HWI
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For Hayley Fans Everywhere
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Post by HWI on May 1, 2004 14:45:39 GMT
According to Classic FM this morning, Hayley has told them that another album will be due out later in the year. Personally, I can't wait. I am sure that Hayley will show, yet again, her ability to improve on perfection. Living in hope.  Keith. |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 1, 2004 17:13:29 GMT
Wow, that's fantastic news Keith, I didn't hear the show live but luckily, I recorded Mark Goodier's ClassicFM chart show this morning and I've just replayed the bit you were referring to. Here's exactly what Mark said: "And it's a non-mover at number three, for Hayley Westenra and Pure. I heard earlier this week that she will have another album ready for release later on this year [pause] from Pure, here's Hayley's version of the Benedictus from The Armed Man, a Mass for Peace." That sounds pretty definite to me, and Mark Goodier has been around for a very long time, knows his stuff and is not prone to tabloid-style exaggeration or fantasy. I don't think he would have said that unless he thought his source was reliable. So if it's true, the question arises: where and when will she record it? In her recent ClassicFM interview, I remember that she said she intended to put as much effort into her next album as Pure - so that's what, a couple of months studio time at best? Hopefully, there will be no rush, as seems to be what happened with My Gift to You (good though it was). To get an album out before Christmas surely means she's got to start work on it this summer (May-June when she's in the UK for exams?), perhaps then returning to the USA for a few months before finishing it off here in the Autumn? Or flying across the Pond as and when needed? As Hayley isn't exactly rushed off her feet with media appearances in the US as yet, it could make sense to fill any spare time in this way, dividing her time between the UK and the US. Another possibility might be to record a new album in the US... but that doesn't seem to make much sense in view of the excellent job the Martins' did for Decca UK. Speculation, speculation... you've really got me going now, Keith!  |
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Post by preciousthings on May 3, 2004 14:16:12 GMT
Might I say, I'm also interested, though fan I am not. However, a second album will prove whether or not Hayley can be able to do some new material, in contrast to the generic material in Pure
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Post by stevemacdonald on May 3, 2004 16:17:06 GMT
Precious, if you found Pure's material "generic" then you're in a class by yourself as far as musical sophistication goes. I, myself, had never heard anything like the majority of songs on Pure. It's so refreshingly non-generic to me I can't imagine what she'll do to top it. I respect and salute your vast knowledge of music, but I sure don't envy it.  |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on May 3, 2004 17:10:23 GMT
Steve, I agree. Taken as a whole, some might argue that Pure is generic, but the point is, Hayley's voice is not generic and some of the tracks that best demonstrate her potential are clearly of the classical genre.
Yesterday afternoon I watched "Songs of Praise" here in the UK and they aired a video of Hayley singing "Heaven". It's the same video that HWI has in its TV menu for January 2004 and some people might describe it as pleasant but very middle-of-the-road. However...
This was immediately followed by a performance of "Benedictus" by the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir... complete with full organ accompaniment. it was good, very good. But I soon found myself thinking of Hayley's version on "Pure" and by the end, I really really missed hearing her voice singing it!
I then played Hayley's version on Pure (through exactly the same sound system as the TV programme) and realised for the first time that this, for me, is probably THE definitive version of Benedictus. The comparison with PCC's excellent performance made Hayley's seem even better than before.
Benedictus and several other tracks demonstrate Hayley's potential - on the right type of material. By no means everything she has sung is perfect but her "Benedictus" comes pretty close to perfection for me - and few would deny that it's a classical piece.
There are several others like it on Pure, that are clearly classical and the rest (WH being an exception) are folksy/middle-of-the-road. The result is Classical Crossover, not generic - and I love it. I think Hayley would do well to include even more light classical material on her next album (say half of it) , steering clear of any movement towards a "poppier" album at this stage of her career. Classical Crossover is where her fan base lies.
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Post by robin on May 3, 2004 18:54:43 GMT
Dave, I definately agree. I used to not normally not listen to classical music (although I play a classical instrument, and studied it at A-Level), but Pure has gradually tuned me into appreciating it properly. I think Hayley's beautiful voice has been what has made me continuously listen to the CD, and because of this I am really opening my mind to all styles of classical music. The fact that the album includes folky/poppy titles is brilliant for me because as a sort of amateur to classical music, I don't think I could have dealt with an entirely classical album!! So what I'm saying really, is that crossover classical, whilst frowned upon by some idiots, is a great way to introduce loads of people to the genre, ESPECIALLY when the lovely Hayley is the artist. So bring on another album! I can't wait! Robin |
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Joe
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Post by Joe on May 7, 2004 1:36:41 GMT
I also am enthusiastic about the prospects of Hayley releasing an album at the end of the year. Hopefully she can write some songs on her own as well as have Sir George and Giles Martin assist Hayley again.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jun 20, 2004 23:18:48 GMT
I was lucky enough to meet Hayley and her father at the Hampton Court Festival Finale yesterday and of course, I asked Gerald about Hayley's next album (I bet everyone does that!). But this time, things seem to have moved on a little Gerald mentioned that the second International album was always going to be tricky to get just right but that Hayley hoped to start recording it fairly early in the New Year, for release hopefully in the summer of 2005. And it would be done here in the UK with the same producers as Pure. Which, for me, is GREAT news |
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Post by stevemacdonald on Jul 8, 2009 3:23:22 GMT
One thing that made "Pure" so wonderful was that Hayley used her voice in many different ways. It was by turns folksy, operatic, easy listening, exotic, other-worldly and scary. Her subsequent albums have not showcased as must stylistic range, even if she's packing more expression into each song. Without finding fault, I am noticing a safe "sameness" in several of her HSJS pieces. It's all quite beautiful, but I don't see her broadening her stylistic scope anymore. In fact, she may be narrowing it down and concentrating on making each song sound awesome in a consistently voiced way.
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Post by larryhauck on Jul 8, 2009 3:59:17 GMT
Hi Steve,
I agree that Pure was her best album. At least in my opinion. However I don't think I agree with the rest of your premise.
I think Summer Fly was quite a departure from her normal style. However, I think she needs to add more diversity in her albums and concerts. Lets hope she will on her next album.
We know she has the ability to be more flexible. Perhaps she's become to comfortable with her current style.
Having said that ,something tells me that the next album will be quite a departure from her former offerings.
Larry
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Post by stevemacdonald on Jul 8, 2009 5:04:08 GMT
Hi Steve, I agree that Pure was her best album. At least in my opinion. However I don't think I agree with the rest of your premise. I think Summer Fly was quite a departure from her normal style. However, I think she needs to add more diversity in her albums and concerts. Lets hope she will on her next album. We know she has the ability to be more flexible. Perhaps she's become to comfortable with her current style. Having said that ,something tells me that the next album will be quite a departure from her former offerings. Larry Yes Larry, Summer Fly was truly unique and too bad she didn't go further in that general direction. It might have opened up some interesting possibilities. And something tells me you're right about her next album as well. To put it bluntly, she MUST depart from her former offerings if she hopes to stay afloat in the recording world. It will take boldness and originality on a scale we haven't yet seen. I trust she can pull it off if properly encouraged. |
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Post by Jono on Jul 8, 2009 5:07:52 GMT
Hi Steve, I agree that Pure was her best album. At least in my opinion. However I don't think I agree with the rest of your premise. I think Summer Fly was quite a departure from her normal style. However, I think she needs to add more diversity in her albums and concerts. Lets hope she will on her next album. We know she has the ability to be more flexible. Perhaps she's become to comfortable with her current style. Having said that ,something tells me that the next album will be quite a departure from her former offerings. Larry I also think Pure is the best album...not meaning she has gone downhill since then...just meaning it has the best compilation of tracks, in my opinion. But I think she has a very diverse range of styles on her albums. Compare her to other artists, who confine themselves to a certain genre... I'm sure she has a much wider range? Jono |
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Post by larryhauck on Jul 8, 2009 5:10:56 GMT
Yes Steve and I think she must write as many songs as she can for the album.
Larry
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Post by stevemacdonald on Jul 8, 2009 6:52:49 GMT
Yes Steve and I think she must write as many songs as she can for the album. Larry That would be fine with me, except that she's still very untested in the song-writing department. I see the need for lots of collaboration. If she's indeed capable of penning a song at the level of, say, a Kate Bush or a Joni Mitchell, then I say wind her up and let her go. But for now, possessing serious song-writing skills is something she should aspire to. I'd love to see other artists clamoring to perform her original songs. That might very well happen someday, if she's extremely dedicated and extremely lucky. |
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Post by Richard on Jul 8, 2009 7:19:42 GMT
Hello Steve and everybody. I don't understand why this old thread has been revived after all these years. There is another thread for discussion about Hayley's next album HERE, so I'm locking this thread to avoid further confusion and duplication. Richard |
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