Hayley's 'Metascore'

[stevemacdonald]

postscript said:

...
That's a 4/4 report given a 3/4 rating, why?

Though it appears she was thrilled with the album, her 3/4 reflects the fact that at least two or three tracks didn't wow her to the max. Notice that she didn't mention every song, just her favorites.

I would put it down to deadline. This reviewer doesn't have the luxury of many repeat listenings over time which would allow more songs to grow on her.

[milewalker]

postscript said:

Why a 3/5 against a 5/5./ for what seems at the very least a 4/5 quality review?

There are many critics who have a problem taking classical crossover seriously to begin with. If you combine that with the point he makes about the "conundrum" - which I think has some validity - I can see where he gets the rating.

[jons]

I think you will see from the result of this metascore (especially if Stephany can get hold of 100 reviews) that the general consensus is the album is great and Hayley has pushed her voice into another dimension.

[Stephany]

Overall, the reviews are very positive and most of us agree on the fact that "Treasure" is Hayley's best album to date.
100 reviews ? We are still very far from it; but I will try anyway.
Best wishes,
Stephany

[roger]

This is up to Stephany, but I feel 100 is asking rather a lot. I'd need a calculator to count that high!

Stop when you've had enough, Stephany.

Roger

[Stephany]

I found many other reviews but none of them are in English so it's difficult to tell if they are positive or not.
Most of the reviews we previously found were from British newspapers and/or websites - and yet, it's been a month since "Celtic Treasure" was released in the US. Where are all the American reviews?
Best wishes,
Stephany

[jons]

We need six more reviews then, Steph.

[Dave]

Hi Stephany, you are doing a great job here - oh, and by the way, congratulations on your promotion!

Regarding the reviews, please don't try to find more than 30, this must be taking up huge chunks of your spare time and there can be no significant benefit in going beyond that number - whatever the "rules" (but I haven't studied the details of this). Personally, i think 25 is more than enough.

Well done again!

Cheers, Dave

[Stephany]

dave said:

Regarding the reviews, please don't try to find more than 30, this must be taking up huge chunks of your spare time.
Well done again!

Cheers, Dave

Hi Dave,
Thanks for the kind comments. No worries about my Hayley-spare time, I'm enjoying every minute of it.
Best wishes,
Stephany
PS : Jon, whenever I find a new review for "Treasure", I'll be posting it here! Note that I should be able to do the same work for "Pure" and "Odyssey" more easily.

[jons]

Thanks Steph,

30 reviews is enough but there is no deadline!

My idea for a hundred reviews is because I'm sure 90% or over will be very positive reviews. It will show up the doubters, who don't like Hayley - they can't argue with that score!

[postscript]

jons said:

Hi Peter,

While I was happy I did not have to import Treasure from somewhere else, because for once the UK version is the best, I believe people in the US etc who are listening to Celtic Treasure are not getting the full experience. Scarbough Fair is terrific maybe but how could they leave out songs like 'Bist Du Bei Mir' and 'The Heart Worships' etc. Ok, to be fair Celtic Treasure is perfect if you judge it on its own. All of the songs are great, but to miss out on the magic of the missing songs makes me sorry for the people who can't get to hear them. I don't believe Celtic Treasure is the full experience. If I had lived in the US I would of had to of imported it.

Regrettably I have not yet completely heard through and assessed 'Celtic Treasure'. My gut feeling at this stage is that i entirely agree with your sentiments. However, While I am a little more out of kilter with current middle-America opinion I have to say that allowing for:
1. The bias was with deliberate intent towards the 'Celtic Woman' advantage.
2. The Classics do not sit well across that broad range.
It is rational and does seem to be in the right 'mood' sequence and balance. That last point I think is important. For those wishing to play the CD through as background music the classic items could well irriate and detract, putting them off playing it. Therefore, if marketing advice is correct, coupled with the expectation of only 13 tracks, I have to say, not liking it any more than you, it seems the right decision and rightly balanced.

One can only lead the horse to water. Only the horse can decide to drink!
Peter S.

[milewalker]

Well - since Stephany seems to be slacking, someone's gotta do it ... at least I hope this wasnt posted above in this somewhat convoluted thread...

content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=122822&ran=246016


"Celtic Treasure"

Rating: Go get it now

If you've ever wondered what a vocal prodigy sounds like, here's your chance. Hayley Westenra, a young singer who has performed with Celtic Woman and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli - another angelic voice - has released her second album, "Celtic Treasure."

These are not, strictly speaking, purely Celtic tunes. This is a collection of folk and spiritual standards - including "Scarborough Fair," "Danny Boy," "Whispering Hope" and "The Water is Wide" - mixed with a few pop-inspired compositions such as "Summer Fly" and "Summer Rain." You'll have heard these songs before, but never like this. Instrumentals are perfect but kept to a minimum as backup, letting Westenra's clear, bright voice shine through. The selection is well suited to her dulcet soprano, reminiscent of Sarah Brightman and Enya at their best.

A highlight, "The Last Rose of Summer," is the lone duet with Meav from the group Celtic Woman. Westenra also brings a fresh interpretation to "One Fine Day," an English language cover of "Un Bel Di" from Puccini's "Madam e Butterfly."

Kay Reynolds, The Pilot

Tracks to download: "Let Me Lie," "Abide With Me," "The Last Rose of Summer," "Whispering Hope"

[stevemacdonald]

...Hayley Westenra, a young singer who has performed with Celtic Woman and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli - another angelic voice - has released her second album, "Celtic Treasure" ...

I can understand getting her age wrong or her name misspelled, but second album??

[milewalker]

Heh

I noticed that as well....I am guessing that the reviewer knew of Pure and didnt actually do any checking beyond that point.

It was, nonetheless, a pretty good review, so go figure....

To be honest, I have been pleasantly surprised at the reviews coming from the US to this point. I intend to do some checking of print media this week to see if I can find any which have not made it on-line. This being said, Hayley is not yet that big of a fish here, and because her CD is neither quite classical or pop
she may be slipping under the radar of those who might tend to be a bit nastier. The people on this board have not been exposed to what might happen if the likes of a Pierre Ruhe ever heard One Fine Day

Jon

[milewalker]

UNIVERSAL CLASSICS
HAYLEY WESTENRA/Celtic Treasure: Now that she’s hooked up with Celtic Women, Westenra is focusing on some Celtic sounds for her solo work. After two impressive sets from a youngster doing a fine job of growing up in public that were busy focusing on her versatility, it’s nice to have her alight into a groove and work it for all it’s worth. This set has her working the PBS vibe for all it’s worth, but when it’s time for her next set, she’ll be a full fledged grown up and ready to come with a set that’ll find her irrevocably making her mark on the world stage with Sarah Brightman sized impact. It’s hard to believe a “kid” can have so much adult poise and style and seem to feel right at home with it while selling millions of records around the world.
8560 (Decca)

www.midwestrecord.com/2007/03/11/031107/