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Post by Libby on Nov 30, 2009 3:47:59 GMT
Let's use this thread to discuss the songs that are on all versions of Winter/Christmas Magic.  Veni Veni Emmanuel is one of my favorites, not only for the vocals, but the arrangement, and the music, too. At first I was disappointed it wasn't in English, but now it doesn't make any difference to me what language it's in. My favorite part of this song is the 3rd verse. I love the way she sort of lilts on the word "Davidica". Then the music right after the Refrain is especially hauntingly beautiful. The Raven Quartet are apparently the ones playing so wonderfully! I'm also really enjoying The Coventry Carol, too. I was not familiar with this one before. The choir is really beautiful, and together with Hayley's "magical" singing, it is really a superb recording. Hayley made some really excellent choices for her album, and I think they're all just the right ones. |
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Jillian
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Post by Jillian on Nov 30, 2009 11:18:09 GMT
I really like the Ronan Keating duet as well -- which is probably because it is very new! It's quite a simple song, but it really grows on you. I think that Ronan and Hayley's voices match really well on the track. |
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Post by Libby on Nov 30, 2009 22:35:01 GMT
The one clip sent to my e-mail from the official site sounds good (probably 'cause it's mostly Hayley), but the part I heard on Digirama I didn't like so much. I'd like to hear the whole song, but right now it's not enough motivation for me to buy the UK version.
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Post by martindn on Nov 30, 2009 23:36:45 GMT
Hi Libby,
I would buy it instantly for that duet if I could find it. And Iive in the tenth biggest city in the UK!
Martin
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Post by Richard on Dec 1, 2009 16:09:46 GMT
Hello folks!  Hayley's official site now plays four clips from 'Winter Magic' followed by 'River of Dreams'. At least it's an improvement.  Richard  |
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Post by Elliot Kane on Dec 2, 2009 14:13:58 GMT
I got it today, but I have to admit I'm not really impressed. Hayley's amazing voice seems wasted on too many of these songs, that are too obviously written for anyone to sing. Hayley is not 'anyone' and her amazing vocal ability doesn't really get any kind of serious run-out.
The duet with Ronan Keating is pretty good, but otherwise... Well, it's a Xmas album, if you like that kind of thing.
It's not terrible, don't get me wrong - as long as Hayley is singing, that's just not possible. But it could have been vastly better.
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Post by martindn on Dec 2, 2009 21:25:35 GMT
Hi Elliott,
That's what I meant in my orginal review in the Japanese version thread, when I said that the songs were not particularly challenging for the most part. Perhaps that is why my favourite songs on this album are mostly Hayleys own compositions. Not heard the duet yet, since I haven't been able to buy the album. It will have to wait until the weekend when I have chance to explore Borders and HMV.
Martin
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Post by sonata58 on Dec 3, 2009 2:21:14 GMT
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Post by Richard on Dec 13, 2009 10:08:11 GMT
Here's a review of Winter Magic from the Malaysia Star. I'm not sure which version of the album it refers to, but it mentions 'Carol of the Bells': Richard |
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Post by comet on Dec 13, 2009 12:50:14 GMT
It's quiet on a Sunday morning, I can hear the clocks tick and I am at ease having a cup of coffee.
There is nothing that needs urgent attention , my mind is wandering aimlessly and I start humming,
It is a new tune, a very pleasant tune and I have to hum it some more and words start to arrive with it,
Sail on my dreams
Sail on my love
and it clicks into place, It is Hayley's very own On The Wings Of Time.
and I think Wow ! I only have the album since mid October and now this tune is in my head forever,
Alongside the 1812 Overture and Vivaldi's Four seasons and thousands of other tunes and songs.
And I am pleased.......
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Post by comet on Dec 13, 2009 13:04:05 GMT
I have heard Sleigh Ride a million times over the years, In shopping centres and on TV and Radio.
But I never listened to it properly.. Until now, I always considered it "Just a merry little Tune"
To make you do your Christmas shopping faster in supermarkets...
But now I have listened to it and read the lyrics and the last two lines hit me like a brick...
These wonderful things are the things
we remember all through our lives.
It really hits on the important things in life and I never noticed before......
Thanks Hayley for another revelation........
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Post by dutchjoyce on Dec 13, 2009 22:46:45 GMT
Tonight i was listening to Winter Magic, the UK version.......
and i tought i was hearing a difference in a song..........
So i listened again, and than the Japanese edition of WM.....
I don't know if this was mentioned,or noticed before, but the song Winters dream, starts on the UK version with the voice of a member from the boyschoir.....The same song on the japanese versions start with an intro.....
The same song ,in 2 different versions!!!!
Greetz Joyce
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Post by Libby on Dec 14, 2009 6:08:54 GMT
Hmm, I'll try out that song on the U.S. version, see how that one is.
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Post by Ross on Feb 5, 2010 3:47:38 GMT
Ronan Keating is in New Zealand touring at different wineries like Hayley did 2 years ago. He is playing tonight at the Mud House winery in Waipara. In today's Christchurch Press they had an article about him. In it was the following piece. While here he also hopes to catch up with an old mate. "I don't know how busy he is, but it would be good to meet up with Jonah Lomu while I'm in town, he's a good pal of mine". (Jonah was a famous ex All Black). Another chum is Hayley Westenra, who performed a duet with Keating which appeared on the pair's respective Christmas albums.
"She's a great lady. The song It's Only Christmas I wrote a long time ago. It was on the shelf until I made a Christmas record. I never wrote it as a duet and it became one and I have to say it's one of my favourite songs on the album, I love it".Hmmmm I wonder if the Westenras will be at the concert tonight as I know Jill is a big fan of him and Hayley obviously gets on well with him too. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif |
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Post by Libby on Feb 5, 2010 20:59:48 GMT
Ronan Keating is in New Zealand touring Another chum is Hayley Westenra, who performed a duet with Keating which appeared on the pair's respective Christmas albums.I thought it was only on Hayley's Christmas album, and not Ronan's.  Well, I knew Ronan was in New Zealand, because apparently he tried out for The Hobbit! I'm not even kidding, check it out here: www.theonering.net/torwp/2010/01/25/35051-keating-auditions-for-the-hobbit/Hmm, I'm not so sure about a blondish Bilbo, but there is a dwarf with a "yellow" beard in the story... Although I suppose whoever Bilbo is may be wearing a wig, anyway, so I hair color probably isn't important. |
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