Odyssey UK Tracklisting

[roger]

Quite so, Kimberly. This is what I said about 'My Heart Belongs to You' in my review:

"To turn Odyssey from a remarkable and memorable album into a truly world-class masterpiece, we need a fitting but spectacular finale. We get it. 'My Heart Belongs To You' has everything. From Hayley's surprisingly low vocal opening to the peaceful but uplifting tempo; from the stunningly gorgeous harmony which Hayley provides to her own lead to the delightfully optimistic lyric; from the sound of the full orchestral backing to the closing flourish of the harp, this song is a perfect way to end this incredible journey"

I can't help feeling that 'Dido's Lament' as the last track on the UK version, will be an anti-climax. Please let me be wrong.

Roger

[Dave]

roger said:

dave said:

.....Which leaves two of the original 'pop' songs to be dropped: I Say Grace and unfortunately one of the best (commercially) on the album, My Heart Belongs To You.

Hi Dave,
While I agree with your assumptions, I cannot believe they have dropped 'My Heart Belongs To You' for the very reason you mentioned - it is probably the most commercial track on the entire album. I think that is a better reason for retaining it than the assumed reasons for retaining most of the others.

I believe Odyssey will do well no matter what, but we will never know how much better it would have done if this track had been included.
Roger

Hi Roger, Well I am hoping that the overall artistic feel of the album has been given some precedence over the commercial value of individual tracks - even over at least some of Hayley's personal preferences. Steve said to me that the classical ending on May It Be was dropped because it was felt to be not in keeping with the feel of the surrounding tracks. Good as My Heart Belongs is, it's hard to see how it could be made to rest easily among the classical second half of the album. They may not have wanted to disturb the first half too much to accommodate it. Perhaps part of the price to be paid for making a slightly poppy album less so, and more classical, was to drop the poppiest track - however 'commercial' it may be.

This version of the album will stand or fall by the arrangements in its new second half, by how well those tracks blend and by how well the two halves of UK Odyssey fit together. I am particularly interested to know if they've managed to make the final few tracks feel right. And that ending...what an ending to have, Dido's Lament! As Kimberly pointed out, this is an unusual way to end and Decca MUST know this - so let's hope they all *really* know what they are doing.

If the production team have pulled it off, the re-vamped UK Odyssey could be a masterpiece and will sell by the bucketload. If not, it will just feel, well, messed about with and rather flat, compared to Pure but I hope, I really really REALLY hope, that they've pulled it off. Anyway, however it ends up, I'm starting to get quite excited about it now so I am going to end with a slightly nervous but optimistic grin. Fingers crossed, everyone!!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[kcuteus1]

if I were to pick the last song it would be it moves though the fair as that it is a happier song. And in a way with having Dido's Lament as the last song it can live in cold. Dido's Lament is a very good aria but it sould be in the middle of the cd.

[portia]

raymond said:

I think it is because Hayley's version is different from the version of Sarah Brightman.
'I am falling for you
I am falling for you
I first come in June
I am falling for you'
I think this is the part Hayley wrote.

I thought that line was "My heart's torn in two?"

[Raymond]

portia said:

raymond said:

I think it is because Hayley's version is different from the version of Sarah Brightman.
'I am falling for you
I am falling for you
I first come in June
I am falling for you'
I think this is the part Hayley wrote.

I thought that line was "My heart's torn in two?"

Yes, you are right. I made a mistake.

[Richard]

Hello everybody!

I agree the order of the UK tracklisting looks a bit strange, but I do like the overall balance of the album. I'm also wondering whether Dido's Lament will make a suitable final track, but I'm really looking forward to hearing Hayley sing it and the other new classical pieces.

With the selection of songs, Hayley has certainly matured a lot since "Pure", as clearly demonstrated on the Australian version of "Odyssey". I'm going to reserve my final judgement on the UK version until I've listened to it a few times.

Cheerio for now,

Richard

[stephch]

I like the tracklisting but I am interested to see how Dido's Lament and O Mio Babbino Caro would be sung I hope she sing's them in an operatic way .

[Natasha]

Wow! Looks like I'm going to have to get a few versions of Odyssey. "O mio babbino caro," wow thanks Hayley!! I wanted to hear sing that one so badly, and now I'll be able! How exciting!!

Natasha

[Dave]

Hayley's Manager Steve has now posted a message on the official HW forum to explain why the UK track listing is different and effectively, he confirms that it will qualify for the UK classical charts. His message is here

Steve confirmed that She Moves Through The Fair has been re-jigged and is now classical (no doubt one or two others have been re-done, too). The UK (classical) version seems to be Hayley's preferred version, the others being different because of Universal Companies in the Country of release. I Say Grace is a highlight of Hayley's Live shows. The US release track list isn't yet decided but will be restricted to12 tracks (by implication, because of Universal US).

I thought it was very nice of Steve to take the time to explain all that.

[kcuteus1]

I do not think she has a preferred version. hey the Uk one does not have one of her fav. songs from the cd on it.

[emmettb]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for this news, now we know what chart it will be in.........panic over.

Great to see Steve explaining the reasons for the different versions, he must have been spying on us .

Interesting to hear 'I Say Grace' was the highlight of the live shows, I wonder how they achieve this??


Emmett

[Dave]

kcuteus1 said:

I do not think she has a preferred version. hey the Uk one does not have one of her fav. songs from the cd on it.

That's true, I guess they are all a compromise, unfortunately.

[stephch]

What I do not understand is why do Universal Companies of other companie's have a problem with tracklisting ,I guess it is only her that they have this problem with as they do not have it with anyone esle.Also I do not think she has a preferred version.But there is one thing I do know is that I would not be getting the US version only 12 song's I do not like getting Cd's with 12 song's .She needs to get a new A&R.

Also I hope her next Cd just has one version and I do not see odyssey topping Pure's sale's.

[roger]

Hi Stephanie,

I think it is fair to say that if you and I and a few other forum members were asked to select a number of tracks to be included on Odyssey, we would all come up with a slightly different list. The same is true of the various Universal Companies around the world. In addition to personal choice, they also have to consider what they believe will sell in their own markets. That can certainly vary considerably from one continent to another.

I really don't believe that Hayley is the only singer with whom they have this problem. In fact, I'm sure the problem is not with her personally at all. I suspect it is quite common throughout the recording industry. It's just that, unless we follow a particular artist as closely as we follow Hayley, we are unlikely to hear about it.

I can understand your reasons for not wanting to buy the US version if it to be limited to only 12 tracks. I have a feeling Dave once explained why that was but regretably I have now forgotten. (Dave?) However, I believe I am right in saying that the average cost of a CD in the States is considerably less that it is in the UK and so, I hope, you will not feel too hard done by.

Enjoy whatever versions you eventually choose to buy.

Roger

[stephch]

Yes it is cheaper but a 12 track Cd that may only be alittie over 50 minute's is NOT of good value.In plus I am getting the Uk version so no need to get the US one I am not a bigger enought fan for that.She is not my fav. singer but I still like her.I have many Cd's and yes some of them have 10,11,12 song's and some have 16 and more song's most are over 55min's even 60min's .Hayley's Cd's are some of the shortest's Cd's I have.I did not get Katherine's La diva for the same reason I would not get the US odyssey.I like long Cd's if I am right a Cd nowaday's can fit 80 min's.