Is country music a viable option for Hayley?

[stevemacdonald]

Is country music a viable option for Hayley?

Yes.

Does she possess enough of a nasal twang to suit Nashville tastes?

Absolutely.

Has she ever sounded "country" on anything so far?

Most definitely: "Down by the River"

Has she had any exposure to this musical form?

Probably. Shania Twain is HUGE in New Zealand and so are countless others.

Would a foray into country music be welcomed or rejected by her present supporters?

A lot of both, but on the plus side she would sell millions more CDs and become a household name in America.

Isn't it too late for her to "switch gears" and start cranking out country tunes?

Um, what part of age 18 is too late for anything career-wise?

Does she have the right 'tude for modern country music?

Not yet. You gotta be anxious to strut your stuff.

So isn't this discussion about a nice Kiwi girl like Hayley becoming a country music star just a tad farfetched?

Not when you consider that NZ-born Keith Urban is now the biggest thing in country music since Garth Brooks.

Will anyone here buy her country albums?

I might.

[fusilier23]

Did not know that Keith Urban was originally from NZ, but I have never been a major follower of his. This does open some possibilities that are worth looking into, as gospel-tinged country would not be all that far away from a lot of what Hayley has been doing lately, in fact, a lot of bluegrass/gospel tunes would sound excellent in her voice like "Will the Circle be Unbroken?" and "I Saw the Light." Plus, this would not be as radical a change as say, classical to raunchy pop. Country singers still tend to sing about stuff that's got some value, as opposed to Britneyesque moaning and panting.

The problem I see is that Universal/Decca isn't likely to let her take this step just yet. She still owes them at least 2 more albums on her current contract and I think, although I do not know this for a fact, that there is something in the contract that disallows a radical change of musical direction, based on the fact that she lamented a lack of creative control once or twice. The execs at U/D are no fools, and they aren't blind either, they saw Sony get burned by that other singer and their revenue from her slow to a trickle for four years, only to be met by the piece of brilliant analysis that ended with "*&%^ you, Mr. Executive." (why that wasn't grounds for immediate dismissal I don't know) However, there is certainly room in the next album, which I hope to God they won't push Hayley into doing till 2007, to allow some experimentation with country, as well as whatever else Hayley wants to try her hand at writing. Hopefully that should keep everyone happy, including the fans, remember them?

[stevemacdonald]

... Universal/Decca isn't likely to let her take this step just yet. She still owes them at least 2 more albums on her current contract and I think, although I do not know this for a fact, that there is something in the contract that disallows a radical change of musical direction...

Hmm, I would think just the opposite, since they are in the business to make money and because Odyssey has fallen woefully short of Pure's windfall. They may have no choice except to hasten Hayley into a more popular musical direction.

And by the way, "pure" voices are very welcome in the country/bluegrass/gospel market. Alison Krauss has a voice every bit as pure as Hayley but several times more marketable because her genre is so accessible.

Given Hayley's preference for the eclectic approach, and given that her potential audience is way bigger than the Odyssey-targeted demographic, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to do the math and wake up and smell the coffee, If anyone can transcend all musical genres and put her magical touch anywhere she chooses it's Hayley.

[Dave]

stevemacdonald said:

... Universal/Decca isn't likely to let her take this step just yet. She still owes them at least 2 more albums on her current contract and I think, although I do not know this for a fact, that there is something in the contract that disallows a radical change of musical direction...

Hmm, I would think just the opposite, since they are in the business to make money and because Odyssey has fallen woefully short of Pure's windfall. They may have no choice except to hasten Hayley into a more popular musical direction.

And by the way, "pure" voices are very welcome in the country/bluegrass/gospel market. Alison Krauss has a voice every bit as pure as Hayley but several times more marketable because her genre is so accessible.

Given Hayley's preference for the eclectic approach, and given that her potential audience is way bigger than the Odyssey-targeted demographic, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to do the math and wake up and smell the coffee, If anyone can transcend all musical genres and put her magical touch anywhere she chooses it's Hayley.

Well I'm sorry but I don't think Country/bluegrass like Alison Krauss does has much in common with anything Hayley's done before! Also, Alison is American - and that is a HUGE advantage in the US (I do agree that she's got a lovely voice though, on certain material). Hayley and Decca have already taken a big risk by daring to try and break into the US market - and to be fair, it has been partially successful. Getting in among the top half dozen classical crossover artists of the moment in the US has been no mean feat and to radically change direction now would be crazy. It would surely increase the risk of failure (for a foreigner) so why on earth try to make Hayley do what she doesn't seem to want - a change of direction? I don't even know if Hayley *can* do this "Country" thing effectively - and I bet she doesn't, either!

As for Odyssey's relatively poor performance compared to Pure, it's quite usual for second albums on the back of a super-successful debut to sell well under half what the first one sold - and Odyssey's not yet finished. I think it will be interesting to see at the end of this year which versions of Odyssey sold best compared to Pure - the poppier ones or the more classically biased versions. But we still won't know which is the best commercial route for Hayley until her third International album us released and, obviously, it must be similar in style to the first two to make a fair comparison. If it does as well as or better than Odyssey, all will be well in the long term for Hayley and her present musical direction. If it bombs, *that's* when a change of direction may need to be considered. Personally, I think Hayley will do at least as well as Odyssey with her third album and probably better. We shall see!

Cheers, Dave

[stevemacdonald]

Dave, I'm afraid the ol' "sophomore slump" theory doesn't fully apply to Odyssey since that album was relatively bland alongside the more dynamic and varied Pure.

Decca took a gamble by allowing Wuthering Heights on Pure and it paid off, winning Hayley a ton of cred among the youth market even if it turned off the Kate Bush loyalists. She sings it to the hilt in concert and it always bring the house down.

They took an even bigger gamble by not allowing another over-the-top sparkler like that onto Odyssey. If you read the Amazon reviews you'll notice a recurring complaint that they "played it safe" this time. Personally, I think they shot themselves in the foot.

If Decca wait 'til a fourth international album is in the works before figuring out what it is about Hayley that really sets the world on fire, then it would be an horrific shame. Forunately however, Hayley is plenty young enough to absorb that delay without too much damage.

They should get to work immediately and have her try her hand at a country song or two, an edgy folk-rock number, another spirited Kate Bush tune, and maybe even a soulful R & B ballad. That still leaves plenty of room for the traditional crossover material and sweet duets with Bocelli or Frangoulis.

The reason I mentioned country music in the first place is, actually, that many foreigners are brilliantly represented in this genre. Some of the best country ever done came from Aussie, Mexican and Canadian artists. Hayley's voice has the perfect timbre to suit this style. The only question that remains: "Would she look convincing enough in a cowboy hat?"

[postscript]

Hi steve.

In 'Is country music an option?', surely as Hayley wants to pan out her life, everything is an option?

While a pianist may feel more akin with Bach than Mendelssohn and another more happy with Chopin than Brahms, it remains the same piano.

Okay, a voice is unique to the singer, but that applies to the actor. They have their lines and take on different voices, padding out different 'shapes' of their bodies. The same applies to the singer, from the notes of interpretation style etc.

What Hayley wants to try and what she decides she is best at, I think she is willing to have a go if the idea pleases her. I wonder if in fact she thinks in terms of genre. Rather, does she not think in terms of tune, harmonies, meaningful words and then decides if the song appeals, to her?

Typecasting or any form of classification is surely NOT a Hayley thought process?

Peter

[Dave]

Steve, all I'm asking is: Why should Hayley change at all from what she's already doing and has said she wants to continue doing? That is, essentially more of the same. Sure, the odd track from other styles and genres can go into the melting pot but I just want her to do what I think she wants to do.

I think Hayley will be fine selling half a million albums each time rather than 2 million and I would hate to think she felt under pressure to produce another "Pure". Sarah Brightman and Russell Watson for example have had fine careers over the last few years selling roughly what Hayley is doing with Odyssey and I don't see the need to try and persuade or even encourage Hayley to move in any direction other than the one she currently seems to want. But that's just my opinion.

Cheers, Dave

[Joe]

Hi all,

Hayley certainly has the ability to create a presence in country music. She loves to explore different vocal styles. Having said that, an occasional song or two with a country flair might be good for US and Canadian fans.

[stevemacdonald]

Hi Joe,

Heh, I forgot about that regional flexibility thing. It's amazing how modular the music has become.

They could even put out a country version of Odyssey just by adding steel guitars and wistful whining to all the tracks .... or a "world music" variation by mixing in some conga drums and cowbells .... or jazz version by tossing in a little vibraphones and sax.

Steve

[fusilier23]

I agree, an OCCASIONAL one, not turning everything upside down. BTW, I think Hayley would actually look pretty good in a white cowboy hat.

Still, if she's happy where she is, I say leave well enough alone. I am confident that her career will unfold in the manner it was meant to, there's no need to give it a shove yet.

It would be kinda neat to see her share the stage with Leeann Rimes.

[alien]

stevemacdonald said:

They could even put out a country version of Odyssey just by adding steel guitars and wistful whining to all the tracks .... or a "world music" variation by mixing in some conga drums and cowbells .... or jazz version by tossing in a little vibraphones and sax.

Steve

It would be interesting to see Hayley sing jazz, can you imagine a duet with Hayley and Diana Krall? I think their voice would work well together.

Who knows what will happen in the future, Shania Twain released 3 different version of her album (Country, Pop and World Music) and it certainly worked well. Decca may try that with Hayley when she becomes even more popular :wink:

Allen

[postscript]

alien, that is very interesting, the idea that Hayley would sing jazz. Here's why.

In my review of Hayley at Huddersfield I digressed into one or two related observations.

Succinctly, it is that we (or at least I) have become used to Hayley-run concerts where she is COUNTERBALANCED by an instrumentalist as magnificent as she. In this, Fiona Pears was so superb. She and Hayley work together as a couple, challenging each other but then Hayley can take a rest and Fiona holds us as equally enthralled as does Hayley, when Fiona is performing solos. When we did not have Fiona, normality, how ever good was a disappointment

I had it in mind, but never got round to it (although through a private email, Steve is aware of whom I speak) to suggest to Steve that were Hayley stuck on concert opportunities because Fiona was not available, or too costly to bring over from NZ, this guy would be an excellent alternative as he is in the UK, especially if Hayley was prepared to be talked into a jazz style with or through him but which she wouldn't HAVE to do.

The Guardian has rated him highly (his father is internationally renowned in jazz circles as an arranger) and my impression, when first being acquainted with Fiona, was that she was as good as him. Members will think it the other way round, that he is at least as good as Fiona.

Despite the fact that jazz is not my forte he does give us as a family that special elitism that I'm sure Hayley gives her family and friends, the idea that someone of that calibre will turn up at a private family party and perform for friends! It does make one (well, me at least I confess and I suppose that should be a shame-faced confession but I am rather proud of the association) awfully snooty at being able to say, 'that's a relative of mine, he performed in our back garden last month', should the occasion arise!

As members do occasionally share personal experiences, may I self-indulge for a moment?

This last Saturday I had a near Hayley experience in the wonderment of a concert. It is a venue which Hayley would like (my home town's 13th century parish church, which has the longest nave of any parish church in the county (or we have an alternative modern concert hall)) but an hour's drive (making allowance for traffic) from Hayley's flat. Does she still have it, I have heard conflicting opinions?

For that matter, I thought this area would be a good sequence of venues for Hayley: Berkhamsted as a taster and then St Albans cathedral, but ! digress.

Saturday night was something of a family affair. My brother-in-law played timps. He also sings in the choir but not at the same time, although he has been known to alternate during a concert. His second wife (my sister died of cancer a few years ago) is the mother of the afore-mentioned jazz violinist through a previous relationship, teaches singing, clarinet and piano. This Saturday she was only playing the clarinet.but like my brother-in-law has been known to interchange during a concert. [My sister used to sing and played and taught pianoT]. The conductor was the retired director of music at Berkhamsted Collegiate School, my old school, when ti was simply Berkhamsted School. It has recently amalgamated with my sister's old school to provide both single and co-educational facilities, hence 'Berkhamsted Collegiate' now.

The quality of the Bridgewater Band (whose concert it was) is such that their leader is usually either a player with the London Phil or the London Symphony.(with whom my brother-in-law has also played percussion). But this Saturday the key was Anna Markland.

That is a name UK members should remember. She created a sensation the year, 1982, she won the Young Musician of the Year Award. She may have been playing Grieg then but it was the Grieg she played this Saturday. She is an absolutely beautiful young woman, looking no older than her late twenties but factualy must be just the right side of 40.

For me, this was a marvelous near-Hayley experience. I have never been so close to a pianist of that calibre. I was six feet away but in the wrong pew. On the opposite side of the nave was a young thirteen or fourteen years old boy with his family (a pupil of my brother-in-law's second wife I later discovered) who had a better view of her hands than did I.

He was totally enraptured, which enhanced my own appreciation of this very fine pianist. It reminded me of my first teen experience at the Albert Hall when I too had been totally enraptured at the concert and my surroundings. There is nothing like the wonderment of a child to renew one's faith and make one see less casually all that age makes us accept without thinking.

I remember accompanying the young (7 or 8 years old) daughter of a friend on a visit to St Albans cathedral. Being a Jewess she had never stepped inside a cathedral before. As her head followed the line of pillars up to the ceiling, so her jaw dropped in astonishment as her eyes finally reached the apex.

She could not express herself. Her totally dropped jaw expressed all her wonderment and one was able to share again, for oneself, that sense of wonderment locked in our own childhood memories but lost because they are pushed out of conscious memory by the jetsam and flotsam we think is more important as we grow older.

Back to Anna Markland. She was also playing a brand new £20,000 grand which she had earlier inaugurated at the close of last year, when I think I was somewhere around Hayley and so missed that concert.

Anyway,. I hope I haven't bored or over-indulged myself, but shared a moment of magic in my life.

Peter

[timj]

Go for it Hayley, Andrea has an Elvis tune on his Amore cd, and Katherine Jenkins -L'more se tu- was written by Dolly Parton.

There are lots of C/W tunes with great lyrics, they may need musical rearrangment to match Hayley,s style. C/W has a HUGE audience in the U.S.

TimJ

[stevemacdonald]

timj said:

There are lots of C/W tunes with great lyrics, they may need musical rearrangment to match Hayley,s style. C/W has a HUGE audience in the U.S.

Hmm, maybe she could start a new style and call it "Country/Westenra".

[Andrew]

Hi All,

Please refer to my 'Tennessee Waltz' post which I have included in the "Songs for Hayley" Thread.

Indeed, I think country music is a viable option for Hayley. Although a lot of country songs are sad songs, often the sad songs are the most emotive!

Regards,

Andrew