Does anyone have My Gift To You?

[HWI]

Does anyone have My Gift To You? If so, let's talk about it.

Which is your favourite song on the album? and Why?

Keith.

[Joe]

No, I don't have it yet. I'm expecting it near the 10th December or so. However I have listened most of the songs via the music samples. My top three favourites are "Do You Hear What I Hear?", "Morning Has Broken", and "Mary Did You Know?". Of course the other songs are fab as well. I'm really looking forward to receiving my CD soon. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[Joe]

Good news!! I just received "My Gift To You" yesterday from Amazon. The songs "Through These Eyes" and "Do You Hear What I Hear" are easily my top favourites. "Morning Has Broken", "All I Have To Give" , and "You'll Never Walk Alone" round out my top five.

[HWI]

Glad to hear it has arrived safely Joe. Must say that I am ALMOST in complete agreement with you on the selection from the album. Just that I put Pokarekare Ana as favourite and the rest pretty much as you have.

Once I had chosen my favourite, I found it difficult to separate the others. I love Mary Did You Know too.

What a great album.

Keith.

[colinmacleod]

I wonder whether sales of 'My Gift To You' and 'Hayley Westenra' will rocket many times beyond their massive initial levels, as 'Pure' gains Hayley legions of new devotees around the world.
Never having heard of Hayley here in Scotland, until receiving 'Pure' for Christmas, I only obtained 'MGTY' and 'Hayley Westenra' early this February. Hayley's voice was already very impressive when she recorded these albums, which feature some great songs. I particularly enjoy listening to her sing 'You'll never walk alone', which I hope she sings again on her next album since her talent has now matured so greatly. That is amply demonstrated by her progress with 'Pokarekare Ana', the 'Pure' version of which is the one I am addicted to.

[stevemacdonald]

I was lucky enough to get MGTY long before Pure so I'm partial to her first recording of Pokarekare Ana.

The simplicity and purity of that rendition is unsurpassed for me. I've never heard a more perfect voice in my life than Hayley in the a cappella part.

By contrast the Pure version of Pokarekare Ana is overblown although Hayley is wonderful nonetheless. When the chorus takes over it sounds kind of hokey -- like it came directly from a B movie based in the South Pacific.

[colinmacleod]

Hayley's OWN performance of Pokarekare on 'Pure' is utterly incredible. I don't like choirs either, but they only feature on Pokarekare Ana after Hayley has already sung the entire piece anyway, so I just skip forward when the choir starts to sing.

[specialjenny]

My copy of My Gift To You arrived in the mailbox today, I was very happy until when I opened the cd case the poor cd fell out and luckily it didn't shatter when it hit the floor. Then I realised it was becase the middle bit of the case (you know that circle bit that holds the CD in place?) well it has completely shattered. Sigh... oh and I purchased it from netcd.co.nz so it must be damaged on the way here.

Anyway!! All the songs are very gorgeous and so is Hayley's voice of course. I just didn't know the tracks are all relatively short, of course even if I knew I would still have purchased it. I will come back and post later after I have listened to the cd many more times.

Love,
Jenny

[Joe]

Hi again, Jenny!

Glad you've ordered this CD too. Pity the case was damaged though. I'm sure you'll agree that all the songs are gorgeous! Just think how nice it will be to have the CD playing for your Christmas celebrations!

Cheers,
Joe

[specialjenny]

Thanks Joe!! This CD along with "Hayley Westerna" are my early Christmas pressies from myself for myself. hehe

[Richard]

Hello Jenny!

"My Gift To You" was my early Christmas gift to me in 2003. I bought it together with "Hayley Westenra" at HMV in London back in December 2003. The album shows that Hayley's voice had developed noticeably in just a few months, but the backing sounds very low-budget and rather disappointing. According to Hayley's biography the album had to be produced in a very short space of time.

There are some good songs on the album, including "You'll Never Walk Alone", "Over The Rainbow", and an earlier version of "Pokarekare Ana", as well as several Christmas favourites, so I can listen to it all the year round. Hayley also sings two duets with her younger sister Sophie, "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and "Through These Eyes".

Hayley has also recorded "Do You Hear What I Hear?" with the Choirboys on their album, due to be released in the UK next week. I saw them perform it live together at St. James's Church last month, and I will buy the CD.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[specialjenny]

Hi Richard (again!),

I have hardly notice the low budget backing sounds until you mentioned it to me!! lol.. I was dreaming in Hayley's voice and noticed nothing other than her voice! Well now you've told me (coughThanks..) Just kidding, it's okay, as long as it's Hayley, then I'm happy.

Hayley's voice have changed so much since the making of her first albums, but even if she didn't improve she would still have being a very famous singer with that amazing voice of hers.. *insert a jealous face icon*

For some reason I like this older version of Pokarekare Ana than the one on Pure, I don't quite know why...

Anyway, thanks for sharing your thoughts with me!!!

Love,
Jenny

[Richard]

Hello again Jenny!

I also prefer the earlier recording of "Pokarekare Ana", possibly because it features Hayley singing the first verse a capella. I've heard Hayley sing a capella live a few times, including both her songs at Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre, where the picture in my avatar was taken. In fact she sang "Pokarekare Ana" completely a capella at Hampton Court, while the orchestra just sat there with their arms folded. Hayley's voice unaccompanied is truly sensational! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Bye for now,

Richard

[baxfield7]

Hi All

Yes, I have "My Gift to You" and I have just ordered "Hayley Westenra" from the HMV website, www.hmv.co.uk , it is 'in stock' but 'awaiting delivery' the cost is £17-99.

I did bid for it last week on ebay but stopped when it reached £15-50 plus £1 p&p. It finally sold for £22 !!

So, secondhand, used, £22. Brand new sealed £17-99. Hmm, let me decide. Decided !!

Barrie

[Dave Gibson]

WOW , After reading all these reviews I have to get in gear and get a copy before Christmas is here.I love Christmas and it's lovely music. I can only imagine the beauty of Hayley singing these songs.
Merry Christmas in June, Dave Gibson