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Post by Libby on Mar 10, 2014 4:31:22 GMT
Yeah, but you won't get the music video with the standard version.  |
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Post by Bamafan on Mar 10, 2014 5:27:04 GMT
True, true. I'll probably end up getting both in time, though it'll take a while for me. This is (as far as I'm aware) Hayley's most expensive album, when it comes to original sticker price.  -Taylor i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif |
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Post by Simba on Mar 17, 2014 14:07:17 GMT
Stunning images and video! I love the first cover! Perfect. I wished Hayley would sing that first duet the classical way, now her voice/technique is just inferior to the Japanese woman who's singing it gracefully and brilliantly. I like the second song a lot though Her voice was NOT inferior to the other lady's... just different. Hayley's voice has more power than it used to, so why not show that aspect of her voice now that she can? Especially if her duet partner has a softer, more precise sound, do we want Hayley to sound just like her, and not stand out? To me, Hayley's voice stood out more than the other lady's. Don't mistake me, but I think the word 'power' has been used too much to define her new gained asset, so much so that I wonder what is this word referring to. Is it the raw singing, abrupt and loud notes? I don't see that working with every song that's the problem here. The duet was all over the place and I was happier when Hayley's voice went low in the harmonies and the other woman's voice coming in the forefront. Ofcourse Hayley's voice stood out, I'll give that to you, not in the good way though. I was waiting for her voice to go down and even with the other lady's. Hayley's voice doesn't need to be different in technique to stand out, the very tone and texture to it is enough. www.youtube.com/watch?v=0__PmSQLlzsI look at this duet to be very similar, Hayley singing Amazing Grace with another classical Japanese star. I always thought Hayley was so much better and beyond comparison even though she stays gentle throughout. My ear only hears Hayley's subtle harmonies. I almost don't mind the new voice as much, but what bothers me still is that, these are 'classical' songs to begin with. And she's singing it with a person who's singing it classically more over. It's a shame she chose to sing it more poppy/nasal with that talent next to her. Think about it like this, Who would you prefer Andrea Bocelli to do "The Prayer" with, Hayley Westenra or Celine dion? Hayley all the way for me! I love Celine dion and I don't think hayley can sing her pop songs with as much power and dynamics, but it's a classical song, with a classical voice, so only a supporting classical voice would work. As simple as that. My rant is not asking Hayley to 'go back' to her roots or sing how she used to, it's only a small hope that she doesn't discard the classical singing altogether which she's best at. I'm more worried because these are classical songs, if not for these which ones will she sing classically? None? Something to think about, I'm certainly not okay with it, but if that's what Hayley wants I'd rather have her not sing classical songs at all, instead of singing them differently, because I agree the new tone/technique works with pop numbers like Close to you and such. |
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Jillian
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Post by Jillian on Mar 17, 2014 14:53:05 GMT
I think the issue Simba is that for the last year or so Decca and Universal have been trying to ram a square plug into a round hole.
The duet really is just another product placement song -- they've stuck together two popular classical crossover artists just for funsies. This wasn't a situation where there was any consideration of whether they'd actually suit each other - they just got Hayley to sing over the other lady's old studio recording. It's just like if Decca got the idea of pairing up Katherine Jenkins and Hayley in a duet -- both great performers in their own right, but the voices wouldn't complement themselves in a duet. I really don't think it's particularly worth anyone's time getting too concerned about the duet. The Japanese songs are just some fluff for the greatest hits (although Hana Wa Saku sounds very pretty) and probably shouldn't be taken too seriously.
It's now so far beyond the point where Hayley needs new and original repertoire. We all know things have changed with Hayley's voice (and/or the way she chooses to use it) and I think that it's impossible to judge it until she gets the material out there which is designed to suit it. Until that happens, we'll just be in groundhog day with all of this.
All I can say is that based on the kind of performers that Hayley follows on Twitter, the music that she personally prefers is vastly different to the kind of music she has been recording over the last year or so. I often wonder if that means that a disconnect has opened up between Hayley the person and Hayley the performer - in terms of the kind of music she records and sings. Who knows? But I think Hayley has developed and changed a lot of the last 7/8 years -- and it's high time that she has an opportunity to show that in her repertoire.
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Post by Bamafan on Mar 17, 2014 15:48:57 GMT
In short, this is no big, just something slapped together by Decca. Take a chill pill. Hayley has changed, and her material needs an update. She's still an amazing performer, just different than how she used to be. -Taylor i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif |
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Jillian
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Post by Jillian on Mar 17, 2014 22:20:14 GMT
I mean, I will vent frustration that one of the best voices in the music industry has been relegated to recording novelty tracks.
After this Japanese album is over, that really needs to completely stop.
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Post by martindn on Mar 17, 2014 22:32:10 GMT
Well, Jillian, I have actually heard Hayley and Katherine Jenkins sing a duet, live on stage. OK it was almost exactly 10 years ago Katherine was unknown and about to release her first album and was Hayley's support act on her Pure Tour. I remember thinking, having been bowled over by Hayley, that Katherine actually sounded good singing with her, and she would not have done if she had not been a very good singer.
So it is interesting that you say their voices wouldn't complement each other. You might be right, but 10 years ago they did. Is this the point that Simba is making? Hayley has moved away from classical music, and sings more and more in her "pop" style. I can't recall that there was anything you would regard as classical that she sang at the Union chapel. The odd show tune and Amazing Grace, but over the years the purist classical stuff has been gradually dropped from her concert repertoire. The last album she made with new classical content was Treasure...
So I would contend that we don't really know that if she chose to sing one of her classical or operatic pieces now, she would use her "pop" voice style. It is so long since she did it we just don't know. Personally, I think she would still sing it in the classical way.
It is intersting to note the most popular vidoes on my YouTube channel are still the old ones. Two of the top three are from the Beaumanoe Hall concert, in my home county of Leicestershire back in 2009, although several from the Union Chapel feature in the top 10.
Martin D
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Jillian
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Post by Jillian on Mar 18, 2014 2:05:30 GMT
Well, Jillian, I have actually heard Hayley and Katherine Jenkins sing a duet, live on stage. OK it was almost exactly 10 years ago Katherine was unknown and about to release her first album and was Hayley's support act on her Pure Tour. I remember thinking, having been bowled over by Hayley, that Katherine actually sounded good singing with her, and she would not have done if she had not been a very good singer. So it is interesting that you say their voices wouldn't complement each other. You might be right, but 10 years ago they did. Is this the point that Simba is making? Hayley has moved away from classical music, and sings more and more in her "pop" style. I can't recall that there was anything you would regard as classical that she sang at the Union chapel. The odd show tune and Amazing Grace, but over the years the purist classical stuff has been gradually dropped from her concert repertoire. The last album she made with new classical content was Treasure... So I would contend that we don't really know that if she chose to sing one of her classical or operatic pieces now, she would use her "pop" voice style. It is so long since she did it we just don't know. Personally, I think she would still sing it in the classical way. It is intersting to note the most popular vidoes on my YouTube channel are still the old ones. Two of the top three are from the Beaumanoe Hall concert, in my home county of Leicestershire back in 2009, although several from the Union Chapel feature in the top 10. Martin D Hi Martin D - that's interesting. I wonder whether Hayley's rather high clear 2004/2005 voice rising above Katherine's deeper voice assisted that? I have a feeling it wouldn't be the same these days. Perhaps also the incongruity of Hayley's and Katherine's current images are also influencing my judgment. |
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Post by Libby on Mar 18, 2014 4:24:06 GMT
Simba, what will make me happier is when she finally comes out with her own "real" Hayley album. I'm seriously not very concerned about this latest best of compilation. I have very little interest in buying it, unfortunately. From the clips I heard of the new songs, I wasn't blown away (and it's NOT due to her voice, the songs are just don't do much for me). I said after seeing the new album artwork that I want it, but I'm not sure I'm willing to spend so much money on some pictures. And yet, I might like this album in my collection anyway. I'll have to see, but right now, nothing about the album's musical content interests me at all. I have all the repeats already, and it's hard to spend a lot of money on 2 new songs and some nice pictures. I may end up getting it eventually anyway, but right now I'm not so keen. I'm not going to worry about how Hayley sounds on an album until her next "real" album. These Japanese songs were most likely suggested her, not necessarily ones she chose herself. I'll analyze her voice more when she's singing her own songs that she chose/wrote herself. I have to say I'm with Taylor on the "chill pill" comment.  |
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Post by comet on Mar 18, 2014 9:31:57 GMT
It would be nice to have a copy of this in hand to have it signed at the National Concert Hall on the 28th March.
Do CD Japan send them out early so the will arrive on the release date ?
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Jillian
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Post by Jillian on Mar 18, 2014 9:50:10 GMT
It would be nice to have a copy of this in hand to have it signed at the National Concert Hall on the 28th March. Do CD Japan send them out early so the will arrive on the release date ? Hi Comet, Probably not early enough for it to get to the UK in time, unfortunately. |
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Post by martindn on Mar 18, 2014 21:54:15 GMT
Yes, Paul, I thought the same too, I would love to have my copy before I fly out, but I doubt I will. And certainly not if the customs get their hands on it.
Martin D
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Jillian
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Post by Jillian on Mar 19, 2014 10:04:18 GMT
I'm not going to worry about how Hayley sounds on an album until her next "real" album. These Japanese songs were most likely suggested her, not necessarily ones she chose herself. I'll analyze her voice more when she's singing her own songs that she chose/wrote herself. Exactly. Like we've said before, we're currently in a holding pattern until the new album is released. We've reached a point which I think is an extremely significant one in Hayley's career. We're entering phase 3 of Hayley's career (phase 1 was NZ early days and phase 2 was Pure to Paradiso). We're all waiting to see what Hayley does next.... and we have no indication as to what that might be... I think some of us know what we would like. Some of us even have theories about what we think Hayley wants to do.... The big mystery of 2014/2015. |
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Jillian
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Post by Jillian on Mar 19, 2014 10:38:26 GMT
Hi all, Universal Japan has uploaded some audio samples for the tracks here: www.universal-music.co.jp/hayley-westenra/products/uccl-1171/It's not every song (not the two new ones). But it does seem to indicate that Track 14 is still the same as on the Best of HSJS -- no new instrumentals as I previously thought. Perhaps that one was lost in translation! It's a fairly interesting exercise to listen to all the samples. I actually take back what I said before. The Post-Paradiso tracks are quite noticeable in their difference from the others. I guess I didn't notice it as much until you listen to everything in short snippets one after the other. I think it's the vibrato that stands out the most -- and something to do with the 'ee' sounds. I've been so focused on repertoire that I haven't really been paying too much attention to the actual singing it seems. The difference to tracks like 'Summer Rain' or 'Prayer' is enormous. I always thought I preferred Hayley's older stuff because the more recent song selections aren't my thing, but I now think there's more to it. Anyway, old news... I'm only about 3 months late to this conversation Then again, everything has been a bit topsy turvy and in the wilderness since Paradiso, so it's very likely that all of that will be well and truly sorted out by the next album. It's like Ennio Morriconne was such a powerful force that his departure left a power vacuum ... It's entirely possible that the change in sound could have a lot to do with recording and production techniques. I think a fair amount of classical crossover production magic went into Pure/Odyssey/Treasure etc. Hayley has also done a short promo video for the album - presumably at the same time as the video shoot. |
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Post by Richard on Mar 19, 2014 14:10:01 GMT
Nice finds, Jillian!  I'll post the video on our Facebook page straight away. Richard  |
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