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Post by Libby on Jan 22, 2016 6:35:20 GMT
Comet, remember that the song I Believe is originally by Ayaka; the English is probably a rough translation. The same is likely true with the other songs mentioned from the Japanese albums.
But, remember when HSJS1 was released, in 2008 when we believe she may have been struggling with her food issues, so it might have meant something to her at the time.
How about the newest one? Who Will Echo My Heart? That sounds very lonely and sad, if you ask me. When I read it, without even hearing what it sounds like, or anything, I feel like I can connect with it. I can relate to it. And that really makes you wonder what it's about, what caused her to write such things?
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Post by comet on Jan 22, 2016 9:12:30 GMT
There is also the possibility that Hayley is writing from the perspective of another person or character.
Quite right Libby the new song is no merry / trivial pop song either.
Who Will Echo My Heart
Ivory breath on the hard winter air
The cold cuts deep this time of year
Caught on the wind, can you hear the birds cry?
Do they, too, have sorrows to hide?
Who will echo my heart?
Who will echo my heart?
Ivory breath on the hard winter air
The cold cuts deep this time of year
Life is a vision of grey and of white
With no glimpse of springtime in sight
Who will echo my heart?
Who will echo my heart?
I ask, can you hear me, for all is unclear
So I reach out blindly, I pray that you're near
Walking alone I can hear my heartbeat
The magpie take flight over me
Carry my memories; they do keep me warm
Till night comes ushering in the storm
Who will echo my heart?
Who will echo my heart?
I ask, can you hear me, for all is unclear
So I reach out blindly, I pray that you're near
Ivory breath on the hard winter air
The cold cuts deep this time of year
I ask, can you hear me, for all is unclear
So I reach out blindly, I pray that you're near
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Post by Jeff on Jan 22, 2016 15:48:18 GMT
Comet, I have spent years listening to and analysing Hayley's song lyrics. I might have mentioned before a very vivid dream I had in late 2007, in which I was told very strongly to listen to Hayley's lyrics - there would be a message there for me. That was the start of it. A few months later HSJS was released. An album on which I could relate to most of the songs. In fact most of them seemed to me to be about incidents in my life. "Wings to Fly" about the time in my youth when I was a keen glider pilot. The May day when I met my wife, vividly described (Hana). The time we spent in Paris after I has been working out there for most of the winter (Snowflower). The day I left school (Dogwood Flower). It is all there. But one thing I didn't understand were songs like 1000 Winds and Nada Sousou. What's all this stuff about death and bereavement. But nonetheless the relentless bombardment continued. More bereavement songs on HSJS2, and lots of stuff about stars and angels, which were featured in the original dream. For a time it felt as if every other song Hayley sang was meant to remind me of that dream. Well, the reason I didn't understand the death and bereavement songs was that those events were in the future. I know all about them now, after my wife died back in 2013. And believe me those songs are brilliant, describing exactly how you feel and react. I have even had an ongoing project since Sue died of finding and digitising thousands of old photos ("turning the pages of old photographs"). Tsubomi is probably a song you would never understand if you hadn't been through it. I didn't before Sue died. With its blockbuster of a first line "Only now I know of Time". That is right, your whole understanding of the nature of time changes. Another brilliant lyric. All those songs have helped me a lot. The thought that comes to mind is if someone was trying to get a message to me, how better to get me to take notice than to put the words into the mouth of my favourite singer. It has taken me a long time to get to the bottom of those songs. I'm probably not there yet. Deep and dark they certainly are, but they are also uncompromisingly positive. Now who has been banged on the head or been on the wacky baccy?  Martin D To rekindle interest in Hayley among the general public (which must have waned a bit with the lack of news) Decca could do worse than release HSJS and HSJS2 in the UK. I never understood why they didn't in the first place but I suppose they know what they're doing ? Whoever made the decision not to release them here was probably the same person who thought it would be a good idea to do a baby album ! I agree with Jillian in that we would probably have a new Hayley album by now if it hadn't been for "Hushabye !" |
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Post by martindn on Jan 22, 2016 17:15:22 GMT
There is also the possibility that Hayley is writing from the perspective of another person or character. Quite right Libby the new song is no merry / trivial pop song either. Who Will Echo My Heart Ivory breath on the hard winter air The cold cuts deep this time of year Caught on the wind, can you hear the birds cry? Do they, too, have sorrows to hide? Who will echo my heart? Who will echo my heart? This song is in a very similar vein to "All With You" when I think about it! Martin D |
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Dave
Administrator
HWI Admin
Posts: 7,700
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Post by Dave on Jan 22, 2016 22:29:58 GMT
To rekindle interest in Hayley among the general public (which must have waned a bit with the lack of news) Decca could do worse than release HSJS and HSJS2 in the UK. I never understood why they didn't in the first place but I suppose they know what they're doing ? Whoever made the decision not to release them here was probably the same person who thought it would be a good idea to do a baby album ! I agree with Jillian in that we would probably have a new Hayley album by now if it hadn't been for "Hushabye !" Hi Jeff, Just to mention in case anyone doesn't know, Hayley Sings Japanese Songs has been available as a download on the main sites for quite a long time now, in exact CD quality (lossless FLAC files) on some of them e.g. 7Digital and Qobuz (but not iTunes!). It is also available to stream on some of the major streaming sites, Qobuz I know for certain will stream it losslessly and I am listening to it like that now, but I have not checked any others. It's widely available as an mp3 or AAC of course, though I would never pay for that when lossless is available. However, I have never seen HSJS 2 downloadable or streamable so that may never have been re-released. Can't find "Hayley Westenra" either, though My Gift To You is available as download/streaming, but HW should be available, too. Cheers, Dave |
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Post by Libby on Jan 23, 2016 5:49:44 GMT
To rekindle interest in Hayley among the general public (which must have waned a bit with the lack of news) Decca could do worse than release HSJS and HSJS2 in the UK. I never understood why they didn't in the first place but I suppose they know what they're doing ? Whoever made the decision not to release them here was probably the same person who thought it would be a good idea to do a baby album ! I agree with Jillian in that we would probably have a new Hayley album by now if it hadn't been for "Hushabye !" You're right, there are some not-so-bright people working for Decca, and unfortunately they're not doing Hayley many, if any, favors. As for Hushabye, if they'd just released it at the right time, and not been so confusing with that contest, that would probably have helped some... but then, probably not much. If anything, what they should have done is not act like that was a major album, and then let people know that a "real" Hayley album was in the works very soon. Hayley seems to be the opposite of Josh Groban, in that, if he releases an album full of covers (Christmas and Broadway, respectively), he is more successful than ever with them. But if Hayley does (Christmas and lullaby), then she's not so successful with those. But, since it's been so long since Hayley's released a "normal" album, I realize that I don't even know how successful Hayley's own work, her own ideas are to the music-buying public! Do you realize, it's almost 9 years since the last album that I consider to be a real Hayley album!!!  I started working where I still am now a month after Treasure's US release. And when I think of how long ago that was.... I'm even more blown away by how long ago a real Hayley album was released. |
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Post by Jeff on Jan 23, 2016 11:44:33 GMT
9 years ! Gosh that's really depressing ! I know Hayley is a fan of Kate Bush or was in her younger years and Kate went around 12 years between albums (The Red Shoes in 1993 followed by Aerial in 2005) so I really hope we don't have to wait that long. Some of us might not be around by then !!  |
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Post by Libby on Jan 24, 2016 7:27:30 GMT
9 years ! Gosh that's really depressing ! I know Hayley is a fan of Kate Bush or was in her younger years and Kate went around 12 years between albums (The Red Shoes in 1993 followed by Aerial in 2005) so I really hope we don't have to wait that long. Some of us might not be around by then !! No, I'm sure she won't make us wait that long! That'll make us feel better; we can say, "at least we didn't have to wait 12 years!" |
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Post by Libby on Jan 24, 2016 23:54:46 GMT
So, I guess Tim Evans got engaged a year ago today? And where have we seen this lady before? Oh yes, that's it:  Amy Ross @amylross85 Loved having @hayleywestenra and @pianotim in watching the show last night!...and post show drinks... @kinksmusical |
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Post by Richard on Jan 25, 2016 7:51:25 GMT
Hello Libby!  That was taken after a performance of Sunny Afternoon when Amy Ross was one of the cast. She's currently appearing in Kinky Boots at the Adelphi Theatre in the Strand.  www.kinkybootsthemusical.co.uk/cast/amy-ross.phpFrom her Twitter profile: Richard  |
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Post by Libby on Jan 26, 2016 6:32:41 GMT
How come she added the @kinksmusical, then? I just copied and pasted! |
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Post by Richard on Jan 26, 2016 8:08:29 GMT
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Post by Libby on Jan 27, 2016 6:38:30 GMT
LOL that's so confusing. |
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Post by jimg on Jan 28, 2016 8:12:52 GMT
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Post by Libby on Jan 31, 2016 5:58:50 GMT
They're both excellent singers for their age. I would have to say I was especially impressed by the boy's voice and performance of the song, despite what the caption says. I also found the part towards the end a little overdone, though of course they're still doing an amazing job.
The reaction of some of the kids in the audience was kind of funny. The ones standing and flapping their arms. LOL I'm guessing this is some kids' talent show in... Japan? Hard to tell for sure.
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I started working where I still am now a month after Treasure's US release. And when I think of how long ago that was.... I'm even more blown away by how long ago a real Hayley album was released.
