Hayley Westenra: Pure

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
IPure/I is presented as 16-year-old New Zealand singer Hayley Westenra's first album, though it follows a chart-topping eponymous debut and follow-up Christmas disc, IMy Gift to You/I. IPure/I is still Hayley's first UK release, and capitalises on a rapid move into the international limelight following a duet with Russell Watson as part of his 2002 tour, now preserved on DVD as IRussell Watson: The Voice (Live In New Zealand)/I. p Comparisons with Charlotte Church are inevitable, yet Westenra has her own distinctive sound. She has impeccably clear diction coupled with a gorgeous voice with a very wide range: her high notes in the Kate Bush hit "Wuthering Heights" are especially striking, and like Bush she is also a dancer, having performed with the Royal New Zealand Ballet. If there's a problem, it's that IPure/I doesn't have a focus to match Westenra's talent, the tracks spanning everything from "Amazing Grace" to a Maori lullaby ("Hine e Hine") to hybrid pieces adapted from Ravel ("Never Say Goodbye") and Vivaldi's IFour Seasons/I ("River of Dreams"). Ultimately what this set does demonstrate is that whatever direction Westenra finally settles on, she has the ability to go to the very top. For now she is a young artist finding her way, and for many listeners the result is IPure/I magic.I--Gary S Dalkin/I

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2008-06-12 rating:
Lovely voice and some highly original song choices
br /The original `Pure' album was released in 2003, and despite there now being a confusing number of variations of it (special edition, import, bonus tracks bonus discs) there are basically two editions - this original single disc album, and a 2CD Special Edition which is the original album plus a bonus disc. br / br /The songs are a mixture of classical, popular and traditional, with some highly original and unexpected choices such as `River of Dreams' which is a transcription of Vivaldi's lovely violin solo `largo' from `The Four Seasons', and a powerful recording of `Benedictus' from the Karl Jenkins' album `The Armed Man - A Mass for Peace'. br / br /The New Zealand traditionals, predictably chosen because of Hayley's origin from that country, are the beautiful love songs `Pokarekare Ana' and `Hine e Hine' which are performed with effortless grace. br / br /But the version of the 1978 Kate Bush hit `Wuthering Heights' was for me a disappointment, failing to reach anything like the passion and intensity achieved by Kate Bush and her backing group. This one floats along comfortably like a nice love song but eventually fizzles out with a competent, but lacklustre, guitar solo. br / br /The remaining songs though are good performances, and the alternative 2CD Special Edition with its Christmas songs and video track, will probably be the recommended choice, depending of course on cost. br / br /On its original release Pure deservedly reached No. 8 in the UK Pop chart and No.1 in the UK Classical chart. It remains the fastest selling international debut album in the history of the UK Classical chart and the best selling artist of her native New Zealand's history, having been awarded Platinum status ten times over. br /

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review by: date: 2004-10-28 rating:
bowled over
Like one of your other commentators, I came across Hayley completely by accident as I was driving along the Motorway listening to FM Classical Music. She was singing the Benedictus from the CD and I found the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, especially when the orchestra thundered in one third of the way through. I was totally immersed in her voice. When I came home I bought the CD 'Pure' and was 'bowled over.' I am a singer myself and although the entire CD is just so good, there are some tracks which are quite simply, flawless and outstanding, as far as I am concerned. Obviously the Benedictus, and Il Trutino for me, are the stars of the show, but the 1st track, especially when not expected, is amazing. The clarity and range of such a young voice is second to none.There are some tracks which I found pleasant enough and it has to be said that Hayley's voice does them all proud, but I would hope that she will find herself being drawn into the operatic world for that is obviously where her magnificent talent lies.

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review by: date: 2004-03-21 rating:
Enchantingly superb without being pompus
Well what else can I say. This album completely enchanted me. Like most people who buy this type of album I love my music, I am very difficult to please but this young lady has totaly captivated me . Her voice is flawles, not a single missed note on the whole album ( OK so I know they can over dub but work with me here) and lets face it how many people do you know who can sing Wuthering Heights. As much as I love Kate Bush's version I can't help feeling that this version has that certain Je Ne sai Quois that makes it stand out. If you love your music and you love pure unadulterated talent then buy this album. You will not be dissapointed.

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review by: Ronald Ager date: 2004-03-01 rating:
Pure but mixed up
New Zealand doesn't produce many world-shattering musical artists but when it does - Kiri te Kanawa, Crowded House, Hayley Westenra - we certainly know about it.pThis album has been cleverly put together to show off Hayley's pure soprano voice in all its facets. To begin with it is very pure, and clear, and high, sometimes almost achingly so. On some of the tracks ("River of Dreams", "Benedictus" and the frankly boring "Hine e Hine") she actually sounds more like a choirboy, and even the lead track "Pokarekare Ana" leans that way. Personally I'm not so keen on that; however, on others ("Never Say Goodbye", "Who Painted The Moon Black", "Dark Waltz", and even hoary old "Amazing Grace") the voice is soft and mellow, and warm enough to melt any natural cynicism some of us might have about very young singers being "found" and thrust into the limelight as the "next best thing". And the really remarkable feature of the voice is the absence of vibrato, in marked contrast to some of her contemporaries.pAlthough possibly not the best track on the album, it would not surprise me if "Wuthering Heights" is lifted off as a hit single, with dreamy accompanying video, at some future point. It is a fairly faithful version of it, and Hayley's voice shows another side to it by coming as close to the original as I have heard.pQuite apart from Hayley's voice, the album has the huge advantage of some sensitive arrangements and orchestrations, some courtesy of Sir George Martin. There are no heavy techno-beats to try to sell it in the "crossover" market, nor is it so sleepy that it's easy listening; there are just sufficient rhythms to let you know that this is not really a classical record. pIt certainly is a bit of a mixed bag, stylistically, and I can't give it the full five stars. But at the tender age of 17 Hayley has some maturing to do, vocally and in personality, and whatever direction she takes in the future, with a voice like this I'm sure it will be great. I look forward to the next CD.


review by: date: 2004-02-20 rating:
Simply heaven
A beautiful collection of songs sung by a young New Zealander who has a voice so heavenly you can become entranced. Truely a fabulous album for anyone.

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