Dave
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Post by Dave on May 2, 2006 18:17:46 GMT
An eagle-eyed mod. at Haven forum has just told me he's spotted a new pre-release Hayley download due out next Monday 8th May!  It's Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod) and it must be a new recording as I think it's only ever been released outside NZ on Hayley's DVD - and this is not the DVD version. The new digital release is listed as 4m 18s, much longer than the DVD version and it appears to have the same English lyrics as the DVD version. Details and preview here at 7Digital. But why release this, as a download, now? I reckon it means the DVD is going to be promoted in the UK - at long last! We have been expecting this (DVD promo) but it hasn't yet happened. Probably the digital single Water is Wide sold well (it was top 3 at iTunes classical tracks) so they are doing it again. Hayley's currently charting album Odyssey, and her Classical Brits nomination, seems to make the timing just right. Well I hope so! Cheers, Dave |
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Post by 1littlegirl on May 2, 2006 20:53:46 GMT
Hmm...this does seem like a rather random release. (sorry for all the r's  Is this the same recording of Ave Maria that was on the Special NZ Edition of Odyssey? I haven't got that edition so I don't know. |
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Post by roger on May 3, 2006 8:14:39 GMT
Sorry Cathleen, I can't answer that because I don't have that version either.  Roger |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 3, 2006 19:21:51 GMT
Sorry Cathleen, I don't know either! Perhaps we need one of our illustrious NZ members to tell us? Anyway, we now have official confirmation of the new digital single - which Hayley's official website describe today as "the first-ever digital-only classical single". They add that Hayley is now the UK’s most popular downloaded classical artist and looking at i-Tunes, it doesn't surprise me. The full story is here but don't forget, you can pre-order it (and/or buy it at midnight British Summer time on Sunday night ) here at 7digital but if you wait until later on Monday, you will probably be able to download it from other places a bit cheaper (such as at www.woolworths.co.uk ). Cheers, Dave |
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Post by postscript on May 4, 2006 9:45:28 GMT
Hi Dave and everyone.
If i seem abrupt its because I'm trying to be succinct and not cross threads! (I do try, Roger! Yes, I know, I can be so trying!).
1. Superb that Hayley chalks up another first being the first artist to record a solely digital single.
2. itunes is a speciality (but probably growing fast with amazing potential). It must have an undercurrent effect on wider general awareness in that it takes away visual awareness of her sales from general view--fewer disks in stores, less advertising and so the general public awareness is reduced. Presumably itunes is covered in terms of chart ratings? So our awareness of Hayley (and other artists) is in fact less than the actual sales she is making.would normally indicate?
3. Ironically, this weekend I had my Canadian friend over, the one about whom I spoke about our younger enthusiast recording days with things like Vortexions, Ferrographs and Wearite decks) when we had the debate about analogue versus digital.recordings. I came away further convinced that analogue is best!
4. Regardless, that is the way the world is wagging and once more our Hayley is up front leading the way. I regard it as good news since the senior management changes at Decca. To me, it says Decca is still right behind her and has confidence in her.
Peter
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 4, 2006 10:17:48 GMT
Hi Peter, I think the best answer to this is to just give a few of the relevant facts and figures. Nearly half of all "singles" in the UK are now sold as legal downloads  so releasing a digital single is certainly a viable - and much cheaper - alternative to the physical CD single. And legal digital sales are increasing rapidly. Downloaded singles *and* albums are now included in the UK charts (and I'm sure in the US too), although in the case of albums it's only a very few percent - but increasing. And... there MUST be a physical CD available (so Hayley's new single can't get into the main singles chart) Album CD sales in the UK are *very* close to a record high (within one percent in 2005) and have just had their highest ever first quarter sales (2006 official figures). It's the same with Music DVDs, which now exceed singles in the monetary value of their sales. Singles are now released primarily to get airplay for and promote an album (or Music DVD). There isn't much profit in singles as they are so cheap and sales are low. But digital-only singles are excluded from the main singles charts so it remains to be seen if Hayley will get any airplay out of "Ave Maria" and it will be VERY interesting to see if Classic FM play it. I've never knowingly heard a single played on Classic FM! The week after the new version of Odyssey entered the UK charts recently, it was selling more than double the percentage of downloaded albums as Russell Watson or Andrea Bocelli. Hayley sold nearly twice the percentage of Vittorio Grigolo and proportionately more even than il Divo (the only other classical crossover act in the pop chart). Downloads are still under 3% of Hayley's total album sales but I think this will increase rapidly with her continued release of digital download singles and it's an imaginative move by the new regime at Decca, who seem to be promoting Hayley this year with renewed vigour. Cheers, Dave |
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Post by postscript on May 4, 2006 14:20:23 GMT
Dave,
I think in your run down and backghround of statistics on the music industry generally, you have provided a wonderful reference point for every one of us.
Thank you for your time and effort.
Peter
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 7, 2006 23:33:33 GMT
... but don't forget, you can pre-order it (and/or buy it at midnight British Summer time on Sunday night ) here at 7digital but if you wait until later on Monday, you will probably be able to download it from other places a bit cheaper (such as at www.woolworths.co.uk ). I had to wait nearly 15 minutes after midnight before they would let me get it but wow, it's certainly worth it. Gorgeous! It's the full english lyrics like on Hayley's DVD and by virtue of a really neat key change in the middle and repeat (with different arrangement), they've managed to make a 4m 18s version of Ave Maria. Excellent, so if you can, get downloading folks!!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifCheers, Dave |
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Post by roger on May 8, 2006 9:26:43 GMT
Yep, I have it too and yep, it IS gorgeous. Only there is nothing new about this arrangement - it just new to Hayley. The key change and the overall arrangement is identical in every respect to Keedie's version recorded over eighteen months ago and, in my opinion, Keedie's has more dramatic impact. Ever since I first heard it, I have hoped that Hayley would cover it. Now she has, I can't help but feel slightly disappointed with it for she adds nothing new. But I say again, it IS gorgeous.
Roger
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 8, 2006 11:49:11 GMT
Yep, I have it too and yep, it IS gorgeous. Only there is nothing new about this arrangement - it just new to Hayley. The key change and the overall arrangement is identical in every respect to Keedie's version recorded over eighteen months ago... Roger Ha, that'll teach you to go buying other singers' albums, Roger!  I don't have that problem as I'm unlikely to buy a Keedie album (though I did give her a brief listen when she was first promoted) so I just compare it to Hayley's own DVD version and we all know how Hayley 'comes alive' in concerts so I won't make that comparison. Maybe this was a 'rush job' done on one of Hayley's days off during the Il Divo tour, for promotional purposes - if and when the NZ concert is shown on ITV3? In which case, it's good enough for its purpose but I suspect that not as much effort went into producing it as for Hayley's album tracks? That's how it's starting to look anyway (from what you say and my initial impressions) but it's certainly a nice track well worth having. It must be OK, I played it on auto-repeat last night for about an hour! Cheers, Dave |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 8, 2006 17:43:57 GMT
Hi Guys, 
Reading your posts I can not decide whether to get it or not, ...Roger says
Steve H  Hi Steve, pay no attention to Roger who's this Keedie person anyway? - just get it! I mean to say.... for the cost of two packets of chewing gum you can have a (currently) unique Hayley track and while it's not "perfect" if you want to analyse it, it's lovely! *click* there it goes again... mmmmmmmmmm. Cheers, Dave |
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Post by roger on May 8, 2006 18:35:33 GMT
Nah, don't pay any attention to me, Steve - nobody else does! Go for it, you won't be sorry. Roger |
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Post by postscript on May 8, 2006 20:15:04 GMT
Nah, don't pay any attention to me, Steve - nobody else does! Go for it, you won't be sorry. Roger Oh Roger. I support you, even when I might disagree with you!  Peter |
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Post by tonyw on May 9, 2006 11:17:18 GMT
I was able to download the single from Woolworths today for 59pence. They also have “Laschia Ch’io Pianga”. It is very good, has anybody else downloaded it?
It’s great that you can buy these individual tracks. At one time you would have had to buy a whole album to have one or two new tracks. I have also bought some software called Replay Music, which allows a legitimate way of copying the download to allow you to convert it to as many mp3. or wav. files as you like.
Tony B
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so releasing a digital single is certainly a viable - and much cheaper - alternative to the physical CD single. And legal digital sales are increasing rapidly.
