Post by Richard on Dec 8, 2005 9:29:43 GMT
Hello everybody! 
There is a good review of Hayley's concert at Manchester Entertainment Online.
Hayley Westenra @the Lowry Theatre
Review by James Ellaby
Just over a year ago, New Zealand singing sensation Hayley Westenra played in front of a packed Bridgewater Hall, backed by the Heart of England Chamber Ensemble, splitting her set into four parts to enable her to show off four pretty dresses. It was a very professional show and her voice was lovely, but this more intimate performance still topped it.
Having arrived at The Lowry expecting to be ushered into the Lyric Theatre, it was a bit of a surprise to be heading for the smaller Quays venue. However, it made for a hugely entertaining evening in the presence of someone who is more used to performing in front of huge audiences.
With just a piano and some candles on stage, it was obvious that this was going to be a more sparse show musically than last year's concert. However, that doesn't mean it was lacking in any way, as it only allowed Westenra's voice to come through even more clearly.
And never more so than on the opening Pokarekare Ana, her signature tune, mingling her pure singing with her country's Maori background perfectly. With violinist Fiona Pears providing beautiful backing, Westenra sings plenty of tunes from her breakthrough album Pure, including Who Painted The Moon Black and In Trutina.
Most of the set though is taken from new album Odyssey, including the stunning Bridal Ballad, which was recorded for the film version of Merchant Of Venice as well as May It Be from Lord Of The Rings. Westenra slips off stage early on, as she did last year, allowing Pears to play a couple of her own tunes, both of which are mightily impressive, though overshadowed by a Russian number that she plays despite a broken string on her bow.
Thankfully, when Westenra returns to the stage it is in the same blue dress that she wore all evening, so maybe lessons have been learned. She also sings a song that she co-wrote, called What You Never Know (Won't Hurt You), which demonstrates that she is certainly growing as an artist and has a good future ahead of her. Some of the tracks like Never Saw Blue that are so-so on record really come to life in the live arena, and this was a show that delighted everyone in the Quays Theatre. Next time, she'll certainly be somewhere bigger...
Best Wishes,
Richard
There is a good review of Hayley's concert at Manchester Entertainment Online.
Hayley Westenra @the Lowry Theatre
Review by James Ellaby
Just over a year ago, New Zealand singing sensation Hayley Westenra played in front of a packed Bridgewater Hall, backed by the Heart of England Chamber Ensemble, splitting her set into four parts to enable her to show off four pretty dresses. It was a very professional show and her voice was lovely, but this more intimate performance still topped it.
Having arrived at The Lowry expecting to be ushered into the Lyric Theatre, it was a bit of a surprise to be heading for the smaller Quays venue. However, it made for a hugely entertaining evening in the presence of someone who is more used to performing in front of huge audiences.
With just a piano and some candles on stage, it was obvious that this was going to be a more sparse show musically than last year's concert. However, that doesn't mean it was lacking in any way, as it only allowed Westenra's voice to come through even more clearly.
And never more so than on the opening Pokarekare Ana, her signature tune, mingling her pure singing with her country's Maori background perfectly. With violinist Fiona Pears providing beautiful backing, Westenra sings plenty of tunes from her breakthrough album Pure, including Who Painted The Moon Black and In Trutina.
Most of the set though is taken from new album Odyssey, including the stunning Bridal Ballad, which was recorded for the film version of Merchant Of Venice as well as May It Be from Lord Of The Rings. Westenra slips off stage early on, as she did last year, allowing Pears to play a couple of her own tunes, both of which are mightily impressive, though overshadowed by a Russian number that she plays despite a broken string on her bow.
Thankfully, when Westenra returns to the stage it is in the same blue dress that she wore all evening, so maybe lessons have been learned. She also sings a song that she co-wrote, called What You Never Know (Won't Hurt You), which demonstrates that she is certainly growing as an artist and has a good future ahead of her. Some of the tracks like Never Saw Blue that are so-so on record really come to life in the live arena, and this was a show that delighted everyone in the Quays Theatre. Next time, she'll certainly be somewhere bigger...
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Best Wishes,
Richard
