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Post by mihizawi on Dec 5, 2009 18:07:03 GMT
I didn't know where a thread like this would suit, so I posted it here. And, I am sure this has already been discussed and mentioned many times in other threads, but I think a thread specifically about this can be quiet interesting.
And, of course, I am talking about the incredible way she has to adapt her always sweet and crystal voice to any songs... She's absolutely unique in this, I don't know of any other artist who can -with such sublime changes- make such a big difference in the way her voice sounds. It seems as she can sing anything and find the way to make any song sound "the right way"... So, I propose to discuss in this thread about this unique quality of her and highlight songs in which she has surprised us.
Let me start:
- Lascia ch'io pianga (Celtic Woman) - I just can't imagine this song performed in a more perfect and beautiful way... The harpsichorrd helps, but she really does an awesome work in a really baroque style.
- Wiegenlied and Bist du bei mir - For me, a more classicist sound of her voice, even if very different songs... Or maybe it's her singing in Germany? XD
- Ave Maria (Bach, River of Dreams recording) - That's her most common way when performing in her classical register, and yet, probably the purest and clearest-sounding recording of that famous song.
- Veni veni Emmanuel - This one surprised me, really... would never imagine Hayley sounding so close to medieval-style singing... Absolutely stunning!
May it be - In may opinion, noone can sing this song in such a mysthical way as Enya, but Hayley gets many times on it a magical sound from a fairy-tale...
- God Save the Queen and God Save New Zealand (at the memorial of remembrance) - Hayley's usually soft-sounding and sweet voice gets perfectly the seriousness and strength needed to perform a national anthem in such an event.
- Wuthering Heights - no comments, XD... awesomeness
- Both Sides Now - a pop song sung with unique sweetness. a voice coming straight from the heart.
- Summer Fly - One of the fastest songs sung by Hayley that I've heard.... Got a lovely Jazzy something in her voice...
- Majesty - Sung in a pop register, but with such a combination of sweetness and confidence in her voice.
- The Little Road to Bethlehem - Absolutely awesome, sung with the happinness of Christmas
And tthere are many more, those are just some exemples of how versatile she is... I would say she sing every song with a diferent voice, and that's what makes her so absolutely unique. Sometimes she could rivalize with the best pop divas, sometimes transporting you to heaven with her classical register, but always being that lovely kiwi lady, always being Hayley!
Michal
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Post by nicola on Dec 5, 2009 23:46:36 GMT
I'm not sure if I agree with you. Hayley's voice always sounds the same to me, rather, it's the arrangements of songs that are changed to suit her. So for me, yes, her voice does give room for anything to be adapted for it, but she doesn't actually change her voice in anyway.
I'll share a time she surprised me though - she really rocked my boat when she sang Eva Cassidy's 'I Know You By Heart' live for the first time (and every time after that, I guess!) Eva has such a soulful, emotive voice that I didn't think anyone could match her rendition of the song, but Hayley packs such an exhausting amount of emotion into that song that it blows me away.
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Post by martindn on Dec 6, 2009 0:18:07 GMT
Hi Michal and Nicola,
I agree with both of you in a way. I do think Hayley is the master of imitation. She can sound like Joni Mitchell, Kate Bush, or whoever, and actually do it better than the original. Or like herself, she has her own style too. This is most apparent to me in her own compositions. When I originally reviewed Winter Magic (Japanese version) I could not find much to say about "All with You". It is a song that is just so typically Hayley, and I think that is what flummoxed me. Now, certainly on the UK version, I think it is probably the best song on the album. Simply because it is all Hayley. It has the beautiful imagery and deep spirituality that is her hallmark. In things like that, no other singer comes close in my opinion. And "All With You" is just such a potent expression of it. In that song, for once, she is being herself, not trying to sound lke anyone else. And it is wonderful.
In the case of "I Know you by Heart", Hayley's version is mindblowing. It is just so much more intense than Eva's. Eva's approach comes across as a sort of wistful reminiscence of sombody she has lost. In Hayley's version, there is intensity and real pain, as if she has lost the only thing that made her existence worthwhile. That song gets to me very powerfully when Hayley sings it.
I recently heard it sung by the excellent Zoe Tyler, in the musical "Over the Rainbow", which is a dramatisation of Eva's life. It was very powerful and very moving, and I loved it, even though I missed the start due to work commitments. Zoe sung it like Eva, as she was expected to do of course. And the extra poignancy was added by the thoght that this could actually have been a song ABOUT Eva and her impending death. But I actually prefer Hayley's more intense take on the song. It is one of my favourite Hayley songs.
I have heard her do some pretty fantastic things with her voice. Things I have never heard done by any other singer. Do you think the effects she gets on things like the Coventry Carol are electronic jiggery-pokery? Think again! I heard her get the same sound, singing without a microphone, in Peterborough Cathedral. Bouncing her voice off the choir (which she had only just met) and the acoustics of the building. It is all her. She just got up and did it. She seemed to have no qualms at all about singing unmiked, even though she had rarely done so in the past. And to be honest, it sounded absolutely wonderful.
I think that there are subtleties about Hayley's performances that you don't notice unless you take the trouble to get close to her music. She is not always as obviously and stridently upfront and powerfully expressive as some, yet underneath it is a wonderful subtlety of expression that is absolutely captivating. That isn't to say she does not have immediate appeal, she does. But that working on getting into her music and understanding its subtlety is rewarding.
When I first listened to Hayley, she had an immedate impact, more than any other music I have heard. At first I thought that was it, but there are hidden depths there as well, which is perhaps why I never tire of listening to her. I seem to get new things from her, even if I have heard her sing a song, both on record and live, many many times (and believe me, for most of her songs, I have).
Martin
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Post by mihizawi on Dec 6, 2009 10:18:09 GMT
Nicola, yes, the arrangement always has an influence in the way a song sounds. But I don't agree her voice sounds the same everytime. I mean, yes, it's always her voice, and she always sounds "like her", you listen to her and you say, "sure, it's her, it's the unique Hayley". But, I was talking rather of the way she uses the voice, the way she makes it sound. It's about using either different techniques or emotions that make your voice sound quite different in different situations, and everyone can do that -more or less gracefully- even when speaking,. Sarah Brightman can sing beautifully either with a more operatic style and technique or with a more pop sound. Shakira's a master of changing between a deep and sensual voice and a sweeter one. And, XD, I am sure Kate Bush can sound less harsh. But, actually, most artists are used to sing in a very similar way all their songs, and when they try to change the sound of their voices, it won't work as well (see Bryan Adams performing O Sole Mio with Pavarotti, XD... he does a great job, really funny to see, yet, he definately sounds better using his voice the way he usually does). What I was highlighting about Hayley in this post is that she has a very, very rich voice and a unique mastery in using it the right way to any song. She got a natural talent to adapt her voice and vocal technique to what she thinks a song should sound, yet the changes are so subtile that she gets close to a concrete style, but remains being herself, and that's the reason it sounds so delightful. I don't know a more versatile artist than her, noone I've ever heard can give so many shades and techniques to the voice keeping the sound so beautiful. I have heard her do some pretty fantastic things with her voice. Things I have never heard done by any other singer. Do you think the effects she gets on things like the Coventry Carol are electronic jiggery-pokery? Think again! I heard her get the same sound, singing without a microphone, in Peterborough Cathedral. Bouncing her voice off the choir (which she had only just met) and the acoustics of the building. It is all her. She just got up and did it. She seemed to have no qualms at all about singing unmiked, even though she had rarely done so in the past. And to be honest, it sounded absolutely wonderful. WOW... Hayley singing over a choir without a microphone? She isn't trained to do that, that's absolutely amazing she did it as greatly as you say it! I would love so much to see it... But for now now haven't even heard her live. But that just confirms she's got a unique talent. I think that there are subtleties about Hayley's performances that you don't notice unless you take the trouble to get close to her music. She is not always as obviously and stridently upfront and powerfully expressive as some, yet underneath it is a wonderful subtlety of expression that is absolutely captivating. That isn't to say she does not have immediate appeal, she does. But that working on getting into her music and understanding its subtlety is rewarding. Martin That's exactly what I was talking about, she may not be exagerately dramatic or explosively expressive, as an opera singer, or as few pop singers can be, but underneath her crystal and sweet voice, there is an amazingly rich world of subtile shades. If you pay attention, you can hear it. |
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Post by grant on Dec 6, 2009 12:06:44 GMT
Hi Martin and Michal
I'm fascinated by this thread and the views expressed. I'm always amazed (though having seen her live so many times I shouldn't be!) by the beautiful sounds that come from Hayley when she sings. That couldn't be truer than for the current concert tour where the combination of voice/song choice/acoustics is truly mesmerising. One of the most beautiful sounds I have ever heard in my life is the final note of Corpus Christ Carol, which sends a shiver down my spine just thinking about it.
What hasn't been said (I don't think) is that Hayley makes a point of understanding what she is singing about and, just as an actor would, gets into character. That's why "I Know You By Heart" has such an effect on so many of us who have seen her perform it - it is almost painful to watch.
Best wishes
Grant
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Post by martindn on Dec 7, 2009 23:46:16 GMT
Hi Grant and Michal,
Yes, Grant, I agree about "I Know you By Heart". The pain is there, but that comes from Hayley. Eva Cassidy's version has none of the pain. Eva sings it in an almost detached way, Hayley sings it with real passion. This is Hayley putting her own stamp on the song, and I love it when she does that, rather than just singing karaoke. This is one of my favourite Hayley songs, I have heard her sing it live twice now, and it blew me away both times.
Martin
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Post by mihizawi on Dec 8, 2009 0:29:05 GMT
I never had the pleasure to listen neither to "I know you by heart" nor the rap thing you mentioned, but I shall find a way to get a look at it... aaah... tomorrow... Need some sleep and hope Hayley will visit me in dreams. So, goodnight everybody, I need to say my first guess are right, you are all really great!
Michal
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