|
|
Post by stevemacdonald on Dec 16, 2008 18:33:40 GMT
What I'll remember about 2008 more than anything is this "What I'll remember about 2008 is.............." thread.
Great stuff, everyone! But please, while you suffer through the loss of her December concerts take pity on us geographically challenged forum members for whom even one Hayley concert this year would have been a lifetime memory.
|
|
|
|
Post by roger on Dec 16, 2008 20:26:17 GMT
Thank you, Steve. I would like to briefly underline what you have said if I may.
I am constantly aware that we have many members around the world who, due to their location, have never had the opportunity to see Hayley or, at best, have only done so once or twice. Those members' support is just as important to HWI and to Hayley as our is. I therefore feel we should be sensitive to their situation and refrain from saying how many times we have seen her in any given period. I would gladly surrender a few concerts if it enabled Steve, Joe, Oksana, Cathleen and all our other friends in the US and elsewhere the chance to see her. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. So let's continue to share our experiences but please try to avoid reminding them that their opportunities are significantly less than ours.
Thanks,
Roger
|
|
|
|
Post by comet on Dec 16, 2008 21:32:45 GMT
Hi Folks, I have clicked on reply a few times on this thread and just looked at the blinking cursor ! Not knowing quite what to say, reflecting on the last year ! Not as many concerts here in Ireland as our UK members have had, But the quality of the concerts was wonderful, Hayley in Derry with Fiona and Ian, just days after recording the Japanese Songs album and Hayley's 21st birthday, they were in flying form and in good spirits, one might say on a high. just the three of them in concert was a great show, more personal in that we have seen and met Fiona and Ian and they work so well together, only having three people on stage,so interesting to watch and lacking nothing, in many ways more delightful than watching Hayley with a full orchestra which can be a little overpowering, less personal. I have the Live in NZ DVD playing as I type, Hayley seems to have hardly changed at all yet she must have, her level of concentration when she sings is still there, that place she seems to go to while she sings and I realise , There is no other voice I would rather listen to, I might have another artist playing but I am waiting for the next Hayley disc to start playing, I have a stack of Hayley material in the car and it just makes it such a pleasure just to be driving, Drove 266 miles yesterday with Hayley playing all the way. The rest of my CD collection is becoming sadly neglected. Anyway  ,, back to the last year, Belfast. I just enjoyed this concert so much as I knew Drew was doing the "recording for posterity and the other members who may never get to see Hayley live in concert" (Thanks Drew) some great memories on those videos. So I just lost myself in this concert, Just drifted on the pleasure of the moment and the magic of the music and the voice. I'm not quite sure where I went but the concert seemed to be over in just some magical moments. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifOh ! and Hayley gave US chocolate ! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifLeonard performed 3 concerts in Dublin at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham. I was at one of these concerts, I thought I would never see Leonard in concert again, but back he came on tour, because people he trusted went of with his money, quite a lot of it ! These concerts were voted "BEST CONCERTS of 2008 by our musical journalists in Ireland.. need I say more.. an amazing performance by a young and witty man of 73 years of age........ and I believe he is to perform again in Ireland soon........Weeeeeeeeeeee Back to Hayley, then Dublin on the 11th September and on to Limerick on the 12th September. The people of Limerick loved Hayley, there was a prolonged round of applause at the end of the concert and Hayley looked so pleased, I was proud of the people of Ireland for giving her such a warm welcome and a well deserved standing ovation..... pity the camera police were watching us so closely or we might have had video of it  |
|
|
|
Post by larryhauck on Dec 16, 2008 22:13:57 GMT
How about a poor soul that traveled from the U S in Nov to see five of Hayley's concerts only to have three canceled. One was when I was at the venue in Llandandu to collect my ticket.
After five minutes of feeling sorry for myself I finally realized that I should be thankful that I saw Hayley twice. After that I turned my pity to poor Hayley who became Ill while doing selfless performances for the troops in Iraq and her fans and for Remembrance Day.
What a wonderful person she is.
Larry
|
|
|
|
Post by martindn on Dec 16, 2008 22:39:29 GMT
Hi Folks, There is no other voice I would rather listen to, I might have another artist playing but I am waiting for the next Hayle disc to start playing, I have a stack of Hayley material in the car and it just makes it such a pleasure just to be driving, Drove 266 miles yesterday with Hayley playing all the way. The rest of my CD collection is becoming sadly neglected. . Hi Comet, I know how you feel. From time to time I get the feeling that I really must listen to a CD that does not include Hayley. I put something on, and whilst I am listening to it I can't wait to hear Hayley again. If it is an album like Celtic Woman or Music of the Sphere's, I find myself looking forward to the tracks where Hayley is singing. How sad is that? I have to force myself to listen to anything else. I also find I am much more critical of singers in general, I think because compared to Hayley, most don't seem very good (there are a few exceptions though). And some singers that I used to think were good I find I don't enjoy any more, because I hear their errors and (usually) poor pitch control, and it grates on my ears. It didn't used to bother me, but now it does.. And some of these are very respected names (no, I won't mention them) who sell far more records than Hayley does. As for the X Factor, it is beyond the pale!!! I think I need help!! Martin |
|
|
|
Post by graemek on Dec 16, 2008 23:10:29 GMT
Hi Martin & Comet, There's nothing to worry about for either of you. Hayley has become your yard stick....simple as that.....what other do you need? And you learn early in life that popularity doesn't guarantee quality......in fact it may do just the opposite. Graeme i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif |
|
Joe
Administrator
Supporting Hayley since 2003!
Posts: 6,715 
|
Post by Joe on Dec 17, 2008 3:21:54 GMT
Hi all, I shall remember 2008 as a year of spectacular joy which I was so fortunate to share with people far across the miles. I don't call myself "geographically challenged" one bit. There are so many ways to overcome this. I experience nearly every concert through the eyes of others. A personal highlight for me was Hayley's performance at the 4th of July concert. Seeing Hayley take part in the celebrations meant a lot to me. Also "Hayley Sings Japanese Songs" was such a meaningful recording. Thanks to so many of you...you know who you are...writing an after-concert review on the train home or hotel room. Or skillfully avoiding the camera police. Or sharing those gorgeous snaps! But most importantly...I am truly grateful for your friendship  Joe |
|
|
|
Post by milewalker on Dec 17, 2008 4:07:57 GMT
Hi Martin & Comet, There's nothing to worry about for either of you. Hayley has become your yard stick....simple as that.....what other do you need? And you learn early in life that popularity doesn't guarantee quality......in fact it may do just the opposite. Graeme i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifWhile this is true as far as it goes, some measure of popularity must be present or quality doesnt matter. If I sing in the shower and no one is there to hear me, it doesnt matter much how well I sing. |
|
|
|
Post by postscript on Dec 17, 2008 14:26:51 GMT
Well said, Roger, I fully support your sentiments, in our enthusiasm to wax lyrical on Hayley and our gain from those meetings it is too easy to forget we inadvertently 'rub it in ' for those just as enthusiastic but not blessed with the frequency of her visits. I think it fair to say that I think the error is largely by accident as our intention is sharing but it does no harm to just look at our post before sending and see how it reads from others' viewpoints.
Peter S.
|
|
|
|
Post by grant on Dec 17, 2008 14:39:28 GMT
Hi Joe
Many thanks for your post. I am so pleased that you find the reviews and pictures "the next best thing" to seeing Hayley in person.
As one of the contributors in the context to which you refer, I get a tremendous 'buzz' knowing that whilst I am sitting at my computer in the early hours of the morning writing or uploading pictures, there are fans like yourself, spread out across the world waiting for news.
I believe that "sharing" is one of the most valuable aspects of forums like this one and, as I've said before, I still think this is one of the best and most proactive forums around.
Best wishes
Grant
|
|
|
|
Post by grant on Dec 17, 2008 15:01:37 GMT
Hi Comet, Martin and everyone I might have another artist playing but I am waiting for the next Hayley disc to start playing, From time to time I get the feeling that I really must listen to a CD that does not include Hayley. I put something on, and whilst I am listening to it I can't wait to hear Hayley again. It's good to know I'm not alone!  I've felt like this pretty much from day one when I borrowed and subsequently purchased my own copy of "Pure". It never came off the turntable except to burn a copy for the car! For over a year it was my only Hayley CD, then, during my stay in London for the UNICEF concert in September 2005, I found "Hayley Westenra" in HMV and bought the unreleased single from Gerald at the concert. My Hayley CD collection grew 200% that weekend!  I have much more Hayley music now, but the other CD's I've bought since knowing Hayley haven't got into double figures! Best wishes Grant |
|
|
|
Post by Richard on Dec 17, 2008 15:56:46 GMT
It's a good job this thread is on the Off-Topic board, because it keeps going off-topic!  I have much more Hayley music now... Well done Grant, that's brought it back on topic! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifRichard  |
|
|
|
Post by nicola on Dec 17, 2008 19:34:35 GMT
Is this moments of 2008 that includes Hayley? Because everyone mentions her?
2008 is the year that I:
Graduated from University
Got my first post University job
Had a stalker
Had three new albums from Sarah Brightman after waiting five years.
That's all I can think of that was out of the ordinary this year... :/
|
|
|
|
Post by Caitlin on Dec 17, 2008 20:02:54 GMT
There is so much, but I'll narrow it down.
Living the last few months in London.
Going to the RAH and seeing the Classical Brits.
Moving back to the US and finding a summer job working at a fair.
Going to Uni and being able to sing every day.
<3 Caitlin
|
|
|
|
Post by larryhauck on Dec 17, 2008 22:27:36 GMT
What I'll remember about 2008 is giving Hayley this teeshirt in Dublin.  -Larry |
|
I've felt like this pretty much from day one when I borrowed and subsequently purchased my own copy of "Pure". It never came off the turntable except to burn a copy for the car!
