Hayley's varied singing techniques and styles

[Libby]

I agree, Martin. As much as I wish Hayley could be more popular, I would never want Hayley to change who she is as a singer and artist just to try to gain more attention. I really don't think it would even work to do what Steve says, anyway.

With Jackie Evancho, and now Forte, becoming popular in the US, I think the classical crossover genre just might start growing in popularity. Very slowly, I'm sure, but it's better than nothing. Forte have made it to the AGT finals, and they have a very good chance of winning. Even if they don't, they'll probably be pretty close, and already they seem to be very popular with AGT fans.

If not for Jackie Evancho, Becky and Pat would probably never have started their classical crossover radio station, and they would never have heard of Hayley. I think there are a lot of Jackie fans who were new to crossover music before they heard her. So, there's one good thing about these shows, huh?

This thread is starting to sound more like the "Which direction?" thread. Just saying.

[Simba]

You know that's why I wanted to move the posts to that thread. But thing is, these posts fit in here better than there (including that topic's posts). Because here we can discuss what she was, how she is and where she is heading towards XD

[martindn]

Yes, I think you are right Libby. Having home grown artists that are successful in the genre who can get TV exposure is the best way to reach lots of people. TV pushes the music into people's faces (to put it crudely) rather then then having to go and look for it. If they like it they might then try to learn more and discover other artists. I think in the US perhaps the artists need to be home grown though. Katherine Jenkins is probably better known as a dancer than a singe rover there.

Martin D

[Libby]

Aug 31, 2013 20:34:42 GMT martindn said:

Yes, I think you are right Libby. Having home grown artists that are successful in the genre who can get TV exposure is the best way to reach lots of people. TV pushes the music into people's faces (to put it crudely) rather then then having to go and look for it. If they like it they might then try to learn more and discover other artists. I think in the US perhaps the artists need to be home grown though. Katherine Jenkins is probably better known as a dancer than a singe rover there.

Martin D

That's true, but because she was on the dancing show, people were more likely to try to find out more about her, and hear her music. Because of her time on the show, she was invited to sing on TV shows she wouldn't normally have been able to do.

But I would not want Hayley to do that sort of thing. They can't all do it. lol One thing KJ had going for her was that she had performed on the show once before, so she was already familiar to the DWTS producers.

It would be nice if Hayley could sing on the show sometime, and show off her wonderful singing technique, if they keep on doing that classical night. I'm not sure they did it last time, though.

[Bamafan]

Yes, that would be good. I sometimes wonder how it would sound if she were to do something like O Mio today. Definitely different.

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

[stevemacdonald]

Aug 30, 2013 4:13:42 GMT Libby said:

...Steve, you seem to think changing genres will do her more good, but I say, her music style has always been just fine, though more original songs would certainly be better. It's the lack of promotion that's the main problem, I think, and like Martin says, little if any radio play.

The point of adding (not changing) genres is that it reaches new listeners who might then discover more about Hayley once they're initially hooked.

As a classic "thought experiment" imagine that Hayley has recorded a catchy pop tune that gets decent exposure on the radio. People call in asking for more plays of her song and soon she has a hit on her hands. The song's popularity grows and crosses the world's oceans into North America and Asia. Next thing you know Hayley's in demand for appearances everywhere as her fame expands exponentially. More than a few of her new-found fans will investigate her previous music and become fully wowed by what they discover. Nice thought experiment, eh?

All Hayley needs is a breakthrough hit that communicates with the majority of music lovers. It doesn't have to be country or rock or pop, but those are the best styles for getting exposure. What is Hayley is highly adept at is performing, regardless of the genre. She can sing catchy pop tune brilliantly. Just listen to her a cappella "S.O.S." snippet and you'll know she has the chops. More importantly she has the likability factor that would melt a lot of fans' hearts, just as Olivia Newton-John had back in her early career. The right pop vehicle for Hayley is out there waiting to be written, whether by her or someone who specialises in hit material.

[Simba]

Snippet of S.O.S? I'd like to see that
And right pop vehicle? I still don't think it's the song or the way she sings that would make it popular. Like Martin was saying it's what the media feeds to the people. However great the song or popular it might sound, if it's going to be undiscovered I don't see it going places.
Infact Hayley already has songs of hit material. Her song, my heart belongs to you has been very catchy and of more than 25 people over a few years that I've brought Hayley to, My heart belongs to you was their favourite, because it wasn't really classical, poppish, but still hayley, and had wonderful lyrics and melody. They kept singing "Hold me, touch me, let your love come rushing through me"
I can already see that song being a world hit if promoted well.
And I don't see the thought experiment really working either, it's just not that simple. We need to be a little practical, while I do agree Hayley would have done better back in the old gold days, than now, songs really don't get popular for the catchy tune or anything. All of those mainstream pop music, I don't even think most have a tune...

What might help is if she collaborates with popular people, I see that as the only way it can happen that has always been the case, no matter music or whatever field. Take movie starts, you get an opportunity to act in a big movie by a big director and then you become popular. The thing is we need hayley to be a part of something that people will search for or be interested in not for hayley herself but for something else. Like Celtic woman, that added to a lot of hayley's popularity.
And also shows like Libby mentioned would help. That's also why I'd like Hayley to do an album with famous people collaborations, or appear in other popular albums.

And Bamafan, O Mio Babbino now? If she sings that song like she's singing it now, I'm sure that will be Hayley's most disliked video. As it is people cringe for her semi classical singing when singing that song. I can also see why she's not singing those songs too often these days.

[Richard]

Hello Simba!

I've found a clip of Hayley singing "S.O.S." accompanied by Ian Tilley on the piano:

www.tudou.com/programs/view/Ycn-74cIsR4/

Read all about it HERE. Gerrit's original clip is no longer available, so I've posted the new link in that thread.

Richard

[Simba]

Just listened to it. Wonderful performance, though steve, I don't see how it's relevant to refer to that video 7 years back, she doesn't sing like that anymore is the sad thing.

[Bamafan]

Sept 1, 2013 6:51:33 GMT Simba said:

And Bamafan, O Mio Babbino now? If she sings that song like she's singing it now, I'm sure that will be Hayley's most disliked video. As it is people cringe for her semi classical singing when singing that song. I can also see why she's not singing those songs too often these days.

I don't usually debate, but I will here. First, please, call me Taylor. Second, I agree with almost everything in your post before this point. The music industry is a sad, sad place at the moment. Third, I think she might sound good on O Mio now. Yes, much to everyone's shock and amazement, I do. You remember that video I shared of Hayley singing Jerusalem? Like that. And I honestly don't think a lot of people would like it. Opera buffs, for one, but no matter what Hayley does they will always dislike her music (unless she gets proper opera training, goes on to perform an entire opera in an opera house, and goes on to record it. And I don't think Hayley is going that way). A few longer-time fans might not like it because they would keep looking back to 2006. I must admit, if she did it now it would not be the same as her ever-so-popular/unpopular live performance on that TV show. I thought that performance was magical to me. But if she did it right, I'm sure I'd think it would sound good today. I'm positive there would be many people who would dislike it, and it might not be a good direction for Hayley, but I think I would enjoy it.

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

[grant]

Hi Taylor

Sept 1, 2013 13:36:15 GMT Bamafan said:

Longer-time fans might not like it because they would keep looking back to 2006.

I first discovered Hayley way back in 2005 but those early days are gone and it does no good to dwell on that. Yes, Hayley sounds a lot different now to those early days but that's progress. Those of us who are her fans today should be so because of NOW not because of how she once sounded. She isn't suddenly going to change back!

I fall into the category of loving Hayley's voice so I'm pretty much going to like anything she sings and I still love the early sound - one of my all time favourites is "I Dreamed A Dream" from way back when Hayley was just 14. I have numerous different versions of "Hine", another one of my favourite Hayley songs, and I rate the one on Hushabye as one of the best, so, if Hayley choses to resurect one of her early classics and re-record it, that's fine by me. One simply cannot say that it will be disliked without hearing it.

Best wishes
Grant

[Simba]

Sorry 'bout that Taylor, I tend to go by people's usernames, my bad. And you're right Jerusalem was amazing, it'd be interesting to see how Hayley sings it now, but it being one of the greatest opera arias, I can see how people wouldn't like it if it's sung in a different style or technique. I guess hayley would respect that when considering singing those songs again. And that is why I said 'if' she sang O Mio Babbino in her pop way. Not that she will, she most likely won't sing it in the pop way or she won't sing it at all. But I'd very well like to hear her do it again And ofcourse more classical.

And about looking back at 2006, if it's aimed at me, then I repeat myself, the quality or technique I'm talking about is irrespective of Hayley's voice maturing That's why a gave a very recent example of Paradiso's Malena, then that Japanese song with Junichi.
It's not wise to say 'that voice' is long gone, when what I wish to explain is her technique which she can use at her free will. Her voice is a gift, I don't see it deteriorating, it's still as pristine as it always was. It's just how you use it.

[Bamafan]

Understood. And to put your mind at ease, I wasn't aiming at you or anyone else on the forum, just exploring the possibilities. I do hope Hayley has more operatic-type material on the next album. Along with a good mix of her own songs, mind you.

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

[martindn]

Hayley's voice has matured and changed, and yes there are times when I have felt she was struggling to deal with the changes. But now as she gets older, and once she gets to 30ish, you can expect that change to slow down.
As to the relative merits of her different styles and different times, yes, I first heard Hayley sing back in March 2004. I was blown away by her voice then. She had something I felt that no other no other singer I had ever heard could do. Her voice has changed since, and her technique has developed. And in my opinion improved. It is difficult to say much that is completely current at the moment, I haven't heard her sing live for over a year. But there was certainly nothing wrong with her singing a year ago. More mature than ever, and still with that fabulous beautiful voice. More characterful and with better technique, but perhaps less pure. And able to perform an even wider range of material.
The problem with the classical stuff is that is soon runs out. Then you have to perform more and more obscure works, and they are probably obscure for a reason. So sticking with classical would not only be extremely limiting, it would mean using progressively worse material.
So she branches out. And that is to her credit. Paradiso was wonderful. So in its own way (and I know it isn't to everyone's taste) is Hushabye.
KJ is now back at Decca. Could she do the variety of stuff that Hayley does? Much as I like Katherine, I doubt it.
Hayley needs to do her own thing. Whenever she does, the result is wonderful. She has arguably the best soprano voice on the planet, and knows how to use it. There are so many brilliant subtle touches in her singing, that nobody else I have ever heard comes close to. Other singers seen one dimensional compared to Hayley, even though there are several that I like. Hayley is still in a class of her own for me.
All though her career, she has used the voice that she has wonderfully. It has been an enjoyable ride and still is. I'm looking forward to hearing her in October.

Martin D

[Libby]

Steve, Hayley has plenty of catchy songs, as Simba said. I don't think she should suddenly go pop, just to get one catchy pop hit out there. And since she isn't the type prone to prancing around in her undies and doing other distasteful things, she might not gain very much attention. Of course, there are certainly more tasteful artists out there who are also fairly popular, but a lot of that is due to being "home-grown", I think, either that or just being very well-promoted (there are plenty of British and Canadian artists that are quite popular in the US). It's just all about promotion, as far as I can tell. If Hayley's management had continued to get her on the shows in the US with each new album, she might have gotten somewhere. But, I guess they didn't think it was worth the effort.

I certainly would be interested to hear how Hayley would do with OMC these days, but I don't see it happening. I wouldn't want her to sing that on DWTS, if that's what you mean, Taylor, because KJ already did. And of course, Jackie already did Dark Waltz, so she would have to sing something else. I'd rather she do something newer (maybe something off her next album?) But, first she has to get invited to sing on the show, so right now there's not much point in worrying about what song she should do if she ever does. Again, I don't even know if DWTS is doing classical night anymore, anyway. I don't think they've had it since Jackie Evancho was on, have they?

I agree that it would do her good to perform with artists who are already well-known. Hey, it's not as if she hasn't performed at the same event as some pretty famous artists. She's going to be performing alongside Susan Boyle, and this is going to be on TV.

I really hope a Michael Buble and/or Josh Groban duet happens someday... that, and the Hobbit soundtrack, and then maybe she'll get somewhere.

Steve, I'm not sure Hayley would want quite all that much fame, anyway. A movie soundtrack would certainly do a lot of good, but even that probably wouldn't turn her into a huge star all of a sudden. As big as a movie soundtrack is, I still don't see it turning her into an instant, world sensation, and that's not really what I'm aiming for when I say I want this to happen. Unless it's along the lines of a Josh Groban-type world sensation, but Josh is a guy, and women love him, so that's partly why he does so well.
At the very least, a soundtrack would probably give her a lot more album/mp3 sales than she has now, from a bunch of obsessed, everything-Tolkien fans. And hopefully be able to have at least a few concerts over here whenever she has a new album.