|
|
Post by Libby on Jun 7, 2010 2:23:03 GMT
Well, then we'll have to ask Hayley.
|
|
|
|
Post by mihizawi on Jun 7, 2010 11:51:08 GMT
Hi Dave, thanks for clarifying the popularity and chart things in Japan. I knew she was already quite successful there before, but certainly it seems she was quite more than I thought.
But that doesn't change my main point: HSJS isn't the kind of album project that goes ahead without the enthusiasm and implication of the artist. Either it was her idea or not, I tend to think that Hayley was rather pleased about making those albums. I also have the feeling that she was interested in Japanese culture before she did the album, but I would like someone to confirm that.
And, if I haven't understood badly, the lyrics of most songs are Hayley's translation works, so this is another point where she is more actively artistically involved in the album and that too, makes me think that it wasn't merely a request of the Japanese audience.
Michal
|
|
Dave
Administrator
HWI Admin
Posts: 7,700
|
Post by Dave on Jun 7, 2010 12:42:27 GMT
Hi Michal, I agree broadly with all your points above. Specifically, I am sure that Hayley had expressed a considerable interest in Japan, and by implication its culture, before HSJS. And yes, she did have some involvement in writing the English lyrics for at least some of the songs on it, there is I am sure more information about that earlier in this thread or another in the board. As to whose idea it was in the first place, I agree with Libby: this is something we must ask her. It won't be long before her next round of concerts!  Cheers, Dave |
|
|
|
Post by Libby on Jun 8, 2010 4:31:03 GMT
And if Nicola does another interview in the future, we could ask her then, if nobody does at her concerts.
I still think it was probably suggested to Hayley by Samon and/or Bedlam, but I agree that she was probably very enthusiastic about it. She didn't do quite as much writing and interpreting of the songs on the first album as she did on the second one. All the writing for the 2nd one could very well have been her idea, which shows that she was very much interested in doing this for the Japanese people. I don't know whether she was interested in Japanese culture that much before she became popular; she may very well have. However, I bet whatever interest she did have was made even stronger by the fact that Japan and other Asian countries have embraced her. I was never that interested in Asian cultures myself until I knew that they loved Hayley. When I listened to the lady narrating the thing about On the Wings of Time, I loved the inflections in her voice. I love how the Taiwanese adore her. I'm often quite interested in listening to Asian people's conversations. I notice the antics of Asian children more so than other children, wondering what they're talking about. It's often interesting to see how children of other cultures in general act. I like seeing Japanese names and trying to pronounce them. I'm a fan of some Japanese skaters (and there are quite a few of them). I could go on, but I'm starting to ramble. Oh, I'm not a big fan of Asian cuisine, though, so I'd probably have a hard time finding what to eat in Japan.
|
|
|
|
Post by Libby on Jun 8, 2010 4:34:11 GMT
But all the Japanese I know is Arigato and Konichiwa, and the words in Hayley's songs.
|
|
|
|
Post by mihizawi on Jun 8, 2010 8:37:54 GMT
Let's not forget about that of all the Asian countries, Japan is the most known culture and the one that gets more interest in the Western world. I think this have two main strictly related imputs: videogames and, even more, anime. Either we like it or not, Japanese animation series are spread in the tvs of most countries, and some young (and not so young) people gets interested and investigates further Japanese culture. I am not suggesting that it is Hayley's case, I just want to state that it wouldn't be that weird that Hayley knew about Japan and maybe even some Japanese, before she got so popular there, even more considering that Japan is way closet to New Zealand than to Europe.
Michal
|
|
|
|
Post by grant on Jun 8, 2010 10:12:15 GMT
Hi Michal and everyone A bit of background to Hayley's association with Japan can be found HEREFrom a post made by Dave on February 16th 2004 ... and that was just the beginning. Millions of Japanese fans of Shiroi Kyoto would have been familiar with Hayley which would, no doubt, have prompted some marketing of Hayley in Japan. There is an amusing story in one of Hayley's books about a Japanese photographer taking publicity pictures of Hayley and suddenly realising that she was the voice from the TV show - he apparently became very animated and excited - proving that, at the time, she was more popular from that show that for her singing ability. From the things we've seen, heard and read, I'm sure Hayley fell in love with the Japanese culture very early on. Best wishes Grant |
|
Dave
Administrator
HWI Admin
Posts: 7,700
|
Post by Dave on Jun 8, 2010 13:38:13 GMT
From a post made by Dave on February 16th 2004 ... and that was just the beginning. ...she was the voice from the TV show - he apparently became very animated and excited - proving that, at the time, she was more popular from that show that for her singing ability. Hi Grant, You may be drifting here into the "artist versus singer" discussion from another thread - but I will add some more about Shiroi Kyoto here in the old thread, in case our more recent members are interested in the background. Cheers, Dave |
|
|
|
Post by martindn on Jun 8, 2010 21:37:49 GMT
Hi All,
I actually think that there is a lot of Hayley in the lyrics of both HSJS albums. I think that she had a huge say in choosing the songs in the first place, and that she translated the lyrics, no doubt with some help, to make them fit better with her own outlook on life. Having seen direct translations of some of them, I have to say that Hayley has improved those lyrics enormously. There is a lovely wholesomeness about them that wasn't always there in the originals.
I absolutely love both of the HSJS albums. They seem to reflect back to a kinder age, when respect and consideration for others were important, and they also reflect Hayley's hugely positive attitude to everything. I can't see that positivity as having come from anyone else. You don't have to spend long in Hayley's company to realise what an exceptionally positive person she is.
It just rings true somehow.
Martin D
|
|
|
|
Post by Libby on Jun 9, 2010 4:07:36 GMT
Grant, I remember reading about that Japanese photographer in The World at Her Feet. From what I read, he got very emotional when he found out she was the singer from the show. It may be true that he only knew her from the show, but I'm sure he did admire her voice. It's just my opinion, but I tend to think it was more than just her voice that touched him; it's possible that the spiritual aspect of the song could have touched him, too. He may not have understood why. There's no way to know that, of course, but God could use an extraordinary talent like Hayley to draw people to Him.
|
|
|
|
Post by martindn on Jun 9, 2010 23:16:26 GMT
God could use an extraordinary talent like Hayley to draw people to Him. Hi Libby, I'm sure He does exactly that. For me Hayley gives me a glimpse of heaven. I think she will make people question why she has the extraordinary effect on (some) people that she does. When I first heard Hayley I couldn't believe I had experienced what I had. She is the only artist that has ever made me a hugely enthusiastic lifelong fan within 10 seconds of first hearing her voice (live, I admit). That she has the power to awaken spirituality within her listeners I have no doubt. I have heard spirituality defined as "our relationship with God" (although I think there is more to it than that, it is possible to relate spiritually to other people and other supernatural beings too). So people might start to wonder about what Hayley's music does to them, and that could lead to understanding and faith. Perhas that is Hayley's mission. Martin D |
|
|
|
Post by Bamafan on Nov 21, 2012 5:37:28 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by comet on Jan 25, 2016 12:04:46 GMT
Just a few things that seem to have gone un-mentioned from the sleeve notes :
Produced by Ian Tilley and Steve Abbott for Arc of light productions, London.
In the section Hayley Special thanks to :
All at British Grove Studios, the most accommodating studio we have ever worked in , Dave Stewart is mentioned and I Believe he is the same rocker / singer that was involved with Annie Lennox as the other half of the Eurythmics.
and a little further down :
Stewart Robertson at Midas Travel for getting us to and from Japan a million times.........
|
|
|
|
Post by cloudbusting.heights on Jan 26, 2016 18:56:34 GMT
Rather interesting little tidbits of information you found there! I find the Midas Travel bit particularly interesting  Thanks, comet! |
|
|
|
Post by cloudbusting.heights on Mar 28, 2016 17:56:46 GMT
|
|
Thanks, comet!