear "Thousand Winds" live.

Thomas

[Stephany]

Hiya Mark,

Thanks for the brief report. Can you tell that we're all very jealous? Hehe. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the concert. Hope you managed to get some sleep & wasn't too tired on the way back home.

Look forward to reading your full report.

Stephany x

[Karsten]

Hi Mark,

Many thanks for your first report. Please don't wait too long and tell us about the new song.

Cheers, Karsten

[Mark]

Hi everyone

Sorry for the delay - so much domestic stuff to catch up with

Anyway, here goes ..........

I was awake early as usual when going to a Hayley concert, there was no point in trying to do any work, I just couldnt concentrate. My plan was to set off in good time to arrive at Aberglasney around 3.30pm and to go in as a visitor to look around the gardens and to perhaps catch the sound check . Things didnt quite go to plan though, as the rain was really bad on the journey down and after delays on the M4, I finally arrived at 4.15. I got out of the car, wrapped myself up in my raincoat, with camera, water and Hayley gifts stuffed in my bag, put up my umbrella and did my best to avoid the huge puddles as I walked all of 50 yards to a hut to buy my ticket, only to be told that - "were closed". Oh well Anyway, the very pleasant lady did tell me that they would be open earlier than expected for the concert and I intended to be the first in i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

I had an hour or so to spare, so used it to check in at the guesthouse I was staying at, which turned out to be 2 minutes drive from the venue - It seems that I had got something right.

I arrived at the gardens just after 6pm, and as I approached, I could clearly hear Hayleys voice - so I hadn't missed the sound check The rain had stopped but the air was damp with heavy mist. The setting was fantastic, with the 1000 or so chairs set mainly in the cloister garden, with some set on top of the high wall surrounding it. Each of the chairs were covered with a plastic sheet (very considerate of them). On showing my ticket, I was supplied with a seating plan and a special Aberglasney rain cape - just in case. Many people were ordering a bottle of champagne or wine and ( not me - well, I couldn't manage a bottle all to myself could I ?) despite the weather, there was a real festive feel about the whole event.



The lake behind the walled garden - I took this on the way in





Ah ha, at last, there she is.











Just before taking these photo's and before I was sure that I was allowed up to the stage whilst the sound check was taking place, Hayley looked across my way and I waved, I received a friendly "Hi" through the microphone and a wave in return.

Be back shortly with some more.

Mark

PS - I wish my photography was better

[grant]

Hi Mark

Many thanks for the first part of your report - I've been waiting anxiously for news all day!

Nice that you got to hear the soundcheck and a friendly wave is also just that bit special when the hand doing the waving belongs to Hayley!

Don't worry about the quality of your photographs - you got some, that is the main thing.

Very much looking forward to hearing all about the concert and whether or not you got to see Hayley afterwards.

Don't keep us in suspense for too long pleeeeeeeeaaaase!!

Best wishes
Grant

[Andrew]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for "taking us" to Aberglasney Gardens with you... You've set the scene for us and introduced us to the leading lady... I've got a feeling that now we're about to hear some sweet sweet music!!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Well done Mark!

Andrew

[Joe]

Hi Mark!

Thanks for sharing your arrival to Aberglasney Gardens. Wonderful photos of Hayley at the sound check...I noticed a full drum kit too!

I look forward to the next part of your story!

Thanks again,
Joe

[starbuck]

Yes I Too look forward to the next part of your story!

Looks like a very nice place and I like rain, Hayley probably brought out the sunsine!!


Monte

[Martin]

Hi Mark
Thanks for the initial report and I look forward to more. As Joe mentioned it was good to see a drumkit (was there a bass player also?) as I think Hayley needs a fuller accompaniment now especially with some of the newer songs.

Martin

[Mark]

Hi again

Thanks Grant and Andrew , Joe, Starbuck and Martin for your comments. The drum kit is actually part of the Jazz band that I mentioned. Sorry guys. However Martin, Fiona did tell me something about Hayley' future support band

I must have watched the sound check for about 15 minutes and it was here when I first heard 'A Thousand Winds'. I wasn't expecting it and it was only the sound check but within a few bars of hearing that wonderful melody, I had goose bumps I somehow knew then that we were in for a special evening.

Here are a couple of other photos from the sound check..


You can clearly see Fiona here in full flow. The guitarist is A.J (Andy) Moore





The other person in shot here is Dave, who replaced Ray and his black people carrier, with a Range Rover on this occasion. He appeared to be a nice chap but, I wish it had been Ray - I will explain soon





Hayley was well wrapped up against the cool damp weather - at least for now





I had a good walk round before it was time to take our seats and was keeping a look out for Eugene. I did eventually find him but, that was at the end of the concert - more on that later

It was while I was on my phone posting my first brief message to the forum to let you know that Hayley would be performing 'A Thousand Winds' that Fiona walked by me - she was on her way to get changed. We chatted for a while and so I put my contingency plan (it worked Grant) into action, obviously to let Hayley know that I had a gift or two for her Fiona and I talked about the effect the damp air would have on her violin and performance. As it happens, as always, Fiona's performance was superb - no problems.

I eventually took my seat and promptly at 7pm, we had 30 minutes of entertainment from the Keith Little Jazz Band, who were actually very good and did an excellent job of warming up the audience for Hayley's appearance at 7.30pm. When Hayley walked on to stage, there was huge applause, cheers and even the odd whistle. I clearly remember my last Wales concert at Porthcawl, a year ago today actually, when the same thing happened. The welsh audiences just love Hayley, they are so knowledgeable about her songs and who she is, that was obvious from the overheard conversations during the evening.


The view from where I was sitting just before Hayley comes on stage - The jazz band on thier last number





And so the concert started ..... Picture it if you can, the rapturous applause dies away and Hayley stands poised, a large impressive country house, floodlit, in alternating pink and yellow surrounded by forest and hills, the damp misty air and then, Hayley's pure, rich voice breaks the silence......

OK, tune in shortly when I will have to reveal the 'new' song, as I have scanned in the programme

Be back soon

Mark

[Tin]

Hi Mark,

Fox should hire you to write the script for 24- you keep us in suspense as well as Jack Bauer does.

Look forward to your follow-ups!

Regards,
Tin

[Stephany]

Hello Mark

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your first two posts about the concert. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts & pictures of your day in Aberglasney. Sounds like Hayley's concerts in Wales are a must-see! There's always something special going on. Interesting to see that Hayley was accompanied by different people this time. Was Sophie there too?

Lots of love
Stephany

[Joe]

Hello Mark!

Oh, the suspense !

I am wondering what the new song can be...another song from the Japanese Songs release possibly

...snowflowers...



Joe

[Mark]

Hi again everyone

OK, its time you found out which songs Hayley performed. The best thing therefore is to show you the programme. However, not before I have revealed the new song Any members who know about the all girl group 'All Angels' will know this song very well - Hayley performed 'live' for the first time 'Songbird' I can tell you, it was absolutely superb. I would guess that perhaps Ian Tilley arranged this version for Hayley. Who ever it was did a great job, she received huge applause for it too.

Here is the set list ....














The programme was full of information about Hayley and all the performers. I will post the rest of it at the end of my report. Off to finish cooking dinner now. I may be back later tonight


Best wishes

Mark

[pjrcorreia]

Hi Mark,

Great reports and nice photos.

I am very curious about Hayley's version of "Songbird", a favorite of mine from Fleetwood Mac, I have "All Angels" cd's and I love their version too.

I am looking forward to this song to be released (I hope) in the ROD "The very best of".

Greetings from Portugal,
Paulo correia