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Post by Mark on Feb 12, 2009 10:43:02 GMT
This is Sophie Westenra here. Musicfan, I can understand your view, given the videos you have heard. I would just like to explain that in Via Dolorosa, the keyboardist accidentally played the whole song down a semitone, (as he had left on a transposing button which had been used for a previous song), and this threw me out when it came to the chorus. I'm sure you will understand that a singer relies a lot on muscle memory, and when it came to the chorus, I hadn't learnt the interval jump, but instead the note itself. Hence I sang the wrong note and it sounds awful I know!!! Also, I do hear where I occasionally went a little sharp, and I certainly did cringe a little, but this happens to a lot of singers when they are nervous. At this concert I was aware that I was being directly compared to Hayley which, I have to say, did add some pressure! I'm not trying to make excuses for myself, and I respect your opinion based on the videos, but just wanted to explain a couple of things. Warmest regards Sophie Westenra  Hi Sophie Firstly, can I just say that its really lovely to have you here with us as a member and I do hope that when time allows, you will feel able to drop by and say 'Hi' to let us know how things are going. I think from the responses you have already had since your post, you may have gathered that there is alot of support for you here and I also have nothing but admiration for the way you performed through all the distractions and problems and although I would never have guessed, nerves too  . Like many others here, I too just missed meeting you when you were over here on the 'Pure tour', although I did have the pleasure of meeting your mum when she was over here at the end of 2007. Count me in also on the front row if ever you should plan to perform here in the UK. Having said that, I am definitely planning to come to NZ at some point. I was very much reminded of you last night - well I was at Hayleys Oxford concert i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif when Hayley sang 'How Many Stars', the first time I have heard that song live and it made me think of Hayley's DVD 'Live In NZ', where you perform 'Across The Universe Of Time' as a duet. with her. That is my favourite track on the DVD  May I wish you the very best of luck with whatever it is you decide to do in life and I hope one day to meet you in person. Lots of love Mark x |
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Post by Dori on Feb 12, 2009 11:49:40 GMT
This is Sophie Westenra here. Musicfan, I can understand your view, given the videos you have heard. I would just like to explain that in Via Dolorosa, the keyboardist accidentally played the whole song down a semitone, (as he had left on a transposing button which had been used for a previous song), and this threw me out when it came to the chorus. I'm sure you will understand that a singer relies a lot on muscle memory, and when it came to the chorus, I hadn't learnt the interval jump, but instead the note itself. Hence I sang the wrong note and it sounds awful I know!!! Also, I do hear where I occasionally went a little sharp, and I certainly did cringe a little, but this happens to a lot of singers when they are nervous. At this concert I was aware that I was being directly compared to Hayley which, I have to say, did add some pressure! I'm not trying to make excuses for myself, and I respect your opinion based on the videos, but just wanted to explain a couple of things. Warmest regards Sophie Westenra Hello Sophie  So lovely to have you join us here on HWI. I can imagine being constantly compared to an older sister can put a lot of pressure on you. However, I believe that you are both different and unique in your own ways, and you both have very individual voices. Thus I see no reason for the comparison. You are both fantastic in your own ways. Can I also personally congratulate you on a stunning version of Songbird, which is a very difficult song to sing. I absolutely loved and enjoyed it, and I specifically love how it was different to how your sister sings it. You are truly gifted and talented, and I can't wait to see you live in concert here in Auckland. Love, Sukayna (Dori) |
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Post by Dori on Feb 12, 2009 11:56:54 GMT
Watching Sophie makes me realise again that performers like Hayley are born, not made. Without the Westenra name Sophie would be unremarkable. She is not consistently in tune and that is a fairly major sin. Perfect pitch is critical if you want to make a living as a singer. TV talent show judges eliminate singers with pitch problems straight away. From what has been published about her, Sophie is a talented academic and I think that is likely to be where her future lies perhaps with music as a sideline. It sounds like she knows that anyway and is putting most of her energies into university. I don't see any likely successors to Hayley in the current crop of well known singers in NZ. Elizabeth Marvelly has superb management and is she is pushing hard to inherit Hayley's crown, but her debut CD has sold poorly in NZ and everywhere else it has been released and I'm not sure it sold enough copies for EMI to record her again. Time will tell. Personally I don't think there is anything special about her - she is quite pitchy at times also- and I can't see her achieving international stardom. Anna Leese has a magnificent voice but is likely to be the next Kiri rather than the next Hayley as she does more opera than light classical (though she did perform with Andrea Bocelli and Jose Carreras in the last year.) Hello there, and welcome to HWI! I think that Elizabeth is talented, but I just don't think NZ wants another Hayley. The unfortunate thing for Elizabeth is that after Hayley, people are expecting either the same, or better, which we all know is practically impossible. I think the reason why Will Martin has done so well is because he is a guy, and he is unlike any other male singer NZ has ever had. But I just don't think Elizabeth has captured NZ as well as predicted, which is a shame, because I love her dearly. And internationally, well, let's just say there are too many like her for Elizabeth to be 'impressionable'. However, back on topic (  ) I think that if Sophie were to produce an album, it would be successful for two opposing reasons; one is that she is Hayley's sister, and the other is that she is so different from Hayley. People would like her a lot, and I hope those who haven't will get a chance to hear her. Dori |
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Post by martindn on Feb 12, 2009 20:42:31 GMT
Watching Sophie makes me realise again that performers like Hayley are born, not made. Without the Westenra name Sophie would be unremarkable. She is not consistently in tune and that is a fairly major sin. Perfect pitch is critical if you want to make a living as a singer. TV talent show judges eliminate singers with pitch problems straight away. Well, I have now played the videos and enjoyed them. Yes, Sophie is not Hayley I agree. Hayley is a world renowned professional singer for one thing. And for another Hayley has devoted her life to singing, has had the best advice and help from professionals, and has worked hard to improve her singing, with the stunning results we hear today. Looking at the track listing you might expect a Hayley tribute act, but the reality is different. Sophie puts her own, I think gentler more delicate spin on these songs, which I find appealing. I would certainly pay money to see her if she were appearing somewhere near me. Yes, the performance was sometimes a bit rough round the edges, but most of that was not Sophie's fault. Above all, I think Sophie's performance was honest, just as Hayley is honest, she didn't try to hide anything from her audience as some singers do. So when something went wrong, it was there to be seen. As for pitch control, very few get anywhere near Hayley in that respect, and there are a lot of PROFESSIONAL singers who are much worse than Sophie in that respect believe me. Did you ever hear Bob Dylan, or Dido Armstrong for example. It didn't stop either from succeeding as singers. But I don't think Sophie is any worse in that respect than say Sarah Brightman, but I will accept that Sarah has learned to hide it better. Sophie has a nice voice, and I'm sure could be a very good singer if she chose to follow that path. Martin |
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Post by comet on Feb 13, 2009 0:47:21 GMT
Musical tastes differ ! I am the only Hayley fan in the house, There are several 5 disc players between the house and my workplace within the house, I get the dirty looks and the walk out of the room treatment if Hayley comes on. They also do the same if I play Iris DeMent or Amy Alison. THEY run from the room screaming Noooooooooooooooo ..................... I can't take any more But hey ! them doors ain't locked from the inside, they're always free to leave by the nearest exit |
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Post by Jeff on Feb 13, 2009 14:13:40 GMT
I thought Sophie dealt with musicfan's criticism very deftly indeed and batted it into the long grass to use a cricket expression. As well as a great lawyer and singer, a career in diplomacy awaits ! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif |
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Post by george on Feb 14, 2009 8:53:14 GMT
Hi Sophie Hope you check back here and read all the lovely messages of support that have been posted. Denise and I were lucky enough to see two shows during the Pure tour in 2004. It was in Manchester that we got to see you with Hayley and Isaac at the signing session afterwards. I think Belinda used one of our photos of you and Hayley talking to Denise on your site that Belinda created. Our Pure tour programme will be treasured forever!  We both hope to see you again, here in the UK (on stage?) George & Denise |
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Post by postscript on Feb 14, 2009 18:54:26 GMT
Oh well done George and Denise, thank you for sharing the programme sigs of Isaac and Sophie.
Peter S.
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Post by Ross on Feb 15, 2009 4:02:51 GMT
:)This was in The Sunday News today (15th Feb)  |
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Post by postscript on Feb 15, 2009 15:27:09 GMT
:)This was in The Sunday News today (15th Feb) We've discussed and agreed this sentiment but i am astounded by this photo. If I had not been told I would have said it was Hayley. I suppose the paper didn't get it the wrong way round? Peter S. |
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Post by Dean McCarten on Feb 15, 2009 17:56:21 GMT
:)This was in The Sunday News today (15th Feb) We've discussed and agreed this sentiment but i am astounded by this photo. If I had not been told I would have said it was Hayley. I suppose the paper didn't get it the wrong way round? Peter S. I'm sure that is Hayley not Sophie in the picture, looks like it could have been taken last month. |
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Post by martindn on Feb 15, 2009 22:06:07 GMT
Actually I think they say it is Hayley. "The spitting inage of her elder sister left" implies that the photo is of
Hayley, not Sophie, as I'm sure it is.
Martin
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Post by postscript on Feb 16, 2009 0:19:04 GMT
Actually I think they say it is Hayley. "The spitting inage of her elder sister left" implies that the photo is of Hayley, not Sophie, as I'm sure it is. Martin I think you are stretching a point to interpret the script that way but it is at least ambiguous. Peter S. |
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Post by Richard on Feb 16, 2009 8:39:28 GMT
Hello folks! They should have included a photograph of Sophie as well as Hayley, then everybody would be able to see what they're talking about.  Richard  |
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Post by postscript on Feb 16, 2009 10:07:04 GMT
Hello folks! They should have included a photograph of Sophie as well as Hayley, then everybody would be able to see what they're talking about. Richard So the answer is...? Sounds like you're as uncertain as the rest of us! Peter S. |
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