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Post by larryhauck on Aug 1, 2008 15:32:53 GMT
Roger,
Good deal, because I love the close up photos. If Hayley doesn't mind then why should my wife.
Larry
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Post by grant on Aug 1, 2008 15:42:05 GMT
Roger, Good deal, because I love the close up photos. If Hayley doesn't mind then why should my wife. Larry Bet you won't show your wife that post either Larry!   Best wishes Grant |
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Post by larryhauck on Aug 1, 2008 15:45:22 GMT
Grant,
You must be married to be so perceptive. Or maybe not , but still wise.
Larry
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Post by pjrcorreia on Aug 1, 2008 21:09:56 GMT
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Post by pjrcorreia on Aug 1, 2008 21:22:16 GMT
Thank you guys, for the nice reports, lovely pictures and videos. I LOVE HAYLEY WESTENRA INTERNATIONAL!  |
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Post by grant on Aug 1, 2008 23:21:32 GMT
Grant, You must be married to be so perceptive. Or maybe not , but still wise. Larry Hi Larry Not married now! Perhaps wise after the event! Best wishes Grant |
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Post by martindn on Aug 2, 2008 0:27:50 GMT
Hi All,
I apologise for being a bit late saying anything about this, but I've been working at Gatwick all week with no Internet access. The upside is was that I was able to get to this concert after work, and what an experience it was. Gatwick was a mixed blessing, and although I was not able to post anything all week, it meant I had time to get to the concert after work, which would not have been possible if I had been working in Rugby.
I also have some photos, which although the quality is not good, may be unique, especially the ones of Hayley's appearance after the concert.. I will post them when I have done my best to make them acceptable. But I only got home at 8.30 this evening after an horrendous experience on the M25, so you will have to forgive my slowness.
It was good to meet several HWI people I has not met before, including Roger, Dave and Colin. But as I had no doubt they would be, all Hayley's fans are lovely people.
Here is my story anyway.
First of all I would like to express my thanks to Dean, who made it possible for me, He knows how. I can only say that things would at the very least have been much more difficult if not impossible without his help.
I was able to get away from my work at Gatwick airport shortly after 4pm, and I drove to my hotel to get showered and changed. I booked the hotel shuttle bus to Gatwick South Terminal, from where I bought a return ticket to St Pancras (thanks for suggesting that Drew), The train was not fast, but I had plenty of time. We seemed to sit outside London Bridge station for about half an hour, while other trains all around us were moving forward. But eventually I arrived at St Pancras, and went in search of the tube station.
I bought a ticket to Mornington Crescent. This was not very far away, bur cost four pounds. I got on the train to Euston, one stop away, then had to change to get to Mornington Crescent, again only one stop away.
On emerging from the tube staton, it took me a little while to get my bearings, but I eventually located Koko, outside which there was a long queue already, although it was only about 6.30, two hours before the concert and the doors would not open for another hour and the concert would not start until another hour after that.
But I recognised several HWIers near the front of the queue, including
Roger, who I had not met but recognised from photos, George and Denise, who live only a couple of miles from me on the western outskirts of Leicester, and Grant, who is always there. They told me they had already been waiting since around 2pm, and by now it was about 6.30. There is dedication!
George told me that he had spoken to two members of Raven earlier, and they has said how much they enjoyed working with Hayley.
Dave arrived shortly after I did, Roger spotted him, and it seemed to take him a few minutes to work out where we were, just as it had done for me. But he found us eventually, and he and I, followed by Drew, joined the end of the rather long. queue.
Eventually the doors opened and the queue moved forward. Dave, who was next to me, was asked to go to the "office" and surrender his (SLR) camera. I, who had a compact camera and a mobile phone capable of taking photos with me was allowed through. As we went in, we were allowed down into the floor area, where we were each given and armband and a pendant that entitled us to10 free downloads from iTunes,
I pushed my way towards the front where I found that George and Denise had bagged a table, with two spare seats which I and eventually Dave, when he arrived sans camera, were able to use. This was quite close to the stage, only one row back, and I am thankful to George and Denise for their kindness. The next table over was occupied by Grant, Roger, and James, and Graham and Richard were not far behind.
And so to the concert. First we had the Ahn Trio. Actually, I think they were quite good. It is not my kind of music for sure, I have never understood or particularly liked jazz, so you need to bear that in mind. But they are certainly competent musicians, and I thought the piano came to life when Micheal Nyman played it. But I soon found myself longing to see Hayley.
And then, there she was! In a dress I had never seen before. And her voice was as fine and magnificent and beautiful as ever, although it was only eight days sice I had last seen her at Kilworth, and as always when I see her, I was captivated. I particularly enjoyed Songbird, and also at one point she seemed t look directly at me for several seconds.
The Ravens' slot was the same as Kilworth, except for the Vivaldi which was omitted. I felt that they has progressed enormously in just eight days, paying wit a confidence that had not been so evident at Kilworth. I think they are brilliant!
There were no encores, although we had become used to there being two. I think people gave up clapping too soon. I sometimes think that Hayley should come to our De Montfort Hall here in Leicester, famous for its warm audiences who truly appreciate fine artists. I'm sure she would enjoy her time there.
But as always at Hayley's concerts, it all ended much too soon, and we made our way round to the side of the theatre, in the hope of seeing Hayley.
Whilst there I met Phillip and Sam, who admitted to being lurkers but not members of HWI. Roger gave a good sales pitch, telling them they must join, especially after Phillip admitted to owning a copy of Walking in the Air, bought at a very high price on Ebay. I think Roger must have disappeared shortly afterwards, he had a train to catch. Phil and Sam, if you are reading this, please join. You will be welcome.
We would not be disappointed. A door opened,and Hayley's face appeared, saying she would be out soon, and a few seconds later there she was, clutching a bottle of champagne and some glasses.
But no, the treat was not for us. And Hayley was soon relieved of her burden by one of the Ravens, and the bottle and glasses were never seen again (by us at least).
Hayley asked what we thought of the show, and there was a moment of stunned silence before I and some others said we thought it was great. she then came talk to us, and signed a copy of HSJS for someone, and asked if there was any more, when I duly produced my own copy of that album which Hayley signed. I felt sure that Hayley recognised me from Buxton, although she probably didn't remember my name. But she was very warm and friendly towards me, and it felt good to meet her again.
She spoke to a few more people, a photo was taken then the rest of the Ravens appeared. I noticed how well they seemed to get on with Hayley and was glad for her. I suspect that the bottle of champagne was later consumed by all of them in Hayley's flat. This is just like my own daughter, when she disappears into her bedroom with her friends and a bottle.
All too soon Hayley and the other girls left us, walking off too look for their car, I hope they found it!
Graham had told me he needed to get to Euston station, and I needed to get to St Pancras for my return train to Gatwick. Graham knew the way, so we set off walking together parting at Euston, from where it was an easy walk to St Pancras.
Once there I had a half hour wait and a pleasant conversation with a lady who was trying to get to Gatwick to get a flight to Greece, bemoaning the closure of the Victoria Line.
On arrival at Gatwick South Terminal I rang my hotel for the shuttle bus, which arrived ten minutes later. As we left the terminal, a police car, blue lights flashing,pulled in front of us and stopped. We noticed several flashing blue lights ahead of us, and thought that there must have been an accident on the A23. We were there for about half an hour before we were allowed to proceed, and as we passed the blue lights, noticed an man on the ground on his knees in handcuffs. We had no idea what it was about, but obviously an arrest rather than an accident, so nobody was hurt.
And so to bed, about 2am. And I needed to be up for work the next day.
But yet again, like every other Hayley concert I have ever been to, it was one not to be missed. Yet another experience that I will remember fondly as long as I live.
And I have still never met a fan of Hayley who I didn't like immediately!
Martin
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Post by grant on Aug 2, 2008 9:11:30 GMT
Hello Martin and thank you for your excellent review. I really enjoyed being taken back to relive the experience all over again! at one point she seemed to look directly at me for several seconds. I noticed that too Martin. It's something Hayley does at most of her concerts but I didn't expect her to do it at KOKO. Best wishes Grant |
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Post by martindn on Aug 2, 2008 16:42:39 GMT
Donations to UNICEF are gratefully received before you watch the next video. SongbirdAnd after! Wow Drew, you are my hero. I wondered where you went during the concert, since you were right behind me and Dave as we went in, then you vanished, only to reappear after the concert to meet Hayley. I remember her signing something for you. Thanks you and well done. You camcorder seems to produce a lot better quality pictures than my still compact camera. I'm amazed you did as well as you did in those light levels. Martin |
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Post by martindn on Aug 2, 2008 16:55:43 GMT
As I said I have some pictures and I will now start to post them, although the quality is not of the best. They were taken with either my small comact camera, which has optical zoom, or my mobile phone which does not. I actually think the phone coped better with the light conditions, but the lack of zoom was a problem. So I have some of each. 1. Before the concert. When I arrived around 6.30, the queue was already quite long.  Roger was on the phone toDave, who he had seen emerge from the tube station and walk off in the wrong direction. After a few minutes chatting to the early arrivers at the front of the queue, Dave and I joined the back of it with Drew close behind.  And now I have to go, my daughter wants a lift into town. More later. Martin |
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Post by drew on Aug 2, 2008 16:57:08 GMT
And finally.
Hine E Hine *
Interesting to note that the applause after this final song lasted for 45 seconds. I guess that we don't deserve an encore unless we go on for the full 60 seconds!
Sorry about the missing tunes. I really need a tripod in the other shoulder holster.
* all videos removed pending ITunes publication.
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Martin
Global Moderator
HWI Management Team
Posts: 3,339
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Post by Martin on Aug 2, 2008 18:08:31 GMT
Thanks for the videos Drew as I was unable to attend itunes. However, I do not recollect an " AAH-TSSSSCHUHH" in the middle of my cd recording of "May It Be".  Martin |
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Post by martindn on Aug 2, 2008 20:11:59 GMT
And finally. Hine E HineInteresting to note that the applause after this final song lasted for 45 seconds. I guess that we don't deserve an encore unless we go on for the full 60 seconds! Sorry about the missing tunes. I really need a tripod in the other shoulder holster. Hi Drew, Wow, another classic. I now love the new way she sings that song! Were you really "under the table". The beer really wasn't that strong, and was horribly expensive! But back to business. My own photos of the performance are undoubtedly the worst we have seen on this thread. But because we are so photographically challenged this time, I will post them anyway. If anyone had been there with a half decent camera, I wouldn't have dared.  That is about the best one I got of Hayley during the concert. My camera wanted long exposures, and apart from trying to anchor the camera by pushing my elbows against something solid, the subject was moving as well. We will have to ask Hayley to stand still at future concerts!  is a mobile phone one with no zoom. Bit it gives you an idea of the venue.  ia another similar one and  is Raven in full flight. Martin |
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Post by martindn on Aug 2, 2008 20:31:26 GMT
At other times, when I could use flash, which I refuse to do during a performance even if others behind me had no such scruples. It must be very distracting for the performers. During the interval I got some of our number  After the concert, I did rather better. Anyone for champagne?   I'm not sure who the guy in the middle is but  and another rather poor quality one of Hayley, who by this time had been relieved of the champagne by one of the Ravens  But the rest of the Ravens soon joined her, and it was a pleasure to see them together. But one, two, three - which Raven is missing??  Oh yes, it is the one with the bottle. we had better go and find her while there is still some champagne left.... Bye Hayley!  Thanks for a wonderful evening Hayley! Martin |
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Post by Dean McCarten on Aug 2, 2008 21:22:55 GMT
Donations to UNICEF are gratefully received before you watch the next video. SongbirdAnd after! Drew, This is Awesome, I can't wait for the new tour & CD after hearing this! Many Thanks Dean p.s Thanks Martindn for Your very nice report I'm glad you got so say Hi to Hayley  |
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