Post by jons on Jun 13, 2007 13:04:10 GMT
“She’s the next Charlotte Church!”
Never does a phrase like that seem as dated as it does now. But at the time, those words occupied many a first paragraph in media circles; it was also the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw her advert for Pure - my first glimpse of Hayley. Hayley burst on to the scene already a star in New Zealand, and such words seem a little strange now, if you don’t put them into context of course. Back then however, the phrase stood up: Charlotte was a fantastic singer, so to hear something even better was incredibly exciting. It was no different a few years ago than it is now, to hail someone as the next ‘whoever’, but Hayley’s case is unique - she is not the next of anyone and there will be no ‘next Hayley Westenra’
It wasn’t long before I discovered Hayley’s personality and that beautiful smile. She was born in New Zealand I found out (a more exotic place than Cardiff). but we are here to discuss her first album, Pure.
Most of the songs on Pure have one thing in common: They are hauntingly beautiful.
Both Dark Waltz and Across The Universe Of Time’s mysterious lyrics and hunting vocal are pleasingly mesmeric. Many of the songs had a haunting, beautiful sense to them and love songs were heart felt and never cheesy - just listen to Beat of My Heart.
This was the album that lifted a vocal towards the goal of portraying the distant god, of which was clear to many of us - you only had to listen to know it succeeded, whatever hope you seek was there in her voice, indeed she has succeeded in doing this many times. Benedictus will be remembered for that crash of the drums, but it will also be remembered for Hayley’s voice, and the choir, of which go hand in hand.
There was certainly a strong element of hope all the way through, on almost every song.
The one song that nearly departed from the rest of the album was the cover of Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights. Hayley has made it her own you could say, but actually it’s was a bit more complicated than that: Kate’s original now sounds like the cover version - its as if the song was written for Hayley. The accompanying video was wonderful. It was hauntingly beautiful, enchanting, that’s why its not a complete departure. Hayley has never strayed or dared like this again which is a shame.
Lyrics to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons: Winter (River Of Dreams) as sung by Hayley propels things into a dream realm. My Heart And I is sung in the most gentle and caring way you could imagine. All these songs could have been written by Hayley’s own hand, she has worked her magic on them so well.
Pure is still Hayley’s best album. Treasure may be amazing in terms of vocal variety, but to find on her latest album the occasional reminder of that simple and pure, uncompleted vocal we heard on her international debut gives an incredible nostalgic buzz.
Never does a phrase like that seem as dated as it does now. But at the time, those words occupied many a first paragraph in media circles; it was also the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw her advert for Pure - my first glimpse of Hayley. Hayley burst on to the scene already a star in New Zealand, and such words seem a little strange now, if you don’t put them into context of course. Back then however, the phrase stood up: Charlotte was a fantastic singer, so to hear something even better was incredibly exciting. It was no different a few years ago than it is now, to hail someone as the next ‘whoever’, but Hayley’s case is unique - she is not the next of anyone and there will be no ‘next Hayley Westenra’
It wasn’t long before I discovered Hayley’s personality and that beautiful smile. She was born in New Zealand I found out (a more exotic place than Cardiff). but we are here to discuss her first album, Pure.
Most of the songs on Pure have one thing in common: They are hauntingly beautiful.
Both Dark Waltz and Across The Universe Of Time’s mysterious lyrics and hunting vocal are pleasingly mesmeric. Many of the songs had a haunting, beautiful sense to them and love songs were heart felt and never cheesy - just listen to Beat of My Heart.
This was the album that lifted a vocal towards the goal of portraying the distant god, of which was clear to many of us - you only had to listen to know it succeeded, whatever hope you seek was there in her voice, indeed she has succeeded in doing this many times. Benedictus will be remembered for that crash of the drums, but it will also be remembered for Hayley’s voice, and the choir, of which go hand in hand.
There was certainly a strong element of hope all the way through, on almost every song.
The one song that nearly departed from the rest of the album was the cover of Kate Bush’s Wuthering Heights. Hayley has made it her own you could say, but actually it’s was a bit more complicated than that: Kate’s original now sounds like the cover version - its as if the song was written for Hayley. The accompanying video was wonderful. It was hauntingly beautiful, enchanting, that’s why its not a complete departure. Hayley has never strayed or dared like this again which is a shame.
Lyrics to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons: Winter (River Of Dreams) as sung by Hayley propels things into a dream realm. My Heart And I is sung in the most gentle and caring way you could imagine. All these songs could have been written by Hayley’s own hand, she has worked her magic on them so well.
Pure is still Hayley’s best album. Treasure may be amazing in terms of vocal variety, but to find on her latest album the occasional reminder of that simple and pure, uncompleted vocal we heard on her international debut gives an incredible nostalgic buzz.