Hayley Sings Japanese Songs 2

[pjrcorreia]

Hi Comet,

Wonderful photos, thanks for sharing!

Best wishes,
Paulo Correia

[graemek]

Yes Paul (& Hi Paulo)

Those shots are precious indeed.

Graeme

[martindn]

Right, here it is as promised.


Hayley Sings Japanese Songs 2

I have heard it said that of any innovation "The first one has to be good. The second one has to be different". Well, as far as Hayley's Japanese Songs albums are concerned, the first one certainly was good. Very good, in my opinion the best album she has ever made.
In so many cases, an artists "difficult second album" is different only by being inferior to the first. Not that this is really Hayley's second album if course, she has been involved in so many that I have lost count. not all of them in her own name .

So we come to HSJS2. A long awaited album that I first heard mention of from Hayley's own lips, back in August 2008. This was shortly before most of the songs were recorded, and I know that she knew that a lot of people outside Japan would be very keen to get hold of a copy.

I pre-ordered this from CDJapan, who have always given me excellent service . And this time was just as good, the album appeared on my doormat four days after release in Japan. And I didn't even use the Express Delivery Service.

So what did I think of it. Well, the first time I played it I had my doubts. It lacked the immediate appeal of most of Hayley's work, usually I expect her to hit me between the eyes straight away. And this time she didn't. "What's wrong" I thought. But I remember all the albums by bands like Yes that I had learned to love, which took many listens to get to grips with. So I persevered, and I have to say that this is nothing like as fearsome as "Close to the Edge" or "Relayer". The experience improved with every listening.

The basic formula is the same as HSJS1. This is an album of Japanese pop songs, with lyrics translated and re-interpreted by Hayley. In the end you end up with a Hayley lyric, which is sometimes rather different in its emphasis to the original, although the basic idea is usually preserved. And in doing so, Hayley adds her own personal stamp. Her lyrics are not clever or intellectual in any way, they are simple yet powerful., often beautiful.. She has a gift with words for sure, as well as her obvious musical talent.

So what of the album. It seems clear that this was a more lavish production than HSJS1, which, I heard, was recorded in three days. This time, more care was taken with the production, and I would guess more money was spent. After all, HSJS1 did rather well in Japan, and a good follow up might do the same. But it would have to be good. And different.

Like HSJS1, this is a "concept album" and the concept is "motherhood". Some of the songs seem highly personal, perhaps about Hayley's relationship with her own mother. The album is dedicated by Hayley, to her mother. But I think all those who have experienced mother/daughter relationships will find something very moving here. Perhaps it is a women's album, but I as a man still find it enjoyable. It seems Ironic that such an album should be released just over a week before Mothering Sunday, often erroneously called "Mother's Day" in the UK, but released only in Japan where Mother's Day (the real one) comes a couple of months later.

I should perhaps add at this point that Hayley's wonderful voice has never sounded so powerful and so beautiful on any album as it does on this one. It is worth the price, irrespective of the songs, for that alone. This is another album which, like HSJS1, has no "filler" and no duff songs. It is quality, from beginning to end.

Right, to the songs.

1. Tsubomi - a Bud

This is a strong opening song. it is actually quite a complicated song, but beautiful nonetheless. This song also appears on the video that comes with the Special Edition of this album. The video was shot at Mona Vale in Christchurch, fairly close I suspect to Hayley's parental home. And very beautiful it is too. What is this song about? Well, the way Hayley expresses it, it is about changing perceptions of somebody she loves. Perhaps we are meant to interpret this as seeing her mother in a different light now that Hayley has grown up. Something that all children experience, when they come to see their parents as fellow adults to be seen as equals rather than their protectors and mentors. I could be wrong, not having seen a direct translation of the original Japanese, I still suspect that the meaning of this song has been altered somewhat by Hayley's lyrics. Not to its detriment of course. It could be interpreted as a tribute to her mother, And of regret of not being able to spend more time with her. But there might be other interpretations too.
This song has perhaps the most immediate appeal of any on the album, and after the first listen was my favourite. There is even a choral backing. See what I mean about the more lavish production.

I am here with you,
Are here with me
Your smile and your loving face
Is everything I see

Listening to this, for the first time, I was immediately struck by the absolutely gorgeous quality of Hayley's voice. With a voice like that, she could sing just about anything at it would be wonderful. As I said, this started out as my favourite track.

But eventually, some of the other songs catch up. Like

2. Mikazuki - A Crescent Moon

I have never been a huge fan of torch songs. That is until I heard Hayley. It is a type of song that Hayley often sings, and several of them sit among my favourite songs by Hayley. I think of Nada Sousou, What you Never Know Won't hurt You, Le Notte de Silencio, and my current favourite I know you by Heart. There are more I know. But Hayley performs them well. In fact Hayley can tear my heart out with a torch song like nobody else.
This song is another one. And yes, it is every bit as heartrending as the others. Probably, at the moment my favourite song on the album. Although if HSJS1 is anything to go by, I am due several changes of opinion before I settle on my actual favourite.
On first hearing I didn't much like it. A bit of a dirge, I thought. But that was before its true beauty got to me. And beautiful it is. And it invokes such pathos, with its brave determination to overcome the pain of loss.

I keep my eyes on the road ahead
through all the tears that my eyes have shed
then I look into the sky above
hoping to feel some of your love

I love this lyric. So poignant and powerful And so Hayley. And Hayley sings it with feeling, at times with a slight tremor in her voice, hardly a vibrato, which only adds to the emotion.

3 Mieai E - To the future

This is the first of the songs that are obviously about motherhood. And it has a fabulous lyric. I have to restrain myself to avoid quoting the whole song. Hayley has certainly developed as a lyricist. But like the first two songs, this is a slow one. Perhaps it violates the principle that you should vary the pace of songs, and never have three slow ones in a row. But I don't care, it is a good song. And one that I am sure all mothers of daughters will find moving.

To my Mother so Kind,
You know that I apologise
for the times I turned away

You can here the words
of mother, giving advice and encouragement to her daughter. It almost sounds as if Hayley is quoting her own mother's words. Perhaps she is.

wont you look down upon your feet,
this road is yours to take,
look ahead, that is yours too
All the stars shine brightly to guide you,
Reach out, this hand is here for you.

That is what is so wonderful about this album. Hayley makes it sound so personal. Just as at her live performances, her magic seems to get under your skin and makes you experience the emotions of the song in a way you would never think possible. Her international albums don't always seem to live up to that, but these Japanese ones do!

4. Mama E - To Mother

Another wonderful and seemingly very personal lyric. Hayley might be referring to particular times in her childhood here, that here mother would recognise. But whether or not that is true, this is another good song with another fine lyric composed by Hayley.
Once again we see progression and development in Hayley's art. Her lyric writing, and the way she expresses her feelings as she sings, not to mention the quality of her voice, seem to have taken a leap forward since her first Japanese Songs album.
This is one of the two songs that was recorded in New Zealand in January 2009. Most of the others were recorded in London in September/October 2008.
Backing is basically strings with drums and a nice guitar passage. Lovely.

5. Love Love Love,

I think this one could be quite a commercial pop song. It again is one of those that could easily be seen as addressed to a mother, or to someone else.
The song starts with a simple piano (Ian Tilley) introduction which builds as the song progresses to include drums, strings, and a choir (voices of Japan VOJA).
At the end of the song, there is long a fade out during which Hayley hits some very high notes, although perhaps the reason it is so long is that the song would be too short without it.. A strong song song and thoroughly enjoyable. The English lyric writer in this case is not Hayley however.

6. Cosmos

A strange title for an unusual song. It is about a daughter's feelings for her mother as she leaves home to get married. Reminiscing about their time together. About leaving the mother she loves, and the home where she has been happy, for a future she is uncertain about. Another step forward in life, that means leaving the past life behind. Another lyric by Hayley. Another deeply moving song. And another slowish song. One in which Hayley does something with her voice that makes it waver around in an almost Arabic way. And the tremor is back. The things she gets out of her instrument now are becoming more and more amazing. And yet with Hayley, as always, it just seems effortless.
Backing is piano, strings and percussion, and the I felt sure that the solo violin was Fiona Pears, although she's not credited, so I could be wrong.


7. Warabigami - A Child God.

I love this song. It is a simple song of a mother's love for her baby. Perhaps almost a lullaby. It is absolutely delightful. Another lyric by Hayley of course. The opening is almost Celtic in nature, reminiscent of "A Thousand Winds" from the first album. There is an instrument that might be a piccolo or some kind of whistle, or perhaps even a keyboard these days. It is not clear from the booklet that is included in the CD exactly what it is, but it complements the song beautifully. This gives way to the usual accompaniment of piano, guitar, drums and strings.

8 Mother of Mine

This is the only song on the album that I had ever heard before. It was famously recorded by an 8 year old boy in 1968 who had won a TV talent show, and was a big hit. Personally I always hated it - it was just too cheesy for words.
So do I still hate it? Not when Hayley sings it I don't! This is another simple song, sung simply. The sort of song that lets Hayley's sheer quality shine through.
There is a guitar here, strings, a hint of choir. And Hayley's wonderful voice. How could I not enjoy it. Once again Hayley has made me love a song I used to hate. I think that that is the mark of a truly great artist.

9. Itsumo nando deno - Many times always

Now this song is different. Very different. Unlike anything I have heard from Hayley before. And absolutely delightful. A simple song, with a simple acoustic guitar and string backing. I'm not quite sure where the title comes from, it doesn't seem to bear any relation to Hayley's lyric. But is is another of Hayley's songs looking towards the future with optimism, rather like "I Believe" on the first album, except that this song could not be much more different from "I Believe". Hayley's voice sounds close, immediate, personal and stunning as ever. And for once this has a different tempo, slightly faster in 3/4 time.

10. Flower

An awful lot of Japanese songs seem to be about flowers. We had "Dogwood Flower" and Blooming Flower" on the first album, now we have this one. This is a more upbeat number (at last) and the melody sounds vaguely familiar, but I can't place it. Never mind,
This is another song about an older person giving advice to a younger one, perhaps again mother to daughter. And another optimistic song about the future.

So to the sky let us bloom like flowers of love
Even the clouds cannot shadow our endless love
You just keep reaching to the stars above
And believe your dreams will come true.

Yes, it is another fine lyric by Hayley. This is the second song on the album that was recorded in New Zealand in January 2009.
Another song about a young person, unsure of the future, receiving encouragement. This theme seems to keep recurring all through this album.
This is a very strong melody and lyric, brilliantly arranged Guitar, solo violin, unmistakably Fiona Pears, Another candidate for a single. I love it. Not sure why it is called "Flower" though!

11. Nemunoki no komoriuta - Singing a lullaby inder the silk tree.

In case you are wondering what a "Silk Tree" is, (as distinct from a silk worm) it is one of about 150 species of subtropical trees of the subfaimly "Mimsoidae" of the "legume" family. That means they are basically mimosas, and releated to peas and beans!

But I'm sure you are more interested in the song. This is said to be a very famous song in Japan, written by an empress. Well, Hayley certainly sings it beautifully. Simple piano backing, and the shortest song on the album. Pity, I love to hear Hayley sing in Japanese (or any other language for that matter).

The way that she sings this is much closer to her "classical" style than to the "pop" style that pervades the rest of the album. Once again Hayley has done something original for a western singer (actually I think New Zealand is East of Japan, but I will let that pass), It actually sounds Japanese to my ears. Lovely. And I love Hayley's classical songs too - I would hate to see her abandon that genre in favour of pop, good as this album is.

So, Overall...

With this album, if you get the "Special Edition" comes a DVD of Hayley singing the first and last songs on the album, filmed in a garden in Christchurch New Zealand, close to Hayley's parental home, called Mona Vale. I enjoyed the DVD too, and it is well worth getting the Special Edition for that.

And so we come to the burning question. Is this as good as her first Japanese Songs album? Well, I think it is a difficult one to call. It is certainly no worse, and is better in some ways. It is better produced I think, and Hayley has developed both vocally and as a lyricist during the few short months since the first album. I think her "pop" technique is improving fast, and there are songs here as on the first album that I could imagine becoming popular outside Japan, where most of them are virtually unknown. The songs in general seem more complex, and Hayley uses some vocal techniques I don't think I have heard her use before. It is the first album from Hayley ever that I had to listen to more than once to gain some understanding of. Her voice is stronger and more beautiful than ever. It certainly has a lot of plusses.

But perhaps the material is not quite as strong as the first album. To be sure I would need to do a track by track comparison, something I might attempt at some point. But despite that, it seems to show us much more of the beautiful person that Hayley is.

And yes, it is beautiful, and yes, although it is different from what I had expected, Hayley as ever, is full of surprises, I love the direction she appears to be going in as an artist. And this album is another step along the road (that road that she sings about so convincingly in some of her songs), certainly not a step down or backwards. So I think this is probably even better than her first Japanese Songs album. It is certainly more complex and more mature, and often more subtle in the complexity of the emotions she expresses.

Where the first album has an air of cheerful optimism that it seems will effortlessly overcome all the setbacks of life, however painful. This is much more subdued and introspective. Here, Hayley is still looking to the future with optimism, but is now realising that moving forward in life has a cost, and sometimes a heavy cost, in the things and people that are left behind. She is looking back fondly to the stability of childhood in a strong family environment, and realising that to move forward she has to leave that behind. This is what all young people eventually find out, it is called Growing Up, (which would be a good alternative title for this album I think). It is light years away from the innocent, almost childish in comparison, joy of a song like "White Colour is for Lovers".

I think we are seeing the homesickness that Hayley must have experienced coming out here in these songs. And a life on the road can leave one longing for stability. Other musicians have written songs in the same vein, I think of Paul Simon's "Homeward Bound", about the homesickness of a touring musician and "Leaves that are Green" , about the difficulty in forming relationships when on tour, or Robin Williamson's (of the Incredible String Band) "The First Girl I Loved", about leaving a loved one behind to persue a musical career. But as Hayley herself has sung "Something's lost and somethings gained in living every day". This is what life is about.

The only criticism I could make, from the general listener's point of view is that the tempo of the songs particularly at the beginning of the album, does not show enough variation. Perhaps a different track order could have improved things, but I'm not sure how well that would have worked. As always with Hayley, the sentimental and spiritual take precedence. There is not much here you could dance to, despite being "pop", and not much that is intellectually challenging. But the emotions are powerful, and Hayley expresses them well, and the spirituality we have come to expect from Hayley is there too.

From the fan's point of view this is wonderful. Perhaps this is more of an album for the fans than for those who do not know Hayley's earlier work. Hayley is here making a personal tribute to her mother. Those of us who have read her biographies know how important an influence Hayley's mum has been in her life. All of those who love Hayley's music must know that Jill has had a huge influence in shaping the Hayley we know and love today. Perhaps not so much musically, more in giving her the love and support and determination she needed to persevere through the inevitable tough times. This is one very well brought up young lady, and I for one am pleased that Hayley found it in her heart to dedicate what is probably her best album so far to her mum. We too, who enjoy Hayley's music, owe Jill too. Thank you Hayley, for another fine album, and thank you too Jill, for helping to make Hayley into such a fine artist whilst remaining the lovely person that she is.

Martin

[nicola]

Aww, Martin! I love you for life! What a top notch review. I read it with great interest. I can't wait to compare and contrast when mine (eventually) arrives. <3

P.S. Love, Love, Love is the only song that I have heard so far, and I *love* her high notes at the end. Though, to be honest, without them I think the song would have fallen flat, but I have only heard it twice, so I won't be too hasty to judge.

[grant]

Hi Martin

An excellent review and well worth waiting for. I think I will have to read it again (at least once! ) to fully get to grips with it but I think you've done a fine job.

One minor point, although the main lyrics to "Love, Love, Love" are not Hayley's, the last bit with all the pretty stuff and high notes is.

I'm still trying to work out if I have any favourites from this album apart from "Nemunoki" but every one is just wonderful.

Best wishes
Grant

[postscript]

This looks superb Martin. I'll come back and do it justice in a day or two--I'm just rushing for a train.

Peter S.

[maya]

Hi Martin.

What a wonderful review you wrote. I need some more minutes to read all. If it were written in Japanese, I already have finished reading all. But some of your expressions are beyond my English ability and I think I need a little more time and practice to read and understand everything.

Anyway,
As you wrote,
>6. Cosmos
>A strange title for an unusual song.

It may be natural that you consider it strange listening to the song and viewing the English lyric by Hayley. If you know the complete original Japanese lyric, you will know why it is Cosmos.

The songwriter is comparing herself to a cosmos.
It would be the best to translate the whole Japanese lyrics but to save time, I just translate the initial part to show you why it is a cosmos. I would say it is just one cosmos so I should have translated it “A cosmos”.

The flower cosmos blooms in Autumn. It is not a gorgeous flower like rose or camellia. It is a moderate or even humble flower and it is herself.
Original Japanese song starts like this.
-----------------------
It is an Autumn day.
A pink shadow coloured cosmos is blowing in the wind at the garden south side of my house.
Teary mother coughs there seeing the photo album.
We sit together in the sun.
She whispers same old story about my childhood again and again as if she is muttering to herself.

On a warm sunny day like this, her gentleness is especially soaking my body.
Tomorrow is my wedding.
She tells me,”You may have hard times, but do not worry, time changes them into laughing stories.”

Remembering the days I spent together with her, I feel that mother was always with me.
-----------------------

so much for my translation.
If I were good at enough English translation, I would do all. But it is beyond my ability and I only did this small part.

Best wishes.
Maya

[grant]

Hello Maya

Thank you once again for helping us to understand these Japanese songs I had no idea that 'cosmos' is a flower! . Knowing that it is helps a lot.

Best wishes
Grant

[grant]

Hello Martin and everyone

Well, I've read through your review a couple more times and listened to the album repeatedly for the last couple of days. I still don't think I am able to compare it to HSJS1 - it is so very different in many ways.

Getting to grips with the 'concept' theme of motherhood and with Hayley's lyrics, it is hard to imagine the sacrifices Hayley and her family have made for Hayley to persue her dream, leaving home at such a tender age and setting up home on her own in a strange new world. It saddens me a little to think of it.

Anyway, enough of the melancholy and back to the album . Unlike you Martin, "A Crescent Moon" is my least favourite, though not by much. "Many Times Always" is emerging as a favourite, as is "A Child of God", "Cosmos" and "Flower". The ending of this track, when I first heard it, really struck me as odd but now I love it.

I'm sure you're right Martin about the violin solos being Fiona, her playing is so distinctive and I've never heard anything quite like it, she can make her violin talk, feel and express emotion wonderfully!

Best wishes
Grant

[martindn]

Hi Maya,

Thanks for that explanation. The first lines of Hayley's Cosmos lyric, "Sweet Cosmos in a Pink Shadow/ In the warm daylight you glow" was total nonsense to me, now I think I understand.

Grant,

Some other songs are coming up fast. "To the Future" for its wonderful lyric, and "Cosmos" for its emotion, might be better than "A Crescent Moon". I fully expect my opinions to change as my relationship with this album develops, I think there were at least half a dozen different favoutires on HSJS1 until I settled on "Blooming Flower",

I can sympathise with Hayley, and I think I understand how she has felt, since I too left home as a teenager (but not quite as young as Hayley) and I too set up home in a foreign country at a young age (with the added problem of a language to learn in my case). I too had a stage of my life of almost constant travelling and I know how I felt about it. You are not in the place where you would choose to be, or with the people you would choose to be with, often for months at a time. Sometimes you wonder whether it is all worth it! But you have to carry on. So when I hear the same feelings being expressed by Hayley, I think I know where she is coming from.

I am immensely humbled to know that the beneficiaries of these sacrifices by Hayley and her parents are we who have the privilege of enjoying her music.

Martin

[comet]

Thanks for all the reviews folks,

I love the stage I am at with this album, I have heard it completely and un-distracted (More or less) twice.

I have heard various bits and pieces of it in the car or while working or around the house.

I love when it gets to a song I really like, I might press repeat a couple of times. Mother of mine could so easily have been a disaster as Martin said. But because of what we think we know of Hayley's relationship with her parents, it is taken at face value as being completely sincere, If it wasn't it would come across as tacky and it doesn't.

When I get to know the album a little better I will start putting it on "RANDOM PLAY" to see if varying the sequence of play changes the mood of it significantly. There are a few tracks on it I find extremely moving and sincere. It has made me take that odd involuntary breath, that sort of emotional choking up thing.

I am alternating it in a multi-disc machine with the LVK Soundtrack and The Lost Opera by Kimera at the moment, Just to darn lazy to change the discs, NO I am quite content with this cycle of music.

as I said I just love this "Getting to know you" stage with an album, I should be ready to review it in a year or so. I'll know better then how I feel about it !

I recon pretty soon I'll be ready to review Pure

[martindn]

Mar 27, 2009 0:21:47 GMT grant said:

Hi Martin


One minor point, although the main lyrics to "Love, Love, Love" are not Hayley's, the last bit with all the pretty stuff and high notes is.


Best wishes
Grant

Hi Grant,

I timed this one today. The main song is two munutes and 30 seconds long, and the long fade out adds another two minutes!

Reminds me of "Hey Jude"

But ff that is filler, then it is very enjoyable filler!

Martin

[alena]

I'm sorry, I'm sure this has been answered one hundred times on here, but what exactly is on the special edition that is different? Is it just the video or is it extra songs? Thanks!!

[martindn]

Hi Alena,

I think it is the packaging and the addition of the DVD that are different. The songs on the CD are exactly the same.

Martin

[alena]

Thanks so much for the information! Usually if I am going to bother to import a CD I just go for the one that has more to it, but in this case I might make an exception. I tend to watch the DVD's once and never watch them again even if the content is wonderful!