VE-Day 60th Anniversary 2005 Chattanooga Choo Choo

[Lothar]

Today, at night was celebrating the 60 th anniversary of the end of second world war (Victory in Europe Day) at Trafalgar Square in London. (I was listening from BBC London 94.9 fm via internet radio.)
At this concert, which was going on approximately 90 minutes, were singing actors from Great Britain mainly, like Sir Cliff Richard, Kathrin Jenkins und Vera Lynn. The music was predominantly by the legendary Glenn-Miller-Orchestra. After 19 minutes Hayley Westenra was performing together with Heather Small in a duet. They were singing the well-known Glenn-Miller-Song „Chattanooga Choo-Choo“.

[gareth]

Hmmm,

I think Katherine was in top form on the VE--Day concert at Trafalgar square. You can download both of her songs via these links (right-click):

katherine-jenkins-international.com/clips/O05a/everytime.wmv

katherine-jenkins-international.com/clips/O05a/wellmeetagain.wmv

Hayley Westenra also performed on the concert, in duet with Heather Small:

www.hayley-westenra-international.net/hwi/clips/zo05/chattanoogachoochoo.wmv

Personally, i don't like the jazzy style of these songs very much - but I do understand that this was a popular style 60 years ago.

I think that Katherine's performance was simply outstanding. Very moving, especially her meeting Dame Vera Lynn in the second song!

Unfortunately, Hayley didn't convince me at all. I think her partner Heather Small was very good - but Hayley did sound flat. I'm wondering if is something to do with the style of music, or if I am biased. Still, Katherine was singing quite jazzy songs too - and I definitle thought she was the outstanding performer on the night.

Cheers,

Gerrit

[Dave]

GerritK said:

...Hayley Westenra also performed on the concert, in duet with Heather Small:
www.hayley-westenra-international.net/hwi/clips/zo05/chattanoogachoochoo.wmv
Unfortunately, Hayley didn't convince me at all. I think her partner Heather Small was very good - but Hayley did sound flat. I'm wondering if is something to do with the style of music, or if I am biased. Still, Katherine was singing quite jazzy songs too - and I definitle thought she was the outstanding performer on the night.
Gerrit

I've just watched the concert, having been out all evening, and I don't really see it that way. I thought the style and tempo of the song Hayley had to sing were unsuitable for her, as was the choice of singing partner. However, I thought she sung it well in the circumstances - better than Heather in fact - and I didn't think she was at all flat (out of tune). Any problems arose from the two singers completely different voices and normal singing styles. I do wonder what brand of scotch the organisers had been drinking when they partnered those two and that song! It's all good experience for Hayley, however.

Katherine did do well but they were slow ballads, quite different from the upbeat number sung by Hayley and Heather. Ev'ry Time You Say Goodbye is possibly my favourite ballad of all time... well Ella Fitzgerald's recording of it is, anyway. Katherine sung it well, using Ella's arrangement albeit a little too "straight": I missed some of the wonderful subtleties of intonation in Ella's version; it may simply be that her interpretation will never be equalled.

As for Katherine's final song, she sung that well, too but it was again much closer to her normal style than Hayley's song (and duet partner) were to hers. I might even agree that Katherine was the "star" of the concert but I don't think you can compare her solo performances on two of the Worlds best ballads at prime spots in the concert, with Hayley's duet with a completely different type of singer on an upbeat dance tune in (more or less) the warmup.

Hayley had a tough task at that concert and in the circumstances, I thought "the girl done good!" i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

But the singers were not what this concert was all about - it was about remembering VE Day, the sacrifices made in the War, and how the World would have changed if there had been no VE day...

[Joe]

It was truly a spectacular concert at Trafalgar Square. There was a short clip of the celebrations on CNN; the BBC has lots of pics on their photo gallery here www.bbc.co.uk/london/yourlondon/veday/ however none are of Hayley.

The song Chattanooga Choo-Choo isn't quite Hayley's cup of tea but I thought she sang it well!

[Richard]

Hello again folks!

I watched the whole concert live on TV and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It might not have been Hayley's finest hour, but I thought it was a pretty good three minutes, and should help to bring her back into the limelight before her new album in the autumn. I felt Heather Small's voice was too soulful to blend well with Hayley's, so I would like to hear Hayley sing Chattanooga Choo Choo on her own before I pass any serious judgement. Hayley is very versatile, and it was good to see and hear her singing a completely different style. I really enjoy 1940s-style music, especially big band swing, with or without vocal refrain!

About two hours before the concert, Hayley gave an interview on Radio 2. She recalled meeting Dame Vera Lynn when she took part in the 2003 Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. Apparently Vera told Hayley that she would be a perfect successor as the new Forces' Sweetheart. Actually Hayley is already many people's sweetheart, especially mine, and I know we'll meet again some sunny day! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

I think Hayley would be perfect to sing many of the old wartime songs, especially "White Cliffs of Dover", "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" and "We'll Meet Again", so there's plenty of food for thought there.

Now I'm looking forward to seeing Hayley with Jose Carreras at Hampton Court on 15th June. Jose will be a much more suitable partner for Hayley to duet with!

See some of you there,

Richard

[gareth]

I agree that Chattanooga Choo Choo wasn't quite Hayley's style and tempo. I definitely don't agree though that her performance was better than Heather's. I think Heather's voice was much more suited to the song than Hayley's. I also think that the two songs performed by Katherine were much more amenable to her singing style than the one Hayley was singing. Personally I think the pairing up of Heather and Hayley was a big mistake. Heather's voice was way too overbearing for Hayley to be able to do justice to her voice - let alone that I don't think that the song as such fits Hayley's voice at all.

I do hope that Hayley will stay well clear of jazz adventures in the future.

Gerrit

[emmettb]

Hi Guys,

Just got back from London last night. An amazing concert, with great performances from both Hayley and Katherine. And also a great memorial for all those involved in Ve Day 60 years ago.

Here is a shot of Hayley and Heather together, I hope to get the rest uploaded soon......



Emmett

[Richard]

Hello again folks, I've had some more thoughts!

Firstly, thank you Emmett for a great picture, but look out Hayley, the bloke behind you wants to cut your hair off to make himself a wig! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Secondly, I think Heather's voice is much more suited to the big band backing than Hayley's. There is a strong consensus of opinion elsewhere in the Forum that Hayley really sounds best with a smaller backing. I agree that the song wasn't a suitable style for Hayley, but she needs all the promotion she can get at the moment, so she was right to agree to do it.

Thirdly, I think Hayley might have made a bigger impact if she had opened the show singing "White Cliffs of Dover" instead of Katie Melua. I think Hayley has a much nicer voice and sings with more feeling. It could also have given Hayley the chance to play her guitar on British TV.

I'm sure this debate is going to run for quite a while, but now I'm looking forward to seeing Hayley at Hampton Court on 15th June! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

See you there,

Richard

[gareth]

Well, anyway, check www.katherine-jenkins-international.com/ for an amazing set of pictures Emmett took of Katherine - Those pictures are really outstanding!

Gerrit

[roger]

Sorry this is a week late!

It certainly was a strange vocal pairing but I believe Hayley triumphed. The quality of her performance was just as good as it is when she sings her usual repertoire. I also think it displayed her vocal style is not limited to classical and pop. She can surely sing anything.

Well done, Hayley, I say. Okay, so I am biased, I admit it!

Roger

[Richard]

Hello again Roger, I'm still reflecting on this one!

I agree that Hayley gave an excellent performance, especially as I still think Heather Small was an unsuitable vocal partner. As I said before, I do enjoy big band swing, and it was good to see Hayley trying something new and broadening her horizons still further.

I think the BBC have realised that in a few years time there won't be many people who still remember the war years, so they need to make this sort of show more appealing to younger people or the traditions will die. The same thing has been happening with the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall for the last two years, and I don't think anybody will ever forget Hayley's brilliant and moving performance in November 2003, which can still be viewed on the HWI main web site.

I see there are some very favourable comments about Hayley's performance in Trafalgar Square on her official guestbook, which proves that the concert was a success. Well done Hayley, as always! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Only 4 weeks to Hampton Court!

See you there,

Richard

[roger]

It's strange how people hear things differently. Contrary to comments here, there is a message on the Guestbook of HW.com from someone who has been a piano / vocal teacher for 20 years. He says Hayley "delivered it [Chattanooga Choo Choo] faultlessly despite her partner struggling with her tuning."

I guess I'll just have to watch it again to find out who's right!

Roger

[Dave]

roger said:

It's strange how people hear things differently. Contrary to comments here, there is a message on the Guestbook of HW.com from someone who has been a piano / vocal teacher for 20 years. He says Hayley "https://i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gifelivered it [Chattanooga Choo Choo] faultlessly despite her partner struggling with her tuning."

I guess I'll just have to watch it again to find out who's right!
Roger

Well I stand by my original comments i.e. "I thought she sung it well in the circumstances - better than Heather in fact - and I didn't think she was at all flat (out of tune). "

In fact, now I've watched it a few more times, it's growing on me even more - I'll even forgive Heather for unwittingly holding back Hayley! So much so that I've stuck a high (near DVD) quality version of it on my PC for watching at the click of a mouse...

Wanna see what a "near DVD" quality Windows Media file looks and sounds like? OK, but it's 33MB so be warned! Broadbanders will be fine downloading it (that means you, Roger!) but dial-up folks, beware - 90 minutes for you.

Chattanooga Choo Choo 33 MB Special Edition, for a few days only i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

PS: Keith, Oops, I went a bit overboard with this one, lol.

[Richard]

Hello again Dave!

I've just watched your special version of the video twice, but I find the picture keeps pausing for a split second, causing loss of synchronisation! However the sound quality is superb, and clearly shows that Heather is out of tune, while Hayley sang perfectly and gave the song a brand new sound with her distinctive voice.

Having watched Hayley's DVD a few times now, which clearly demonstrates her versatility and vocal range, I think occasional excursions into the field of jazz could be on the cards, so I will be following her career with even greater interest in the future to see if I'm right! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

Next stop Hampton Court in 26 days time! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

See you there,

Richard

[roger]

Don't get me wrong. I thought Hayley's perrformance was outstanding. When I said "contrary to comments here....." I was referring to those that others had made. I agree with the favourable quote from the HW.com Guestbook, and with you Dave (as indicated in my earlier post).

Give us more, Hayley, we love it all.

Roger