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Post by iggy on Mar 4, 2006 15:31:03 GMT
Last night my wife and I, with great anticipation, attended the second of three concerts Hayley is performing at the National Arts Centre here in Ottawa Canada. What was expected to be a night of pitch-perfect music performed by this incredible young woman turned out to be something much less.
We first encountered Hayley’s video singing “Both Sides Now” on Bravo TV. We were blown away by the quality of her voice and her superb interpretation of the song. Within a few days we had purchased her CDs, the PBS video and downloaded everything available on the Net. Then we discovered that she would be coming to our city in a few months. We had seats in the eighth row centre stage by the next day.
The concert was billed as Hayley with the National Arts Centre Orchestra and the Ewashko Singers. Sounded great! But it turns out that Hayley was the add-on, the New Zealand part of the show (as conductor Jack Everly characterized it last night).
The first half of the show was the Art Centre orchestra playing pop tunes based on a theme of “Around The World”. This was essentially 7 or 8 tunes of vacuous pap with Everly rambling on between tunes. Very boring! An ice-cold pint of “Keiths” at half time cheered me up.
The second half began with the theme music from Lord of the Rings which was pleasant. Then Hayley was introduced – it was about 9:20 PM. She was greeted with enthusiasm by the nearly sold out audience. She was of course, stunningly beautiful and her voice was, as expected, pitch perfect. We heard 8 songs and then it was over. The time was 10:00 PM. By my calculation we heard about 40 to 45 minutes of music – 8 songs and that included the encore. Duh! What the hell was that all about?
Yes we got to hear the requisite Pokarekare Ana and Hine e Hine. Ava Maria lacked any edge at all. The highlight of the “mini set” was her a cappella rendition of “She moves through the fair”. In 3 of the songs the backing chorus of about 30 was so loud that it drowned out her singing.
The joke of the night was the “supporting visuals”. Slides of New Zealand were projected on two side screens during the first half of the concert. I counted 5 different slides that kept repeating – what a joke! I have more pictures on my computer than they had in the entire show. And the New Zealand government had a booth and display in the lobby flogging tourism. Surely they have more slides. The attempt at visuals was disgraceful!
And when Hayley was singing a live video image of her was projected on a huge screen that filled the entire back of the stage. The only problem was that someone forgot to change the lighting so that the image was very faint and washed out. You would think that in one of the most high tech venues in the world some moron would have figured out that you can’t shine white lights on a screen while video is being shown.
Through all of this Hayley did not seem to be that comfortable. She stood almost riveted in one spot, her between song banter was sparse and awkward for the most part. I found this odd having seen the video of her PBS concert where she showed a much different stage presence. As a ‘performance’ by an artist, this one was lacking. Maybe it was an ‘off night” – I dunno?
All in all it was a disappointing evening. From comments overheard as the audience exited, many others were also dismayed at the brevity of her ‘concert’. I didn’t bother to stay for the autograph session in the lobby. As a performance I was reminded of the words of Mr. Knightley to Emma " It was badly done, indeed!"
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Post by stevemacdonald on Mar 4, 2006 20:04:11 GMT
Thanks for the review, Iggy. Sounds like an off-night for Hayley for sure. It could be that these big orchestral gigs are not what she does best.
I've been lucky enough to attend a few concerts where she had only a violin and piano backing, and it was substantially better than when I saw her with full orchestras. That delicate voice does get lost in all the noise a lot of the time.
The bad lighting is beyond unforgivable but I could never understand the need for these jumbo screens in the first place, except to put the makers of opera glasses out of business. The image dwarfs the performer to an insane extent. I know that some singers hate them. Maybe the person in charge of the lights at that high tech venue was sending a message?
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Post by Oksana on Mar 4, 2006 20:43:17 GMT
Hi Iggy and welcome to the forum! Thank you for your review, and it certainly does sound like an off-night. It's unfortunate to hear that Hayley isn't getting enough chances to do concerts centered around herself. It seems like she's constantly taking a backseat to Il Divo, Jack Everly, etc. I'm sure you weren't the only one disappointed -- 8 songs is half of what's on the UK version of Odyssey! I hope future concerts will not be like this. Newsweek International got it right when they said Hayley had "a ton of star quality," but she's not getting any chances to showcase it.  Oksana |
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Post by alien on Mar 5, 2006 0:14:20 GMT
Hi Iggy, welcome to HWI! Interesting review, from what you described, seems like Hayley's performance was an afterthought for the orchestra and the technicians were trying too hard to make it a pop/rock concert. Hopefully they'll recognize the problem and present Hayley properly for tonight's concert in a more classical and less distracting setting. I hope future concerts will not be like this. Newsweek International got it right when they said Hayley had "a ton of star quality," but she's not getting any chances to showcase it. In this case, can we conclude that the best time to showcase Hayley is during lunar eclipse? Seen Hayley singing acappellas on TV and certainly they're among the best performances IMO. Allen |
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Post by fusilier23 on Mar 5, 2006 3:28:42 GMT
Well, having seen Hayley with a big orchestra and chorus at Xmas 2004, I have to disagree that big orchestral gigs are not what she does well, she was right on the money with everything she did when she performed with the Boston Pops and fit seamlessly into the program. It also isn't heard of to introduce the guest vocalist in the second half of the program, and 8 songs is about right for that, I think she also did 8 with the pops. The Joe's Pub gigs were seven each, but then again she had to step aside for the next act there.
The problem here appears to have been a lack of preparation, not necessarily on Hayley's part, but on getting everyone together. I am a little dismayed by her appearing nervous, that doesn't sound like her. Hmmm, the more I hear of this the more I think Hayley needs to take a little break here to recharge her batteries.
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Post by stevemacdonald on Mar 5, 2006 8:11:12 GMT
I'm not convinced of the importance of "stage presence" when critiquing Hayley. Last I checked these weren't West End productions, just plain and simple concerts. Naturally she was more comfortable in her own country when they shot her PBS concert video. I'd think there was something wrong with her if she wasn't a little bit withdrawn elsewhere, if that was the case.
jeremiah made an excellent point about expectations. I'm willing to bet those who attended her Ottawa concerts without any prior experience of her were suitably entertained despite the flaws in the production. I'm also sure there were many others who share Iggy's opinion and then some, perhaps having set their expectations too high or their tolerance of imperfections too low.
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Post by iggy on Mar 5, 2006 14:56:44 GMT
Some very interesting points ^^^^^^^ - but I think a little clarification is needed at this point.
First, I was disappointed that I did not get to hear more of Hayley and that I was forced to sit through a mediocre first half and a silly slide show. ‘Caveat emptor’ - to be sure - I should have been aware that she was to be only part of the show. That was my responsibility and I blew it. But I was NOT disappointed in Hayley.
Second, regarding her stage presence, my point was that she seemed ‘awkward’ compared her PBS video – the only other viewing of her stage presence that I have seen. And yes, there could be all kinds of reasons for that on that particular night not the least of which was the stage layout. She had about one square meter of stage room, the rest of the stage was taken by the orchestra – another concert flaw.
And I was certainly not expecting “Ann Margret or a Liza Minelli” as mentioned above – God forbid that – I despise that kind of entertainment. But let’s be candid here. There are hundreds of beautiful young girls who emerge each year – and some can actually sing. What sets Hayley apart from that group is her very, very special voice and her young age. The voice will only improve but the audiences will begin to expect more of a stage presence.
I am an old fart – been there – done that. I’m guessing but maybe I have seen 300 or 400 or more concerts in my life. From Muddy Waters to Bruce Springsteen to Joni Mitchell to Pink Floyd (I have avoided morbidly obese songstresses who bellow in foreign languages in the name of art). Today it is very rare for any new singer to turn my crank but Hayley certainly does.
Yes, it is more than pleasurable to watch and listen to the purity of this “young angel” (as many of you characterize her) singing the requisite Ava Marias and Amazing Graces. I personally find the selection of those songs to be a commercial cop out. And don’t get me started on how George Martin screwed up the “pure’ version of Pokarekare Ana. Yes I understand that having George Martin (famous Beatles producer) as Hayleys producer on “Pure” gained her important recognition but he can’t write songs and “Beat of your Heart” simply sucked and wasted a track space.
I first encountered Hayley doing “Both Sides Now”. Many have recorded this classic but few have nailed the correct interpretation of the song. Hayley certainly does – she just shines with her version of this classic! I wonder, if given a choice, what she would prefer to do? Sing arias in foreign languages and songs that very old people like . . . or . . . explore contemporary classics and her own writing. Hmmmmmmm.. . . . . . .
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Dave
Administrator
HWI Admin
Posts: 7,699
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Post by Dave on Mar 5, 2006 15:59:57 GMT
Some very interesting points ^^^^^^^ - but I think a little clarification is needed at this point. First, I was disappointed that I did not get to hear more of Hayley and that I was forced to sit through a mediocre first half and a silly slide show. ‘Caveat emptor’ - to be sure - I should have been aware that she was to be only part of the show. That was my responsibility and I blew it. But I was NOT disappointed in Hayley. Aaahhh.... expectations! If you don't get what you expect, you are, of course, liable to be disappointed - whatever the quality of what you do actually get. I read the NAC concert preview and it was, in my opinion, misleading about what to expect. I've been to correctly advertised "Hayley" concerts of this nature in the UK and I seem to remember that I got exactly what I expected and was in no way disappointed when Hayley sang only 6 or 7 songs - 3 or 4 in each half of the concert. I do think that would have been a better way to have arranged the NAC concerts - some Hayley in each half. This method also gives the singer time to recuperate in the interval if they are feeling off-form or jaded. But I'm afraid I have to disagree with almost every other point you made (and some other forum members will undoubtedly disagree with some of *my* points!). .. The voice will only improve but the audiences will begin to expect more of a stage presence... We've had this discussion many times and there's some disagreement about it. Essentially, I think Hayley sings in Andrea Bocelli/Jose Carreras/Bryn Terfel classical recital mode. You don't see them walking around the stage much and I don't expect Hayley to. I'm there to listen to the singing and standing still *definitely* allows a singer to hit her or his notes more accurately. That's why I'm there - for the singing, not the visuals (as long as it's a pleasantly set-out stage). I personally find these selections to be excellent (in moderation) and they are among what I want to hear - Hayley's take on the standard (non-pop) repertoire. I like her to sing some of the (slightly!) less popular classical repertoire, too - Bachianas, Dido's Lament etc. and it is a pleasure to hear her sing her often 'gentler' versions of many popular classics that are, to my ears, overcooked by most classical crossover singers. I love that version. The only better version I've ever heard is Hayley's own vocalise version (as in the NZ beach video). I disagree. To my ears, that's a nice MOR pop song that helped, not hindered, the commercial success of Pure. I remember the original Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins versions and that's how I prefer to remember that song. It's not one of my favourite styles for Hayley though (maybe it's just the tune) - and although her version is good (as is Wuthering Heights) I would have preferred it if Hayley had avoided them; but I know many people love them. What makes Hayley's versions more enjoyable for me are the two videos - both are absolutely stunning and in the case of BSN, it's almost won me over! Hayley has said a few times that she wants to do and continue doing all of these things. Not to forget her stunning interpretations of 'classic' Folk and Celtic songs. I know several members of this forum disagree with me totally about BSN and WH, but isn't it a wonderful thing, how we all look at good Music from slightly different points of view?  Cheers, Dave |
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Post by iggy on Mar 5, 2006 18:12:12 GMT
Good discussion Dave . . . we may disagree on many things but I am sure we are in sync with our opinion of Hayley – she is very special!
You mention that she wants to continue to explore all genres and that is certainly commendable. Hopefully she will continue to develop her own interpretations of these various styles and even create her own music. That requires development of her ‘artistic personality’.
For example, in her covering of Wuthering Heights she reproduces the original exactly, not only in terms of vocal range but also in the arrangement. Why? I personally don’t like the ‘Xerox’ approach to music in either the recorded or live venues. Where is her personality in that piece of music? Where is her passion? When I hear her (video) version of Pokarekare Ana it is clear that she is into the song on a much different level. Now that’s evidence of a unique artist!
And regarding stage presence, I think you misunderstand my meaning here. It is not a question of position to hit the notes “accurately” as you suggest. The truly successful artist not only owns the stage but the audience as well. It is a very ethereal quality. It combines a number of factors not the least of which is the artist’s own personality. It remains to be seen whether or not Hayley will arrive at that point.
For example, I wonder how the audience would respond to an entire set of Celtic material sung by a voice that is perfectly suited for that genre. Not a set interrupted by overdone songs like Ava Maria or the commercial exploitation of an ex-Beatle producer – just some simple tunes injected with the personality of a young girl trying to understand life through her own spirituality (which she mentions often). And songs that she has chosen because she can relate to the content. Hey – now that’s art!
And of course my own wants, needs and desires of Hayley are just that – my own. I am sure that there are as many interpretations of what she should do as there are people who listen to her music. In terms of my own listening future, I definitely know that I am not interested in another duet with a blind baritone singing a song I can’t understand or a photocopy cover tune. I want to hear the real Hayley!
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Post by postscript on Mar 5, 2006 19:29:44 GMT
Dear Dave.
Just being supportive. I thought your response well balanced and .I find much empathy with the views you express so I'm not going to be picky where I disagree.
I must get the hang of using the quotation technique you use as it is helpful when a post doesn't necessarily run on directly, especially when you reply to several separate points in detail. Any quick tips, please?
Particularly with Il Divo, I am certainly holding back until the summer. Huddersfield is in my sights when I hope we will have Hayley as we have, perhaps selfishly, been spoilt in enjoying her this last autumn.
However, the Cardiff centre looks a fascinating building and I do know Brighton, so I may be tempted at one or the other. But the US press seem generally to pan Il Divo but fortunately treating Hayley totally separately and praising her.
Not for us to comment upon the wisdom but if she is being carried on their budget, under their organisational management and to some extent she and or her staff are released from direct tour management, then she is certainly gaining exposure. She does need that in the States, badly.
postscript
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Post by postscript on Mar 5, 2006 20:10:22 GMT
Oh dear Iggy, I am traumatised!
Learning of the Ottawa concert and it running for three days I would have been tempted to fly out to friends and make a performance but I did not know until too late, but in any case I was not well enough to plan the trip, although feeling as I do now I could have gone, but I'm glad I didn't.
The write-ups ahead seemed superb. However, it sounds like an old problem. Is it that Hayley 'grabs opportunities' and doesn't think them through, or ensure the details of the whole are right before committing? Or is it, as often happens on a minor scale in the UK, that she takes what's on offer rather than standing firm on what she wants?
In the UK this debate has revolved around amplification, not whether or not she should use it (a separate debate) but its quality. It seems when she has what she wants, the quality is there, but there are times when, because of complex arrangements within the venue structure, she has to accept the inhouse facilities.
It sounds as though she thought she could 'pop up there' as she was 'in the area with Il Divo', or may have been wanting to help out the New Zealand Tourist office. She is a Kiwi through and through and is both rightly proud of her country and her country people rightly proud of her.
Perhaps conflict of interests and a lot of well-meaning intentions combined to collide rather than meld?
Which night did you go? The first? Was she amplified, so it was a failure of the sound mixer/controller if the choir drowned her out.?
This is why I have steered clear of any thought of seeing her with anyone unless. It is Hayley Westenra and guests. that I prefer to see, not someone else's concert with Hayley appearing. I'm glad, however, that she was there signing afterwards.
I'm not certain if you are referring to the DVD 'Hayley live from NZ'? This was a superb DVD and I am glad they ran off some more to ensure the DVD was available with her CDs when she was signing in the UK.
So it might be that Hayley, who takes great pains to deliver 100% was flummoxed with matters out of her control and was dispirited by the lack of professionalism around her.
In the UK she was well supported all round, and maybe, being on someone else's tour, she hasn't got the full service support she normally has. On someone else's tour there wasn't the need so may be she took on something without the thought that she lacked the tie-over management backup she's used to.
Have faith Iggy. She may sound like an angel but she's a teenage girl doing marvelously well way from home. It is inevitable there will be times when something freezes over and won't budge as it should.
postscript
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Post by Dave Gibson on Apr 1, 2006 14:43:36 GMT
Hey Iggy, Maybe you should have a few more "Keiths'" and take a chill pill.
I've been to two Hayley concerts ,and they were both tremendous,and I didn't have any Keiths in between.
Satisfied Fan,Dave Gibson
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Post by Dave Gibson on Apr 1, 2006 15:11:01 GMT
Administrator Dave,Thank you for your inteligent reply to," Iggy'. It was concise and to the point.Reading further in the postings ,it made my Irish blood boil,what this person expects from a performer. He reminds me of a music critque,[ never satisfied].
Again thanks,
Blood boiling American fan from the US., Dave Gibson
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Post by portia on Apr 1, 2006 17:38:44 GMT
Dave Gibson, if you've been reading as further in as you've said, you should be able to discern that Iggy isn't getting uppity over the subject. I'd a;sp like to point out that Iggy wasn't slandering Hayley badly at all. In fact, he likes Hayley very much and was disappointed with a couple of her musical choices and one concert. Just because one is a fan doesn't mean one has to be satisfied with everything one gets.
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