Hayley's Cover Versions

[howard]

Hello Everyone,

Earlier today I posted in the thread "What Songs Do You Want/Think on Her New Album"

And of course those are cover songs that others have all ready done, now it occured to me that I have made suggestions....BUT....I never did that for other singers that I liked before knowing of Hayley (Nov '06).

Now other singers that I like (no longer my favorites, Hayley is #1 with me), I heard them do cover songs and I thought it was ok, they did a good job, but I would have prefered they did their own originals.

(Before I continue, every original song that Hayley has done so far I enjoyed very much, I think they are great and looking forward to more originals from Hayley).

But I am finding this not to be the case with Hayley.

There are songs that have been done that I really like and I want to hear Hayley do them.

I have found all the cover versions that Hayley so far has done is better than the original.
In fact, there are two songs that I always hated, "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" & "Wuthering Heights" but after hearing Hayley I have changed my mind.

And I have found that Hayley is able to take a cover song and make it her own, off hand I can think of "Scarborough Fair", I can't imagine anyone else doing that song but Hayley.

In the future Hayley will be doing more originals and I am sure she will cover someone elses songs also.

Her cover version I am sure will be better than the original as she has all ready proven what she can do.

However, as she gets more technical, operational, etc. knowledge of the recording studio and makes more of the decisions, not only will she continue do a better job of singing those cover songs but she will make more of them as hers.

My Very Best,
Howard
USA

[stevemacdonald]

Some of the finest covers Hayley has done have not been recorded by her yet, and it would be great if they were. I'm thinking ABBA's "S.O.S.", Split Enz' "I Hope I Never", and what's-his-name's "Chattanooga Choo-Choo". I'm guessing she tries them out live first, then decides if they're winners.

One minor quibble, Howard: I don't think "Scarborough Fair" -- which has been around for over 100 years fits the definition of "cover song" even though Simon & Garfunkel are closely identified with it.... unless you want to call it a cover of a cover of a cover of a cover ... etc.

[martindn]

The S & G version is combined with another song "Canticle" which is sung as a counterpoint. It is also a duet of course.Perhaps it is better to compare Hayley's version with another straight solo recording, such as Sarah Brightman's, which Hayley blows out of the water IMHO.
Talking of covers, they are pointless unless the cover is better than the original. In every case that I have heard where Hayley is involved, this is always the case. Even though I had my doubts about Wuthering Heights, I have to admit Hayley sings it better than Kate.
I expect that Hayley will continue to record covers, as well as I hope an inceasing number of her own compositions.

Martin

[Mr Yang]

I think Hayley has some magic to revive old songs. Classics in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s could be very good options for Hayley. Hayley's proven that with Both Sides Now, Scarborough Fair and Wuthering Heights. I'd very much like to hear Hayley sing ABBA's dancing queen. Don't know how it tastes.

[stevemacdonald]

martindn said:

... Even though I had my doubts about Wuthering Heights, I have to admit Hayley sings it better than Kate. ...

Heh, maybe Kate will someday return the favor and record one of Hayley's originals!

You are so right about Hayley's "Wuthering Heights" (I prefer USA/Canada Pure version) sounding better than the original. That was quite a risk Hayley took. Kate's loyalists can be just as ferocious as Dame Kiri's claque in putting more-talented upstarts in their place. To Hayley's everlasting credit, she always performed WH brilliantly in concert, making it a tour de force and a showstopper

[howard]

Hi Stevemacdonald,

Sorry I have not responded to you sooner....and I agree with you about "Scarborough Fair".

But, I would like to share with you what I have experienced.

I heard about Hayley because of the Celtic Woman ("A New Journey")...
When Hayley was touring with them beginning 2007, they found 5 girls worked best for the show, so, Hayley & Meav switched on and off....Hayley would do Meav songs & visa versa.

I saw CW Feb '07, Meav was in that show.
Later they added 16 shows on their US tour, I think it was June another show took place in a city near me, and I thought the show was just great, and I did want to see it again but I also hoped I would get to see Hayley this time ( there is definetly nothing wrong with Meavs' singing). Well, about a month later I got a letter about the show and they listed the 5 girls who will appear....no Hayley.

I sat behind a couple who brought their 6 year old daughter with them to the show.
And I asked the little girl who her favorite singer is, and she said Hayley.
I told her that I am sorry to say Hayley will not be in the show tonite....
Now there are 2 disappointed people in the audience.

And Meav comes out and starts singing "Scarborough Fair", and the little girl turns to her mother and says, "Mommy they're singing Hayleys' song".

And I agree with that little girl.

My Best,
Howard

[Libby]

howard said:

And Meav comes out and starts singing "Scarborough Fair", and the little girl turns to her mother and says, "Mommy they're singing Hayleys' song".

And I agree with that little girl.

That's exactly how I feel when Meav sings Danny Boy on the DVD. I don't listen to it because, although it's very nice, it's nowhere near as beautiful and touching as Hayley's.

It may seem strange, but most of Hayley's cover songs I had never heard before, like WH. Even some of her classicals songs like O Mio Babbino Caro and In Trutina I had heard SB or CC sing, but I didn't really care for them or remember what they sounded like until Hayley sang them. Now, OMBC is probably my favorite classical song of Hayley's ever! And I like In Trutina best on her DVD, because her voice sounds prettier to me.

[Libby]

martindn said:

Perhaps it is better to compare Hayley's version with another straight solo recording, such as Sarah Brightman's, which Hayley blows out of the water IMHO.

I agree, Hayley's voice is much prettier. I especially love the line "between salt water and the sea strand"; it is my favorite part.

However, I do enjoy Sarah's version, too, because it's more dramatic. My favorites of Sarah's are Who Wants to Live Forever and Time to Say Goodbye. I hope Hayley sings that with Josh Groban sometime!