Hayley's voice

[jons]

For most singers when they record their next album, its just a matter of singing each song as best they can. For Hayley it seems to be a bit more complicated than that. After listening to ‘Treasure’ an number of times its clear that Hayley now has quite a few options available to her. The majority of songs on ‘Treasure’ are sung in the high register, although not every single note of course and a few songs are more balanced. I felt though, that ‘Treasure’ actually makes ‘Odyssey’ sound a bit weak. Were do I start? The high notes on spiritual songs like ‘The Heart Worships’ and ‘Abide With Me’ which seem to sound extra special to the high notes on other songs. That final note she holds on ‘Danny Boy’ (you know what I’m talking about!); the underlying whisper on ‘Sonny’ which gives her voice a texture I’ve never heard before (I don’t know if anybody else knows what I’m talking about?) I also got excited when I listened to ‘Bist Du Bei Mir’ because Hayley sounds like Sissel (I remember getting excited when I first heard Sissel’s ‘Into Paradise’ as she sounded a bit like Hayley in places). I don’t know what Hayley’s singing about in the song (She could be singing ‘The DFS furniture sale ends Monday, for all I know! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif) but it just sounds amazing. ‘Abide With Me’ though, Hayley thinks that song rescues you from despair. When Hayley sings it, I’m sure it could rescue people who don’t even realise they are in despair!

[jons]

I forgot to add 'Santa Lucia'. I don't like the song, unless Hayley sings it that is! She plays with it and makes it fun and not just jolly.

[jons]

I was hoping that people could share with me their thoughts on the mysteries of Hayley's voice, personally I find it more interesting than discussing how Hayley spreads butter on her toast (Does she scrape it on or delicately spread it? ) Does anybody else think that she sounds like Sissel on 'Bist Du Bei Mir'? (Hayley and Sissel have to be my fave singers that walk this land.) What about 'Sonny'? Can anybody else hear that underlying whisper over what is already a nearly a whisper. I could go on and I will after I've listened to the songs a few more times to see if I could discover anymore secrets.

[Dave]

Hi Jon,

Well I meant to reply to your first post in this thread but I forgot! The reason is your comment about Sissel, to whom I was listening not long ago while driving with Roger to or from some Hayley concert (I have Into Paradise but i've known about her for many many years). I remarked to him that Sissel sounded like Hayley on certain tracks. This is because I suspect that Sissel's production of her Classical Crossover album "Into Paradise" may have been inspired by Hayley's success with similar types of album. Most of Sissel's albums are, as you will know, Pop albums.

I also remarked to Roger that in ten years time, I imagine that Hayley will sound very much like Sissel sounds now (she's in her thirties) and this will show through on the lighter more delicate songs - but not on Sissel's more powerful ones as she has a "stronger" voice (though not "better").

I see a number of parallels between Hayley and Sissel and I love both their voices.

If we wish to discuss Sissel more, rather than "Hayley's Voice", we can do so in the existing Sissel board here - which has been far too quiet recently!

Cheers, Dave

[Raymond]

dave said:

I suspect that Sissel's production of her Classical Crossover album "Into Paradise" may have been inspired by Hayley's success with similar types of album. Most of Sissel's albums are, as you will know, Pop albums.

They succeed, I have bought 'Into Paradise'.

dave said:

I see a number of parallels between Hayley and Sissel and I love both their voices.

Me too. But Hayley's voice is better.

Raymond

[petertong]

jons said:

I was hoping that people could share with me their thoughts on the mysteries of Hayley's voice, personally I find it more interesting than discussing how Hayley spreads butter on her toast (Does she scrape it on or delicately spread it? ) Does anybody else think that she sounds like Sissel on 'Bist Du Bei Mir'? (Hayley and Sissel have to be my fave singers that walk this land.) What about 'Sonny'? Can anybody else hear that underlying whisper over what is already a nearly a whisper. I could go on and I will after I've listened to the songs a few more times to see if I could discover anymore secrets.

Hi Jon,

I have no idea why i like one voice rather than another... its kind of like love - you know when you are in love (well I do at least . Hayley's voice is easy to fall in love with.

Its kind of weird because I know that Hayley's voice is just part of her physical body...given to her by her parents and their parents etc. On the other hand its Hayley herself (the unseen part of her - just like I can't see the real me with my physical eyes), that is animating it, and is what is making it so special... I really can't say I understand the interaction there... I guess at this point I just am satisfied to just enjoy it. All of my friends really enjoy it too... our voice is obviously a very personal part of us...and its no different with Hayley.

[jons]

I was listening to the carols - ‘Away In A Manger’ and ‘Silent Night’ recently, and yes I know they are out of season but I love them. Hayley sings them differently to anything else; she sings each note tenderly, gently. In fact her voice sounds like Christmas if could understand that, and It feels like her voice is the heavens. Hayley’s voice has changed a bit since ‘Pure’ and I love her voice no matter what It sounds like (And there’s plenty of variety on ’Treasure’) The songs - ‘Abide With Me’, ‘E Para Ra’ and the chorus to ‘Le Note Del Silenzio’ all have a glimmer of the ‘Pure’ voice in them. I hope that Hayley brings back that really gentle voice we hear on the carols. ‘Pie Jesu’ and ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ would benefit the most. In fact, I dream about Hayley singing those songs. (As I’ve mentioned before, I dreamt that Hayley was Dorothy in the ‘Wizard Of Oz’ where she sung ’Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ - I still stand by that premonition!)