Union Chapel London 18th Oct 2013

[martindn]

Oct 22, 2013 4:23:46 GMT Libby said:

And she sounded wonderful on YRMU, but it would be nice to have it in its entirety...

I agree. What impressed me when she came out and sang that at the start of the show was the immense power she now has, and how much that seems to have come on since the last time I saw her over a year ago. It seems that unlike me, who gave up on it because I didn't have time to line my camera up and set the zoom to the required level before she started singing, Paulo started recording after he had taken the time to do that. But I too would love it if someone has a video of the whole song.

Martin D

[jimg]

Oct 22, 2013 4:23:46 GMT Libby said:

What on earth was she talking about right before Who Painted the Moon? I can hardly hear anything she says in these videos.

Hi Libby, Although I can't remember the exact wording I think it was to the effect:- The songwriter had sent this to her/them just as they were finishing recording "Pure". They all loved the song so much they rearranged the album to fit it in.

[Jillian]

If anything, Union Chapel has really got me intrigued to see what is next with Hayley.

Judging my her comments on Twitter, a new album might not be as imminent as we'd hoped, but the Japan concerts indicate that Hayley will be doing some concerts next year. Perhaps there will be more Far East concerts at the same time?

It would be excellent fun if Hayley was to have her own YouTube channel where she could upload videos of herself performing some of her guitar pieces like Talk To Me -- but I imagine there's probably contractual and licensing restrictions going on with all of that.

At any rate, Union Chapel seems to indicate to me sort of where Hayley sees her future direction in music lying and I really like it.

Like Libby said - it's a bit like Josh Groban's recent repertoire. Not classical, but at the same time really different to mainstream pop.

Right now, if I could imagine Hayley's next album, it would be something folky, whimsical with a bit of a country vibe running through it. I just get that sort of impression. No idea whether I'm right or not!

Cheers,
Jillian

[Joar]

The fine tunes of the violin rolled out as everyone sat there waiting for Hayley to appear. The violin sounded so natural (not over-amplified), which I took as a signal that bode well for the vocals as well. The instrumental intro for YRMU was soon over, with Hayley poised behind the microphone and me sitting in the crowds with a feeling of pleasurable anticipation. It was very touching to hear her voice for the first time live, and it just got better and better as the song's dynamics unfolded It was the perfect song to start with that sat me in the right mood instantly.
Then 'Dream a Little Dream' was on, which was a feisty number. I favor the chorus because that's where I think the power of her voice shines through the best. On the verses she tends to sound a bit weak and the words a little cut-off.
'Scarborough Fair' came a little unexpected, and I pleasantly surprised I actually liked that performance quite a lot.
'Whispers in a Dream (Gabriel's Oboe)' came on and if it wasn't already clear it sure was now that the musicians backing Hayley were doing an incredible job. I was a delight listening to the cello on this track. As a cellist myself of course I must say so :wink: Jonathan took over and delivered some powerful songs that shows his great vocal range and volume. He said he was very happy to perform for Hayley and in this amazing venue. He also appreciated to get the opportunity to appear live after a long time in the studios.
When Hayley returned to sing 'Amazing Grace' I was pleased as ever and surprised to hear her sing the song exactly like it is recorded on 'Pure'. She included the tricky bit expressed at 2:54 through 2:57 on the CD and didn't swap it for the "safe fix" she's been applying on most previous occations.
It was great to hear her sing rarities like WYNK (WHU), TMD and MHBTY. But the peak of the first set for me has to be 'La Califfa'. It was so mesmerizing I must admit I got a little wet around the eyes when it played.

After the interval, 'Summer Fly' spiced up the atmosphere and connected well with the audience after a short and busy break for those that swung by the upstairs bar as fast as they could.
'I know you by heart' was a treat I hope someone recorded She had made the idea of having a "mini-set" of songs by female artists that have inspired her, which I think was a great idea. It was a great gift to her fans

This is getting quite long, and I can't comment on every song. That'll take forever ^^_^^, but I'd like to say this was an absolutely amazing concert which I feel lucky that has been my first i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif Hopefully she will be doing more UK concerts in the near future. That, or central Europe

[Jillian]

Oct 22, 2013 7:44:02 GMT Richard said:

Hello folks!

There's clearly a consensus that Hayley's guitar playing was one of the many highlights of the evening. I hope she will develop the idea in the future, because she was able to connect with the audience much better than when she played the piano in previous concerts, as Jillian pointed out.

Richard

Oct 22, 2013 9:16:54 GMT martindn said:

Yes, I agree, I too enjoyed Hayley's guitar playing although she only played 3 chords, C Major, G7 and D Minor, which are usually the first ones anyone learns on a guitar. I'm hoping she knows a few more than that, and was just being careful, knowing that she had to sing at the same time. Or perhaps when she wrote that song, she was much more of a beginner on the instrument than she is now.

I too would like to encourage her to play the guitar on stage more often. It was delightful.

Martin D

Hi Richard and Martin D

Yes I agree. The guitar playing is most effective as a means of playing an instrument and connecting directly with the audience.

I'm hoping that the potential for this is recognised. I'm sure if Hayley was to start on a serious mission of lessons and development with the guitar (I think she's mostly self taught as a hobby up until now??) that she could become quite proficient fairly quickly.

[grant]

Oct 22, 2013 4:23:46 GMT Libby said:

What on earth was she talking about right before Who Painted the Moon? I can hardly hear anything she says in these videos.

Oct 22, 2013 10:52:58 GMT jimg said:

Hi Libby, Although I can't remember the exact wording I think it was to the effect:- The songwriter had sent this to her/them just as they were finishing recording "Pure". They all loved the song so much they rearranged the album to fit it in.

Hi Libby and Jim

Jim, what I think you are referring to relates to Never Saw Blue which was a late addition to Odyssey after it was sent to Hayley by an American writer.

Before she sang Who Painted The Moon Black she said that she was surprised that this was one of the most requested songs she had been asked to sing at the concert.

Still working on my offering which I hope to post later this afternoon. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Best wishes
Grant

[jimg]

Oct 22, 2013 11:04:48 GMT Jillian said:

I'm hoping that the potential for this is recognised. I'm sure if Hayley was to start on a serious mission of lessons and development with the guitar (I think she's mostly self taught as a hobby up until now??) that she could become quite proficient fairly quickly.

I am sure I remember A J Moore telling Hayley to keep practising the guitar as he would be giving Hayley another lesson in the next few days. This would have been at least 3 or 4 years ago.

[jimg]

Yes Grant you are right. My memory is going a bit. But then I expect you have heard it more often than me.

[grant]

Friday couldn’t come soon enough. I haven’t seen Hayley in concert for 14 months – my longest “dry” period since my very first concert back in September 2005. Now, at 5am, I am mentally running through my plans for the day and I’m unsettled, Mmm, often get like this before a big day. I had intended to catch a midday train; get to Croydon in time to check in at 3pm; then head straight up to Islington to meet up with everyone. I plan it that way to avoid paying the Travelodge early check in fee of £10. Funny though, I nearly always change my mind and today it was to prove to be a very wise decision.

So it was that I arrived at the stage door at around 2pm to find a number of familiar faces already waiting: more arriving as time went on. People came and went. Musicians arrived. Cars passed, but no sign of Hayley. Eventually, and a little before 3pm, Ash appeared at the stage door and wandered into the street talking on his phone. “Hayley is near” I thought to myself. Sure enough a smart black car appeared and pulled to a stop in front of us and Hayley stepped out with a cheery “Hi guys”. She seemed pleased to see us and happily signed the usual myriad of things presented to her, then, commenting that she ought to be getting ready for her sound check, she headed for the stage door, giving me just enough time to present her with an early Christmas card!

I won’t go into the details of the in-between times but we were surprised to find the queue outside Union Chapel already numbering 25 or so when we joined it a little after 5.30pm but I think we all managed to get reasonable enough seats. The auditorium must be one of a kind being an octagonal knave with high domed ceiling, ornate wood panelling and magnificent stone arches which tower above the stage. We settled down to wait for Hayley to appear.

Now I pride myself on being able to recognise Hayley's intro’s – well, most of them anyway, but when the band struck up for Hayley's first song I couldn’t place it. I knew I knew it but then I was expecting a familiar song. I commented to Hayley when we met her earlier that her tweet about “old songs, new songs, surprise songs” had intrigued me but when it finally dawned that Hayley was going to sing “You Raise Me Up” I was beside myself. Roger first introduced me to this song with a video of Becky Jane Taylor singing it which I love and I love Lisa Kelly’s version too but I never expected to hear Hayley sing it. Needless to say I was blown away by Hayley's rendition.

Actually, I was blown away by just about everything Hayley did. She gave a very powerful performance throughout and, on top of that she had control and she had emotion and she was awesome. She looked amazing too. Hayley must have been on stage for a good two to two and a quarter hours in total during which time we heard a stunning mix of songs exactly as her tweet had promised. Some of which had been requested and many, I suspect, her personal favourites. She did say at one point that the short set that began with “I Know You By Heart” was to showcase songs by her favourite and inspirational artists and songwriters. But this concert had so many special moments for us as well.

You Raise Me Up was very special for me as was I Dreamed A Dream and I Believe. I Know You By Heart always moves me and on Friday the way Hayley delivered the final “heart”, almost as a breath, made my spine tingle. The acapella beginning of Bridge Over Troubled Water must rate as one of my top ‘best ever Hayley moments’ – you could have heard a pin drop. I had wanted to hear this live and it was everything I expected it to be – perfection plus!

But it has to be, doesn’t it? “Talk To Me” What!! It didn’t dawn at first. I can’t even remember if it was the first or second encore! When Ash came onto stage with a stool and a guitar I was initially puzzled – all the guitarists on stage have their instruments don’t they? Then Hayley gave it a nervous glance and giggled and the penny dropped. Have to admit I did get a bit carried away at that point. I think we all knew that one day Hayley would accompany herself on stage with her guitar, just like she did at Shepherds Bush with her keyboard but no one could anticipate when that day would be. She was brilliant too and the choice of song, perfect and I hope that all the positive comments made about her performance will encourage her to play her guitar more often.

For me, Union Chapel has to go down as my best ever Hayley concert and there have been many, many fantastic nights over the past 8 years I’ve already tweeted Hayley to tell her that I thought it was her best ever set list too. Hayley seemed to be enjoying herself as much as we were and if she was trying to make up for the fact that she hadn’t had a headline UK concert for 14 months she certainly succeeded in my book. I was just sorry I couldn’t stay longer at the end to tell her what a wonderful evening she had given us but if I’d missed the last tube, heaven knows what time I would have got back to Croydon!

Thank you Hayley, you were amazing!

[Simba]

Oh Libby, here's a full video of You Raise me up www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmL5gY8H0pg
I might be the only one who doesn't like this performance, I don't understand what's with the belting these days. For some songs it works, for some doesn't. I don't see this as powerful if it's just beltng, I don't see this as a song that has to be 'loud' in the first place.
I'd have prefered the last verse to be loud, but from the beginning it was pretty out-sung. Well that's just me, the celtic woman version will always be my favourite version (though if hayley had sung it as a solo when she toured with them, I'm sure it'd have been my favourite XD)
Really loved her vibrato in this one though (forgetting the song) And I also enjoyed how "what you never know" and "close to you" were sung in the right gentle mood
I hope "I know you by heart" was sung with the same gentleness.

[martindn]

That video was posted by Tim J, who came over from America to see the show. I'm glad he got home OK! As I was walking to my car from the Union Chapel at about 12.30am on Saturday, I heard someone call my name and it was Tim. He had missed the last tube train back to St Pancras, and asked me where he could catch a bus to there. I pointed down theroad that leads to central London, but I'm afraid I had no idea whether the buses were still running at that time of night. I suppose there are always taxis.

Martin D

[Martin]

Oct 22, 2013 13:57:39 GMT Simba said:

I might be the only one who doesn't like this performance

Hi Simba
Probably. :wink: I personally thought the arrangement and power of the performance was spine tingling. Yes, it wasn't the usual sentimental and insipid rendition that you often hear by other artists (sometimes referred to as "namby pamby) but, instead, a reflection of the direction Hayley appears to be taking - a power and meaning to the song.

So, I'm afraid to use the term "belting" is a bit unfair but I respect your opinion even as you say it may be by a minority of one.

Martin

[martindn]

Time for another video I think. I already have a video of La Califfa on my YouTube channel, from the Kings Lynn concert last year, but this new one from the Union Chapel is in my opinion a much better video and a better performance from Hayley, so definitely worth uploading. Hope you like it.

youtu.be/asmPqYbyMf4

As always, the image will be more stable in a few minutes.

Martin D

[martindn]

Oh., and I enjoyed "You Raise Me Up" and was hoping someone had managed to get the full length version. And I agree with Martin. When she started the concert with that song, sung in that way, my reaction was WOW! Such power, not just for the sake of it, but as Martin said, to sing the song in an innovative way and give it more power (rather than just loudness). I was sorry after a few seconds that I had not managed to set my camera up in time to record the start of it, as I though it was a terrific way to start the concert.

Martin D

[timj]

Great Show!! Good to see Hayley and all my HWI friends. Hayley's voice is in great condition, she sang about 25 tunes with no apparent trouble AT ALL.......I've got things to post but uploading video is killing my processor (and redeyes to fix) so later.

Martin, Josef and I ended up walking to Kings Cross, everyone we met on the way was beerstruck, so directions were funny! (lucky it was downhill all the way!)

Hayley signed my Hushabye Insert