Post by stevemacdonald on May 6, 2004 2:11:21 GMT
This was on Amazon and I just HAD to reprint it here:
(5 stars) Silver-Voiced Beauty, May 2, 2004
Reviewer: mystacor from New Jersey, USA
I've listened to Sarah Brightman. I've heard Charlotte Church. And before I had seen the commercial promoting Hayley Westenra's album entitled simply 'Pure', I figured I'd be listening to a near carbon copy of those soprano-voiced legendary singers gone before. I was wrong in the best way possible. With the commercial sparking my curiousity, I bought this album and was not disappointed. I was beyond intrigued, beyond mesmerised.
Hayley's voice is purer than that of Charlotte Church or Sarah Brightman and so true, so clear that it bests her predecessors. Her range is incredible, to say the least, and soars so effortlessly without the strain or exceedlingly thin-sounding timbre I've heard so often. I think the fact that the songs on this album are so scattered and don't seem to stay in just one genre is genius - it proves that she is, in some regard, a 'prodigy' of sorts, that she's excellent in whatever she decides to let her angelic voice perform.
[Pokekarekare Ana] An excellent song to open the album with, like a rousing lullaby singing the sun to rise, soft and tender building to a vibrant and glorious greeting to the dawn. Also, being an immense fan of languages, I adore the use of Maori.
[Never Say Goodbye] A bittersweet song of love. Hayley's singing conveys so much emotion here and also proves that she can do the Pop genre vein as well {if not better} as any seasoned songstress.
[Who Painted The Moon Black?] Another Pop song with very beautiful lyrics delivered equally beautifully by Hayley. You can really connect with this one, especially if, like me, you've gone through heartache. The moon really does turn black when your heart is broken.
[River of Dreams] I don't know why but when I hear this song, I keep thinking it should be from Shakespeare's 'Midsummer's Night Dream' - it suits it so well with its poetry and magickal quality. It has a joyousness to it and is truly refreshing.
[Benedictus] Lovely and clear as a bell. You can feel the music so well, to see the sun rise ever so slowly over the horizon and illuminate a landscape of green as chanting wafts in from the monastery atop the hill. Then, bursting with a victorious choir, calling men to arms or glory before gently lulling the world back to sleep...
[Hine e Hine] Another tune sung peerlessly in Maori without a single flaw in Hayley's pitch or golden luster.
[Dark Waltz] I simply love this one... I have a reputation for adoring all of the darker, more melancholy tunes and this rings true even now for this song. It begins with the sad, sweet strains of violin and Hayley brings so much yearning, desire, sadness with the lyrics. The layers of emotion is like a cascade... Dance me into the night / Underneath the full moon shining so bright / Let the dark waltz begin / Oh, let me wheel - let me spin / Let it take me again / Turning me into the light. Trailing out with the achingly sad strums of a mandolin...
[Amazing Grace] I've never been a fan of this song, even after hearing so many countless versions of it, but I'm pleased to say that Hayley, though not converting me into a fan, has made me like it a notch more than previous. And if you knew me, you'd call that a miraculous success.
[In Trutina] A short piece that, despite it's run time, leaves a lasting impression.
[Beat of Your Heart] The song from the commercial that got me hooked in the first place and convinced me to buy this album. A love song that is sheer beauty and, in my opinion, the highlight of this collection of music. Holding on, we drift like two flowers on the sea / Riding on the waves, letting go of what will be / I won't find the answers by staring at the stars / I've found all my dreams in the beat of your heart. Best lyrics I've heard in some time.
[Heaven] Like an angel singing, optimism and faith shining like immaculate light through the trees. A song of religous faith. Anyone can sing it and deliver the words, but it is a rare person indeed who can make you believe. Hayley is one of those rare people. To believe that we'll all meet again beyond death within the gardens of Eden and in happiness. It renews faith and brings comfort.
[Wuthering Heights] A favourite of mine! I've never heard this song before now but I adore it! I love how Hayley performs the lyrics, the almost country-sounding quality of her voice. You can become lost in her voice alone and after listening to it on repeat a few dozen times, you can't help but start to sing along.
[Hine e Hine - Maori Mix] A very nice reprise to 'Hine e Hine' and a well-picked closing to the album.
In conclusion, this an album that is worth every penny of your money and every second of your spare listening time. The standouts are, without a doubt, 'Pokekarekare Ana', 'River of Dreams', 'Dark Waltz', 'Beat of Your Heart', 'Heaven' & 'Wuthering Heights' - all of them my favourites, all of them showcasing Hayley's talent in the grandest way possible.
Sarah and Charlotte, be worried. Hayley's a very formidable rival to be reckoned with.
(5 stars) Silver-Voiced Beauty, May 2, 2004
Reviewer: mystacor from New Jersey, USA
I've listened to Sarah Brightman. I've heard Charlotte Church. And before I had seen the commercial promoting Hayley Westenra's album entitled simply 'Pure', I figured I'd be listening to a near carbon copy of those soprano-voiced legendary singers gone before. I was wrong in the best way possible. With the commercial sparking my curiousity, I bought this album and was not disappointed. I was beyond intrigued, beyond mesmerised.
Hayley's voice is purer than that of Charlotte Church or Sarah Brightman and so true, so clear that it bests her predecessors. Her range is incredible, to say the least, and soars so effortlessly without the strain or exceedlingly thin-sounding timbre I've heard so often. I think the fact that the songs on this album are so scattered and don't seem to stay in just one genre is genius - it proves that she is, in some regard, a 'prodigy' of sorts, that she's excellent in whatever she decides to let her angelic voice perform.
[Pokekarekare Ana] An excellent song to open the album with, like a rousing lullaby singing the sun to rise, soft and tender building to a vibrant and glorious greeting to the dawn. Also, being an immense fan of languages, I adore the use of Maori.
[Never Say Goodbye] A bittersweet song of love. Hayley's singing conveys so much emotion here and also proves that she can do the Pop genre vein as well {if not better} as any seasoned songstress.
[Who Painted The Moon Black?] Another Pop song with very beautiful lyrics delivered equally beautifully by Hayley. You can really connect with this one, especially if, like me, you've gone through heartache. The moon really does turn black when your heart is broken.
[River of Dreams] I don't know why but when I hear this song, I keep thinking it should be from Shakespeare's 'Midsummer's Night Dream' - it suits it so well with its poetry and magickal quality. It has a joyousness to it and is truly refreshing.
[Benedictus] Lovely and clear as a bell. You can feel the music so well, to see the sun rise ever so slowly over the horizon and illuminate a landscape of green as chanting wafts in from the monastery atop the hill. Then, bursting with a victorious choir, calling men to arms or glory before gently lulling the world back to sleep...
[Hine e Hine] Another tune sung peerlessly in Maori without a single flaw in Hayley's pitch or golden luster.
[Dark Waltz] I simply love this one... I have a reputation for adoring all of the darker, more melancholy tunes and this rings true even now for this song. It begins with the sad, sweet strains of violin and Hayley brings so much yearning, desire, sadness with the lyrics. The layers of emotion is like a cascade... Dance me into the night / Underneath the full moon shining so bright / Let the dark waltz begin / Oh, let me wheel - let me spin / Let it take me again / Turning me into the light. Trailing out with the achingly sad strums of a mandolin...
[Amazing Grace] I've never been a fan of this song, even after hearing so many countless versions of it, but I'm pleased to say that Hayley, though not converting me into a fan, has made me like it a notch more than previous. And if you knew me, you'd call that a miraculous success.
[In Trutina] A short piece that, despite it's run time, leaves a lasting impression.
[Beat of Your Heart] The song from the commercial that got me hooked in the first place and convinced me to buy this album. A love song that is sheer beauty and, in my opinion, the highlight of this collection of music. Holding on, we drift like two flowers on the sea / Riding on the waves, letting go of what will be / I won't find the answers by staring at the stars / I've found all my dreams in the beat of your heart. Best lyrics I've heard in some time.
[Heaven] Like an angel singing, optimism and faith shining like immaculate light through the trees. A song of religous faith. Anyone can sing it and deliver the words, but it is a rare person indeed who can make you believe. Hayley is one of those rare people. To believe that we'll all meet again beyond death within the gardens of Eden and in happiness. It renews faith and brings comfort.
[Wuthering Heights] A favourite of mine! I've never heard this song before now but I adore it! I love how Hayley performs the lyrics, the almost country-sounding quality of her voice. You can become lost in her voice alone and after listening to it on repeat a few dozen times, you can't help but start to sing along.
[Hine e Hine - Maori Mix] A very nice reprise to 'Hine e Hine' and a well-picked closing to the album.
In conclusion, this an album that is worth every penny of your money and every second of your spare listening time. The standouts are, without a doubt, 'Pokekarekare Ana', 'River of Dreams', 'Dark Waltz', 'Beat of Your Heart', 'Heaven' & 'Wuthering Heights' - all of them my favourites, all of them showcasing Hayley's talent in the grandest way possible.
Sarah and Charlotte, be worried. Hayley's a very formidable rival to be reckoned with.
