Review of 'Pure'

[scott]

I am putting this review together having listened to 'Pure' all the way through about 15 times now since I first bought it. I have even bought another copy to give to someone else as a gift. As with my review for 'Odyssey,' this review pertains to the US version of 'Pure.'

Taking the album 'Pure' as a whole in comparison to the album 'Odyssey' which came later, I found one glaring problem on each album which was not found on the other album. The issue on 'Pure' is that the sound production quality was definitely not as good; this was remedied tremendously on 'Odyssey.' However, the booklet for 'Odyssey' is far inferior in breadth and scope to the booklet provided for 'Pure' - an extremely puzzling situation, which can only be explained as a hurried completion against a deadline, in my opinion. Although I do like both albums a great deal, I do prefer 'Odyssey' slightly more.

The following songs are in ascending order of my preference:

Beat of Your Heart, Who Painted the Moon Black, In Trutina, River Of Dreams, Amazing Grace, Never Say Goodbye - No review

Dark Waltz - Gentle string accompaniment along with decent lyrics. But what makes this song for me is Hayley's incredible singing.

Across the Universe Of Time - "As the rain falls from the sky, Can I bring you back from a distant lullabye?" Excellent.

Hine e Hine - Are there any Vangelis fans out there? Vangelis' song 'Good To See You' on his album 'The City' is an absolutely beautiful song, but was pretty much ruined by a passage of spoken word in the middle of the song. The case of 'Hine e Hine' is all too similar. A very good song, inspite of that. But oh, what could have been...

Benedictus - I had never heard any other version of this song before. A soft and gentle beginning builds to a thunderous and totally unexpected climax in the middle of the song. Then back to soft and gentle again. I like that.

Wuthering Heights - It is laughable to me that 'Wuthering Heights' almost didn't make the final cut for this album. Hayley pours her heart out in this excellent rendition. I was never really a fan of the original version but this one is outstanding. This was a song that Hayley was born to sing.

Pokarekare Ana - When I first heard this song, I thought it was a pretty song, but nothing more than that. But when I saw it at the beginning of the "Live in NZ" DVD, the whole song made sense in a way it never had on the CD alone. Since then, I love listening to this song in any version, by anyone. It is my second-favorite Hayley song.

[Richard]

Thanks for your excellent review, Scott!

You made an interesting point about the spoken passage in 'Hine E Hine'. On both the original and bonus CD UK editions there are two versions of this song; one with the speech and one without. I definitely prefer the version without.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[scott]

Richard,

It's a question of personal taste, I guess. I do like the song inspite of the spoken word segment, but I think it would have been better without, as you said. On the US version, we have no choice: we only got the spoken passage.

-Scott

[nicola]

I can't listen to Hine E Hine because of that part in the middle, it irritates me to no end.

I'm glad you liked 'Across the Universe of Time', it was written by a composer called Sarah Class - she is very talented (and young, and beautiful!) She has composed for many BBC television programmes and she composed a whole album for world champions 'Cantamus' who are a girl choir. The album in called 'Aurora'. You should try picking it up.

Dark Waltz is also my favourite on the album. It's neck tingling when she hits that really high note. It has always been my favourite. It's the lyrics that do it for me. It's just beautiful, everything about the song.

You haven't heard of 'Benedictus'?! Shocking! A household that doesn't have the Karl Jenkins album 'The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace'. This album was released in 2001 and has STAYED in the classical charts for five years. It still makes its way to the top ten and sometimes climbs back to the number 1 position (if Katherine isn't around). I like Hayley's version, but the full atmosphere can be found in the original (it's about eight minutes long). It's probably the most beautiful composition that a modern composer has ever composed. Simply stunning. Hayley has excellent taste to cover it and her version is as important as the original, in my opinion (though I prefer the original).

[scott]

Nicola,

My statements about "Across the Universe of Time" were so quick that I probably should have elaborated more. I found it to be a very beautiful love song. Just about all the lyrics were spectacular, not just the portion that I quoted. I'm glad Hayley decided to sing it for 'Pure.'

Thanks for the information about Karl Jenkins. I had never heard of him before. Is the rest of 'The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace" much the same as 'Benedictus,' or is it much different? Also, does Karl Jenkins sing it himself?

[nicola]

Hey Scott,

I'm surprised you haven't heard of him. He is a composer and heads the group 'Adiemus' (you may have heard of them).

He does not sing his songs, he is merely a composer and conducter. His pieces are performed by Orchestra and choirs. For me, Benedictus is the highlight of the album. War and peace are the albums themes. I don't think much of the rest of the disc, but it's overwhelming popularity and success would suggest its brilliance.

I think it's notable to say that TAM:AMFP was released just after 09/11 attack. Probably why it sold so well. Point is, it still continues to do so, even after all this time.

[scott]

Nicola,

I have never heard of 'Adiemus' either, but to say that Jenkin's version of 'Benedictus' is 'probably the most beautiful composition that a modern composer has ever composed' is a very strong endorsement indeed. Thank you for informing me.

[Stephany]

'Pure' review from USATODAY[/url].
Interesting to read these comments a few years after the article was originally posted.
I would be curious to know Ms Gardner's opinion on 'Treasure'.

Hayley Westenra, Pure (* *)

Like Charlotte Church before her, Westenra is a cute teenage soprano being touted as a phenom by marketing execs and pop music critics who obviously haven't heard many gifted classical voice students. Certainly, this 16-year-old New Zealander's clear, pretty singing could land her a spot as soloist in any public high school choir.

But even the ostentatiously glossy, crossover-friendly production enveloping her covers of composers from Ravel to Kate Bush can't obscure a lack of technical and interpretive maturity. Westenra would be better off, creatively and personally, if she continued to hone her tender talent rather than offer it as fodder for her ambitious elders in the media and music industry. But then, that's hardly an unusual predicament for today's young artists.

—Elysa Gardner

[roger]

Hi Stephany,

Thanks for posting the review from USATODAY which, I have to admit, caused me some amusement!

For all of Hayley's lack of "technical and interpretive maturity" (at the age of 15, I might add!), it didn't stop the album being sold by the million. I think we can therefore assume that the public were not concerned about it. And it is the public's opinion that matters when it comes to sales figures and chart success.

Roger

[petertong]

Hi Stephany,

Unfortunately, that article is so cynical about Hayley that its not worth the paper (bit stream? that its written on... that is one reason I don't bother with reviews anymore... best to taste for yourself if you can...

best,
Peter T.

[postscript]

Post #7, yes, so would I Stephany. That is a major publication in which to be side-swiped. Perhaps the lady got out of bed the wrong side the day she wrote that and banged her head on the wall.

I suspect her angst is the pre-conception that Hayley at that time was being pushed too early--and there is valid argument for many protogées based on past experience and lack of knowledge of Hayley's particular circumstances.

A more positive way of expressing herself would have been to say that she looked forward to hearing how the voice develops and re-acquainting herself with the artiste in a few years time. Clearly not Hayleywowed but despite herself, nonetheless impressed. So even a negatively-inclined reviewer could not find it in themselvess to be other than impressed by 'the voice'.

Peter S.

[Joe]

postscript said:

So even a negatively-inclined reviewer could not find it in themselvess to be other than impressed by 'the voice'.

I'll never forget when I first heard Hayley's voice from 'Pure'. I could sense the worldwide buzz over this girl. It was as if a neighbor, although recording and performing far away, became a sensation overnight.

The songs on the album were, I felt, perfectly suited my listening pleasure. A mix of hymns, classical, new age and light pop.

Hayley's song 'Pokarekare Ana' is, for me, as beautiful as a tropical sunset. I've heard people who thought 'Hine e Hine' was a Japanese song, mainly because of the spoken words in the song.

Elysa Gardner, the reviewer from USA Today, if only you could see Hayley now!

Joe

[stevemacdonald]

Jul 7, 2007 19:40:08 GMT Stephany said:

'Pure' review from USATODAY

[/url].
Interesting to read these comments a few years after the article was originally posted.
I would be curious to know Ms Gardner's opinion on 'Treasure'.

Hayley Westenra, Pure (* *)

Like Charlotte Church before her, Westenra is a cute teenage soprano being touted as a phenom by marketing execs and pop music critics who obviously haven't heard many gifted classical voice students. Certainly, this 16-year-old New Zealander's clear, pretty singing could land her a spot as soloist in any public high school choir.

But even the ostentatiously glossy, crossover-friendly production enveloping her covers of composers from Ravel to Kate Bush can't obscure a lack of technical and interpretive maturity. Westenra would be better off, creatively and personally, if she continued to hone her tender talent rather than offer it as fodder for her ambitious elders in the media and music industry. But then, that's hardly an unusual predicament for today's young artists.

—Elysa Gardner

[/quote]
So sad when I read this review from 2004, because it underscores one of the problems for Hayley in getting a foothold in the States. Someone at Universal/Decca must have perfunctorily sent USA Today the CD to review, obviously unaware of Elysa Gardner's pre-existing negative bias against crossover teens. One only had to look at how poorly she reviewed Charlotte's CDs beforehand and it would be fully predictable that she would not be charitable to Hayley. Although they likely had the best of intentions, I see this as unforgivably naive marketing on the part of Hayley's US promoters. Maybe they're the same ones who suggested Hayley sing the tired warhorse "Amazing Grace" on her American television debut.

[mangiawai]

This CD is amazing! I was taken back by how clear Hayleys voice was! She has lots of talent