Hayley interviewed Radio 4 'Midweek' 21/11/07

[Mark]

Hi everyone

Thanks Peter for bringing this to our attention and thanks to Graeme for uploading it. I've clicked on the link and it brings up mediafire - what do I do next ? there doesn't seem to be an obvious button to click to hear the interview

Best wishes
Mark

[Stephany]

Hi Mark,

There should be a link 'Download it' on the Mediafire page. Otherwise I have just uploaded it here for you : Radio 4 'Midweek' interview (right click and save it on your computer). Hope it works! The file is 11Mb.

Lots of love,
Stephany

[comet]

Hi Folks,

The perception of perfection is the beholders rather then the suppliers, be it the painter, furniture maker,decorator or singer or musician.
Any professional can usually detect errors in their own craftsmanship that would go completely unnoticed by the non professional.
A professional like Hayley would probably see small errors as if they were "The elephant in the room" whereas we the listeners are there to enjoy rather than to analise or nitpic the piece.
A good professional will at least try to achieve perfection and it is this striving which we applaud.

One of my favourite pleasures in life has been music and many times I have been grateful I am not a music professional as this would have only detracted from the pleasure by highlighting the errors.

[Stephany]

Very well-said, Paul.

dave said:

In fact, that's the most perfect "imperfect" performance I ever did see!

Hi Dave,

I certainly agree with you on this. But maybe this is precisely whatHayley was trying to say in the Radio 4 'Midweek' interview. Aren't we a tad biased?

I personally don't know very well the lyrics of 'Abide with me' so I didn't notice anything I don't always get the lyrics anyway - as English is not my mother tongue.

Stephany

[grant]

Hi Dave

Once again, very clearly and concisely put. I would also make the point that it's not always certain that a listener will spot a mistake unless it's something very obvious. Hayley, however, will be aware of the tiniest gaff in her performance and will be thinking "Oh gosh! Hope nobody spotted that!" Truth is she will often be right and nobody did!

As to being perfect, I believe we've had this discussion somewhere before. Perfection for me is the best that there is for me at a particular time, and there is nothing I would rather be doing, or no where I would rather be. Whether that be a Hayley concert or a stage play performed by a group of amateurs.

Hope that makes sense!

Best wishes
Grant

[grant]

stephany said:

dave said:

...when she knows she could have done something a little better but people are saying it was "perfect" it may be disconcerting for her.

Hi Dave,

You make a very valid point. May I mention her performance on the NZ TV show 'Good morning' to illustrate that. In her book, she says she completely messed it up and yet, when I read our comments on this specific performance, we all say that she was absolutely amazing.

Stephany

Hi Stephany

I agree, but that's the consumate professional coming out in her. It was the fact that most people enjoyed her performance for what it was. It was only later that we discovered she had 'invented' some new words.

Having worked with professional and amateur theatre for over 30 years, I will see most performances several times - they are rarely identical - bits get missed out - someone misses a cue, but rarely will it be obvious to an audience seeing it for the first time.

It's the idiot (and I've seen many) who forget their lines and shout "prompt!" arrogantly into the wings as though it's not their fault, that make me cringe.

What would the 'Good Morning' audience have thought if Hayley had stopped half way through and apologised for forgetting the words - "Gosh! I've forgotten the words. Can we start again?" They wouldn't have been too impressed would they?

Love
Grant
xxx

[Steve H]

Hi Graeme, thanks for a great interview, and to Stephany for linking it to the interview she mentions, when I read the book I hunted high and low for that, and you have saved the day!

Thanks to both of you, (also winks to not so perfect Dave )

Steve H

[Stephany]

grant said:

I would also make the point that it's not always certain that a listener will spot a mistake unless it's something very obvious. Hayley, however, will be aware of the tiniest gaff in her performance.

Hi Grant,

You also raise a very valid point. Hayley's perfectionism has a lot to do with the way she felt about her performance. And again, there's another case she mentions in the book (about being told off for being late) where she says she felt bad about it during the whole day even though no one probably cared. It shows that she is well-aware of every single mistake she makes and that she dearly wants to avoid repeating them.

Love,
Stephany

[Paddy]

grant said:

I agree, but that's the consummate professional coming out in her. It was the fact that most people enjoyed her performance for what it was. It was only later that we discovered she had 'invented' some new words.

Having worked with professional and amateur theatre for over 30 years, I will see most performances several times - they are rarely identical - bits get missed out - someone misses a cue, but rarely will it be obvious to an audience seeing it for the first time.

What would the 'Good Morning' audience have thought if Hayley had stopped half way through and apologised for forgetting the words - "Gosh! I've forgotten the words. Can we start again?" They wouldn't have been too impressed would they?

Grant

Very well put, Grant (as always).

Out of curiosity, I watched the clip (of 'Abide with Me') again and I was even more impressed

- by how Hayley dealt with the pressing situation in which she found herself.


She continued with the song, like a true performer.

Not only that, she kept to the 'sense' of the hymn through improvising words that were appropriate for the context.

(Just one word that I couldn't make out)


I wonder, did anyone notice the mistake, before Hayley mentioned it in her book? I didn't.

I think (as Dave and Comet mentioned already) most listeners tend to listen (uncritically) to enjoy a performance as a whole.


So, perhaps Hayley is a bit too hard on herself.

Paddy

[Stephany]

phbrennan said:

I wonder, did anyone notice the mistake, before Hayley mentioned it in her book? I didn't.

Hi Paddy - I don't think anyone has.
We did mention however that she looked not very well and tired.

Stephany

[grant]

stephany said:

phbrennan said:

I wonder, did anyone notice the mistake, before Hayley mentioned it in her book? I didn't.

Hi Paddy - I don't think anyone has.
We did mention however that she looked not very well and tired.

Stephany

Hi Stephany and Paddy.

The correct answer is "Yes, someone did". I've just looked through that particular thread and can't find the relevant post. I have a feeling it was Steve Macdonald (sorry Steve if I'm taking your name in vain!)

I remember getting my hymn book out and listening to Hayley sing whilst following it in the book. Watching the video again, you can just catch the moment Hayley mentions in her book, where she realised that she doesn't know the words and just for a second there's a moment of panic on her face, but it's gone in an instant as she goes into 'create' mode and just magic's up some appropriate words.

I wonder how many times we have watched performers go through similar traumers and not had any inkling that they were "imagineering"? If Dave hadn't captured the video and we'd only had the chance to watch it live, just the once, I doubt anyone would have been any the wiser until Hayley revealed it.

Best wishes
Grant

[Paddy]

stephany said:

phbrennan said:

I wonder, did anyone notice the mistake, before Hayley mentioned it in her book? I didn't.

Hi Paddy - I don't think anyone has.
We did mention however that she looked not very well and tired.

Stephany

Hi Stephany.

That's good.

I can see the mistakes now
(2nd halves of both the 6th and 7th lines)

But I still think it's remarkable how appropriate Hayley's 'invented' words were.

'Shows just how full of 'meaning' her singing is.

Paddy

[Stephany]

Hi Paddy and Grant,

Yes, this video remains one of my favourites no matter what really happened. Listening to Hayley singing 'Abide with me' a cappela is very special and I can only imagine what it would be live on stage....with the real lyrics!

Love,
Stephany

[roger]

I don't recall anyone claiming on this forum that "Hayley is perfect". However, it is hardly surprising if we, collectively, give the impression that we think she is. It was always Keith's intention (and mine too) that this forum should contain "balanced" reviews of her performances. Despite those intentions, that is never likely to happen because everyone here is a fan and wants to focus on the good points and not dwell on the occasional mistake.

Reading through the last two pages of this thread reminds me of one of the first times I saw Hayley in concert. On that occasion, things certainly went a bit wrong. Yes, she messed up, but the way she corrected the error was one of the most professional things I have ever seen. This highlights what others have said - mistakes happen. But the way she overcame it was - "perfect".

Roger

[Mark]

stephany said:

Hi Mark,

There should be a link 'Download it' on the Mediafire page. Otherwise I have just uploaded it here for you : Radio 4 'Midweek' interview (right click and save it on your computer). Hope it works! The file is 11Mb.

Lots of love,
Stephany

Hi Stephany

Thanks for the link - it worked perfectly Having listened to the interview I find it very interesting that Hayley feels that those fans that follow her closely tend to put her on a pedestal. Obviously, she is speaking generally and as Grant says, she is most likely just being her usual humble self. However, It never really occurred to me that she may feel that way. Speaking for myself, I don't feel that I think of Hayley as being perfect but, I do think of her as a lovely, sincere & genuine young person, who has the most beautiful voice that I love to listen to. So Hayley, if you should read this, I/we know that you're not perfect and I/we wouldn't expect you to be. Just keep on doing what you do best and I for one will be very happy.

Lots of love
Mark x