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Post by martindn on Dec 2, 2013 21:57:52 GMT
I'm sure she did with her spoken links what she often does in the Far East. Spoke slowly and distinctly using simple words and sentences because she knew that English was not the first language of most of her audience. I am sure I have seen her do that, and I can understand why some might think it "childish". She is doing it for the benefit of those in the audience whose English is less than perfect. So I think criticism of that might be below the belt.
That it might therefore not be as witty or original as it could be is forgivable in the circumstances I think. Would they rather she went off into a monologue that only 5% of the audience could keep up with?
To me she always seems natural on stage, although she does have prepared ways of introducing songs that she uses over and over again. Nothing wrong with that.
Martin D
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Post by Bamafan on Dec 2, 2013 23:24:14 GMT
Never seeing Hayley in person, I shouldn't, won't, and can't make any true judgement. But from what little bit I've experienced through videos, she seems all right with me.  And that is a wonderful recording! One of her best, I think. :rollin -Taylor i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif |
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Post by Simba on Dec 3, 2013 6:26:42 GMT
Martindn, that makes a lot of sense. If that's what it was aimed at, I think it was a wise decision. And ofcourse those of us who are fans who know her personality would appreciate the way she is, and would only like her to be herself. But that's why mostly our thoughts could be a consensus and a person who doesn't know Hayley at all might have contradicting thoughts about her singing/performance and everything. But I can only say Hayley's performances are getting better and better, the different kinds of concerts are also very interesting, the Union Chapel one which more striped down, smaller audience. And now this one with a Huge Orchestra and Choir. It's nice to see same songs performed in different typologies. And like I've said many times, I really like the drum sections that are starting to become heavier in songs like You Raise me up, Bridge over troubled water, and now Moon represents my heart, seemingly breaking that "monochrome" claim that was put on the songlist. Some may like the original but I think it's nice that they're doing this for those who'd enjoy those beats. It just makes things a tad more powerful coupled with her voice. Sure some might argue that her voice is just enough, but I'm looking at everyone in perspective. |
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Post by Tin on Dec 3, 2013 8:25:00 GMT
I am no "expert listener" but I believe there isn't much the performer can control when it comes to the performance venue. Hayley's voice in both concerts was, to my untrained ears, as stable and well trained as it has always been, but the acoustics of the historical City Hall concert hall were no match for the other better equipped ones. This somehow made Hayley's singing in the first concert more karaoke-like. But I noticed that that issue was much alleviated if not completely gone in the second concert. I'm not sure it's fair for the learned reviewer to attribute this indirectly to Hayley's skills. As to Hayley's spoken links in between songs, I'm again unsure what the reviewer was expecting from a young lady of the modern 21st century. If he was looking for performers with the serious demeanour akin to something of a governess in the Victorian era, I think he attended the wrong concert. |
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Jillian
Global Moderator
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Post by Jillian on Dec 3, 2013 11:08:27 GMT
I had a look at the set list and when I really looked at it I realised (of the ones recorded) just how old the majority of the songs are. Let's get a bit technical. Using the release dates until the present...  -- Prayer: 2005 - 8 years 4 months old. -- Scarborough Fair: 2005 - 8 years 4 months old. -- Whispers in a Dream: 2011- 2 years 7 months old. -- The Mummers Dance: 2003 - 10 years 5 months old. -- La Califfa: 2011: 2 years 7 months -- Bao Bei: 2013: 5 months -- My Heart Belongs to You: 2005 - 8 years 4 months old. -- Summer Fly: 2007 - 6 years 9 months old. -- Pokarekare Ana: 2001: 12 years 7 months -- Dream a Little Dream: 5 months old. -- Over the Rainbow: 2001 - 12 years old. -- I Dreamed a Dream: 2001 - 12 years 7 months old. -- Amazing Grace: 2001: 12 years 7 months old. -- Wuthering Heights: 2003: 10 years 5 months old. -- Bridge Over Troubled Water: 2013 4 months old. The vast majority of these songs are really quite old. A great cluster of them are from the period when Hayley was 14 to 18. The albums Hayley Westenra, My Gift to You, Pure, Odyssey and Treasure are of a very consistent theme. Production values aside, the songs from these albums could be switched around in any combination on any of these discs and they wouldn't stand out. The fact that there are duplicate re-records of songs across these albums supports this. The reviewer probably thinks not much has happened in the last twelve years because the set list is a 'best of' selection which is heavily focused on Hayley's earlier material. A fair bit of it actually being between 10 and almost 13 years old. It makes sense for the first show in a country, as Pure is probably the album that most people know Hayley by. But a show case of new territory being conquered it is not - but I don't think that's what they were aiming for. I do wonder if the reviewer is actually fairly familiar with Hayley and was hoping for a more recent and up to date set list rather than a greatest hits package. Perhaps he would have been more satisfied if a track like Amália Por Amor or Metti Una Sera A Cena from Paradiso had been included. Here's To You would have pretty grand with a big choir. There's definitely an edge to all the Paradiso recordings which is unique from Hayley's other albums. Although it does indicate to me that something with a new flavour and sound will be needed to spice up set lists in the future. Traditionally, Hayley brings out Mummers Dance and Wuthering Heights, but those songs are almost 11 years old and were designed for a 15/16 year old Hayley. Hayley is set to turn 27 next year and a lot happens to a person in those intervening years. I suspect (hope? ) this will be the focus of the (almost reaching urban legend status) widely rumoured 2014/2015 album. |
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Post by Raymond on Dec 3, 2013 14:03:17 GMT
I think the songs chosen are suitable choices for a first concert. I suppose when Hayley comes to Hong Kong next year (hopefully this will happen), some other songs can be chosen and audience will love them.
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Post by Bamafan on Dec 3, 2013 23:09:13 GMT
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Post by Libby on Dec 4, 2013 3:35:47 GMT
I think the songs chosen are suitable choices for a first concert. I suppose when Hayley comes to Hong Kong next year (hopefully this will happen), some other songs can be chosen and audience will love them. I completely agree. For any country that has never had a Hayley concert, or not for a very long time, this song list would be very desirable, because someone (like me) who has never seen Hayley in concert before would want to hear those songs and more! Of course we wouldn't expect her to sing everything, but the point is that at this point, we'll be happy to hear anything. I've been hoping for a Hayley concert for 8 years now. Not that Hayley hasn't been here in that amount of time, but unfortunately circumstances weren't in my favor back then, and even now I would find it difficult to go to one outside of the Northwest.  |
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Post by Bamafan on Dec 4, 2013 5:32:35 GMT
Yes, I agree with yall about the song choices. Like Libby said, for those who have never seen Hayley live, a "best-of" style concert wold be very desirable and, I think, a very strategic move on Hayley and her management's part.  Variety is key when trying to capture fresh audiences. -Taylor i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif |
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Post by Simba on Dec 4, 2013 6:59:54 GMT
Yes, I thought the setlist was wonderful too. But like someone said, it'd be interesting if Hayley chose Metti Una Sera or Amalia Por Amor often. Completely different genres that would be a nice addition to any set list. But I'm really expecting to here Malena live. It's a shame she's never performed it live, that along with Once upon a time. The last time she performed a full vocalese piece was Bachianas Brasilerias from 2004 I'm guessing. True that Paradiso has a lot of variety under the single theme.
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Post by Richard on Dec 4, 2013 9:56:58 GMT
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Post by Richard on Dec 4, 2013 14:58:40 GMT
Two new photographs from the City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ccohkClick on the images for enlargements. Richard  |
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Post by Simba on Dec 4, 2013 16:18:02 GMT
Hayley's getting really really pretty by the day(already amazingly beautiful)! These photos are brilliant. I really like the last group pictures. Red/Maroon is really turning out to be "Hayley's color". It's like she owns it. And the brown hair's going ever so perfectly with it.
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Post by Sing on Dec 4, 2013 16:41:51 GMT
Lovely photos!  |
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Post by Richard on Dec 5, 2013 9:13:10 GMT
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And that is a wonderful recording! One of her best, I think. :rollin
Variety is key when trying to capture fresh audiences. 
