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Post by martindn on Dec 16, 2014 14:14:12 GMT
Monday
Well, it is always an anticlimax. Going home day, still buzzing from the wonderful shows we had seen. As always we had our happy memories and photos and videos to remind us, and another Hayley concert or two under our belts. Hayley is like fine wine. She gets better as she ages. And is still the same lovely person that she always was. She has not let her success and fame go to her head, something that seems rare among musical artists these days. Something I think we all love Hayley for.
So up, breakfast, a wander around some parts of Cork I hadn't seen on my own, then taxi to the airport and flight back to Stansted.
The drive home though was a bit of a nightmare, since it was a about 4.30pm when we landed, right in the middle of the "rush hour". Not a good time to hit the M11. So it was crawling past Cambridge for miles and miles in low gear before finally reaching Huntingdon where things freed up.
Overall, a great weekend. Two wonderful concerts. Well worth all the effort. I'm sure those going to Madison next weekend will say the same.
Martin D
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Post by martindn on Dec 16, 2014 16:49:40 GMT
It's gone very quiet here!!! Time for some photos from me (that I seem to have accidentally taken).    Martin D |
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Post by martindn on Dec 16, 2014 16:51:01 GMT
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Post by martindn on Dec 16, 2014 16:51:47 GMT
Saturday night in Cork.... with HWI  Martin D |
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Post by martindn on Dec 16, 2014 16:54:38 GMT
Cork City Hall. There were posters advertising Hayley's concert all over town. Lovely to see.   And inside, before the Sunday concert.  Martin D |
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Post by martindn on Dec 16, 2014 16:57:15 GMT
Cork's old Brewery..  Martin D |
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Post by Sing on Dec 16, 2014 18:45:31 GMT
Lovely photos and reports thanks guys! - can't wait to see more!  |
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Post by martindn on Dec 16, 2014 20:18:31 GMT
OK, here's the first of my video. As usual edits are being applied and it should improve in time. This was Hayley's second encore from the Saturday show. Taken from the front row, so we have good video and not so good sound, although this sounds better than some when the orchestra was playing. Not that there was anything wrong with thier playing, but oly with the sound balance from where I was sitting meaning that Hayley was sometimes overpowered by the orchestra. I chose this one because a) it's a Christmas song and b) it probably has the best sound of any of my Saturday night videos. Hope you enjoy it.
Martin D
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Post by grant on Dec 16, 2014 20:35:18 GMT
The Concerts and a Big Surprise!Sunday evening began pretty much as a reprise of Saturday with the usual suspects guarding the main entrance doors of Cork City Hall from a little after 6pm until the doors opened at around 7.15. Tickets checked, we made our way towards the stage to take charge of the front row. Me happy to be in the same seat I had last night with Martin in Juliette’s seat next to me. With seats secured and the auditorium filling fast, we are able to relax and look forward to another very special evening of music and song. It’s at about this time that the lady we were speaking to in the interval last night approached our group with some very important information. “I have spoken to Hayley” she began, “and Hayley is happy to meet with you after the concert”. WOW! I think I was the only one actually standing at that moment, so most of the group didn’t pick up what she had said. She asked how many of us there would be and told me where we were to assemble after the concert saying that we would then be taken up to see Hayley. I thanked her very much and passed on what I had learned to the others downstairs before taking the exciting news up to those sat in the balcony. This was going to be one of those rare occurrences where it would be just Hayley and out little group of Hayliens with no queuing at the stage door with everyone else as is often the case. Although at this point in time non of us knew exactly what form it would take; where it would be or how long it would last, it didn’t matter, we now knew we would definitely see Hayley after the concert. And now the second concert is about to begin; the concert hall is full to bursting again with much laughing and chatter until the musicians of CYO begin to filter into the auditorium and take their places just as they had done the night before, to even more enthusiastic applause. Once again they played skilfully and enthusiastically, clearly taking their music very seriously. Once again HWI got a mention and a round of applause although the MC was unaware that we were now even more diverse having been joined by Joyce and Peter from the Netherlands but Joyce soon put that right! Hayley now makes her first entrance of the evening to once again open her first set with “May It Be”. I haven’t heard Hayley sing this particular favourite of mine since her last Buxton concert in August 2010 and I’m wracking my brains to remember if I have ever heard the “Fellowship Of The Ring” instrumental ending live before but that was superb too and quite a moving experience for me. Hayley makes reference to “Hushabye” next saying that her intention had been to make a cool lullaby album but wasn’t sure she had succeeded. Of course, I assured he she had, which she acknowledged. “Dream A Little Dream Of Me” sung originally by the Mamas and the Papas was the song she chose for this occasion. “Over The Rainbow” gave Hayley the opportunity to tell us that it reminded her of Christmas as they always watched The Wizard Of Oz at that time with her grandmother who originated in Ireland – more applause. Hayley concluded her first set with “Who Painted The Moon Black”, “You Raise Me Up” and “My Heart belongs To You” and it’s interval Time. Once again we are entertained by the CYO playing to the story of The Snowman after the interval and then it’s time for Hayley to make her second appearance to sing another six songs. Hayley acknowledges that “Summer Fly” is one her personal favourites with the tricky backing being performed superbly by a few chosen members of the orchestra. Now it’s time for the Christmassy songs with “Peace Shall Come” being my personal favourite of the night. The power in Hayley's voice has been evident throughout the weekend but never more so than with this number. Hayley belts it out with such passion and the fact that the lyrics were written by her makes it a very special song for me. “Silent Night” is the other Christmas song and I’m beginning to feel very Christmassy myself! Like me, Hayley's favourite musical is Les Misérables and, also like me, “I Dreamed A Dream” her favourite song, although I remember her singing it when she was very young. “Wuthering Heights” came next with Hayley keen to let us all know that she had recently seen Kate Bush live. Although she added that Kate didn’t sing it. I was about to say “You sing it for her” but Hayley beat me to it! The classic “Bridge Over Troubled Water” now belongs to Hayley in my opinion. The acapella opening is stunning. I watched the concentration on Hayley's face as she began. First, a single note from Tim, a pause. Hayley is holding the microphone close to her chest, ready. What is she thinking in those few moments? She slowly lifts the microphone to her lips, another brief pause and then that delicious sound that is our Hayley. I am mesmerised. The audience is too. Hayley finishes the song and smiles to rapturous applause and another well deserved standing ovation. I am applauding so hard I feel that my arms may soon drop off. Hayley returns to take another bow and leaves the stage again. Still the applause continues. It appears that stamping ones feet is also used to show ones appreciation and, on the halls sprung floor, it certainly makes a bold statement. It was at this time that I discovered that I am physically incapable of applauding and stamping my feet at the same time! Not to worry, Hayley has returned for her encores and quiet returns for a while. To finish the evening Hayley sang “Amazing Grace” and “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” bringing to an end two evenings of fabulous music and song. Noticeably, Hayley remains on stage to applaud the young musicians as each group takes their bow before taking her final bow with the conductor and leaving the stage for the last time For us however, the evening is not over and we assemble at the agreed place waiting to be taken to see Hayley. We are soon taken up to a broad balcony above the foyer to wait for her to appear. There is another reception tonight and Hayley will come to see us on her way there. Tim appears first telling us that Hayley won’t be long and stops to chat for a while. Soon Hayley herself appears to be greeted by a round of applause which she acknowledges with a little curtsey and a smile. Hayley seems happy and pleased to see us. Bless her heart though, the first thing she asked was did she miss anyone on the Saturday because she had to leave in a hurry. That gave me the opportunity to tell her that Juliette had not been able to stay for the Sunday concert because of work, but had made me promise to tell Hayley how much she had enjoyed the Saturday concert. From the look on her face it was clear that she was genuinely disappointed herself that she had missed her. But that’s Hayley isn’t it? We didn’t get very long as she was expected at the reception, but we did get our programmes and a few other bits and bobs signed as well as handing over Christmas cards and wishing her a very happy Christmas. We also learned that she would be flying to Madison via Chicago from Dublin the following morning. With management clearly keen to get Hayley to the reception, we thanked her for her time and thanked the hall manager (think that’s who he was) with a hand shake and Hayley departed. We did have a few more minutes with Tomas the conductor and his enthusiasm for the orchestra was very plain to see. He also has a huge respect for Hayley and left us in no doubt that everyone had enjoyed working with her. One final bit of information I gathered in case anyone is wondering, City Hall can seat 1068 people, all of which were sold for the Saturday concert with about 30 unsold for Sunday. That's it folks - sorry, no pictures this time  Best wishes Grant
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Post by michaelc on Dec 16, 2014 20:51:12 GMT
Hello, all.
I'm new and think I might be a HWI member now - though I'm not sure whether I need to get that tartan tie that's been mentioned first. Is there some initiation rite?
I was fortunate enough to be sitting beside Thomas on Sunday, and he kindly invited me to join the group in meeting Hayley afterwards, which was a wonderful surprise for me - vielen Dank Thomas! Thank you also Grant (sorry, was it Grant? Almost forgot my own name in the excitement) for introducing me to her. You all seem to be a very nice friendly group, like Hayley herself. When I realized there was an autograph opportunity I was cursing myself for not having my programme with me (I had bought one at the Saturday concert and then left it at home), but fortunately I had one of her CDs that I had been playing on Friday still in my coat pocket. So I went home a very happy HW fan!
Not sure that I'll have much time for these forums, especially over the next couple of weeks, but I just wanted to say thanks for being so welcoming. Though I don't travel much, I hope I meet you again at a future concert.
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Post by martindn on Dec 16, 2014 21:50:27 GMT
Welcome Michael, it is good to have you aboard. I did see you on Sunday with Hayley but didn't get chance to talk to you. There is lots of history and information about Hayley here, you may already know about it, since a lot of people actually read this forum but have not joined. And yes, it was Grant who introduced you to Hayley.
Martin D
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Post by thomas on Dec 16, 2014 21:56:51 GMT
Hi all! Back home since late yesterday evening. Thanks everybody to make a concert so special. That was my first Hayley concert after 2 years and 9 months since I saw her the last time in Northampton and Manchester 2012. Thank you for your great pictures and reviews. Reading these make the memories come back easily. Although much has been said I think that I can still "bother" you with my own review which still has to be written though.  Michael, it was great to meet you in Cork. Hope to see you again at some other show of Hayley. Thomas |
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Post by Bamafan on Dec 16, 2014 22:01:49 GMT
Thank you for that wonderful video Martin!! A lovely performance by Hayley, and I liked the "Close To You"-esque style. Also, thanks to all for your reports and photos. We're lucky to have such a dedicated group of people here. -Taylor i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif |
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Post by comet on Dec 16, 2014 22:05:36 GMT
It's gone very quiet here!!! Time for some photos from me (that I seem to have accidentally taken). Martin D I hope it wasn't from the first button press when you thought you were going to shoot video...  |
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Post by martindn on Dec 16, 2014 22:22:49 GMT
No, the camera saves a still picture as well when you shoot a video.
Martin D
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