Llandudno Venue Cymru 24 Sep 2011

[comet]

It was a pleasure to meet some people at last whom I feel I already know through the forum.

Wendy, Abigail & Robert,
Peter,
John,
Billy who presented Hayley with a "fan" much to her surprise

The concert was so special, I will need some time to put it into words.
Maybe Paddy could help this time

I was only a few feet in front of Hayley and had not been to a concert since December 2009. The intervening time had been quite traumatic with the deaths of both of my parents and other turmoil.
So to be back in front of Hayley at such close quarters was a very moving and special experience. Especially with her singing to music I have been intimate with through over forty years. (Morricone that is).

[grant]

The Concert

Despite the fact that the format of this concert is identical to the Ebbw Vale show last week, a glance at the programme leaves no doubt that this one will be very different in content – even the programme is bilingual Welsh/English (as you will already have noted from the scans posted earlier). The stage is set quite differently too with a large podium for the conductor central stage complete with its framework of copper piping and a tiered stand for the choir which, in my opinion, looks very amateurish.

The concert commenced with the members of the choir filing onto stage to take up their places, followed by their Musical Director, Trystan Lewis, who also acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening. After welcoming the choir and their pianist for this set in both Welsh and English, (a format that was employed throughout) he talked through some of the pieces the choir would be singing. Now I don’t believe there is any such thing as a bad Welsh male voice choir but Maelgwn are very traditional and there is very little in the programme that I know, and, although they sound absolutely wonderful, I would have preferred a few more songs that I knew. The same applied to the choir’s first guest, Elgan Llŷr Thomas – a very talented young man and a local lad too with many scholarships and awards under his belt despite being only 21.

And so it came to Hayley’s turn to be introduced as the members of her band took their places on stage – the same line up as last week in Ebbw Vale; and again the MC introduced them individually with me thinking “Mmm, Hayley likes to do that herself”. With Hayley's band seated he announced “Please welcome onto stage our special guest for this evening Hayley Westenra!” the auditorium erupted with loud applause and gradually died – no Hayley; Trystan looked puzzled – the audience must have wondered too. Hayley’s set list printed in the programme was identical to last week and she had changed it so, I and probably the rest of the gang had twigged what was happening. With the audience now quiet and still wondering, Hayley launched into Prayer from the off stage darkness. It still mesmerises me, even now, I think it’s because there’s just a voice – Hayley's voice – so there’s non of that beautiful and distracting imagery that is Hayley's presence on stage.

Tonight, Hayley is wearing a familiar knee length white dress for her first set which set me wondering why she wore black last week and then it dawned – perhaps out of respect for the miners who tragically lost their lives at Gleision – it is the sort of thing Hayley would do, but, I digress. There’s very little about her performance tonight that I didn’t say last week, she was amazing but, this week, I was only a few feet away from her and felt I could actually hear Hayley rather than what was coming through the speakers and that is so special! Tonight too, with Hayley on stage for only a few seconds, she was looking directly at Paul and I with that almost imperceptible smile that says “Hi, nice to see you”.

On a negative note – not aimed at Hayley but at the venue; the conductor’s podium remained in place centre stage throughout the time Hayley and Elgan were performing. Seated where we were, Paul and I were very lucky – our seats were perfect in fact considering we were there essentially to see Hayley but on the other side of the isle, the front rows particularly would have had a very restricted view.

After Hayley, the choir did another set and then a surprise – Grant hadn’t looked very closely at his programme and had missed the fact that Hayley and Elgan were down to do a duet – “All I Ask Of You” from Phantom. NOW we’re talking! One of the highlight’s of tonight’s concert for me and it was absolutely stunning. Lucky blighter got to kiss Hayley at the end too!

Interval now and time for a chat and reflection on the first half of the concert during the short 15 minute interval – MC says we have to be back in our seats by 9pm and that we’ve been counted LOL! After a set each from the choir and Elgan, it’s time for Hayley's second set and Trystan welcomed her back to stage although I feel he let himself down by saying that he wasn’t going to introduce her songs as “She’ll probably change them like she did before” which, although intended to be taken humorously, came across as being rather rude – surly it’s up to the MC to ascertain whether or not the programme is correct? But I digress again! For her second set, Hayley is back in her long red gown and once again I’m waiting for “I Knew I Loved You” with just James on guitar for backing.

In fact, I’m in exactly the right place for this particular song as I am almost directly opposite James and find myself watching him almost as much as Hayley. One gets the impression that it is not an easy task for him as he only takes his eyes off Hayley briefly to concentrate on a particular chord and it is fascinating to watch. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to comment on his playing last week and can now understand perhaps why he seemed so appreciative.

Hayley did take the opportunity to re-introduce her band personally before concluding her second set with La Califfa and she left the stage to applause but no standing ovation as had happened last week. I had warned Paul that there would need to be some shouting but tonight’s audience didn’t seem to appreciate the need and the applause began to die. Hayley's musicians remained on stage as the audience fell silent. I commend the MC at this stage as Trystan stepped back up to his microphone to suggest that we keep applauding. Cue for Grant and Paul to shout “More!” and the audience woke up to bring Hayley back onto stage. “Would you like another one?” she asked with a giggle – silly question! You should know by now Hayley – we always want one more!

Hayley returned to stage later to sing Amazing Grace with the choir and to join in with the National Anthem. This time, being much closer, I watched Hayley as we stood. The concert drew to a close with the presentation of bouquets to the ladies. It is just on 10.30pm as we make our way outside and round to the stage door for the final part of the evening.

and there's more!

[grant]

Waiting For Hayley
Quite a select gathering at the stage door tonight – the regular HWIers and a small number of people I remember from previous Llandudno concerts. This is perhaps fortuitous as we are already aware that they are driving back to London tonight as Tim has an early flight out of Heathrow – with potentially a four and a half hour drive ahead of them it is understandable that they will not want to hang around for too long.

Hayley appeared with a huge bouquet in her arms and a beaming smile across her face at 11.19 (according to the time data on my camera) and was soon busy signing programmes and CD inserts and posing for photo’s which became a lot easier for her when Ash managed to relieve her of her bouquet and take it to the tour bus! (Note to self: Must try to get a picture of Ash with Hayley's bouquet one day!) OK, being serious for a moment, I think we’re very lucky to have Ash – he comes across as a very genuine and approachable guy and I believe he will be accommodating to Hayley's fans and supporters when it’s safe and practical for him to do so. Had a bit of a chat with him whilst Hayley was busy with the rest of the people there and he told me that he will be with Hayley in New Zealand and should also be with her for her UK Paradiso tour.

Despite the rush and the fact that some fans were taking rather a long time with her including one guy that presented Hayley with a rucksack full of stuff – no idea what was in it but whatever it was, it was too heavy for Hayley to hold! By now, Ash is anxious to be away as it is past 11.30 but Hayley was deep in conversation with Peter (I’m sure Peter will fill in the details) and wasn’t to be rushed. Eventually though she did have to tear herself away but not before I had told her that I was praying for an All Black’s final knowing how much it would mean to her to be able to sing her own National Anthem and I was delighted to see her eyes widen in anticipation of that “Oh, and Hayley” I added “Have a great Christmas!” She giggled and climbed into the tour bus and the door closed behind her.

We hung around for a few moments to watch them leave. Luckily the lights were on inside and we could see Hayley waving as we waved them goodbye. Feeling a little deflated in the knowledge that we won’t see Hayley again for a little over five months we separated and made our way back to our respective accommodations and savouring those precious moments that we have just shared with our Hayley.

That's yer lot folks - maybe a few pics later i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif - but non from the concert I'm afraid Libby

Best wishes
Grant

[mlb]

Hey Grant, thanks for the report! Weird question... did Arnaud do the sound for this concert?
Just curious whether he does the sound for these types of things where there's a choir, etc.
(I feel like I ask the stupidest questions on here. Lol)

[comet]

I am completely new to Mediafire,

Can someone test this for me

I knew I loved you

Do we have a thread on using Mediafire ?

If any of you can see I am doing something obviously wrong or stupid, let me know.

[Martin]

Hi Paul
It downloaded and played perfectly for me after a vlc download and virus scan!!

Three minutes of total perfection.

Many thanks
Martin

[comet]

Sept 26, 2011 14:50:19 GMT mlb said:

Hey Grant, thanks for the report! Weird question... did Arnaud do the sound for this concert?
Just curious whether he does the sound for these types of things where there's a choir, etc.
(I feel like I ask the stupidest questions on here. Lol)

No it was not Arnaud at the mixing desk.

But I hope he reads this.

Many modern mixing desks have digital recording facilities on them.

EVERY Hayley concert should be recorded for posterity.

Even if those recordings cannot be released at the moment for legal or copyright reasons.
The concert should be recorded anyway and the chip or disc could be sealed away safely.

Not to do so is a sin.

I recently read an Edit Piaf book and it discussed a (1957) Carnegie Hall concert. It sent me in search of a recording if one was available I have various boxed sets, Lps and the like.

I discovered I already had the recording on a disc I had bought in a petrol station or supermarket, one of those racks of cheap cds. I was thrilled, as I had dismissed the recording when I first heard it as the quality was a bit rough. It didn't state anywhere on the cover that it was the famous Jan 13th 1957 Carnegie Hall concert but it gave the dates the songs were recorded on. Voila !

Just goes to show, 54 years after the recording was made, people who weren't even born can seek out and find pleasure in old recordings.

But the recording has to be made in the first place..

[gordon]

Hi Paul,

I can only echo Martin's remarks. It downloaded fine and a wonderful performance from Hayley.

Thank you.

Gordon

[comet]

Here is an amateur recording of the wonderful
Elgan Thomas singing Music of the night

In a small seaside town in Wales before he became absolutely world famous as a most significant interpreter of Andrew Lloyd Webbers Music.

This is an absolute gem of a song.


Unfortunately... I don't Have the duet All I ask of You that he sang with Hayley I have been berating myself all day for not getting that one, In words and phrases I could not use here on the forum

[martindn]

Thanks for the reports - will have to come back to the recordings later, but thanks for uploading Comet.

And I absolutely agree - all of Hayley's shows should be recorded for posterity.

Looking forward to the photos.

Martin D

[comet]

La Califfa

Profumo Di Limone

Whispers in a dream

[grant]

Hello everyone

As promised, herewith a few pictures of Hayley at Venue Cymru before the concert

More from after the concert later.

Best wishes
Grant

[Libby]

Grant, I was just hoping for concert photos from some of the others. There used to be so many photos from concerts. Oh, I know, it's because Karsten and Steve aren't there! Where have they been???

[Joe]

Big thanks to Robert and Grant for those wonderful photos!

More great reports (part 2 - the concert and part 3- the bit at the end with Hayley ) - Cheers, Grant!

Paul...I'll give your sound files a listen tomorrow when I can afford a little time to enjoy them. Thanks for sharing, my friend!


Joe

[Sing]

Thank you for the reports and photos Grant! I really enjoyed reading your report- felt like i was there!.I like the programme/ poster too- I really like that picture of Hayley but it's a pity they couldn't spell her name right though! It seems to be almost a trend- the new Now that's what i call classical CD also spells 'Westenra' wrong...I know it's not a big thing but people are always trying to spell my surname wrong so for some reason I always notice everyone elses' haha
Thank you for the videos/ sound too Comet- hopefully I'll be able to see them soon lol!
best wishes
Sing