Hayleys' song selections

[howard]

Hello All,

Just finished listening to Hayleys' Japanese album, again.
And once again every song on it is great.
Whether Hayley has help selecting the songs for her albums or not. Album after album they are great choices.

But thinking about it, is it really the song selections or can it be Hayleys' voice?

For example "Wuthering Heights", I always hated that song and never really cared for the original artist. But after hearing Hayley do it on "Pure" it is now a favorite of mine. Same song, same words but a different singer.

It's like if you have the perfect song but the singer is bad, the song won't work. But if you have a bad song and the singer is perfect then the song will work.

I think in Hayleys' case a good percentage of the songs that she selects are good for her albums and the rest of the songs turn out to be good because of The Hayley Voice.

My Best,
Howard

[Libby]

I think it's mostly her voice, but I think she chooses good songs, too.

However, most of the songs she has sung I was not familiar with before Hayley sang them. I knew Ave Maria, but not Caccini. Of course I knew Amazing Grace and Abide with Me, and Scarborough Fair and She Moved through the Fair. I had heard songs like In Trutina and O Mio Babbino Caro by Charlotte Church and/or Sarah Brightman, but they didn't appeal to me much. I love to listen to Hayley singing them, though. This probably sounds crazy, but I wasn't even very familiar with Danny Boy. I know I'd heard CC's version, but by the time I got Treasure, I had forgotten what it sounds like. And Hayley's version is so beautiful, I don't waste my time listening to anyone else's.

I heard Loreena McKennit's "Mummer's Dance" first, but only because I wanted to find out what the song sounded like, since I couldn't find Hayley's version anywhere. Now, I've seen videos of Hayley singing it live, and it's really good. Hayley's voice is prettier than Loreena's, but Hayley's original recording is not that great in comparison to Loreena's. Loreena's version is much more dramatic and exciting.
As for May it Be, I enjoy Hayley's and Enya's versions. I also think Sarah Brightmans' Scarborough Fair is more dramatic than Hayley's. But listen to Hayley singing "..between salt water..." ; some of the sweetest notes I've ever heard from Hayley.

[martindn]

Hi Libby,

Have you ever tried playing Sarah's Scarborough Fair straight after Hayley's. I have, and there is no comparison in my opinion. Hayley just blows Sarah ot of the water, and Sarah's voice sounds thin and weak in comparison, as well as her version giving the disting impression that she is hiding behind the backing. And I speak as one who has always loved Sarah's "moon stuff" album. Just don't play it after listening to Hayley though!

Martin

[howard]

Hi Libby & Martin,

Libby, true she has a gift with her voice and she does have the uncanny ability to choose songs.

Martin, I can't agree with you more, I also find hayley's 'Ava Maria' (pick any version you want), is better than Sarah's. There are a few other songs that I heard both do and I perfer Hayley the best.

Hayley is just amazing!

Best Regards,
Howard