Invercargill - Civic Theatre 23 Nov 2011

[Simba]

O m g...thank you so much Ross! First you considered my suggestion and got it printed on a t shirt, now you got that signed by Hayley herself D:, I feel connected somehow! Thanks XD

[martindn]

Thanks again Ross!

Martin D

[Ross]

Here is the review from the Southland Times:-

[Ross]

Nov 24, 2011 9:43:55 GMT grant said:

Hi Ross

Thanks for your continuing tour log and photos. How many miles will you have covered by the time you get home?

Best wishes
Grant

I estimate about 2000km in the North Island and the same for the South Island so 4000km (2500 miles) plus a 30km ferry trip twice.

[Ross]

Nov 24, 2011 9:28:31 GMT Martin said:

Hi Ross
Thanks for the report and I love that T-Shirt!! I assume you were not wearing it before it was signed?

Some awesome photos too.

Best wishes
Martin

I wore it once and I spilt coffee on it . But I did wash it before I wore it to the Invercargill concert (underneath my HWI sweatshirt which I wore at every concert). I had to sit on the table while Hayley signed the back. Ash the tour manager jokingly said "How much will you get on trademe" lol. Yes the T-shirt will join my In Tune With Nature T-Shirt in the wardrobe.

[Libby]

Nov 24, 2011 9:28:31 GMT Martin said:

Hi Ross
Thanks for the report and I love that T-Shirt!! I assume you were not wearing it before it was signed?

Some awesome photos too.

Best wishes
Martin

Whyever not? I'm pretty sure I saw a photo in one of the last NZ tour threads of Ross getting his shirt signed... and he was wearing it at the time!

Oh, and why does the reviewer think the first dress was pink? The lighting, maybe?

[postscript]

Now that Southland Times report is of serious interest. Writing entirely personally I have never ceased to be enthralled by that first report of Hayley in the UK about the choice of 'Wuthering Heights' in Pure. The story that her family were supportive of her until the point when the executives were adamant that it was not appropriate and the family began to ask themselves, "These are professionals in a market they know, who are we to presume to go against their advice, away from home and only starting out?" Hayley was reduced to tears in her fight to have her way. Decca gave way and ever since everyone has agreed it was the right decision. Is it possible we have all taken our eyes off the ball?

She has had her set-backs: Poccahunta did not evolve as had been hoped nor one or two other initiatives in which she was initially involved but never made it. Then her infection and near break-down, then Morriconi out of the blue wants to do a whole album with her. That album has gone some way to making up for her previous disappointments which were none of her making.

Paradiso is without doubt a brilliant album. It shows a mastery of vocal interweaving with the orchestra possibly better than Horner's attempt with Poccahunta or anyone else's previous attempt but it does require a mature understanding of music to fully appreciate its subtleties and that is the problem, its beauty lies in its subtlety, although it is an easily listenable album.

Somehow, that "I'm going my way" self-confidence that arose over 'Wuthering Heights' has been lost musically and possibly this has been due to pressure applied to '"race-up her image". Consequently, her determination, quite rightly not to, has filtered into her decisions about music. It is in her music she should show her 'raceyness' and court danger.

In the UK, privileged as we are to experience her steadily over a long period of time, we note her increasing preparedness to express her soul and open up her emotion in her singing. Perhaps the time is now when she should seek another 'Wuthering Heights' challenge. It is in her music that she is best able to meet her critics of 'sameness'. To in any way alter her public image of who she is as a person would be totally wrong. She is who she is and in that she is comfortable and confident to look the world in the eye, eye to eye with an open straight face. Her support team has been totally wrong to put any pressure on her to change that and in their one track persistence they have failed her, resisting them may be the cause of her not being more adventurous musically which has also been negatively affected by chance of circumstances.

Hopefully, while still pursuing her tour (in the UK with an orchestra and that alone may well change perceptions of her, for orchestral harmony is a completely different concept to having a small supporting band) she is entering a period of rest and chance to contemplate.

This is celebratory year, of which she has every right to be justifiably proud and Morriconi was a godsend after several misadventures of promise but no substance. It is the next album that will determine whether she is moving on or has reached her peak. I think, I hope, for I love her performance absolutely and she as a person, she will be going on.

Peter S.

[Richard]

To get back to the concert, there's a nice comment on Twitter and Facebook:

Civic Theatre - Invercargill
Hayley Westenra was A-mazing on Wednesday night...she brought a tear to my eye singing Amazing Grace! She is so down to earth and has such beauty and poise!!!

Richard

[timj]

Ross, thanks for the report and pix, nice shirt!.....TimJ

[martindn]

Hmm... interesting review that one. Generally supportive for sure, and since I wasn't there I don't know if I would pick up the same vibes.

I thought the comment about a capella Amazing Grace was something I could feel sympathy for. I too wish that Hayley would include more unaccompanied singing in her shows. The reviewer, Petrina Wright was correct in my opinion about Hayley's voice. Actually, what would have spiced things up I suspect is Amalia Por Amor - which we know can sound fabulous a capella. I think that could bring the house down.

Peter, thanks for your thoughtful post. I think I agree juswt about with every word. Except I think that Paradiso is light years ahead of "The New World".

Martin D

[grant]

Nov 25, 2011 5:51:06 GMT Ross said:

I estimate about 2000km in the North Island and the same for the South Island so 4000km (2500 miles) plus a 30km ferry trip twice.

WOW! That is impressive Ross and well worth the effort I have no doubt. Here in the UK we'd be hard pressed to cover those sort of distances. Did you get to say hello to Hayley at every concert?

Thanks again for your reports and pictures i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best wishes
Grant

[stevemacdonald]

"The first half was received politely by the audience, but by the second half the audience were becoming more responsive to the faster paced and powerful numbers."

Well, we wanted a reviewer to tell it like it is, and I think we got it here. Bottom line: She needs stronger material to work with.

There is obviously nothing wrong with Hayley's talent — but maybe more emphasis on perkier music will win her new fans. She can do the tougher songs, so why not expand in that direction?

[grant]

The first half was received politely by the audience, but by the second half the audience were becoming more responsive to the faster paced and powerful numbers.

Nov 27, 2011 4:49:20 GMT stevemacdonald said:

Well, we wanted a reviewer to tell it like it is, and I think we got it here. Bottom line: She needs stronger material to work with.

There is obviously nothing wrong with Hayley's talent — but maybe more emphasis on perkier music will win her new fans. She can do the tougher songs, so why not expand in that direction?

I don't think that's necessarily true Steve. I would expect any concert to build up over its length. Bare in mind in mind that most of the audience would not have been fans like us, more people who know her music and are taking the opportunity to hear Hayley perform live and consequently the atmosphere may take a few numbers to build.

Also, Would you expect Hayley to use her best material first? Would you not then risk the audience becoming deflated and leaving the concert disappointed?

Best wishes
Grant

[postscript]

Nov 27, 2011 12:19:03 GMT grant said:

The first half was received politely by the audience, but by the second half the audience were becoming more responsive to the faster paced and powerful numbers.

Nov 27, 2011 4:49:20 GMT stevemacdonald said:

Well, we wanted a reviewer to tell it like it is, and I think we got it here. Bottom line: She needs stronger material to work with.

There is obviously nothing wrong with Hayley's talent — but maybe more emphasis on perkier music will win her new fans. She can do the tougher songs, so why not expand in that direction?

I don't think that's necessarily true Steve. I would expect any concert to build up over its length. Bare in mind in mind that most of the audience would not have been fans like us, more people who know her music and are taking the opportunity to hear Hayley perform live and consequently the atmosphere may take a few numbers to build.

Also, Would you expect Hayley to use her best material first? Would you not then risk the audience becoming deflated and leaving the concert disappointed?

Best wishes
Grant

I think both views have a validity although I would weight Grant's as of more substance. As I have previously commented, audiences do vary and that variation of enthusiasm can (in my direct experience in the UK) stem solely upon the age distribution as well as general public mood at the time. So, a single audience observation is far too flimsy a basis for making a major observation.

Peter S.

[Libby]

She does not need to do "perkier" music unless that's what she wants to do. There's absolutely nothing wrong with the music she has been singing. I myself would probably be able to live without hearing Both Sides Now, since that's never been my absolute favorite song she sings, but of course, someone who has never seen her sing any song live can't be too picky.