Post by Dave on Aug 8, 2005 21:52:29 GMT
There's an interesting and perceptive report here at NZ Stuff today (NZ time). Including what looks to me like some genuine (and rare) US across-the-counter sales figures, too, yay! 
The italics are mine:
"Hayley Westenra's crystalline tones rang out through the candlelit gothic interior of St Matthews-in-the-City in downtown Auckland as she launched a new CD last night.
Westenra was singing selections from Odyssey, her new CD, to invited guests, and the setting could not have been more appropriate for one whose voice Italian classical star Andrea Bocelli has likened to that of an angel.
There for the CD launch were industry executives, musicians, actors and dancers, sports personalities, friends, family, and Shortland Street stars.
The resonant acoustics of the church were perfect for the launch of Hayley's new music, which includes May It Be, from The Lord of the Rings, Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now, and, perhaps in an indication of a new direction for Hayley, the swinging gospel-flavoured I Say Grace.
Westenra was accompanied by London pianist Ian Tilley and violinist Fiona Pears in sensitive counter point.
Most Kiwis applaud the Christchurch teenager's achievements and her stellar rise on the world stage, with two million sales for her first album – including 227,000 in that most difficult of arenas, America.
She is also a new representative for Unicef NZ and has already made her first official visit to Ghana in that capacity.
Those who would knock Hayley's repertoire would do well to remember that she is still only 18 and has plenty of time to develop as a performer.
The broad appeal that sees her sing to audiences across the world – she has been the best selling classical artist in Japan for two years running, for example – would probably crumble were she to abandon her classical-crossover musical style for something that might be more hip but might also be more transient.
Chances are it won't happen.
The calm joy that Hayley radiates when she sings is from the heart and with a song-writing credit on this album, it appears that she is as happy as anyone with her musical direction. "
The italics are mine:"Hayley Westenra's crystalline tones rang out through the candlelit gothic interior of St Matthews-in-the-City in downtown Auckland as she launched a new CD last night.
Westenra was singing selections from Odyssey, her new CD, to invited guests, and the setting could not have been more appropriate for one whose voice Italian classical star Andrea Bocelli has likened to that of an angel.
There for the CD launch were industry executives, musicians, actors and dancers, sports personalities, friends, family, and Shortland Street stars.
The resonant acoustics of the church were perfect for the launch of Hayley's new music, which includes May It Be, from The Lord of the Rings, Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now, and, perhaps in an indication of a new direction for Hayley, the swinging gospel-flavoured I Say Grace.
Westenra was accompanied by London pianist Ian Tilley and violinist Fiona Pears in sensitive counter point.
Most Kiwis applaud the Christchurch teenager's achievements and her stellar rise on the world stage, with two million sales for her first album – including 227,000 in that most difficult of arenas, America.
She is also a new representative for Unicef NZ and has already made her first official visit to Ghana in that capacity.
Those who would knock Hayley's repertoire would do well to remember that she is still only 18 and has plenty of time to develop as a performer.
The broad appeal that sees her sing to audiences across the world – she has been the best selling classical artist in Japan for two years running, for example – would probably crumble were she to abandon her classical-crossover musical style for something that might be more hip but might also be more transient.
Chances are it won't happen.
The calm joy that Hayley radiates when she sings is from the heart and with a song-writing credit on this album, it appears that she is as happy as anyone with her musical direction. "
