Joe
Administrator
Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,715 
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Post by Joe on Jul 26, 2009 17:53:56 GMT
Hello Tom!
I'm so glad that you enjoyed the concert on Friday...have a great time tonight! Thanks for representing the USA!
Please give my best wishes to Paddy, Thomas, Karsten, Peter, and Grant !
Enjoy,
Joe
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Post by amptique on Jul 26, 2009 20:21:47 GMT
Hi Tom,
Enjoy the concert. One day I will make a concert but for the time being I must rely on the excellent reports and photos. Have a great time!
Bill
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Post by Jono on Jul 27, 2009 12:08:01 GMT
Is everyone still Hayleywowed in their seats??  |
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Post by Dean McCarten on Jul 27, 2009 13:15:00 GMT
Is everyone still Hayleywowed in their seats?? Maybe Hayley is still singing Shenandoah after all 100 + verses may take a while  Dean |
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Post by Jono on Jul 27, 2009 13:27:17 GMT
While we wait, a few photos have been posted HERE on the Official Forum, with more on the way I think. Jono |
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Post by grant on Jul 27, 2009 14:08:58 GMT
Hello everyone
Well, I've been back a while and been catching up on all the news. I have a few pictures but I felt it was more of an "I want to talk with Hayley" day than "let's get as many pictures as possible day".
Turned out I was right!
Report to follow..
Best wishes
Grant
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Post by grant on Jul 27, 2009 15:14:38 GMT
Rain, rain go away!!Hardly had I finished my report for Friday’s concert in Southend and I’m off for another Hayleyday in Swansea, but aaagh! it means travelling by train on a Sunday and also relying on the first bus of the morning to get me to the station! Not a wise move usually. Luckily, everything worked out albeit rather damply. I have a 50+ minute wait at Bristol Parkway which must be one of the most unwelcoming stations on the network, especially when it’s cold and wet – oh yes! It’s raining much harder now and doesn’t look like easing.  The nearer we got to Swansea, the worse the rain became, although luckily it had eased a little as I left the station. Now, I had fully intended to go straight to my hotel to check in before going to the venue but, considering the weather – better to get my travelling clothes wet than my clothes for tonight – and because I may risk not seeing Hayley, I decided to go straight to the theatre, which turned out to be a very good move! At first, I began to feel a bit downhearted. It was raining more heavily and, initially, I couldn’t find the stage door. When I did, it appeared to be in a private yard with barriers. I gazed within and spotted a familiar countenance – Paddy! As I approached, I noticed that he, along with Tom, Thomas, Karsten and Peter had commandeered the small smokers shelter. “All is well” I thought to myself.  It seems that Hayley and the minibus should arrive quite soon and sure enough, spot on 3.30pm they arrived at the barrier, Hayley sitting in the front already smiling and waving. Dave reversed in and gallant Tom went with his umbrella to shield Hayley from the rain on the dash to the stage door. At first I thought she would disappear inside without stopping to say hello, but of course she wouldn’t as seconds later, a smiling face popped out from the shelter of the tiny vestibule as if to say “Well I’m here, what are you waiting for?” As there is still only the six of us, Dave invites us to stand in the small stage door reception area out of the rain. In such close proximity, taking pictures seems a little obtrusive so I took very few. As I commented in my teaser, for me it was more important to be “with” Hayley for a few minutes and not let the need for pictures get in the way, besides, I had things to talk about with her. First I thanked her for choosing my photo in the competition; that I was ‘over the moon’ to have won; and “yes” everyone, she did find it hard to choose. I also told her about “Hayley” being the number one Google search keyword in Taiwan “How cool is that!!” was Hayley’s response – she seemed genuinely delighted. She was also surprised to hear that Dave had managed to secure the video footage of her performance and once again commented on the ‘horrendous’ weather during the sound check. She still appears to be on a high from her performance though and who wouldn’t be? We also learnt during this pre concert gathering that Andy is off to Los Angeles for three weeks leaving first thing Monday morning, hence the reason he is in his own car and not the minibus (He told us later that his replacement is called Kevin). Dave also announced that the concert will be opened by a Welsh male voice choir – should have seen that coming! No signing afterwards either as Hayley will be recording an interview for New Zealand TV but I think you already know that!  Having agreed that we will re-convene at the Wetherspoons when we are ready, I went to my hotel to check in and change ready for the evening and Thomas came with me to show me the way as most of the others have been in Swansea since Saturday and I haven’t been for 30 years! More later Grant
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Post by grant on Jul 27, 2009 18:59:20 GMT
“Free Spirit”
I find it hard to believe that yesterday in Swansea was essentially a repeat of Friday in Southend, because it could not have been more different. Yes, the concert followed the same basic format and Hayley was, performance wise, at her awesome best, but that’s where the similarity ended. Our ‘before’ and ‘after’ time with Hayley was also totally different; far more relaxed. Even, dare I say, more intimate, considering the ‘rush and crush’ of Friday. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Having been well fed and watered, we made our way back through the rain to Swansea Grand Theatre where people are already beginning to gather. The theatre layout is quite strange with a very narrow corridor accessing the main auditorium with box office and other facilities off to one side.
Once inside, the theatre gives the impression of being quite small and intimate. It certainly feels very cosy. I settled into my seat with a twinge of sadness – I have enjoyed the River of Dreams tour concerts and am rather sad that this is the last one.
The concert was opened by the Kenfig Hill Male Voice Choir and very accomplished they were too. They sang half a dozen numbers including “Guide Me O Thy Great Jehovah”, “Unchained Melody” and “The Battle Hymn Of The Republic/Dixie” before vacating the stage for Hayley's musicians then Hayley from offstage with the a capella opening of “Prayer”. Often, the audience applauds whilst Hayley comes onto stage, but tonight they listened and watched.
Hayley and Ravens first sets followed the usual pattern and with very little chatter from Hayley. I don’t know why it is that sometimes she is more chatty than others, it may have something to do with how her voice feels but after “Mummer’s Dance” she gave her usual explanation of Mumming and then began talking about “Shenandoah”. On Friday she had gone straight into this without a word but tonight the jokes are back “This song has over one hundred verses and the doors are locked!” Tim or Andy must have said something I didn’t catch whilst the audience were taking that in because Hayley then responded with a giggle “Yeah same old joke, guess I need a new one!”
“Danny Boy” followed with no mention of it ending the first half which is when I realised that there had been a change because Hayley then began to introduce a Maori lullaby and talk about the little kiwi climbing into the satellite dish at the end of TV transmission. Dave, of course, had told us that Hayley would be performing one song with the choir and sure enough, the gauze behind Hayley and her musicians rose to reveal the choir behind. This was a particularly grand performance with the choir performing the vocalise and then joining Hayley for the final chorus which ended the first half.
It was in the second half of Hayley's performance that there were a few amusing moments, particularly when she began to introduce her second Maori song “Pokarekare Ana” saying “This is another song from my homeland” and adding “Just in case you thought I was from Australia!” There were several “Ooohhhs!” Hayley thought about it for a moment then asked “Is there anyone here from Australia?” A little voice answered “Yes”. “Oh” hello” replied Hayley. Giggling and saying “It’s all in good spirits, now, back to the concert!” – Nice One Hayley!
I had noticed during the interval that the set list simply said ‘Hayley at the piano’ so no clue as to which song it would be. “I’m going to sing you a new song I co-wrote with singer-songwriter Beth Orton”. No hesitation tonight – straight in. I guess having done it once she felt happier. Now I’ve really fallen for this song and I could hear the words more clearly tonight – perhaps because I was sitting more to one side rather than behind – it’s a very different style to what we are used to from Hayley.
And so to Hayley's last set of three songs. I noticed several murmurs around me as the band began to play the intro to “Wuthering Heights”. It still seems to be one Hayley song that audiences don’t expect to hear live. With Hayley's usual encore, Hine, already sung having replaced “Amazing Grace” it’s a no brainer as to what the encore might be tonight.
Hayley returned to stage with finger raised “One more? “Two?” from somewhere behind then “Three pretty please” which Hayley had to ask to have repeated. “I use that sometimes” she said giggling “But it doesn’t always work”.
So, the final song of the concert and of the River of Dreams tour was “Amazing Grace”. Hayley had an absolute blast up on stage – it felt a bit like ‘End of term’ and I suppose it was in a way. I wonder if that’s how Hayley felt. As I mentioned earlier, We chatted briefly to Tim as the audience were leaving and I said that Hayley really seemed to be having a great time and he said that she had been 'free' which I took to mean what we would call uninhibited but what a great night had resulted from it!!
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Post by Libby on Jul 27, 2009 19:24:01 GMT
We also learnt during this pre concert gathering that Andy is off to Los Angeles for three weeks leaving first thing Monday morning, hence the reason he is in his own car and not the minibus (He told us later that his replacement is called Kevin). His replacement for what? I thought he was only with Hayley for the RoD tour, oh, and the Valentine's one. He hasn't been at any others, so I assumed he was only there for the tour, and the tour is done.  Thanks for the report so far. Can't wait for photos! And if Tom is in any of the photos, could you please identify him for us? Unless he wishes to remain anonymous!  |
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Post by grant on Jul 27, 2009 19:30:03 GMT
Hi Libby His replacement for what? I thought he was only with Hayley for the RoD tour, oh, and the Valentine's one. He hasn't been at any others, so I assumed he was only there for the tour, and the tour is done. Thanks for the report so far. Can't wait for photos! And if Tom is in any of the photos, could you please identify him for us? Unless he wishes to remain anonymous! As far as I am aware, Tim, Andy and Raven will continue to be Hayley's band after the RoD tour. I have a few pictures taken before the concert. Tom and Karsten took pictures, but they're both on holiday here for a few days so no concert pictures for a while. Sorry! Best wishes Grant |
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Post by amptique on Jul 27, 2009 19:49:51 GMT
Hi Grant, Thanks for the thorough account of the concert and related activities. I was so engrossed with your description that I was late in casting my vote.  Many thanks. Bill |
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Post by martindn on Jul 27, 2009 20:25:27 GMT
Thanks for the review Grant.
Martin
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Post by Libby on Jul 27, 2009 20:38:38 GMT
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Post by amptique on Jul 27, 2009 21:27:01 GMT
Libby, I completely agree. Perhaps there should be a form for requesting time off that must be approved by those that are dependent upon their contributions.  Bill |
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Post by grant on Jul 27, 2009 21:30:40 GMT
A Welcoming stage door
We remained in the theatre for a little while, chatted briefly to Raven when I remembered that I had intended to comment on the change from all black tops to ‘black-white-black-white’ which I think looks a lot better. It’s not long, however, before we find ourselves being drawn to the stage door, despite the fact that we know Hayley will be a while because of the interview.
Again, things could not have been more different than Friday. We arrived at the stage door to find just a handful of fans waiting in the rain. Andy came out just as we arrived and said that he thought Hayley would be about half and hour. In fact it would be quite a bit longer, but no one minded. No one minded the rain either. One of the theatre staff even came round to hand out spare posters.
Considering the weather, I had taken the decision to leave my camera in the hotel after I’d changed thinking that if the weather improved, I would have time to go back to the hotel and fetch it. I did consider doing so as we stood waiting but fought off the urge and remained cameraless.
After a while the camera crew appeared and made a valiant effort of getting all their bulky equipment into their very small hire car and Dave also appeared and began loading the minibus. “Shouldn’t be long now” he promised. It wasn’t. With only eight others apart from the six of us, we were, once again invited into the tiny reception. With everyone in an orderly line it was a one-to-one with Hayley who, despite her obviously long day, seemed in no rush at all. She even apologised for keeping everyone waiting for so long, bless her.
I was happy now that I didn’t have my camera and just enjoyed the closeness of the few minutes we each shared. The magic of that moment when you suddenly find yourself face to face with Hayley never fades. I even got a “Hi Grant, how are you” which always gives me a buzz. I asked her to sign my poster and told her how much I had enjoyed all the River of Dreams concerts that I had attended.
Whilst we were chatting to Hayley, Billy, the guy from the tour promoters Kennedy Street appeared and gave Hayley a hug and a peck on the cheek. Pointing to Hayley with a grin he told us that she was great to work with. Thanks Billy, but I think we already knew that! He’s never said very much throughout the tour, always keeping himself to himself, so it was nice to know that he has been aware of our presence all along.
By now, Dave was in “rounding up” mode. It is well past 11pm and with a long drive to London ahead they need to be making a move. Hayley seems a little reluctant to leave and turns with a concerned look on her face asked “How far do you all have to go?” “We’re all staying over” I replied, which seemed to please her.
With that we all said our goodbyes as she climbed into the bus with the other girls and waved enthusiastically as Dave drove carefully out of the compound, leaving us to negotiate a deathly quiet Swansea city centre on our way back to our respective accommodations.
That's yer lot!
Best wishes
Grant
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