Hayley's 'Metascore'

[jons]

There is a website called Megacritic www.metacritic.com/ which groups together media reviews of music and film etc, and then calculates the ‘Metascore’ to give an overall impression of the product. For instance an album might have 82 positive comments out of fifty reviews. Hayley’s albums are not on there unfortunately.

So why not make our own ‘Metascore’?

I might need Stephany’s help here. We need to find at least thirty reviews and take the score (or if they don’t have one, just note whether the review was positive or negative or somewhere in-between) and calculated the final score.

We will then see how popular ‘Treasure’ is in the media. And there’s nothing to stop us doing the same with Hayley’s other albums. What do you say?

[Stephany]

Sounds like a great idea, Jon. I'll take the time to gather all the recent reviews from magazines I've seen of "Treasure/Celtic Treasure" and post them here again. In the meantime, I suggest you browse the "Treasure/Celtic Treasure reviews" thread - we've posted a few there already.

[roger]

That sounds like a good idea, Jon. If you are willing, Stephany, I'm sure we would be interested in seeing the results. Perhaps it would be as well to ignore any reviews written by HWI members because it has been suggested that we might be a just a little bit biased!

Roger

[Stephany]

Of course, Roger.
I'll focus on "official" sources, then. It should be interesting to see the results - hopefully, it will bring some new fans to Hayley's music!
Best wishes,
Stephany

[jons]

I checked.

Excluding the members reviews, there are 16 positive media reviews quoted from Steph, Dave, Richard and a few others. Exactly the amount of tracks on the album if you include 'Jekyll'! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif


Only one bad media review in the thread, you may have to double check that though.

[Stephany]

Jon, I'll try to find negative reviews of "Treasure" but what if there are none?
Anyway, I'll post here all the reviews from official sources so that you can gather all of them and post everything on Metacritic.com.
Best wishes,
Stephany

First one - from Christchurch.

SOUNDCHECK
Patrick SHEPHERD
7 April 2007
The Press (Christchurch)
Page 3
Anglais
© 2007 Fairfax New Zealand Limited. All Rights Reserved.

TREASURE Hayley Westenra (Decca) * * * *

It wasn't so long ago that I reviewed Hayley Westenra's impressive demo disc, then watched as she rocketed to stardom overseas, working with the best in the business, signing with Decca and looking as if her future was very much assured. My thoughts at the time were that if she selected the right material and sang the songs that suited her best, she would be stellar. It's always gratifying to be right, but even more pleasing to see such a talent from New Zealand doing so well while retaining a sense of identity. Westenra has not lost that doe-eyed, girlish charm, seeming occasionally awkward striking the poses in her promotional DVD. Yet she always comes across as genuine and utterly nice. This album is her best to date, and her voice is fulfilling all the promise of those early recordings. In the orchestrations, she has largely gone for the Celtic sound that heightens the ethereal quality of her voice well. In her promo, and the glossy brochure accompanying it, she explains the personal affinity she has with tunes such as Scarborough Fair, Abide With Me and the ubiquitous Danny Boy. As her musical clout and global popularity increase, she has also started to venture farther afield for material, even adding to the songs she has already penned herself. Having said this, she does sing the trad tunes beautifully and brings to Abide With Me, in particular, an angelic quality that ranks alongside some of the best renditions. Westenra's technique is well crafted and she is sure across her entire register -- always wonderfully clear and precise in both tone and diction. She has taken good advice and worked hard at her technique, displaying admirable control and a quite distinctive sound that has matured beautifully. The doubters need doubt no more; Hayley Westenra has hit the world stage and looks every bit as if she's there to stay.

[Stephany]

From Malaysia :

Looks meets talent
27 March 2007
The Malay Mail
Page 23
(c) 2007 New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad

Treasure

Hayley Westenra

For classical pop singers, it does help when you have the looks. Just look at Il Divo, partly thanks to their looks, the foursome has helped make opera mainstream popular again.

As for Hayley Westenra, with her freshfaced innocence and an almost flawless voice that matches, it's no wonder why she is fast becoming the darling in the classical pop scene. She can very well follow Il Divo's footsteps in introducing classical music to people who, before this, only considered it no more than elevator music.

The New Zealand songstress' latest offering, Treasure, is a mix of her original compositions, and Irish/American/Maori/Neapolitan folk songs that will satisfy pop fans and classical listeners alike.

While many of the tracks in the album would easily go down well among most English-speaking listeners, somehow, non-English numbers like Santa Lucia, E Pari Ra and Le Notte Del Silenzio (which is further boosted by Humphrey Berney's Italian chorus) are much more memorable and catchy.

Summer Rain may remind you of a familiar Enya single, but no doubt sets itself apart with the light-paced rhythm that wanders between classical notes and contemporary pop.

Another track, Summer Fly, would bring back memories of the Carpenters era. A surprisingly catchy single, Summer Fly mesmerises with excellent violin accompaniment. It is also refreshing to hear the 19-year-old finally singing something that befits her age.

Combined with a haunting rhythm, Westenra's vocal range is fully showcased in The Heart Worships.

However, the standout track is the short but beautiful Melancholy Interlude, written by English Renaissance composer John Dowland. It is that kind of song that leaves you with goosebumps all over your arms from the very first verse.

[Stephany]

I spoke way too fast; I had forgotten about this VERY negative review.

STONE FINALLY HITTING HER STRIDE WITH CONFIDENT EFFORT
Stewart HUNT
22 March 2007
The Nelson Mail (NZ)
Page 17
© 2007 Fairfax New Zealand Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Hayley Westenra - Treasure (Decca)

I have to tread carefully here - I got hate mail last time I reviewed Hayley Westenra.

It's not that I have anything against her - by all accounts, she's a sweet kid and she has a nice voice - but honestly, how much of her really goes into these albums other than her restful and plaintive singing?

Is she a willing participant in this unimaginative tripe, or is she just being nudged along because, to her handlers, she represents treasure (more like the sort that pirates used to bury)?

Yes, yes, it's all tied together neatly by her pat little liner notes about her Irish ancestry, but does that really excuse the tin whistle drifting in like an impenetrable fog over most of the album? And hasn't the world been put through enough versions of Danny Boy and Scarborough Fair?

I'm not in this album's demographic, and I accept that some people love this maudlin rot, but I personally find it as tuneful as a dentist's drill. This is clearly my own failing.

Westenra's talents aren't easily applied to a wide variety of genres, but even her own material sounds reined in. Can't she be allowed to stretch out a little bit instead of being treated like a money press?

I'm not suggesting for a minute that she get tatts and a drug habit, but it'd be nice to see a more human album from her, rather than a third effort carefully engineered in a vacuum-sealed lab somewhere. Just a thought.

Pleasant like air freshener. - C

[Stephany]

From the UK :

Music: Hayley Westenra Treasure (Decca)
by Paul Cole, Jack Daniels & David Brookes
11 March 2007
Sunday Mercury
Page 5
(c) 2007 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd

Classical choice

There's no doubt the talented Westenra - third album and still a teenager - has a beautiful, soothing voice. But there were moments on her latest CD I felt numbed by the monotony of the tracks. Treasure sees her return to her Celtic roots - her forefathers were on the maiden voyage from Ireland to New Zealand in 1850 - and, indeed, there's plenty to please fans of Enya and Corrs. The album also includes the obligatory Shenandoah and Danny Boy. But by far the best track is Summer Fly - sort of Country & Western with classical guitar and gipsy violin thrown in. It may be a pointer to Hayley's future direction.

[Stephany]

From The Sun :

HAYLEY WESTENRA - Treasure;Music;Something for the week
23 February 2007
The Sun
Page 51
(c) 2007 News Group Newspapers. All rights reserved

Popera babe Hayley's voice is as pure, sweet and fresh as spring water from her native New Zealand.

Still just 19, her phenomenal global success has prompted a move to England but she retains a touching innocence that the likes of Charlotte Church have long left behind. There's nothing too challenging on her third album of folk traditionals and classical pieces.

Most appealing are her vivid interpretations of ancient favourites like Shenandoah and Danny Boy but the heavily orchestrated One Fine Day is a tad pompous.

She's also pretty handy in performing in foreign tongues with exemplary renditions of the timeless Santa Lucia (Italian) and the sublime Bist Du Bei Mir (German).

And at the centre of it all, there's a voice of rare beauty.

[Stephany]

From Manchester Evening News.

Hayley Westenra - Treasure (Decca Records)
Glenn Meads
25 February 2007

*** (out of five)


Every week there seems to be another new release from a young prodigy - singing classics with stirring strings, supporting them through the trials and tribulations of being a teen sensation.

This sweet Classic FM, poster-girl has a lovely soothing voice. This collection of Celtic classics has its moments. The opener, Let Me Lie has an epic feel that leaves you longing for more. But as each track passes, you may be forgiven for thinking that you are listening to a very long single!

The production values, as slick as they are lead to a robotic feel during some of the songs.

If you like Enya, The Corrs and other chill out artistes aimed at the Christmas and Mother's Day market, you may find yourself in soprano heaven, though.

Counteracts

The obligatory cover of 'Danny Boy'- gives you some idea of how manufactured the album is. But there is the odd gem that counteracts this lack of feeling. 'Summer Fly' shows you what the girl is made of as she sounds like Mary Hopkin, reinvented as an Irish superstar. It almost sounds live and strips away the slick, sugary fascade.

With a voice that could melt chocolate- on seven tracks of real worth, this album is a mixed bag. But, Hayley wins through in the end, via her persistant talent.

Released on February 26.

[postscript]

Your No 7 post Stephany regarding Stewart HUNT's crticism "22 March 2007 The Nelson Mail (NZ) Page 17 © 2007 Fairfax New Zealand Limited. All Rights Reserved." on Treasure is the most abysmal tripe I have yet had the misfortune to read about Hayley ever. I believe this fool was paid for his rubbish which doesn't say much for the competence of this journal's editor or the journal's readership.

What is interesting is that while rubbishing her effort he admits she is successful with it while acknowledging he himself doesn't know what he is writing about! One can only conclude that the qalified music critic was absent (with or Without Leave) and reading about Hayley at the Newmarket race course the editor wheeled in the guy who normally delivers the racing tips as knowing all that was necessary to know about her!
Peter S.

[Stephany]

From The Watford Observer :

Hayley Westenra: Treasure
By Ian Sime
(Decca) ****

It is said that Hayley Westenra's music has healing qualities.

If camomile tea and essential oils aid sleep and recovery, then Westenra's pureness and clarity of tone contribute to an atmosphere of peace and serenity.

Many agree, indeed, over three million have already bought in to Hayley's soothing spell. Meanwhile, she has been rather industrious. In addition to a heavy tour schedule, Treasures is her third CD collection, yet she is still only 19.

The New Zealander contributes three of her own songs to a set, which also includes traditional favourites Shenandoah and Danny Boy.

Yet it is Hayley's simple interpretation of Abide With Me that will touch most souls.

Although spoilsports may claim her material is one dimensional and lacking in diversity there is no doubt that Hayley's lullabies are fragile, beautiful and very relaxing.

However, take care not to dip into Treasures while driving at night or working with heavy machinery.

[Stephany]

I don't think this one has been posted yet in the "Treasure/Celtic Treasure reviews" thread. Anyway, here it is from Stage Noise.

CD: Hayley Westenra: Celtic Treasure
By Damian Madden


Celtic Treasure is the latest album from 19-year-old New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra. Although it follows on from her internationally successful Odyssey and Pure, Celtic Treasure features a distinct shift in musical style, demonstrating Westnera's maturity both as a singer and a performer.

Whereas the earlier collections were, in the main, chosen by record company management and A&R executives with the intention of pushing the young singer into the pop-opera mould, this album is different. Celtic Treasure gathers a series of traditional folk songs, selected by Westenra because they've "stood the test of time," and combines them with new songs (some written by Westenra herself) that set out to capture the spirit and feeling of their predecessors, while at the same time establishing their own traditions.

Although the songbook Westenra is drawing from here has been well and truly plundered over the years (Danny Boy, Scarborough Fair, Shenandoah) the versions presented on Celtic Treasure are far from standard. Imbued with a youthful enthusiasm and featuring Westenra's remarkable voice and interpretations, all of the tracks sound new and in some cases come close to definitive versions.

The decision to include new compositions on this album alongside such standards as Danny Boy, hymns like Whispering Hope - which is performed a capella with a choir and is one of the highlights - and the work of composers such as Puccini (Madama Butterfly’s One Fine Day aria) could be viewed as a risk given the lofty position of such music within popular culture. However, the new songs presented on the CD (including album opener Let Me Lie) blend seamlessly with those around them, turning Celtic Treasure from just another nice sounding folk album into something far more appealing.

Seamless in its construction and featuring an assured and well thought out song choice,

Hayley Westenra's Celtic Treasure is her most accomplished album to date.

Celtic Treasure available from March 17 through Universal Music.

[Stephany]

Another review from Associated Content[/url].

Review: Hayley Westenra - Celtic Treasure
By Joanne Huspek
Published March 28, 2007

Over the weekend I had the occasion to listen to the new offering by New Zealand singer, Hayley Westenra, which is called Celtic Treasure. Celtic Treasure contains thirteen short songs of varying type.

Before receiving the CD last week, I had only heard of Hayley Westenra, and had never really paid much attention to her style of music or to her recordings. I listened to this CD cold, with no expectations, good or bad.

Usually I have an extremely wide range of musical interests, from classical to vintage rock, country to blues, 40s swing to the bubblegum top 40s of the 60s and 70s. As long as it's pleasing and well done, I like all kinds of music. As many of you know, I am no stranger to professional musicians, with a pianist son and Darling Daughter who studies both flute and voice. I know quality.

That said, for the most part, I found the CD mostly listenable. While I'm no huge fan of Celtic music, I can listen to it. From what I could tell, traditional Celtic musicians who nicely accentuated her voice accompany Hayley: flute, harp, guitar, piano and strings. The musicians did not detract from her effort. This is a very nicely done CD.

Hayley's lilting voice is best served when she does the more classic songs, like "Scarborough Fair" (which I especially enjoyed), "Shenandoah" and "Danny Boy." She also does quite well on the ballads "Let Me Lie," "Thye Last Rose of Summer" and "Whispering Hope." Her voice sounded moderately strained on the more contemporary sounding pieces, like "Summerfly." I'm not sure why she included this eclectic song on this CD, but her reaching for the higher notes on this more "rocking" popular piece detracted from the entire work. Perhaps she wanted to appeal to the mainstream audience, instead of just those who enjoy Celtic music.

"One Fine Day" was very reminiscent of Andrew Lloyd Webber, and while it's quite an operatic piece, I found that Hayley's voice sounded uncomfortable with the high notes. Hayley did much better on the following pieces, "Sonny," "The Water is Wide" and "Abide With Me" with minimal spare piano accompaniment. If she did have to extend her range for a high note, it was done with seeming effortlessness.

For some reason, I had the distinct impression that Hayley was attempted to emulate another great Celtic singer, Enya, but was not successful on all counts. "Summer Rain" starts out musically like something from an Enya album, but Hayley's voice doesn't carry the high notes as gracefully. Her voice came very close to being annoying on this particular piece. The difference between the two singers is very slight, but noticeable. Enya's voice is breathy yet always smooth as silk. Hayley, while having quite a beautiful voice, is not quite there yet.

Not knowing anything about Hayley, I decided to visit her web site at www.hayleywesterna.com. I was surprised to learn that Hayley is only 19 years old! For such a young person, she has been singing professionally for five years. She's an extremely beautiful young woman, and for a singer her age, has a strong and wonderful voice. In addition, she's very socially aware, and donates time and money to various causes. She has achieved quite a bit for a person her young age.

I would love to see Hayley do a Celtic Christmas album. In addition, her voice is so well suited to standards, and I would love to hear more of that genre.

I'll no doubt keep my eye on Hayley Westerna. As time goes on, and she matures, I am sure she will eventually become the foremost Celtic singer. Until then, Celtic Treasure was a pleasant introduction to an up and coming young performer.