Post by gareth on Nov 2, 2003 0:11:11 GMT
There have been some interesting discussions going on about the fact that Hayley didn't participate in all of Aled's concerts, but that in the other concerts, Katherine Jenkins would be replacing Hayley. It wil be equally interesting to see how Katherine's career develops! Interesting to observe though that apparently people came to see Hayley, not so much Aled - even though it was Aled's tour!
The following was located at icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/content_objectid=13541116_method=full_siteid=50082_headline=-Limited-songs-of-praise-at-Aled-s-concert--name_page.html, with a response at icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/content_objectid=13559801_method=full_siteid=50082_headline=-Award-for-Botham--name_page.html
Gareth
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Limited songs of praise at Aled's concert
October 22, 2003
Robin Turner, The Western Mail
SEVERAL audience members at an Aled Jones concert were hardly "walking in the air" with happiness.
They were dismayed new singing sensation Hayley Westenra from New Zealand did not appear with him as they had expected. And some were disappointed Aled Jones sang to a CD backing track, not live musicians.
A spokeswoman at Cardiff's St David's Hall, where the concert was held, has confirmed there were complaints about Ms Westenra's non-appearance in Monday's show.
But she explained, "The agents promoting this concert made it clear on the programme that Hayley was alternating with Welsh singer Catherine Jenkins.
"There was an asterisk next to Hayley's name and if you followed the asterisk in the programme it clearly stated 'alternating with Catherine Jenkins'.
"Out of an audience of 1,000 we had four of five complaints on the Hayley Westenra issue, so obviously only a very small percentage of the audience did not clock the alternating message.
"When it comes to Aled, he was singing, not miming to a backing track, and it is the kind of thing which is done in shows up and down the country."
Disgruntled audience member Emyr Phillips of Burry Port, who runs Pembrey Travel, paid £18.50 for a ticket, as did his wife Louie.
He said yesterday, "I wrote down in my diary, 'Aled Jones concert - a shambles'.
"Hayley Westenra, who my wife and myself really wanted to see after being enchanted by her singing on television, was not there.
"There was no apology and no explanation in the concert even though she was featured heavily in a double-page spread in the programme.
"It was only by looking at the very bottom of the programme that you finally twigged she would be alternating with Catherine Jenkins.
"The Welsh singer was very good but we travelled 60 miles to Cardiff and 60 miles back home with the intention of seeing Hayley Westenra, not Catherine Jenkins.
"We were disappointed Aled did not have a live backing and, to be honest, it was difficult to see if he was singing or not.
"I will be sending a letter of complaint to St David's Hall and I know there were other people complaining because there was a line behind me waiting to talk to the deputy manageress on the night after the concert ended.
"One of those complaining had come from New Zealand."
The St David's Hall spokeswoman said, "Any complaints we get in writing about Monday's concert will be passed on to the management company which promoted the concert.
"We are satisfied that we did not advertise the concert in a way which was misleading.
"To have star guests alternating on tours is accepted industry practice now, and I know for instance that Jools Holland does it on his British tours."
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This caused the following response, one I am inclined to agree with, as the Aled Jones concert tour has always been published with the clear information that Hayley would only be appearing on some of the shows, not all!
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(27 October, 2003)
SIR, - Regarding the recent article regarding Aled Jones's concert in St David's Hall, Cardiff. I was the promoter of the tour.
Contrary to your report, there certainly were live musicians. Aled was performing with four musicians and occasional backing tracks. We believe with the programme he was performing this was a very acceptable format. If we had used a full orchestra the ticket price would have been considerably higher and possibly put him out of range of his core audience.
Regarding the charge of no explanation or apology being forthcoming, this is because no explanation or apology is due.
In respect of Hayley Westenra not being on the bill, it was of course an Aled Jones concert, as the ticket would have indicated, and the advertising clearly stated that the two female soloists were alternating.
We were pleased that we could showcase these quality artistes on Universal Records label at no extra price to the ticket buyer. Because of the length of their contributions, we could not present both Hayley and Katherine Jenkins on the same show. Hayley has performed eight out of 14 shows, and as her album is out before Katherine's she has by chance got a hit album whilst on Aled's tour.
I am sure Katherine, who incidentally is Welsh and already very high profile, will also have a hit when her album is released in the New Year, so anyone who attended this Aled Jones concert will be in the fortunate position of having seen a "star in the making".
We have received many enthusiastic and complimentary letters about the show. A typical comment is: "Aled was perfect, technically and artistically brilliant, and came across as a really nice chap as well. Please can we have him back next year, preferably for two evenings, one was simply not enough."
TONY CLAYMAN
Tony Clayman Promotions
Wilton Road, London.
The following was located at icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/content_objectid=13541116_method=full_siteid=50082_headline=-Limited-songs-of-praise-at-Aled-s-concert--name_page.html, with a response at icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/content_objectid=13559801_method=full_siteid=50082_headline=-Award-for-Botham--name_page.html
Gareth
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Limited songs of praise at Aled's concert
October 22, 2003
Robin Turner, The Western Mail
SEVERAL audience members at an Aled Jones concert were hardly "walking in the air" with happiness.
They were dismayed new singing sensation Hayley Westenra from New Zealand did not appear with him as they had expected. And some were disappointed Aled Jones sang to a CD backing track, not live musicians.
A spokeswoman at Cardiff's St David's Hall, where the concert was held, has confirmed there were complaints about Ms Westenra's non-appearance in Monday's show.
But she explained, "The agents promoting this concert made it clear on the programme that Hayley was alternating with Welsh singer Catherine Jenkins.
"There was an asterisk next to Hayley's name and if you followed the asterisk in the programme it clearly stated 'alternating with Catherine Jenkins'.
"Out of an audience of 1,000 we had four of five complaints on the Hayley Westenra issue, so obviously only a very small percentage of the audience did not clock the alternating message.
"When it comes to Aled, he was singing, not miming to a backing track, and it is the kind of thing which is done in shows up and down the country."
Disgruntled audience member Emyr Phillips of Burry Port, who runs Pembrey Travel, paid £18.50 for a ticket, as did his wife Louie.
He said yesterday, "I wrote down in my diary, 'Aled Jones concert - a shambles'.
"Hayley Westenra, who my wife and myself really wanted to see after being enchanted by her singing on television, was not there.
"There was no apology and no explanation in the concert even though she was featured heavily in a double-page spread in the programme.
"It was only by looking at the very bottom of the programme that you finally twigged she would be alternating with Catherine Jenkins.
"The Welsh singer was very good but we travelled 60 miles to Cardiff and 60 miles back home with the intention of seeing Hayley Westenra, not Catherine Jenkins.
"We were disappointed Aled did not have a live backing and, to be honest, it was difficult to see if he was singing or not.
"I will be sending a letter of complaint to St David's Hall and I know there were other people complaining because there was a line behind me waiting to talk to the deputy manageress on the night after the concert ended.
"One of those complaining had come from New Zealand."
The St David's Hall spokeswoman said, "Any complaints we get in writing about Monday's concert will be passed on to the management company which promoted the concert.
"We are satisfied that we did not advertise the concert in a way which was misleading.
"To have star guests alternating on tours is accepted industry practice now, and I know for instance that Jools Holland does it on his British tours."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
This caused the following response, one I am inclined to agree with, as the Aled Jones concert tour has always been published with the clear information that Hayley would only be appearing on some of the shows, not all!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(27 October, 2003)
SIR, - Regarding the recent article regarding Aled Jones's concert in St David's Hall, Cardiff. I was the promoter of the tour.
Contrary to your report, there certainly were live musicians. Aled was performing with four musicians and occasional backing tracks. We believe with the programme he was performing this was a very acceptable format. If we had used a full orchestra the ticket price would have been considerably higher and possibly put him out of range of his core audience.
Regarding the charge of no explanation or apology being forthcoming, this is because no explanation or apology is due.
In respect of Hayley Westenra not being on the bill, it was of course an Aled Jones concert, as the ticket would have indicated, and the advertising clearly stated that the two female soloists were alternating.
We were pleased that we could showcase these quality artistes on Universal Records label at no extra price to the ticket buyer. Because of the length of their contributions, we could not present both Hayley and Katherine Jenkins on the same show. Hayley has performed eight out of 14 shows, and as her album is out before Katherine's she has by chance got a hit album whilst on Aled's tour.
I am sure Katherine, who incidentally is Welsh and already very high profile, will also have a hit when her album is released in the New Year, so anyone who attended this Aled Jones concert will be in the fortunate position of having seen a "star in the making".
We have received many enthusiastic and complimentary letters about the show. A typical comment is: "Aled was perfect, technically and artistically brilliant, and came across as a really nice chap as well. Please can we have him back next year, preferably for two evenings, one was simply not enough."
TONY CLAYMAN
Tony Clayman Promotions
Wilton Road, London.