Hayley's next album

[Jillian]

Hi all,

Thought I'd create this thread as a lot of discussion is getting mixed up in the Hushabye thread. I might be jumping the gun a bit, but I thought a new thread would be good as there has been a lot of discussion about the next album.

Thought I'd start with this quote from Libby from the Hushabye Charts and Sales thread.

Jul 26, 2013 3:33:05 GMT Libby said:

But I have a feeling that the lack of work required for this album (a tour, in particular) will pay off by giving her more time to focus on other interesting things. Probably the reason she's going right back to NZ after the promotion in Japan. She did say the wheels were in motion. A great chance for her to speed them up a bit, perhaps?

Hi Libby,

I agree, I think that Hayley will be looking at all the ideas and work that have been stored up over the last few years. I think the break caused by Hushabye will have given Hayley more time to think about the next album - and she is probably impatient to get it out there after all of this time.

As we know it there is:

• Material probably thought up before Ennio Morricone offered to create a whole album (Paradiso) for Hayley.
  
  
• The material that Hayley was tweeting about during late 2012 that she was writing and creating in the studio.
  
  

I'd love to know what kind of style it is in. I do think that Hayley's recent live repertoire and style might be a big hint.

Fingers crossed that it will be out sooner rather than later (but I know these things take time).

But if I might make one request, I really want 'Flowers in the Rainy Night' to be on the album: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEgXttxYuIo

Songs like that really emphasise Hayley's skill and versatility. That's what I'd like to see for the next album - a showcase of the best Hayley is - like I believe Pure and Paradiso are.

Cheers,
Jillian

[Libby]

Actually, that wasn't quite what I meant... the "wheels are in motion" answer she gave recently was regarding an entirely different, but equally exciting topic. LOL i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

But yeah, I'm glad there will be more time to work on the "real" album and get it out faster.

I had a lot of requests in the past, and several of them still stand. One time I even used the e-mail found through her management to make a few requests, back before the Twitter days, I think (but nowadays, I don't think I'd try that on Twitter, either, unless she was asking for ideas). Anyway, one of those songs that I listed in that e-mail just so happened to be Bridge Over Troubled Water! I wonder if she actually saw that message, or if it's just a coincidence, and she just came up with it without any influence from her fans (me in particular).

So, of course I'm still hoping for BOTW on her real album, despite it already being a bonus track on the current album. After all, Scarborough Fair was on a version each of both Odyssey and Treasure! Water is Wide, too. Mummer's Dance was a bonus track on those 2, as well as Pure!

You Raise Me Up would be great, too.

Another request I made in that message several years ago, was a song or 2 in Gaelic. She sang some with CW, of course, but never any on her own albums. I'd still love to hear something like that, and she even said somewhere recently (the cooking show?) that she's always loved Celtic/Irish music.

A newer request I have is for a song in French, which we got on Paradiso, but what I really want is a love song in French... possibly one she wrote herself (with translation help, of course). Especially if the wheels really are in motion. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif You know what I mean, now, don't you?

Oh, and of course, I'm hoping even still for I Know You By Heart. I'd just been thinking that it was too long ago for her to think to include that, but then Ross said she sang it at the concert in NZ, so my hope was revived again.

As for Flowers in the Rainy Night, I really want there to be a full album of Taiwanese songs, because I'd want to have that, Moon Represents My Heart, and Sweet as Honey, too! Might as well throw Bao Bei in while they're at it. Otherwise, that or another Taiwanes song might just end up on the Taiwanese version of her next album. Which would be fine with me, because after seeing the Taiwanese presentation of a Hayley album, I'm itching to get my hands on something special like that.

[Jillian]

Hi Libby,

I'd be hoping for some Taiwanese songs on the actual worldwide release! It happened with the bonus tracks of Hushabye, so it's possible.

I think it would add a fair bit of spark to a track list. A bit of a break from the usual Italian songs that are on Classical Crossover albums.

BOTW would be great on the new album too. I'd like that. I do wonder whether a lot of Hayley's live favourites will be recorded on the next album - I think it would make a lot of sense.

Cheers,
Jillian

[Libby]

Jul 27, 2013 5:36:40 GMT Jillian said:

Hi Libby,

I'd be hoping for some Taiwanese songs on the actual worldwide release! It happened with the bonus tracks of Hushabye, so it's possible.

I think it would add a fair bit of spark to a track list. A bit of a break from the usual Italian songs that are on Classical Crossover albums.

BOTW would be great on the new album too. I'd like that. I do wonder whether a lot of Hayley's live favourites will be recorded on the next album - I think it would make a lot of sense.

Cheers,
Jillian

I'm fine with Taiwanese songs on the main release, too, so long as enough of the album qualifies for the classical charts.

I wish she would record more of her live songs, because it can be frustrating for fans to hear it and watch it on youtube, but not play it elsewhere. Luckily, Moon was made available for download from her 2010 Taiwan concert, so I have that, and also I have a live I Know You By Heart, but I'd really like to have a recording with quality sound. That recording isn't the best sound, and I don't always like to hear talking before a song when I'm listening to music.

[Richard]

Thanks for starting this thread, Jillian!

I agree that 'Hushabye' has missed the bus now, at least here in the UK, so it's time to move on.

Richard

[martindn]

Which once again raises the question "what went wrong". Hushabye is not a bad album, in fact the concept ought to be saleable and given the concept, the execution was as good as it could be.
Once again, it comes down to promotion. With Hayley's albums it always comes down to promotion. People won't buy something if they don't know it exists.
Every time that happens, we say OK, water under the bridge (troubled or not), we must do better next time. But every next time it doesn't happen.
So, if Decca won't promote an album that is their own idea, how likely are they to promote one that is Hayley's idea? If they didn't even attempt to sell her Japanese Songs albums in the west, which I'm sure could have done at least as well as Pure, even though they wouldn't quality as classical, how likely are they to indulge any of Hayley's other ideas? Will they promote her next album at all, if it is as we would like.
In the UK there is no radio station that will play her non-classical stuff. That must change if Hayley is to achieve the success her talent deserves. It is up to her "people" to make sure it does change.

Martin D

[Simba]

Absolutely wonderful post, high time somebody made a bold statement that spoke a thousand words.

If Decca won't promote an album that is their own idea, how likely are they to promote one that is Hayley's idea?

While people are busy saying how Hushabye won't do anything to Hayley's career, how it was a stumbling block and things like that, it is important to note how it's the promotion that speaks in the end.
Only us fans will know if she releases a new album with great songs that we like, even when there's no promotion.

And considering the fact that Decca actually thought they could make a hit with Hushabye by trying to hit the jackpot, but then they failed miserably to do it 'as planned' or the way it should have, shows how much interest they are likely to show in her solo album.

2011 was a wonderful year for Hayley, and Paradiso with Ennio Morriconem, his name by itself was a great bonus, Decca obviously would've taken that seriously, and then a tour with Andrea Bocelli, and most of all appearing on the Rugby World cup final. Even then Paradiso didn't quite do as well as we expected it to, didn't outsell Pure either (which might be difficult).

So while content does matter, how well it's carried out in what situation and time matters, and let's hope things are favorable for Hayley and her next album is a great success.
We can't depend on Decca for Hayley's boosts, I wish for a big thing to happen, that'll really bring Hayley in the forefront.

This might be over-optimistic, but I wish Hayley is chosen to sing for next year's Football world cub. Shakira's waka waka at its time was the top viewed video on youtube, and was on TV all the time, all the channels. Now Hayley need not be the main theme, atleast the other song, like K'naan's "Waving flag" which also became really popular.

Like Martin said, how'd people buy something unless they know it exists? So we need something to inform the world about Hayley with big loud speakers "Hay y'all wanna hear the BEST voice? It comes from HAYLEY WESTENRA! She's the real deal!"

We can only pray

[Jillian]

But the thing with Hushabye was that without the topical 'Royal Connection' a lullaby album is a very niche thing that is designed for a select audience. It just isn't chart hit material and in my opinion never will be.

If the whole Will and Kate thing wasn't happening, it would be in the 'Children's Music' section of the CD store and would sell slowly over time as it was bought by new mothers and families. Accordingly, the charting positions in NZ have actually been impressive in my opinion.

A big hit album has broad appeal to a wide range of people. Pure was like that. That album appealed to such a wide demographic. lol Look at all the Youtube videos that teenagers make about Twilight using 'Dark Waltz'. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

I believe that if the next album has a new and original interpretation that makes it stand out from everything else, then it will be successful. Pure was like that - it had a very new and original sound that no one else had.

Hayley identified what made her stand out from everyone else and stuck to it. I also believe that Ennio Morricone absolutely brought out the best in Hayley's voice in Paradiso. With Hushabye, Hayley hid her voice.

If Hayley was to have her own original song like the way 'Time to Say Goodbye' was for Andre Bocelli, it would be a complete game changer. But songs like that are gold dust and they are extremely hard to write and find.

A new 'signature' song is what is needed. Both Hayley's two big ones 'Pokarekare Ana' and 'Amazing Grace' were both on Pure.

I wonder whether some work on her Taiwanese/Chinese repertoire could create some songs that would stand out on an international release.

Cheers,
Jillian

[Bamafan]

Here's my two bits (sorry if I repeat something; I only skimmed the above posts):

Hushabye could have sold well, selective audience or not. Winter Magic too. Honestly, at this point, I think it's time for Hayley to change record companies. Maybe go indie. Since Winter Magic, it seems Decca's promotion team have gone AWOL. And if they stay like this, no matter how amazing the next album is, it will sell worse. If she were to change to a different company, I'd reccomend she go to Reprise. That'd give her a decent promotional team and better chances to record w/ big names like Bublé or Groban, since they're also on Reprise.

All I want in the next album is very little: No strict theme. More upbeat stuff. Hayley-written material. Some nice classical pieces. And that's it. May they do with it what they may.

-Taylor i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[Jillian]

Hi Bamafan, I agree

But I wonder what the business and/or contractual implications behind splitting with Decca are? It's all probably quite complicated. Hayley may well be contractually obliged to them for a while yet. It would also depend on whether another label would give her a better deal.

I like your idea for the album. Sounds like a good mix.

Cheers,
Jillian

[Libby]

In an interview for Thailand last year before her tour in Asia, she said that her new album (which she thought she would be doing instead of Hushabye) would hopefully have songs similar to ones like Who Painted the Moon Black,which they had repeating over and over in the background throughout the interview. So, if that's true, the album could do well and appeal to a wider audience, if it is indeed promoted well. And I'll do my best to promote it heavily over on the Josh Groban forum. LOL And also on the classical crossover websites. Get the Crossover station to play the songs off it, like Joe has been working on recently, especially leading up to the the US release. Things like that. Every little bit helps.

Also, continually making a point of buying the release in your country, if there is one, even if you already have another version. And maybe buy an extra copy for your sister if you think she might like the songs on it. i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif That is, unless she miraculously decides to buy it herself, like my sister did with Celtic Treasure. That's the only album my sister really likes, though she likes a few songs from each of the other albums... I'm not expecting her to like anything from Hushabye, except for BOTW! Her opinion of lullabies is going to be worse than mine, and I doubt she'll even like Dream a Little Dream. Oh well...

I'm hoping Decca will have learned their lesson for not stocking all the stores, and missing the classical chart boat, if Hayley does want to continue qualifying for that. At this point, I think it's still very helpful if she does. As chungie pointed out in another thread, she has and still sounds amazing singing classical pieces like Laudate Dominum and Lascia, and even on Hushabye, you can hear that she does, like in Brahm's Lullaby.

Well, they did a little better with Paradiso, didn't they? Obviously they felt people would be more interested in that than something like Hushabye.

As for Winter Magic, some people here seemed to think that Christmas albums in general don't do that well in the UK, for some reason. Another thing that hurt her, I think, is that she didn't include enough familiar classics. I love her original songs on it, and songs like Coventry Carol and Winter's Dream are beautiful, but there's too many lesser-known songs on it. Also her rendition of the Christmas song was not amazing. But then, it's not an amazing song. But Josh Groban makes me almost like it.

I think it's more likely for Hayley to sing for a certain movie soundtrack than for a "football" game that's not held in New Zealand.

Hey, speaking of sporting events, the World Games in Colombia never turned out to be accurate, did it? I'm not sure anything ever really said she was supposed to be at that one, anyway. Oh well, Colombia's not the nicest country to go to, a lot of bad stuff goes on there.

[Simba]

Jillian: Throughout you're missing the point that Pure was her debut, and they did enough and more to promote it So even if it's got pure like material it might be difficult without said promotion.
And same kind of songs are not liked by some people too, I have heard so many comments saying "This girl has not even progresses, she singing the same kind of songs" Ofcourse they don't know how much hayley has improved.
So like Bamafan said she needs to strike a balance and show versatility in her album, like she did with pure, odyssey or treasure. As much as I like HWSJS and Paradiso and Hushabye, I really want the new album to be like a sequel to treasure, continuing that line, pure odyssey treasure _______? You know the evolution was perfect that way.

Libby, that was sweet, hehe. I mean we need to do every little thing to 'spread the word' like you said too

And movie track hmmmm that sounds wonderful, hopefully hans zimmer or James horner would want to do something with her. And maybe atleast this time it appears in the movie XD


And changing record labels, while it's nice that she's been with them this long and they still want her to be with them, I really don't mind her changing labels which will be more likely beneficial.
Her first album from a new label will be definitely promoted better than an 'n'th album with any label. And Decca is very bad at making music videos.....or promo videos, never liked any much for any of their famous artists XD....

[Jillian]

I don't think good sales and a great album equate to the same thing.

An album can still be an artistic triumph even if it is poorly promoted and has modest sales. However, the fiscally minded may disagree with me there!

[susieverity]

Hi everyone,

Personally I think Martin is right that Decca do not do nearly enough to promote Hayley, which is very annoying and it is even more annoying to see Hushabye's poor sales when it was their idea in the first place. I really hope her next album has original Hayley songs and I think something more upbeat that could be played on radio 2 because I think this would really help sales. I also love the idea of her doing a film theme. It would also be great if a Hayley song were used on an advert or something.

Susie

[Simba]

Jillian, that wasn't what we were talking about, I was merely talking about the success it'd be when people said Hushabye wouldn't do much to her success/career. And that success of the album is not just based on how good it is, but also how well it's promoted. If modest sales are okay and we're just talking about how good the album is going to be, then I'm sure it'll be stunning, while I thought Hushabye was too.