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Post by Richard on Dec 8, 2009 10:01:06 GMT
Hello folks!  I'll quote an extract from Hayley's recent interview in The Irish News: As I mentioned in other threads, I met Steve Abbott at the Silence in Trafalgar Square on 11th November. I can now reveal that Steve told me Hayley would be recording a new album early next year, but I don't know any further details at the moment. More information will be posted in this thread when it becomes available, so watch this space.  Best Wishes, Richard  |
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Post by nicola on Dec 8, 2009 11:32:20 GMT
I hope she includes 'I Know You By Heart'. 'Talk To Me' would be nice, but Hayley said to me in my interview that she doesn't even know what direction it would be going in so she doesn't know if she'll include it. I guess they must know where they are doing with it when they have decided to record so soon?! <3
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Post by martindn on Dec 8, 2009 21:31:32 GMT
Hi Nicola,
I'm afraid my faith in Decca "knowing what they are doing" has taken a huge dent recently.
I think "Talk to Me" was an experiment, certainly very unlike anything else Hayley has done. It was obviously very raw, and will need a bit of work I think. I think the decision will be whether to record another Classical album, that Classic FM will play if nobody else, or to branch out in a completely new direction as a singer songwriter. The latter will require a lot more promotion I expect, however good it is, so if Decca won't spend the money another classical album would be the safe option.
Martin
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Post by mihizawi on Dec 8, 2009 22:06:29 GMT
Hmm... What you say, Martin, seems to have sense... Hayley seems to have said she's been thinking of more songwriting, and that would be interesting, and seems the most probable,but she may not get so much support from Decca in this, as happened with Winter Magic
But, who knows, maybe Decca didn't give that much importance to Winter Magic since they were expecting to besoon working in something"serious and mainstream" album than a Christmas one, and so, they will promote this next one better, specially considering that Faryl doesn't seem to have sold as much as expected. This possibility doesn't seem to real, but it gives us a little hope.
Yet, I hope to see someday again a more Classical album by Hayley, now that her voice is so mature, and my personal wish would be for her to record Schubert's Ave Maria again (preferibly in German, this time), specially after seeing the awesomeness she made with Bach's one in River of Dreams.
Michal
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Post by Elliot Kane on Dec 9, 2009 6:03:51 GMT
I'd love to see Hayley do Operetta, or at the least Noel Coward/Ivor Novello type stuff. Failing that, though, I don't really care what she does as long as The Voice gets a serious work out.
Her greatest weapon is the fact that she can quite literally sing like no-one else. I want her to use it.
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Post by stevemacdonald on Dec 9, 2009 23:15:21 GMT
... I don't really care what she does as long as The Voice gets a serious work out. ... It's always impressive when Hayley knocks a showstopper out of the park, but for her next album I'd settle for songs which are entirely comfortable for her, even if that means taking it easy from time to time. Many people have noticed that on Winter Magic she demonstrated an ability to sing just as beautifully in a softer, more delicate mode. The famous power in her voice was implied more than openly displayed. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I happened to love it because it never lacked in richness or brilliant musicality. WM proved that Hayley has a massively interesting voice even when it's just above a whisper. My hope is that Hayley won't go overboard in the bravura department and stays well within her comfort zone. That will make her live performance of the songs a lot easier and increase her longevity as a singer. |
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Post by grant on Dec 27, 2009 14:59:49 GMT
Hi RogerG, Michal and everyone Not wishing to stray off topic, we should perhaps continue this discussion here i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifHello everyone
I'm surprised no one has commented on this statement from the "The Press NZ" article
We already knew when she would be coming back to the UK and that she would be recording a new album, but an international tour?? That's new!
Best wishes
Grant
A new album, hopefully with a wider appeal than the Winter release, will surely demand an international promotional tour. We can't (unfortunately) expect to have all Hayley's performances on our UK doorsteps. [/size] [/quote] The point I was making initially, was that this was the first we had heard about the possibility of an International tour, but taking up your point RogerG, (and without knowing what "international" means in the context it was written) Hayley hasn't toured internationally with her other album releases. Best wishes Grant |
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Post by Roger-G on Dec 27, 2009 15:33:06 GMT
The point I was making initially, was that this was the first we had heard about the possibility of an International tour, but taking up your point RogerG, (and without knowing what "international" means in the context it was written) Hayley hasn't toured internationally with her other album releases. Indeed. But in view of the many pleas here and elsewhere for Hayley to visit other countries, and the suggestions that the Winter album suffered from inadequate promotion, it might be a very logical step. Assuming of course that Hayley wished to undertake the travel. |
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Post by grant on Dec 27, 2009 15:40:15 GMT
Hi RogerG Indeed. But in view of the many pleas here and elsewhere for Hayley to visit other countries, and the suggestions that the Winter album suffered from inadequate promotion, it might be a very logical step. Assuming of course that Hayley wished to undertake the travel. True, but it will all ultimately depend on economics. Best wishes Grant |
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Post by Chrissi on Dec 28, 2009 12:10:30 GMT
I can't wait to see what Hayley comes up with. It's hard when an artist is pigeon-holed into one genre, it would be nice for Hayley to branch out a bit, but it would need the promotion.
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Post by Libby on Dec 31, 2009 4:09:17 GMT
she may not get so much support from Decca in this, as happened with Winter Magic Yet, I hope to see someday again a more Classical album by Hayley, now that her voice is so mature, and my personal wish would be for her to record Schubert's Ave Maria again (preferibly in German, this time), specially after seeing the awesomeness she made with Bach's one in River of Dreams. Good grief, there were only 3 songs on WM that she wrote, and yet there were 4 on Treasure! And they were all wonderful songs! What on earth would Decca have against the songs Hayley wrote for her albums!? Why would they be afraid to promote her just because of that?  I definitely want to have more songs written by Hayley, because they're always beautiful, and so she will seem more original (which she is). And so her covers of songs won't be compared to other singers. However, I still would like her to do classical songs, Irish/Celtic, & hymns sometimes. Part of what I loved so much about Treasure was the wonderful mixture of these types of songs. |
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Post by mihizawi on Dec 31, 2009 11:58:03 GMT
Yes, Libby, I like her songs too and I love the idea of her becoming a songwriter, I said that this, together with playing and learning piano and guitar are making her become one of those who I call "total musicians", not a mere performer of the music but someone who deeply understands it and have a wide vision and experience. I am sure Hayley already knows way much than most of us, but maybe I've just thought that taking some music theory lessons would make her even better as a songwriter (she says she never studied in a music school).
I said that cause she didn't seem to have a big support from Decca for her last albums and, well, she is best known as a Classical Crossover soprano, specially outside the most devote fanzone. Even when critics praise her originality and I absolutely agree, I was just wondering if the label will not be more positive about keeping on safe ground and staying for the next album to what she is known and was successful for. I absolutely prefer her to do what she feels as an artist, and let's hope that Decca gives her that freedom and a proper suport, but was just pointing out the other possibility.
And, yes, I was saying that I hope to see someday a more Classical album cause Winter Magic had definately a ligher sound, even in those older songs that she sings in a more Classical voice. Because I just love to see all her potential in action, and Classical repertoire is where it shines stronger and in a more spectacular way, she doesn't have to fear comparisons with other artists when she sings in this field, since she wins against most (if not all) classical crossover artists. But, I said I hoped to see it, but not immediately, hopefully we will have Hayley for many, many years and we all know whatever she does will be just awesome and there'll be time for everything that she wants to show.
Michal
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Post by Libby on Jan 2, 2010 6:47:58 GMT
Well, she did take piano and violin lessons, and then was coached by Dame Malvina Major.
I'm sure as long as she's with Decca she will still do classical songs, partly because of Decca, but also because she probably still enjoys it, and realizes she's good at it.
As you mentioned, the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria she recorded for RoD proves that she is still capable of singing those songs flawlessly. It would be a shame for her not to use her voice to its potential.
I disagree about doing another Ave Maria; she's already recorded all 3 versions (Schubert on Hayley Westenra album), so it would seem a little redundant. She needs to move on from Ave Maria's, except for singing it in concert, which she normally does (Caccini).
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Post by mihizawi on Jan 2, 2010 11:16:38 GMT
Oh, about the piano and violin lessons, I know she did, also about her vocal mentor. I was just suggesting that an inversion in more theoric lessons, such as for example, on the subject of harmony, could be profitous. Anyone who studies a wider career in a musical school takes those lessons. It may not be that important for a singer or a performer, but for her as a songwriter and composer, it could prove very useful. But, of course, I am not someone to tell what she should do, that was just an idea I had.
And, yes, I am sure she enjoys Classical music, someone like her can enjoy any music, and I think she's proven that. About the Ave Maria, concretely... Well, I agree that she's done them so many times, and that it wouldn't seem original to record it again now. I was rather thinking about someday in the future. Schubert's Ave Maria is the best known, and for me, the most beautiful one, She's recorded it in tbe past, but we all know she can do it much better now, and she may think of it someday in the future (it quite is likely for Hayley not to be content with something she has done when she knows she can do it better, don't you think so?). And, it's more about my taste and personal opinion, but if she someday records it again, then I would prefer it to be with the German original lyrics, they suit much more rhis song, and are not so repetitive.
Michal
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Post by martindn on Jan 2, 2010 18:32:59 GMT
I think her singing in harmony is already very good. I notice that on the duet "It's Only Christmas" it is Hayley that does all the harmonising, not Ronan who just sings it straight. But the best examples are I think on the Celtic Woman album "A New Journey" where we hear some wonderful multi-part harmonies on many songs, the classics for me being "Over The Rainbow", where I find myself listening to Hayley's backing vocals over the lead singer, and "Beyond the Sea" which is just amazing.
Martin D
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