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Post by Paddy on Jun 13, 2016 11:24:51 GMT
It was great to see everybody again at Dublin, Here's to the next time! Mike Ironically, Greener Lands seems to suggest there will be many a next time. It's a song of reassurance and hope. This song (or others of similar style) may well launch the (long awaited) 'definitive' Hayley. The most 'Hayley-like' song that Hayley has written to date, I think. Really great to talk again to you and your lovely lady. And Grant, Martin, Gordon and all from the UK And to meet again with Bob and Jeannie, all the way from the USA ... and Joyce, from the land of the tulips ... and Tristan, all the way from Germany ... Paddy |
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Post by grant on Jun 13, 2016 12:15:35 GMT
Hello everyone
Had a great time in Dublin despite the awful weather. Good to meet so many friendly faces on Saturday night.
So, time for a few words from me. Really sorry but I have no pictures as the NCH staff were proving un-cooperative. Joyce managed a few which I hope she will share eventually.
IT REALLY WAS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
WOW! (long pause while he thinks?) What a very special; very amazing night June 11th 2016 in Dublin was. It was also the longest time between Hayley concerts since I first went down to London to see her in September 2005. For me, there have been 78 performances (not all concerts) in between – this one was also the most expensive with Dublin hotel prices being double what I paid the last time I visited Dublin, but hey! It’s only money, right?? Who knows when we will next see her in concert. Hayley herself doesn’t know as she told me after the concert that she is concentrating on the new album. I think it saddens her too. Anyway, for me it was money well spent for a remarkable evening full of surprises (not all of which I fully appreciated on the night but more of that later) with a very special lady for whom I have much love and huge respect.
There had been some concern expressed on the forum in the weeks leading up to the concert with ticket sales not up to the expected levels. However, they did pick up and the concert hall looked pretty full on the night. Taking my seat, I’m as close to Hayley's microphone stand as it is possible to be and oh! I’d forgotten how comfortable the seats in the NCH are.
We already have a set list; like last time, the NCH have produced a quality flyer instead of a programme which has on it all the information needed without the obligatory advertising. Hayley's songs are an eclectic mix of early songs; current favourites and, of special interest, a fair bit of “new” material, so I’m looking forward to the next couple of hours with great excitement. The orchestra take their seats and begin to warm up. Presently, Conductor Robert Houlihan strides into view and takes a bow to enthusiastic applause from the audience. The music strikes up, there are murmurs; a few shivers up a variety of spines; some “tingles” as Hayley herself expresses it. Footsteps. The murmurs grow and soon develop into applause. Hayley is on stage wearing a full length brown dress and black sandals.
Hayley's first song is “Across the Universe of Time”. I know it of course, but it doesn’t sound familiar. Gosh, it’s a long time since I heard this one live. I soon give up trying to remember when, to listen to the wondrous sound of Hayley belting out a song as only Hayley can. There may have been quite a gap between concerts but if anything, our girl is better than ever.
I don’t intend to comment on every song – I’d be writing this up for days! But it was nice to hear Hayley sing some different and new songs and I particularly liked the arrangement of the Lennon/McCartney classic “Here, There And Everywhere”. My favourite for the first half though (and ultimately for the concert I feel) was “Who Will Echo My Heart” a collaboration between Hayley, Ronan Hardiman and Steven Baker.
This was for me, a song full of surprises sometimes soft and gentle then soaring to a dramatic crescendo with Hayley seemingly giving everything she’d got, but no. The next phrases required even more from her and so it went on. Most of the concert seemed like this and it did feel as though Hayley was trying to give the performance of her life to make up for her long absence. Well Hayley, you did for me and, given some of the audience responses, I was not alone. The first half finished with “Wuthering Heights” and more enthusiastic applause.
Hayley returned to stage for the second part of the concert wearing a short, just above the knee red dress with a slightly flared skirt and with white and black beading around the hem and bodice. Her tights were smoke grey not black and she wore black platform shoes. With her lighter hair much more curly than on the photo she tweeted this was a look that really suited her. The second half began for me, very much like the first with Hayley singing “Beat Of Your Heart” Crikey! When did I last hear Hayley sing that live? (Answers on a postcard please!) It was after this that Hayley had her lapse of concentration talking as though she would sing it next. I think I was the first to applaud and many others joined in and Hayley laughed at herself once her mistake had been explained to her. But you know, this is what I love so much about Hayley. She is human after all and still manages to take little hiccups in her stride – even when they are not of her own making but especially when they are.
This is also probably a good place to comment on the relationship between Hayley, the conductor and the orchestra. On several occasions during the concert, she herself applauded them commenting on the ease with which they adapted to the different styles of orchestral accompaniment required during the evening.
A bit further into the second half Hayley sang Jolene, commenting that it is one she is most asked to sing at friends barbecues usually accompanying herself on guitar so this was, I think the first time she has sung it with orchestral accompaniment. Haven’t checked that though!
On particularly exceptional masterpiece was “Amazing Grace”. Why? you might well ask, but this time it was to a very different arrangement and one I love very much. Hayley sang the first verse normally – fine, then the orchestra played without Hayley and finally Hayley sang the Japanese arrangement. If you haven’t heard it you may need to get the Japanese album with it on. It’s worth it. Another new one for me was “Black Is The Colour (Of My True Love’s Hair) again saying she usually sings this to guitar accompaniment although it was a new one to me; as was “Greener Lands” another new one by Hayley, Tom De Luca and Steven Baker. The formal part of the concert ended with “Bridge Over Troubled Water” which appears to have overtaken “Wuthering Heights” as Hayley's finale piece. Not complaining though – love that one too!
We had to work hard for an encore and when Hayley did return to stage, it was to a standing ovation. Such a response to any performance must give a performer such a lift – Hayley certainly seemed to appreciate it. The encore song was "Pokarekare Ana" which is always good to hear and one of the early songs from which I knew that I was going to like this new girl in my life. Along with "Hine" these are, and will remain, two of my all time favourites from Hayley's growing repertoire.
Now it seems a second encore hadn’t been anticipated but this audience weren’t going to let Hayley go without one. Hayley even suggesting with a chuckle “It’s late, haven’t you got a train to catch” but no, no train to catch. Tim has no music for an additional song. Tim and Hayley go into a huddle by the piano and a plot is hatched. Totally impromptu, Hayley and Tim gave us “Over The Rainbow” and a very satisfied audience were on their feet again for a second standing ovation. Quite rare, even for Hayley but Oh so well deserved!
We left the auditorium to await the signing session that will follow but things are different. Sadly, the NCH staff have never been that accommodating although the last signing at the NCH did go on. Hayley has so many fans here in Ireland and lots stay to say hello or have something signed. One change meant that Hayley would not be having her photo taken with people. Joyce managed to take a few but I gave up in the end although it did give me the opportunity to watch the proceedings other than through a camera viewfinder. It was still gone 11pm before the last of us got to say Hi to Hayley and it was so lovely to see her again.
FOOTNOTE:
After the concert Martin, Gordon and myself returned to our hotel to relax with a drink and share our thoughts and feelings. I was still wondering when I last heard those two songs that Hayley began each half with. “Across the Universe of Time” and “Beat Of Your Heart”. I though maybe it was as long ago as Toast New Zealand way back in July 2006. It wasn’t, and I got quite a shock going back through my set lists.
I guess I should have realised, they are such well known Hayley songs but I didn’t understand why I didn’t recognise them being sung live and there is a very good reason for that. I have never heard Hayley sing either live before Saturday night. I think deep down I knew but despite having seen Hayley so many times, I didn’t “find” her until after the Pure Tour and I guess then they would have been on every set list during that one.
So, a huge “Thank You” Hayley for including those songs you made the night and the concert so special, even if I didn’t realise it at the time!
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Post by grant on Jun 13, 2016 13:41:48 GMT
HaHa! So did anyone else spot the deliberate mistake in my concert ramblings?? I hope not. That really was a senior moment. Thanks Paddy  |
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hammer
Junior Member 
Posts: 56
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Post by hammer on Jun 13, 2016 13:53:23 GMT
a great review Grant, and you hit the nail on the head when you said " our girl is better than ever" -let's hope the album comes out sooner, rather than later, and there is a tour to follow.
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Post by Paddy on Jun 13, 2016 13:55:16 GMT
HaHa! So did anyone else spot the deliberate mistake in my concert ramblings?? I hope not. That really was a senior moment. Thanks Paddy  deliberately non-deliberate maybe. Still time to write that best seller, Grant.  |
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Post by grant on Jun 13, 2016 13:58:03 GMT
a great review Grant, and you hit the nail on the head when you said " our girl is better than ever" -let's hope the album comes out sooner, rather than later, and there is a tour to follow. Thank you, it was written from the heart |
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Post by frenchie on Jun 13, 2016 14:47:48 GMT
Thank you everyone for the concert reviews and the short youtube videos! From the clips, Hayley sounded really strong vocally with great color in her voice. Could anyone describe the new songs to us? Echo of My Heart, Greener Pastures, and Black is the Hair of My True Love. I am guessing that no one got videos and "electronically stored sound waves" from the show. So were they more pop sounding with an orchestra, piano/guitar with just Hayley, or were they more Celtic sounding? Also, not to push, but anyone get any further info with Hayley about maybe upcoming shows and the new album? Thank you! <3 |
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Post by Jeff on Jun 13, 2016 15:28:40 GMT
Well done Barmafan for outsmarting the camera police ! Grant, it's a shame the staff weren't more co-operative at the NCH. I think these people sometimes forget who the customers are !  |
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Post by Bamafan on Jun 13, 2016 15:36:24 GMT
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Post by gillette on Jun 13, 2016 16:33:39 GMT
Thank you, Grant, for your excellent detailed report!
BobS
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Post by comet on Jun 13, 2016 16:37:49 GMT
Should we all agree for the sake of Hayley's "Next album" to keep any of the new material under wraps if any of us have it or come across it.
Or only propogate incomplete versions or samples.
Caution :
some hosting sites are claiming "Ownership" of material hosted on their sites in the real small print that we never read before we click "I Agree"
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Post by Paddy on Jun 13, 2016 17:38:01 GMT
Grant, it's a shame the staff weren't more co-operative at the NCH. I think these people sometimes forget who the customers are ! I wouldn't rush to judgement. In my experience of 47 Hayley concerts, I think the NCH is one of the more accommodating venues. At least, we don't have to queue outside the stage door and meet Hayley in the cold and sometimes rain, as in many other venues. |
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Post by martindn on Jun 13, 2016 17:44:55 GMT
Thanks for the report Grant. Very good as usual. saves me a lot of trouble only having to add a few bits.
First of all I had a nightmare getting there. My plane was 2 hours late leaving Birmingham, which meant I arrived in central Dublin at 7.15pm for a concert that started 45 minutes later. I had hoped to have time to check into my astronomically expensive hotel, grab a meal and meet up with a few fellow Hayliens before the show. No such luck. I popped into the NCH on the way past, and ran into Grant, Gordon and Martin, but then had to dash round to locate and check into my hotel. I was back at about 7.45 though, in time to take my seat on the front row, next to Comet and his wife and spare seat.
The show was as Grant described it. Hayley's voice was as strong as ever I thought, although the front row probably isn't the best place for sound balance, for a concert with an orchestra, as the orchestra can often sound too loud and drown out the singer. You more or less have to hear the singer direct, since most of the loudspeakers are behind you and facing down the hall. But Hayley was in fine voice, she still has what it takes.
Like Grant I loved "Who Will Echo my Heart", I thought it was a wonderful song and I hope it will be on Hayley's next album. As Grant says, it was probably the highlight of the show. I have to put in a word for I Believe too, she really got hold of those "anthems". "Here, there and everywhere" was nicely done, with a quieter backing .
The show consisted of four sets of four songs by Hayley, plus the two encores. In the gaps between these sets were orchestral pieces by the RTE Concert Orchestra, "A Time for Us", "Candide Overture" and "La Traviata" - (prelude to Act 1) which were well performed.
I think I have heard Hayley sing "Beat of Your Heart" before, but not since the "Pure" tour in 2004 I think. She might have done "Across the Universe of Time" on that tour too, I can't remember.
"Black is the Colour" of course is an old Irish folk song. After I got home on Sunday evening I played Meav's album "The Calling" and "Black is the Colour" is on that. It is on Siobhan Owen's album "Storybook Journey" too. Hayley's version is a bit different, she certainly puts her own stamp on it. It is not a song that would normally have an orchestral backing either, so the arrangement was interesting.
As Grant said, "Amazing Grace" was a new arrangement too. I can't get over how many different arrangements of that song Hayley has performed. Good to hear.
"Greener Lands" is a quieter song which I very much enjoyed. It would be nice to get hold of the lyrics of it.
And so all too soon the show was over. We all stood up for her, but there was no way we were going to get any more after the second encore, which as Grant says was impromptu. I think she could have stayed there all night as far as the audience were concerned.
So we all went out to the foyer to wait for Hayley to appear for the signing. We all joined the queue eventually near the back, and duly got to see Hayley. We kept hearing announcements that the NCH was closing and we should all make our way to the exit, but this was ignored by just about everyone, and if anything the queue to meet Hayley was getting even longer.
But in the end, as always, we all got to exchange a few words with Hayley and get out programmes signed, which was lovely. As I told Hayley, it really did feel good to see her again, I get worried about her when we hear nothing for a while.
At this point, much to the surprise of Comet and I, Grant, Martin and Gordon said their goodbyes and disappeared. I thought we might all go somewhere for a drink. Oh well. So Comet, Joyce and friend, Tristram and I retired to the Conrad Hotel across the road. You can't visit Dublin and not have a pint of the "black stuff" can you. A little while later it was noticed that Hayley was in the same bar, round in the restaurant section having a meal. We didn't feel it would be right to make ourselves known to Hayley though, it would have been wrong to intrude.
After that we walked a little way to an interesting kebab restaurant for a kebab, at Comet's suggestion, since he knew I hadn't eaten anything all day. And very good the kebabs were too.
Then finally back to my hotel on Harcourt Street. To find the street outside thronged with people, and disco music blaring out everywhere. Saturday night in Dublin! I had to give my name and room number before I was allowed back into my hotel. It was a noisy night, the noise went on until at least 4am. It wasn't until the next morning I found the complimentary earplugs in the bathroom.....
Martin D
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Post by Bamafan on Jun 13, 2016 18:11:20 GMT
A picture from Ronan Hardiman: And the full-size photo:  -Taylor  |
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Post by susieverity on Jun 13, 2016 18:58:10 GMT
I don't think Black is the Colour is an Irish song since it has the line 'I go to the Clyde and mourn and weep' - isn't the Clyde in Scotland? But I have also heard it may be an American song - someone writing about Scotland. I do love this song though and would love to hear Hayley's version.
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