Treasure / Celtic Treasure - Reviews

[grant]

Now that's what I call a positive review; and the reviewer not afraid to include the fact that he is a fan to boot.

No doubt some sceptics will call him biased - so let them! But he can certainly join our club!

Best wishes
Grant

[graemek]

Hi All,
I thought it was a good idea to post this link here as there was a Melbourne radio station interview at the Readings Concert in which
Julie Horton paid Hayley a huge compliment for the way she arranged & sang One Fine Day....well worth listening to & archiving.
Graeme
click below
stephy.kong.free.fr/hayleywestenra/HayleyReadingsIntMay1st2007.mp3

[roger]

Thanks Graeme, but we already have that clip which Stephany posted HERE.

Roger

[graemek]

Hi everyone, Just found this Hayley Resume at site below.
www.ticketspecialists.com/concert/hayley_westenra_tickets.htm
"Hayley Westenra Tickets
Concert Tickets
Genere: Classical Pop Celtic
Latest Album:
Hayley Dee Westenra also known as Hayley Westenra, was born on 10th April 1987 in Christchurch. Hayley is a New Zealand singing sensation of Irish heritage. She is a critically acclaimed artist who is loved all over the country for her amazing vocal contribution. Since childhood, Hayley's talents ooze out from her flawless voice. Her high pitched voice was appreciated when she was just six years old. Hayley's loyal fans support her with full determination. Her vocal talent is inborn and has attracted numerous fans all across the country. Her tours and shows are very successful as people from all over the country buy tickets to hear her distinguishing vocals. Her shows are often attended by thousands of fans who are crazy to hear this singing angel.


Hayley Westenra is famous for creating some of the worlds best music compositions and has collaborated with the greatest artists of the mainstream. Hayley has performed with artists like Andrea Bocelli, the very famous Jose Carreras and Bryn Terfel. Hayley participated in many talent shows which she often ended winning. Hayley's singing was very famous among her family and friends and she took her singing seriously when she was just eleven years old. Her success began when her first album topped the charts and reached Numero Uno. Her voice created a sensation everywhere and she sold over two million copies all over the world. Her world wide success and fame continued with her other recordings.
Hayley has performed for high ranking people from all over the world. She is also the youngest UNICEF Ambassador, who is praised for her contribution towards the world. Hayley's glorious voice got international fame when she was just 16 years old. Hayley's captivating beauty and expressive voice is adored by millions all over the world. Her albums are sold out like hot cakes. Hayley has a record for fastest selling debut album. Her magical voice is so pure and simple, it attracts anybody who listens to her songs. Her first album "Pure" has been declared 10x platinum. In UK' s history, Hayley is one of the best selling artist ever. Her success and popularity is a result of her hard work and determination.
Hayley's voice is featured in the following albums Walking in the Air, released in 2000, Hayley Westenra, her first independent album, released in 2001, My Gift to You, released in 2001. All these albums were very successful all over UK. Her other international albums include Pure, released in 2003, Odyssey, released in 2005, Live From New Zealand, released in 2005, Celtic Woman: A New Journey, released in 2007 and Treasure, released in 2007. Hayley's renowned songs includes Let Me Lie, Santa Lucia, Summer Rain, The Heart Worships, Summer Fly, Melancholy Interlude and many other. Her music is simply loved by her fans. She is a rocking performer who spreads magic through her voice. When she sings, her audiences get hypnotized with her outstanding high pitch. So, wait no more. Get tickets for her show and witness the singing sensation . Hurry! Her shows are a commercial success all over. Tickets for her shows are sold off very quickly. "

I searched our site here but couldn't find it posted already and therefore here it is. I felt that it managed to feel Hayley's pulse in quite a few places....not quite in all however but does catch a glimpse of her uniqueness.Graeme

[graemek]

Another Bio. that hits the nail on the head. (mostly....a bit fanciful here & there)
Source below:
music.yahoo.com/ar-308001-bio--Hayley-Westenra

Hayley Westenra

Born in 1987, Hayley Westenra hails from New Zealand. Classically trained as both a singer and as a dancer, she is a former member of the New Zealand Royal Ballet. Westenra's voice is an operatic instrument and she has performed with the New Zealand Opera and Orchestra. She made her recording debut at the age of 14 with a self-titled collection that took her country by storm. Universal International then released Pure, an eclectic and very engaging set of pop, classical, and sacred songs, which exploded all over the globe. Westenra's voice is unusually suited to popular music because, unlike other classical singers, she doesn't resort to using vibrato technique. Instead, her delivery is extremely clean and full, hitting notes effortlessly and letting them draw out naturally.
While critics have unfortunately compared her to Charlotte Church, Westenra's interpretive gifts lie in the same terrain as singers such as Kate Bush on one side (whose "Wuthering Heights" was Pure's first single) and Barbra Streisand on the other. After the runaway success of Pure, Westenra and her family moved to London, and she began nearly nonstop world touring in support of her album. She has performed at the British Classical Awards, guaranteeing her success in the U.K. Pure was issued in the United States in April 2004, and the music video for "Wuthering Heights" has garnered considerable play on VH1, underscoring well-received performances in New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. In June 2004, Universal issued My Gift to You, a collection of Christmas and seasonal songs. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide
Written by Thom Jurek

Graeme

[Jeff]

Yes Graeme that is spot on, especially the bit about vibrato. Thank God she never had formal training. You can't train what is already perfect !

[martindn]

Yes, you are right there. I have always considered vibrato to be a way to disguise screeching on the high notes. Hayley simply does not screech, despite her impressive range, so has no need of vibrato. She does use slight vibato sometimes though, perhaps because it is expected.
But the thing that has always thrilled me about Hayley's voice is its cleanness and purity. It sounds so simple and effortless, yet few, if any , other singers can do anything like it.
Expecting Hayley to be anything like Charlotte Church was a huge mistake I made too. 15 seconds of hearing Hayley sing live was enough to convince me of how wrong I was. I believe that Hayley will go down in history as one of the greatest voices of all time, and will be revered like Caruso and Pavarotti. But I probably won't be around to see it, She is just so talented it hurts!

Martin

[Richard]

Hello everybody!

This thread has drifted off-topic. Please remember that it is for reviews of Hayley's albums 'Treasure' and 'Celtic Treasure'.

Many thanks,

Richard

[Stephany]

Hi Richard and everybody!

I've found another (old) review of 'Celtic Treasure' on Xanga. Better late than never!

Hayley Westenra ~ Celtic Treasure
Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Hayley Westenra’s third CD, Celtic Treasure, is a somewhat misnamed as it isn't strictly "Celtic" -- it's an eclectic collection of songs that perfectly showcases her crystalline soprano. The disc features several favorites that are staples on Celtic music releases, such as “Scarborough Fair,” “Danny Boy,” and “The Water is Wide.” Also included is “Last Rose of Summer,” a gorgeous duet with Meav from the group Celtic Woman, a nod to Hayley’s current involvement with that ensemble (as featured on the recently released A New Journey CD & DVD). There voices blend beautifully.

In addition to these well-known “classics,” Hayley expands her artistic horizons with this album which features her in the roles of song writer, arranger, and pianist on a handful of selections. Two of her song writing efforts are particularly striking – “Let Me Lie” is a lovely, lyrical song with an arrangement that possesses a lush, almost cinematic quality, while “Summer Rain” features a driving rhythm reminiscent of Enya’s classic “Orinoco Flow.” There is a nod to the pop sensiblity that was exhibitied on Hayley's second disc, Odyssey, in songs like "Summer Fly" which recalls the jazz stylings of "I Say Grace" from that disc, allowing Hayley to "cut loose," this time on a toe-tapping, folk-flavored tune.

Hayley’s extraordinary talent has become more and more evident with each successive album, exhibiting a continued trend of artistic growth and vocal maturity. Her voice has lost none of the purity found in her 2003 debut (aptly titled Pure) or the ability to hit unbelievably high notes with apparent ease; rather, her voice possesses an added depth and richness indicative of her maturation as a vocalist. It's worth getting this album from Walmart, as there it includes a bonus track -- Hayley's version of Loreena McKennitt's "The Mummer's Prayer," which is wonderful.

For fans of classical crossover artists like Sarah Brightman, Josh Groban, and Amici Forever, Hayley Westenra is a vocalist to watch. She consistently raises the bar with every release, cultivating her voice and skill, delivering each song as a perfectly polished gem.

Stephany

[Joe]

Here is a review of 'Celtic Treasure', from the Irish Music News and Dara Records.

HAYLEY WESTENRA - Celtic Treasure

Hayley is a proud Kiwi - New Zealander - whose family emigrated from Ireland in 1850. She had established a prestigious classical career before joining Celtic Woman for the A New Journey album and tour. This album is her third release and the professionalism is apparent throughout. She has a brilliant soprano voice that must be heard to be believed. Her performance of Danny Boy hits all the right notes and portrays the emotion of the song. Hayley’s voice is so perfect that one never feels the trepidation she might hit a false note. She reaches them all effortlessly with room to explore the meaning and nuance of the lyrics. Standout selections include: The Water is Wide, Scarborough Fair, Shenandoah, Summer Fly and Sonny among 13 great tracks.