The Singer 2017 - Hayley and Terry Lin in Changsha

[Libby]

Frank Lin noted that the youtube video might not be available for everyone (seems to have played fine for all of us), so here's the "Facebook version", as well as the youtube video embedded below:

It was a very lovely performance. I didn't notice that Terry was exceptionally better than any other duet partner she's performed with, but he's definitely a decent singer.

[Libby]

More photos!

[cloudbusting.heights]

I must say I wasn't too impressed with the performance. I feel like Hayley's voice isn't as strong, her lower register is but not her upper register. She's used her chest voice a lot in the past few years, and not her head voice (think Quanta Qualia, most of Celtic Treasure, Laudate Dominum, etc), which for me is somewhat disappointing. In this performance particularly-and I've noticed it before- her transition from chest voice to head voice isn't the greatest. Sure, it's relatively smooth, but those high notes sound weak. Now I also wonder if she was sick or had a cold, because she couldn't seem to hold her notes as long as she used to, and took a few breaths in weird places. Who knows...

[Richard]

I think it was a pretty good performance from Hayley and Terry.

I've sorted out a few embeds in this thread, including Libby's post from the HW Fan Central Facebook group. Permalinks don't embed, but Terry Lin's original post does.

Richard

[Ross]

I loved the song. Thanks everyone for getting the video.

[Jillian]

Great to see Hayley back amongst it all! Her styling for this show really was top-notch. I think the dramatic makeup is really flattering and adds that element of theatre and glamour which works so well with this genre of music. It's great to see Hayley all super tiffed and acting like quite the star.

'Prayer' actually is one of the classical crossover war horses I can't stand (lol sorry everyone) but I can appreciate the singing was good. Hayley has been out of the concert circuit for a long time and I'm sure that singing (like most things) gets stronger the more you practice and the more you do it.

I have to say, the best duet partner Hayley has ever had was Jonathan Ansell circa Valentines Tour 2008/2009. The chemistry they had together was unreal and has never been close to replicated with any of Hayley's subsequent duet partners. I'm still a bit sad a duet album between Hayley and Jonathan was never released. Perhaps maybe Hayley could do a guest spot with G4 on one of their tours?

[comet]

Apr 16, 2017 10:37:49 GMT Jillian said:

Great to see Hayley back amongst it all! Her styling for this show really was top-notch. I think the dramatic makeup is really flattering and adds that element of theatre and glamour which works so well with this genre of music. It's great to see Hayley all super tiffed and acting like quite the star.

It is great to see Hayley treated so well whenever she appears in China.
I have noticed over the years that the Chinese are prepared to go the extra mile to welcome Hayley, the flowers, the banners, the TV interviews, the stage sets, the screaming fans, choirs and dignitaries.

Many thanks to Frank Lin and the Taiwanese Hayley fans for keeping us up to date with this event, well done,
the video of Prayer was superb quality, none of yer auld audience bootlegs for this one eh ?

[martindn]

Apr 16, 2017 10:37:49 GMT Jillian said:

I have to say, the best duet partner Hayley has ever had was Jonathan Ansell circa Valentines Tour 2008/2009. The chemistry they had together was unreal and has never been close to replicated with any of Hayley's subsequent duet partners. I'm still a bit sad a duet album between Hayley and Jonathan was never released. Perhaps maybe Hayley could do a guest spot with G4 on one of their tours?

Well, I have to put a shout in for this one. I've always loved it, although it sounds a bit under rehearsed compared to the Terry Lin one.



Arguably the two finest singer on the planet today.


Martin D

[Bamafan]

Already posted this in the Social Media thread, but I felt it wouldn't hurt to have it here too

http://instagram.com/p/BS9JeB0gIiz

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

[Simba]

First impression, Hayley looked absolutely stunning, one of her best looks in recent times, I mean the gown is perfection! And the long hair look I can warmly welcome back anytime! Definitely looked like a star. But the performance itself, I don't know what to say about it. Hayley has gone through a lot of different changes vocally, we all know that, and not denying from time to time, I've been the most critical, most always in denial. She transitioned from a Pure innocent voice slightly husky, pitch perfect and a natural vibrato (Pure days), then Odyssey and Treasure found it moulding into a 'thick' 'round' yet laser sharp voice, a voice that never lost "tone" in any of the ranges. Most singers in Hayley's soprano range lose timbre and quality and become monotonous and shrill, hard to distinguish tonality from one singer to the other in that range, but Hayley had a unique talent, the higher she went, she has a specific technique, lowering her jaws appropriately (Notice older videos), to create more space inside the mouth, that lets her have a really unique and beautiful sound in the higher registers, as she effortlessly soared through the notes. A voice has three registers, Chest, and then the Head voice, the connector being the Mix (or Passagio) Very few people can have a well connected Chest to Head, and I'd never been able to tell where her voice transitions.
But then from Treasure, she started losing tone, vocals started getting thinner, husky and nasal, faster vibrato. But she was still able to sing in both ways for the songs that demanded one or the other.
But no matter the change in tone, her singing was spot on. Vocally she was still impeccable, still pitch perfect. And then Paradiso happened, and with some guidance from Ennio Morricone, we got songs like La Califfa, Once upon a time, Malena, that pushed her to access her pure tones.
And then, she kept going back, Tone changed a lot, voice started losing its roundness, flattenned and dispersed to a thin airy sound, and then the most heartbreaking thing was to hear Hayley missing notes. She was starting to go flat and sharp at a lot of places.
And finally here we are at this performance, where Hayley not only has lost tone, but lost vocal control, and it's disheartening to say that she's no longer pitch perfect. Her voice was all over the place, an artificial and stained vibrato, difficulty in accessing higher registers, and she was slightly off pitch throughout. There seems to be no basis for good vocals anymore. Vocal tone might be a preference, I'm not even commenting on that anymore, but what happened to good singing.
I remember the times when we wanted Hayley to have more exposure so more people know her, but even with a gig like this, which is fetching 100k views in a day, I don't think it's going to help. If I didn't know Hayley at all and I started watching this performance, I wouldn't have given it a chance at all.
I was so excited about this new performance in a long time and I literally prayed to God for her to sing well in such a grand set up. But it was a bad performance, not even average. There was a time when Hayley was the best singer in the world to me...Even that Never Saw Blue performance that she uploaded on Youtube...very disappointing.
And this song, Prayer, the last time she sang it 'properly' was when? I don't know was this 8 years ago? www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbtWQcKaYig
Very sorry for all the negativity, but I feel so lost right now, I mean I don't know what happened where, but I really sincerely want to somehow be able to communicate to Hayley and say these things, not that others might not have told her or she hasn't realized it herself, but just to know that she's aware will give me a sense of relief.
She definitely needs to get back to vocal lessons, like serious lessons. I mean, Hayley is the reason I even sing. She taught me how to sing well, my first question was "How can someone sing so perfectly? I wanna learn to do that" She was an inspiration, her vibrato, tone everything.
On the bright side, that performance of Who will echo my heart was brilliant, I just hope we get news about the new album soon. Hayley will always be in my prayers, I'm sure God has great things planned for her.

EDIT: Actually her single BEST performance of prayer was from 2012, this specific performance www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdvefRXUEO0 I know there's another performance from this concert, but this is much better. You could tell within the first sentence. And the last high notes, note how she does Aaah in this, and ooooh in the latest one. Shows her difficulty in transitioning to head voice, because Oohh is easier...aaah needs more support.

[Libby]

Apr 16, 2017 18:00:19 GMT Bamafan said:

Already posted this in the Social Media thread, but I felt it wouldn't hurt to have it here too

http://instagr.am/p/BS9JeB0gIiz

-Taylor

...or, this:

Again, for all to see:



Thank you to the wonderful Terry Lin for inviting me to sing with you on #singer2017 in China.... I had an amazing time ❤🇨🇳🙌

[Libby]

I'm a bit miffed and appalled and horrified... even amused... by several of your comments... No, it wasn't absolutely perfect, but... Come on, are you guys kidding??

While I concur that Hayley often starts a song in the last several years with a tiny bit of awkwardness, that's definitely not so here! Now, even the middle part where she sings with the guy (any guy) in the past has almost never sounded amazing, because her lower, quieter register gets lost under the guy's voice. But good heavens, people, that was definitely NOT the case in this performance! In fact, there was one part where her voice sounded even more powerful than it's ever sounded in that part before! I'm not sure I've ever heard her sound that good in that section before! It's the parts from 2:55-58, and then 3:05-6. She sounded incredible!! Needless to say, I certainly didn't get any of the negative impressions some of you did. True, maybe it was a bit strained in some parts, but to me, it wasn't enough to affect the performance in a negative way. The only thing I wasn't sure about was all the raving about Terry a few days ago, and so my expectations were a little high here. Now, he sounded just fine, but at the beginning, I was like, Umm, okay. In no way is he the best duet partner (that would definitely be Andrea!).. but in no way the worst, let me say (although I will not specifically name HIM). I have to laugh a bit at one other person's favorite Prayer duet. I also laugh at the idea of a Full Album with the guy, because I'm sorry, but I would never order such an album! But it's certainly not because of Hayley! Let me just say, nails on a chalkboard... We like a lot of the same things, but definitely not that. LOL

Head voice? This has me a little confused, because there are certain female singers/musicians (a group) I know of whom I do not enjoy and can't imagine how anyone could... Anyway, they consistently sing with their head voices, and, in their case, it is poor technique. It's because they also sound as though they are singing with their teeth clenched in a huge grin the whole time, which also contributes to their slight nasalliness, and that IS awful technique. I'm sure you'd agree on that. Now, of course, Hayley does not do any of that teeth clenching or pasted-on smile stuff. She does occasionally sing somewhat nasally, but not all the time, and certainly not here, so I'm assuming that's not what you mean by head voice. I'm guessing you mean they sing through their head, but using proper jaw technique, and... don't breathe properly? How do you breathe properly (from your diaphraghm) without using your chest voice? Okay, I think I need a little explanation on head voice. The Sisters (the not-so-good singers) clearly do not use proper jaw technique (relaxing the jaw, rather than keeping it clenched). Another bad example of singing through your head (which is how I refer to it), were people who used to audition on American Idol. They were of course inexperienced singers, though they didn't have bad tone. They were just singing "from inside their head". It's hard to explain, but it was sort of like they hear how they sound from inside their head, have no idea how they sound to other people, but they think it sounds okay. They don't pay attention to their diction, their nasalliness (and they usually are), don't relax their jaws and probably don't use proper breath support. So, basically they don't use any good singing technique except perhaps hitting the notes. But simply hitting notes doesn't mean you sound good. Clearly! JA. I mean, jk.

Simba, I agree with you on Never Saw Blue. That really wasn't very good, by Hayley's standards. There are other instances where I agree on the flat notes, etc. But I definitely do not agree with you on this duet. There is nothing about this duet that has me upset or worried about her singing voice or her talent! Seriously, you thought it was that bad? I cannot even comprehend that, because I just listened again, and again found it to be beautiful and nearly excellent. You think she's not good anymore? Seriously?? I have to say I'm quite horrified by those comments. The only thing I've been upset or worried about is the album that never is, and that's because she does have an amazing voice that should be shared with the world. I would not have shared this duet on the Josh forum if I'd thought it was as poor of a performance as you seem to think. My goodness!

Sorry, I don't think the problem lies with Hayley here. The problem lies with expecting her to sound like she sounded 10-15 years ago, and that is just absurd. I've never taken voice lessons, but I was in 3 different choirs in my teenage years, and I have somewhat of a natural ear for music and good singing, so while I may not know exactly what a head voice is, at least I know what sounds good. And let me tell you, Hayley does sound good! The Gothard Sisters... and that other Prayer duet partner who shall remain unnamed...not so much.

[martindn]

I suppose I ought to put my oar in here. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed that performance, for what it was. But Simba's comments made me listen to it again, more critically. And yes, it is true, Hayley is not quite as pitch perfect as she once was, but still better than many singers that I hear, some of them legends and household names. To compensate for that, she has a lot more power in her voice these days. I actually thought it was a wonderful performance, and I tweeted Hayley to say so.
Life goes on and things change. For a singer every performance is unique. You either like it or you don't. As for this one, I liked it very much.

Martin D

[Libby]

Apr 16, 2017 21:26:34 GMT martindn said:

I suppose I ought to put my oar in here. I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed that performance, for what it was. But Simba's comments made me listen to it again, more critically. And yes, it is true, Hayley is not quite as pitch perfect as she once was, but still better than many singers that I hear, some of them legends and household names. To compensate for that, she has a lot more power in her voice these days. I actually thought it was a wonderful performance, and I tweeted Hayley to say so.
Life goes on and things change. For a singer every performance is unique. You either like it or you don't. As for this one, I liked it very much.

Martin D

I didn't notice that she wasn't pitch-perfect during my first listen, and during my 2nd listen, where I was listening for it, I still couldn't tell. If Hayley was unique in her being pitch perfect, then that means I enjoy other singers who are probably not pitch-perfect, and that doesn't mean they aren't any good! Yes, Martin, it was a wonderful, beautiful performance, no matter what any of the nit-pickers say. Because with a singer like Hayley, it definitely is nit-picking. To think she won't be able to sell her albums because of her supposedly declining singing voice... Simba, you're out of your mind. No offense, but...


Frank agrees with me, Martin D, Ross, and Richard, at least!

http://www.instagram.com/p/BS8buBrFVMU

http://www.instagram.com/p/BS8f1fzFHCf

[cloudbusting.heights]

Apr 16, 2017 20:27:25 GMT Libby said:

I'm a bit miffed and appalled and horrified... even amused... by several of your comments... No, it wasn't absolutely perfect, but... Come on, are you guys kidding??

While I concur that Hayley often starts a song in the last several years with a tiny bit of awkwardness, that's definitely not so here! Now, even the middle part where she sings with the guy (any guy) in the past has almost never sounded amazing, because her lower, quieter register gets lost under the guy's voice. But good heavens, people, that was definitely NOT the case in this performance! In fact, there was one part where her voice sounded even more powerful than it's ever sounded in that part before! I'm not sure I've ever heard her sound that good in that section before! It's the parts from 2:55-58, and then 3:05-6. She sounded incredible!! Needless to say, I certainly didn't get any of the negative impressions some of you did. True, maybe it was a bit strained in some parts, but to me, it wasn't enough to affect the performance in a negative way. The only thing I wasn't sure about was all the raving about Terry a few days ago, and so my expectations were a little high here. Now, he sounded just fine, but at the beginning, I was like, Umm, okay. In no way is he the best duet partner (that would definitely be Andrea!).. but in no way the worst, let me say (although I will not specifically name HIM). I have to laugh a bit at one other person's favorite Prayer duet. I also laugh at the idea of a Full Album with the guy, because I'm sorry, but I would never order such an album! But it's certainly not because of Hayley! Let me just say, nails on a chalkboard... We like a lot of the same things, but definitely not that. LOL

Head voice? This has me a little confused, because there are certain female singers/musicians (a group) I know of whom I do not enjoy and can't imagine how anyone could... Anyway, they consistently sing with their head voices, and, in their case, it is poor technique. It's because they also sound as though they are singing with their teeth clenched in a huge grin the whole time, which also contributes to their slight nasalliness, and that IS awful technique. I'm sure you'd agree on that. Now, of course, Hayley does not do any of that teeth clenching or pasted-on smile stuff. She does occasionally sing somewhat nasally, but not all the time, and certainly not here, so I'm assuming that's not what you mean by head voice. I'm guessing you mean they sing through their head, but using proper jaw technique, and... don't breathe properly? How do you breathe properly (from your diaphraghm) without using your chest voice? Okay, I think I need a little explanation on head voice. The Sisters (the not-so-good singers) clearly do not use proper jaw technique (relaxing the jaw, rather than keeping it clenched). Another bad example of singing through your head (which is how I refer to it), were people who used to audition on American Idol. They were of course inexperienced singers, though they didn't have bad tone. They were just singing "from inside their head". It's hard to explain, but it was sort of like they hear how they sound from inside their head, have no idea how they sound to other people, but they think it sounds okay. They don't pay attention to their diction, their nasalliness (and they usually are), don't relax their jaws and probably don't use proper breath support. So, basically they don't use any good singing technique except perhaps hitting the notes. But simply hitting notes doesn't mean you sound good. Clearly! JA. I mean, jk.

Simba, I agree with you on Never Saw Blue. That really wasn't very good, by Hayley's standards. There are other instances where I agree on the flat notes, etc. But I definitely do not agree with you on this duet. There is nothing about this duet that has me upset or worried about her singing voice or her talent! Seriously, you thought it was that bad? I cannot even comprehend that, because I just listened again, and again found it to be beautiful and nearly excellent. You think she's not good anymore? Seriously?? I have to say I'm quite horrified by those comments. The only thing I've been upset or worried about is the album that never is, and that's because she does have an amazing voice that should be shared with the world. I would not have shared this duet on the Josh forum if I'd thought it was as poor of a performance as you seem to think. My goodness!

Sorry, I don't think the problem lies with Hayley here. The problem lies with expecting her to sound like she sounded 10-15 years ago, and that is just absurd. I've never taken voice lessons, but I was in 3 different choirs in my teenage years, and I have somewhat of a natural ear for music and good singing, so while I may not know exactly what a head voice is, at least I know what sounds good. And let me tell you, Hayley does sound good! The Gothard Sisters... not so much.

I'm not sure you quite understand chest and head voice. I'm speaking from at least 9 years of vocal training when I try and explain, by the way. Chest voice has nothing really to do with breathing technique. You're right, though, the diaphragm does. Head voice is the higher register, so like when Hayley sang Laudate Dominum or Quanta Qualia, Summer Rain, Tsubomi, To Mother, etc she utilized more of her head voice than chest voice (lower register). Simba mentioned mixed voice...most females have a vocal break around C or D above middle C (for those of you might know what that means) and it's rather difficult to master and bridge that break for many girls/women, it takes a lot of practice and work. I haven't mastered my vocal break; it's better than it used to be but I haven't worked and worked at it. Hayley used to display fairly good mastery of her break, but this performance, as with a few of the more recent ones, display a regression (that's quite the right word I want but I can't think of the right now) in that mastery. Also, any singer who's clenching her teeth while singing is using poor technique in general. The jaw and throat should be as relaxed as possible.

Like I said before, maybe she was sick or not feeling well, but this simply was a disappointing performance for me. However, I really liked the Never Saw Blue rehearsal video! I really hope this was just a "fluke."

I also agree with you, Libby, about Terry Lin. I was impressed with the previous performances but when he started to sing I was kind of skeptical. I think he got better once he started singing in English. Maybe he was nervous about singing in Italian?