Hayley's 'Metascore'

[jons]

postscript said:

stevemacdonald said:

Thank you Stephany for posting this review. It may be harsh and negative, but I feel it's sincere. The reviewer sincerely dislikes Odyssey and has taken pains to cite numerous examples of what he feels Hayley does wrong. Disagree with him or not, there's no doubting that he means every word. By posting it you have brought his opinion to a place where Hayley might read it and learn what some people are turned off by. If all she reads is flattery, how will she ever grow?

What a very interesting contrast to my reaction. Perhaps we have inadvertently opened an area for debate? What are other members' views?

Peter S.

I might start a separate thread on that Peter, if I'm allowed (It can be a good debate if handled properly).

The review is not a press review, its a user review by an e-mail from some one called 'Mandroid3000' so he has a right to say what he did (freedom of speech). If it was a proper review from a proper critic I would class it as disgusting (well it is disgusting anyway, but as I said freedom of speech) and I'm not including it for the meta-score.

Look at many forums today and you will discover troll's of all varieties. Research revealed today showed that more and more kids are being bullied and threatened online via forums and social sites. This guy is another example of a troll - a person with only hate in them. I'm starting to begin to ignore people like this now.

However, if they invent a way to send punches down a phone line, I would guide my punch toward this cretin - you know just to relieve a bit of frustration. Anyone wanna join me?

[jons]

I'm also surprised the link to the source wasn't censored this time.

[Richard]

Good point Jon!

I must confess I didn't read the original uncensored review this morning, but I have read it now, and I thought it best to remove the direct link. If people want to search for the article themselves they may do so, but I think the transcript is quite sufficient for the purpose of this thread.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[grant]

richnorri said:

Good point Jon!

I must confess I didn't read the original uncensored review this morning, but I have read it now, and I thought it best to remove the direct link. If people want to search for the article themselves they may do so, but I think the transcript is quite sufficient for the purpose of this thread.

Best Wishes,

Richard

That bad eh!! Glad now I didn't bother reading it then

Best wishes
Grant

[jons]

stevemacdonald said:

I don't think he's a bitter moron. He's simply appalled by Hayley. He's typical of those people who like to put a lot of energy into disapproving of other people's statements. Hayley made a musical statement that he deeply disapproves of and he's letting the world know it. It has nothing to do with jealousy or preexisting rage around unsigned acts as some have suggested. It's time we faced up to the fact that Hayley is not everyone's cup of tea and that she has the power to set some people off on ugly diatribes. Thankfully there are many more offsetting reviews that echo how we as fans feel about her, but it's important to know the other opinions, brutal as they sometimes are.

I don't know if anyone agrees with me but I wouldn't want Hayley to sink to that level just to please these people. She wouldn't anyway, she wouldn't want to alienate her fans.

Her voice will always be magic and pure; she wont change that. She wont start singing songs with controversial lyrics either. Hayley is who she is. If its a need for her to become more popular then just look at the charts. She does many, many concerts. If she became even more famous and started to do a lot more she wouldn't get any rest, it would drive her into the ground and don't think any true fan of Hayley's would want that.

[Stephany]

Jon,
I just found another review for "Treasure" that can be added to the Metascore. It's from Midwestrecord.com.

HAYLEY WESTENRA/Celtic Treasure
Volume 30/Number 131
March 11, 2007
MIDWEST RECORD


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.

[jons]

Thanks Steph, I'll add that when I do the scores again, in the meantime I'm posting the names to all the Treasure reviews here to make it easier to see which ones you found in case there are any more out there.

SOUNDCHECK
The Malay Mail
The Nelson Mail
Sunday Mercury
The Sun
Manchester Evening News.
The Watford Observer
Stage Noise
Associated Content[/url]
London News[/url]
Amazon.co.uk
US Amazon
AudioSavvy.com[/url]
Glasswerk Nottingham
LivingIt
New York Post
ReadingsAustralia
Metro.co.uk
Entertainment Manchester
Barnes&Nobles
HMV Choice Typed out by Richard
MSN Music
The Los Angeles Daily News
Viva Radio
Hamptonroads
Midwestrecord
Buddyhollywood.com
previous article by Patrick Sheperd
allmusic.com[/url]
Business Times Singapore.

[jons]

This is a review of Treasure by the same reviewer of Celtic treasure on the same site.

Allmusic.

Review by James Manheim

This album overlaps considerably with the Treasure release by New Zealand-born soprano Hayley Westenra, a rather irritating marketing device that suggests Westenra's management was uncomfortable with the new range of Treasure and wanted a shorter version that would fit more easily within established categories. Even the interior graphics overlap, although the covers are different. Evaluated on its own merits it is less interesting than Treasures, although those who already like Westenra and are enamored of the idea of hearing her voice applied to Celtic-flavored crossover music may find it's just the ticket. The music is by no means exclusively Celtic; "Summer Fly" is an ambitious American folk or country song by New England writer Cheryl Wheeler, "Sonny" is a song from Newfoundland, and "One Fine Day" is simply Puccini's "Un bel di" translated into English and not especially convincingly done by Westenra. But the Maori "E Pari Ra" has been removed from the program, and several other changes smooth it out as well; it is heavier on extremely familiar pieces ("Danny Boy," "Shenandoah," and "The Last Rose of Summer," among others) than Treasure is. The result is a less varied program that basically leaves the listener with Westenra and her silvery voice, which you either like or hate. British critic Ian Sime compares it to "camomile tea and essential oils [that] aid sleep and recovery," which suggests the difficulty of making any kind of judgment about it. Westenra tends to sound the same whatever she sings, and the result here is more specifically directed at her hardcore fans than Treasure is. If the idea of hearing Hayley Westenra sing Celtic music gives you the shivers already, this is the album to pick. If you're new to her music, give Treasure a try first.

[jons]

From BarnesAndNoble.

Review by EJ Johnson

Hayley Westenra was only 16 when her first album, Pure, topped the classical crossover charts and propelled the New Zealander into an instant sensation. Now 18, Westenra returns with her second U.S. release, Odyssey, and her fans will be pleased to know that while her fresh, angelic voice remains intact, she has also undeniably matured as an artist. Evidently, touring the world, singing for presidents and kings, and selling hundreds of thousands of CDs makes a young performer grow up fast. Like Pure, Odyssey takes in a wide range of styles, from classical to gospel, traditional folk, and pop. Several tracks have a reflective, new age feel, such as the covers of Secret Garden's "Prayer" and Enya's "May It Be" from The Fellowship of the Ring soundtrack (a song that holds an obvious attraction for the Kiwi, since the movie was filmed in her homeland). Others show off her classical leanings: Caccini's soothing "Ave Maria" and the high-flying "Quanta Quilia." Further numbers reveal the breadth of Westenra's eclectic tastes, from the traditional Irish "She Moves Through the Fair" (featuring a forlorn-sounding tin whistle) to Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" and the gospel-tinged "I Say Grace," an anthem of thanksgiving. A special highlight is the duet with Andrea Bocelli, "Dell amore non si sa," a beautiful Italian song adapted from the mega-tenor's album Andrea. Tying it all together is the purity and unaffected naturalness of Westenra's lovely voice. Seems this teenager's Odyssey is only just beginning. EJ Johnson

[grant]

Now that's the sort of review I like to read!!

Grant

[jons]

Hi Grant,

Finding the media reviews is difficult. However what I have noticed is almost all the customer reviews are positive and its us the fans who know what were talking about anyway! But I'm positive we'll get a good score overall from the critics.

[Stephany]

Hi Jon, Grant and everyone,
Here is another review of "Odyssey" for the Metascore.
Originally found HERE.

Hayley Westenra - Odyssey
Universal
08/08/2005
By Sonia Robinson

New Zealand classical superstar Hayley Westenra follows up her record breaking 2003 debut Pure with the delicate, inspirational Odyssey, a stunning collection of songs that showcase her superior vocal talent.

The 18-year-old Christchurch native has performed in front of prime ministers, presidents and royalty. She was most recently seen on New Zealand shores when she sang the National Anthem for the All Blacks vs Lions game in Wellington earlier this year.

Pure has sold two million copies to date, topped UK classical charts and also went top ten in the pop equivalent. In New Zealand Pure is the biggest selling New Zealand album of all time.

Now marking her return with Odyssey, Hayley shows just how much she's grown, both as an artist and as an individual. As with Pure her voice retains its crystal-clear purity, but her singing is now richer and more rounded than before. Having sung at such world-famous venues as the Sydney Opera House, Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie House has also done wonders for her confidence.

"It's really exciting to have something new out there for people to listen to," Hayley explained. "I wanted to make a record that represented me as a person. And I think I've improved as a vocalist."

While restricting herself to classical pieces and show tunes on Pure, Odyssey has more variation of material, including a cover of Joni Mitchell's 'Both Sides Now'.

"I like to push myself, and I'm now confident enough to try different things," she said. "I have been much more involved behind the scenes with this album - I wanted to put my individual stamp on each song."

To say each track on this album is anything less than remarkable would be blasphemous. Standouts would have to be the emotionally passionate duet with classical heavy-weight Andrea Bocelli and the soaring 'May It Be' from Peter Jackson's LotR: The Fellowship of the Rings soundtrack.

Poised, angelic and breath-taking Odyssey is a must-have.

10/10

[Stephany]

Another review from MTVAsia.com.

Hayley Westenra
Odyssey (Universal)
Our rating: 6/10

This demure lass with such lifting crystal vocals should find little difficulty achieving similar success in Asia and Europe.

18-year-old Hayley Westenra from New Zealand is the newest "It" girl for classical crossovers. With an angelic voice and looks to match, the comparisons to former teen siren Charlotte Church are inevitable. With the latter now more notorious for being tabloid fodder, the tiara's all fit for Hayley's crowning.

The album is a mix of pop and Celtic numbers, and Hayley switches easily between them. Joni Mitchell's classic "Both Sides Now" is deftly handled, and to her credit, Hayley refrains from over-singing the folksy number. This album is really more pop than classical, in spite of a duet with Andrea Bocelli and the obligatory "Ave Maria" -- a ubiquitous choice favored by most, if not all, classical singers at some point in their individual careers.

Odyssey has already reached No. 1 in New Zealand, and this demure lass with such lifting crystal vocals should find little difficulty achieving similar success in Asia and Europe.

-- Gabriel Leong

[grant]

stephany said:

Hayley Westenra - Odyssey
Universal
08/08/2005
By Sonia Robinson

To say each track on this album is anything less than remarkable would be blasphemous. Standouts would have to be the emotionally passionate duet with classical heavy-weight Andrea Bocelli and the soaring 'May It Be' from Peter Jackson's LotR: The Fellowship of the Rings soundtrack.

Poised, angelic and breath-taking Odyssey is a must-have.

10/10

Hayley Westenra
Odyssey (Universal)
Our rating: 6/10

Odyssey has already reached No. 1 in New Zealand, and this demure lass with such lifting crystal vocals should find little difficulty achieving similar success in Asia and Europe.

-- Gabriel Leong

Interesting!!

Two very good reviews by ladies who obviously liked Odyssey, so the difference in scores in surprising Maybe the Asian one is a little more reserved?

Best wishes
Grant

[jons]

I'm not giving up yet!

From Things New Zealand.

Hayley Westenra's new album Odyssey was always going to be a different proposition to Pure, the record-breaking 2003 collection which marked her international debut. A lot has happened to the young New Zealander over the past two or three years--and those changes are clearly reflected by a record which encapsulates her growth from a budding teenage prodigy into a mature young woman.

Now, at 18, Hayley is ready to show the world how much she has grown up, both as an artist and as an individual. Fans of Pure will be pleasantly surprised by her new album. Her wonderful voice retains its crystal-clear purity, but Westenra's singing is now richer and more rounded than before. Touring the world and singing in some of its greatest concert venues, such as the Sydney Opera House, Royal Albert Hall, and Carnegie Hall, has worked wonders for her confidence. Suitably emboldened, she has embraced an even wider range of musical styles including classical, hymns, folk and pop.

"I was happy with Pure at the time, but I've moved on so much," says Hayley. "It's really exciting to have something new out there for people to listen to. I wanted to make a record that represented me as a person. And I think I've improved as a vocalist."

Variety is certainly one of the keywords with Hayley's new album. When she first entered a recording studio in New Zealand as a 12-year-old, Westenra restricted herself to classical pieces and show tunes. Now, in addition to impressive takes on classical works, Hayley uses her new album to perform an inspired cover of Joni Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" and has arranged and written much of the material. "I like to push myself, and I'm now confident enough to try different things. I have been much more involved behind the scenes with this album--I wanted to put my individual stamp on each song."

With her career stretching out promisingly before her, Hayley is also keen to continue experimenting. She is still primarily a classical crossover artist but she also wants to keep broadening those musical horizons. Three years after her international debut CD, Hayley Westenra is still pure: she exudes pure quality and she remains pure class--but her musical journey continues with her new album Odyssey.