North American Tour 2007

[Mark]

Hi Caite

I know that you are very excited about seeing Hayley again, it must be 12 months since the last time isn't it ? I am sure you will have your camera and even if you dont manage to get any shots, I am very much looking forward to your report

Speak to you soon

Mark.

[Richard]

Hello folks!

Here is a short item from the Pittsburg Tribune-Review: www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/living/s_496812.html

This week's coming attractions

[/b]
Sunday, March 11, 2007

EMERALD ISLE SOUNDS

Hayley Westenra, a New Zealand vocal star with Irish roots, will show off one aspect of her talent Tuesday and Wednesday at the Benedum Center, Downtown. She will be taking a spot with Celtic Woman, the popular group making its third visit to the city. Westenra shares a spot with singer Meav Ni Mhaolchatha as a way of showing off both of their voices.

Performances are 8 p.m. both days. Admission is $48.50-$67.50. Details: 412- 456-6666[/quote]
Richard

[bobcochran]

Allo, allo, allo! Just back from seeing Hayley perform with Celtic Woman last night in Boston. Hayley did really well, but seemed nervous at times. The audience took a while to warm up to her probably because many were expecting Meav to be there as she performed the previous night. Hayley did a wonderful job on Scarborough fair, causing me to have the usual "who's choppin' onions" reaction whenever I hear her do the song.

They had her do the the arrangement of "Danny Boy" that Meav normally sings rather than the arrangement on her new CD. They also had her do Dulamun, another song usually done by Meav. Hayley did well on both. It would have been better to let her do her own material. That way people could listen to, and enjoy, her singing without the comparisons to Meav getting in the way of the experience.

Hayley seemed a bit ill at ease in the early group numbers like "Orinoco Flow," but seemed to become more comfortable as the evening went on and the audience started warming to her.

Lisa Kelly did an outstanding performances of "Caledonia," "The Voice" and "The Blessing." Mairead's fiddle work was incredible!!! Orla's "Newgrange" was even better than the DVD. Chloe also has gained more more confidence as a singer since the first Celtic Woman special done in 2004.

They also were selling "Celtic Treasure" at the show. I was a happy go lucky lad when I saw that! I haven't listened to it yet. My ears haven't fully recovered from hearing Jack Dee and Jeremy Hardy sing on ISIHAC repeats.

[roger]

Hi Bob and many thanks for the report from Boston. As this was the first show of the tour to feature Hayley, it is more than pleasing to get some coverage of it.

I suppose the thought behind having Hayley perform Meav's arrangement of 'Danny Boy' was an attempt to please the established Celtic Woman fans. It can't have been easy for her to sing a different version of the song from the one she is used to. No wonder she seemed nervous.

I hope we get some reports from many other concerts throughout the rest of the tour.

Roger

[bobcochran]

Forgot to mention that some members of the CW management were there last night...probably assessing the audience response to Hayley.

[Andrew]

Hi Bob,

Many thanks for sharing your insight of Hayley performing with 'Celtic Woman'. I must say I am very surprised to hear your comments about Hayley seeming to be nervous on stage. Having said that, there has been a huge amount of pressure on Hayley over the past few weeks, i.e. her availability for relatively short rehearsals with the other members of 'Celtic Woman' and her physical health has not been 100% either. I know we have to make a lot of allowances for Hayley as a result. Indeed Hayley's contribution to 'Celtic Woman' is still new to us all. I can only say that I am in complete awe at the idea of Hayley being prepared to "step in" on Meav's behalf, rather than performing her own material- that can only take real guts to do!

Bob, thank you for being there to support Hayley in Boston. I'm sure Hayley greatly appreciates all the support she can possibly get. 'Celtic Woman' is still a new venture for her.

Andrew

[Dave]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the report, I'd imagine that Hayley was still tired from hopping too and fro across the pond and her cold, as well as a relative lack of practice, compared to the other girls who are now well into the tour. There is I am sure far more to think about (and get nervous about!) when you are part of a show rather than giving your own performance. Even more so when you know the tour management are assessing you!!!

I suspect that soon, after Hayley has done a few more of the shows, she will settle in and be far more at ease from the start. She will also get used to the unusual (for her) arrangements that she is having to perform. Good luck to Hayley... and everyone involved in the show!

Cheers, Dave

[bobcochran]

I was really proud of Hayley's perfomances last night epecially when I hear she was just getting over an illness. She did great job singing some very difficult arrangements with little preparation in front of an audience that was more than likely expecting someone else to be singing them.

They'll be back in Boston in June, and I'm looking forward to seeing her with them then.

[Richard]

Hello Bob!

Many thanks for your report on last night's concert in Boston. I suggest reports from all the Celtic Woman shows featuring Hayley can go in this thread, unless somebody starts a new thread for a specific concert. I'm keeping an eye on Celtic Woman's forum, which seems to be run very differently from Il Divo's, and there are very few reports from the earlier shows featuring Méav.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[roger]

bobcochran said:

They'll be back in Boston in June, and I'm looking forward to seeing her with them then.

Will they? That's news to us. According to the latest schedule that I received, the tour ends on 23rd May. Indeed, Hayley has numerous commitments in the UK throughout June so if the tour has been extended, I can't see it including her. If you know differently, please let us know.

Thanks,
Roger

[roger]

Oh yes. According to CelticWoman.com, the tour has indeed been extended and runs through to 24th June. I can only assume that Meav will be returning. Please note, that is merely my guess and is NOT confirmed.

Roger

[bobcochran]

They were handing out flyers promoting Celtic Woman perfomances at the Wang Theatre 7th-through 9th June. I was guessing that Hayley would be there based on the information that she would be doing the last concerts of the tour. Who knows with CW management...They remind me of the Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom characters from Mel Brooks' "The Producer's." Their show is successful in spite of their best efforts to fail.

[Stephany]

Thanks for the great report, Bob.

I still have difficulties imagining Hayley singing Dulaman. I would be curious to hear what it sounds like with her voice. I'm sure she did well!! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Hayley, nervous on stage? From what I've heard, she's usually not that stressed but I guess the pressure on her shoulders was ENORMOUS. It's nice to hear that the audience seemed to like her!! Hopefully many bought "Celtic Treasure" afterwards.

[roger]

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the additional info.

bobcochran said:

They were handing out flyers promoting Celtic Woman perfomances at the Wang Theatre 7th-through 9th June. I was guessing that Hayley would be there based on the information that she would be doing the last concerts of the tour.

I see your logic but I applied a little of my own and came up with the opposite conclusion! The original dates were divided into four approximately equal parts. Meav appears in the first and third quarter, and Hayley in the second and fourth. Therefore, for these additional dates, it would appear to be Meav's turn. I have asked Bedlam Management for confirmation.

bobcochran said:

Who knows with CW management...They remind me of the Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom characters from Mel Brooks' "The Producer's." Their show are successful in spite of their best efforts to fail.

I like it!

Roger

[Stephany]

By the way, Bob, did Hayley sing Laschia Ch'io Pianga ?! Because I heard it was the only one Meav didn't sing during the tour (though she sang Scaborough Fair and The Last Rose of Summer).