Review
04 - by Keith Sheel, UK - 27th November
2001
______________________________________________
“My
Gift To You”
Well,
after what seemed an age, but was actually
less than two weeks round trip by snail
mail (UK - NZ - UK), my copy of “My
Gift To You” arrived this
morning. I was the very epitome of the
over-excited child on Christmas morning.
I had to go out, I didn't want to, I
wanted to play my new CD. But, I had
to force myself to be patient - at least
long enough to put it in the CD player
in the car (where there's a will there's
a way).
Hayley's
first, self-titled, CD was the best I
had ever heard. Nothing could ever be
as good as that. I was right! Hayley's
second CD is not as good as her first.
It is a quantum leap better. But, I am
confused. How can anyone improve on perfection?
No one can - except Hayley it seems.
Anyway,
down to business. What about the tracks
on “My Gift To You”.
1) “All
I Have To Give” - I
had never heard of this one. Don't
know whether it's old or new. All
I know is that it is a beautiful
song. The words carry such meaning
and Hayley's expressive singing conveys
it so well. Secondly, the melody
of this one is absolutely perfect
to show what Hayley can do.
2) “You'll
Never Walk Alone” -
Not since "Carousel"
have I heard such an emotive delivery of
a song that is a real tear-jerker when
you know the context of the two occasions
that it is sung in the film. Hayley delivers
a faithful performance that is second to
none. Once again - perfection.
3) “Chestnuts
Roasting On An Open Fire” -
So many versions of this are rushed
to the extent that makes you feel that
the singer can't wait to get it finished.
Not so with Hayley. The timing of this
Christmas favourite is perfect. Hayley's
delivery reinforces an understanding
of her deep understanding of her music,
piece by piece. I'll say no more than
I love it.
4) “Mary
Did You Know - What a song of wonder”.
A song of the miracle that was the
first and most precious Christmas gift.
I believe that, although this is another
I have never heard before, there are
none who could give a better rendition
of this.
5) “The
Peace Song” - A song
that, on it's own, should make people
think before they act. With Hayley
singing it, it stirs the very soul.
It is a song with a message that is
beauty personified. How appropriate
that Hayley should sing it.
6) “Do
You Hear What I Hear?” -
Delivered with such awe and devotion.
The ultimate in ability. No it's not!
Hayley is the very pinnacle - what
could improve upon that? Well, listen
to the echo and close harmony performed
by a guest vocalist. Sophie Westenra
is absolutely divine and a perfect
complement to Hayley. The beauty of
this song brought tears to my Eyes.
7) “Somewhere
Over The Rainbow” - Once
again, I have heard many version of
this song. I have witnessed (from the
wings) it performed by "The Wizard", "Dorothy",
the whole cast including the children
(munchkins etc), on the last night
- when all on stage took their cue
from one little girl and tears streamed
down their faces, even so they kept
going. Never could anything carry such
an impact again. WRONG. Hayley gives
it no less impact. It is simply the
best I have ever heard of this song.
8) “Gabriel's
Message” - A song of
joyous wonder this time. Yet again,
this is well within Hayley's ability
to deliver with its fullest meaning
expressed in such magnificent manner.
9) “Pokarekare
Ana” - A very well known
Maori song. Typical of this people.
Beautifully melodic and gentle. So
full of sentiment. How perfectly Hayley
carries it off has to be heard to be
believed. And, here, she also shows
her ability to sing "a capella" with
absolutely perfect control and pitch.
This in itself raises this piece to
one of the finest pieces of music I
will ever hear.
10) “Through
These Eyes” - Yet another
I have never heard before. What difference
does that make? For, the moment I heard
Hayley start singing this I was in
love with it. And then perfection got
even better (what! Again?). Hayley
is joined again by Sophie, singing
in close harmony. This really does
impress upon the listener how perfectly
suited these two voices are to each
other. A very moving performance indeed.
11) “Morning
Has Broken” - As soon
as this track starts, it is recognisable
more for the absolute faithfulness
of the piano part to the original.
Then Hayley starts to sing. It's a
different type of song to any that
have gone before. Such a classic as
this would cause many to stumble. NOT
Hayley. She delivers in such a deep
and meaningful manner that it could
almost have been written for her. Not,
as is the case, so many years before
she was born. How did he know, all
that time ago, that Hayley would sing
this?
12) “Silent
Night” - I am going to
say very little about this. Perfect
voice. Perfect delivery. A capella
introduction again. No better version
has, in my humble opinion, been produced
since the Vienna Boys Choir recorded "Stille
Nacht" all those years ago.
Altogether, a set of songs that would challenge
many. Hayley sings them with such consummate
ease that it is clear that she hasn't even
begun yet. Unless I miss the point by a long
way, the complete mastery of every piece
produces an album that could only have been
improved in one way. And that's precisely
what they did. Sophie Westenra is absolutely
divine, as I've said before. Her voice is
utterly beautiful and that bell-like quality
is in there too. Hayley is heaven-sent. Now
we have been given a taste of another heaven-sent
voice in the person of Sophie. I sincerely
hope that we are going to hear quite a bit
more of her.
Hayley, and you, too, Sophie, thank you so
much for the beauty of your music. It really
is a language that can be understood all
around the world.
From an ever more devoted fan.
Love and best wishes to all from Keith
S
