Kahurangi Maori - Kahurangi

Advantages: Excellent debut album
Disadvantages: Spot the duff track...

...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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Different styles of music - powerful voice
Disadvantages: For myself - none

...the foreign sung songs... ~ The Music ~ POKAREKARE ANA ~ 3.17 In English this is titled ‘Stormy Are The Waters’. For the first chorus or so we are greeted by the amazing voice that is Hayley Westenra. Beautiful, strong, spine tingling - none of these words do it justice... I can’t decide whether this is a love song or something deeper. I can’t quite place my finger on it. If it’s a love song then Hayley is singing her love for another girl. I can’t claim to know the language either. Craig thinks it’s Maori - whatever, it’s tremendously beautiful. She is joined by some quiet orchestral music half way through the song, which carries her along on a wave. As the choir starts to sing the music grows louder and louder whilst Hayley withdraws completely. The music and choir die away and we are left with Hayley coming back with her magical... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: a breath of fresh air
Disadvantages: none

...In order to sit and listen to a whole albumn of a genre that your not usualy intrested in it must be exceptional ,and this one is And ime glad i decided to listen to it In this albumn the clarity of Hayleys voice shines through.It doesnt need any enhancments , and in reality it would be a pleasure to listen to with or without the musical accompaniment Once listened to youl be hooked With tracks that reflect her maori background "Pokarekare Ana" through to her renditions of pop classics like "wuthering heights" "Amazing Grace" to the beautifly haunting "Who Painted The Moon Black" From start to finish first to last track this little kiwi with a style all her own will keep you enthralled with the voice of an angel and the looks to match, any lover of good music would be pleased to add this albumn to their collection I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful