I
have to admit to a vested interest here. I’ve performed
as a backing singer for Hayley on a couple of occasions,
and she’s a very sweet, unspoiled girl, with a great attitude
for making a success of herself in this business. If any
of the “child star” so called classical musicians have
a shot at enduring success, it’s her.
I also have to confess that the Special Edition of “Pure”
that I have was a gift from Universal Classics, but you
can buy “Pure” from Amazon at £13.99, which is probably
your best bet.
DO I LIKE THE ALBUM?
Yes. I have to confess that I didn’t think I would, and
that I would be passing it on as a present at Christmas,
but I’ve played it a few times now, and Hayley’s sweet,
girlish soprano is initially very appealing. Whether it
will pall on repeated hearing I couldn’t say, but at present,
it’s still close to the CD player in this house.
COVER/BOOKLET/PRICE
As a new release, it’s obviously at Full-Price at present.
£13.99 (Amazon) is probably the best price you will get
for “Pure” for a while. As it also broke all Classical
Chart records for first week sales, this is not going
to be in the bargain bin any time soon.
The cover and back shots are of Hayley, and there are
many more “arty” shots of her in the booklet, mostly taken
at the seaside, and she’s clearly freezing! I’m not sure
quite how her company are trying to market her, as there’s
more than a hint of teen popstar here rather than young
crossover artist. For me, that’s just not right.
The big bonus for the booklet is that you get lyrics (and
translations, where appropriate!) for all tracks, one
thing the pop side of the business has always had the
classical market well beaten for.
TRACK LISTING
Thirteen tracks, and I will leave you guessing where I
hit the “skip” key!
Pokarekare ana; Never Say Goodbye; Who Painted the Moon
Black?; River of Dreams; Benedictus; Hine e Hine; Dark
Waltz; Amazing Grace; In Trutina; Beat of Your Heart;
Heaven; Wuthering Heights; Hine e Hine (Maori Mix)
Hayley is at her best in the Maori tracks and in the Karl
Jenkins number (Benedictus), although there really is
only one duffer here (again, I’ll keep you guessing, but
it isn’t rocket science to spot the deliberate mistake
on this album!).
This is a pretty generous debut selection, and I don’t
want to draw the obvious comparison with Charlotte Church
(but I’m going to), works far more successfully in my
opinion.
WOULD I BUY IT AS A GIFT?
Definite yes. Ideal for people whose classical tastes
run to the Karl Jenkins/Lesley Garrett/Bryn Terfel singing
show songs end of the market (and that isn’t meant to
be patronising, honest!). I suspect Hayley may also become
an aspirational figure for teenage girls, and she may
have a surprise pop hit on her hands here too.
WOULD I LIKE TO RECEIVE IT AS A GIFT?
I might be dubious (as I was), but I make a point of playing
every CD I’m ever given, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised
so many times I can’t count.
IS IT A GOOD DEBUT ALBUM?
Undoubtedly, yes. I have no idea how Hayley’s immediate
career in this country will pan out, but this is a very
promising first album. With a generous track listing (largely)
well-performed, it bodes well.
SUMMING UP
If you like artists like those I mentioned in the gift
section, performing light classical material, you should
give this album a try. I like it, and I didn’t think I
would.
This is my first Ciao op in some time, so I’m a bit out
of practise! Any comments gratefully received.
More details
Originality
Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics
Standard
Quality and consistency
of tracks
A couple of weak links
Shelf Life
Enduring
How does it compare
to the artist's other releases
