Pure

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Product Details

Artist : Hayley Westenra
Binding : Audio CD
EAN : 0028947518020
Label : Universal Music Group
Number of Discs : 1
Product Group : Music
Release Date : 2004-04-06
Running Time : 49minutes
UPC : 028947518020

ASIN : B0001IXTIG

Track Listings for

Disc-1
1. Pokarekare Ana
2. Never Say Goodbye
3. Who Painted the Moon Black?
4. River of Dreams
5. Beat of Your Heart
6. Amazing Grace
7. Benedictus
8. Hine E Hine
9. Across the Universe of Time
10. Dark Waltz
11. In Trutina
12. Heaven
13. Wuthering Heights

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Customer Reviews

Purity (2005-08-13)

Ever since Charlotte Church turned into a tabloids' darling and a wannabe pop star, there's been a gap opened for a young, sweet-faced soprano. The best bet on filling it seems to be Hayley Westenra, a young singer/dancer from New Zealand. The result: "Pure," an album that is reminiscent of early Sarah Brightman, back when she did folk songs and showtunes. Westenra sticks close to her classical sound with songs like the delicate "In Trutina" and the traditional New Zealand song "Pokarekare Ana," which is rendered with the backing of a a rather muddled male chorus and some swelling strings. However, Westenra doesn't neglect more modern songs, and she does well in classical pop as well as straightforward classical. The big difference seems to be a bit of synth and a delicate guitar melody, in songs like the charming "Beat of Your Heart" and dreamy "Why Painted the Moon Black?" It's a smooth, thoroughly sweet crossover effect. Westenra also eschews the usual round of classical-pop songs, like "Nella Fantasia." I love that song, but it's been done so many times. Instead, she opts for Maori lullabies, Vivaldi ballads, the neglected "Mummer's Dance" and the orchestral cathedral grandeur of "Benedictus." She even covers Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights," adding a modern feel to the finale. That is not to say that every choice is an excellent one. "Wuthering Heights" has Westenra trying to sound more Bush-ian, while "Amazing Grace" is too simple vocally. Aside from those, her choices of song are excellent -- rich, uplifting and beautiful, and backed by a wide range of orchestral musicians, especially the strings. Her vocals themselves are not operatic, but they are strong, clear and sweet, without pretensions or dramatic flourishes. The effect is stunning, more given to magic and sweetness than to keeping to classical standards. Since this was recorded when Westenra was only sixteen, one wonders how good she'll be in ten years. Despite comparisons to Charlotte Church, Hayley Westenra is more like Sarah Brightman -- a sweet-voiced singer, straddling the fence between classical and pop. An enchanting experience.

Pure? Try boring. (2004-07-19)

You say pure and angelic, I say boring and wimpy. Ms.Westenra does indeed have perfect-pitch (along with thousands of other people in the world) but that's about the only good thing you can say about her. Perhaps it's just because I'm accustomed to real, full-voiced opera singers but I just can't understand how people can stand to listen to a voice with no vibrato. She has no resonance, no feeling, and no dynamic range whatsoever (the entire CD is sung mezzoforte). I'm certainly not saying that this is the worst classical-crossover CD ever (Charlotte Church's sophomore album comes to mind for that award) but I am saying it's bad. Not for real classical/opera fans. Better for easy listening fans.

This CD is pure pleasure (2004-07-18)

I really enjoyed listening to this album. I admire any singer who can sing effortlessly in more than one language. This is what Hayley Westerna does so well in English and Maori. I fell in love with Hayley Westerna's voice after watching the music video for Pokarekare Ana Come Back To Me. Her voice sounds very romantic and soothing. In Trutina is another great track. Hayley hits all the high notes and shows range of her powerful voice. Hayley also sings a great rendition of the church hymm Amazing Grace. Her voice is so uplifting here. I also loved the track Never Say Goodbye. Her delivery and phrasing is flawless and so snooth on this song. The instruments on this album are a perfect compliment to her voice. I love the violin playing on the track Dark Waltz is just lovely. Pure is simply a pure pleasure to listen to. Hayley Westerna is a very talented singer with a bright future.

second chance? (2004-07-18)

When Charlotte Church first came on the scene, many of us hoped for another truly great Carmen in the manner of Rise Stevens, but she has chosen to go another way. Hayley Westenra may be not only a second chance but an even better one with the effortlessly clean diction and ease of delivery not heard since Stevens. We live in hope.

Unbelievable (2004-07-15)

I first saw Hayley perform on a Sunday morning news program and immediately fell in love with her voice and ran out to buy this CD. I love it more and more each time I listen to it. Hayley has a bright future and I for one will always be a fan.

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