Pure (Hayley Westenra album)
Encyclopedia
Pure is the first internationally published Album (music) by Christchurch
, New Zealand
soprano Hayley Westenra
. Her previous albums were released only in New Zealand
and nearby Australia. This album also received professional consultation from the legendary Sir George Martin
who helped to create its "unique appeal". In 2004, it was the highest selling New Zealand Album and so it privileged Hayley with an award from the New Zealand Music Awards
of 2004. It was published by the Decca Music Group label in 2003. It was distributed in the United States by Universal Classics in 2004. During its first week of sales it sold 19,068 copies. As of 2007, Pure is the best selling classical album for the 21 century in the UK.
Pure gives a new freshness to well known classical repertoire, as well as exploring the world of pop and traditional Maori choral singing, including renditions of "Who Painted the Moon Black?", "Hine e Hine
" (a song of the Māori, the natives of New Zealand), "In Trutina", from Orff's Carmina Burana
, "Wuthering Heights
" (a cover of the Kate Bush
hit), and the perennial spiritual classic "Amazing Grace
". Sir George Martin
co-wrote the track "Beat of Your Heart" just for the album. Also on the album is "Pokarekare Ana
", a New Zealand love song which has enduring popularity, and has become Hayley's signature song.
Pure was recorded at Air Lyndhurst, Eastcote Studios, London, England.
Collector's edition bonus CD
Collector's edition bonus CD
Collector's edition bonus CD
and http://hayleywestenra.com
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
soprano Hayley Westenra
Hayley Westenra
Hayley Dee Westenra is a New Zealand soprano, classical crossover artist, songwriter and UNICEF Ambassador. Her first internationally released album, Pure, reached No. 1 on the UK classical charts in 2003 and has sold more than two million copies worldwide...
. Her previous albums were released only in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and nearby Australia. This album also received professional consultation from the legendary Sir George Martin
George Martin
Sir George Henry Martin CBE is an English record producer, arranger, composer and musician. He is sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"— a title that he often describes as "nonsense," but the fact remains that he served as producer on all but one of The Beatles' original albums...
who helped to create its "unique appeal". In 2004, it was the highest selling New Zealand Album and so it privileged Hayley with an award from the New Zealand Music Awards
New Zealand Music Awards
The New Zealand Music Awards show, is a major annual New Zealand music event where musical acts and singers are awarded each year. It has occurred every year since 1965 to outstanding New Zealand musicians and groups....
of 2004. It was published by the Decca Music Group label in 2003. It was distributed in the United States by Universal Classics in 2004. During its first week of sales it sold 19,068 copies. As of 2007, Pure is the best selling classical album for the 21 century in the UK.
Pure gives a new freshness to well known classical repertoire, as well as exploring the world of pop and traditional Maori choral singing, including renditions of "Who Painted the Moon Black?", "Hine e Hine
Hine E Hine
"Hine E Hine" is a Māori lullaby written by Princess Te Rangi Pai in 1907.Hine E Hine was used from 1979 to 1994 as the New Zealand TV Channel 2's "closing-down song", which accompanied a cartoon featuring the Goodnight Kiwi.A cover of the song was recorded by Hayley Westenra for her album...
" (a song of the Māori, the natives of New Zealand), "In Trutina", from Orff's Carmina Burana
Carmina Burana (Orff)
Carmina Burana is a scenic cantata composed by Carl Orff in 1935 and 1936. It is based on 24 of the poems found in the medieval collection Carmina Burana...
, "Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights (song)
"Wuthering Heights" is a song by Kate Bush released as her debut single in January 1978. It became a No.1 hit in the UK singles chart and remains her biggest-selling single. The song appears on her 1978 debut album, The Kick Inside. The B-side of the single was another song by Bush named "Kite" -...
" (a cover of the Kate Bush
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
hit), and the perennial spiritual classic "Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace
"Amazing Grace" is a Christian hymn with words written by the English poet and clergyman John Newton , published in 1779. With a message that forgiveness and redemption are possible regardless of the sins people commit and that the soul can be delivered from despair through the mercy of God,...
". Sir George Martin
George Martin
Sir George Henry Martin CBE is an English record producer, arranger, composer and musician. He is sometimes referred to as "the Fifth Beatle"— a title that he often describes as "nonsense," but the fact remains that he served as producer on all but one of The Beatles' original albums...
co-wrote the track "Beat of Your Heart" just for the album. Also on the album is "Pokarekare Ana
Pokarekare Ana
Pokarekare Ana is a traditional New Zealand love song, probably communally composed about the time World War I began in 1914.-Authorship disputes:...
", a New Zealand love song which has enduring popularity, and has become Hayley's signature song.
Pure was recorded at Air Lyndhurst, Eastcote Studios, London, England.
New Zealand version
- Who Painted the Moon Black
- Beat of Your Heart
- Never Say Goodbye
- Dark Waltz
- Heaven
- In Trutina
- Across the Universe of Time
- River of Dreams
- Wuthering Heights
- My Heart and I
- Benedictus
- Hine E Hine
Collector's edition bonus CD
- Pokarekare Ana
- Amazing Grace
- Mummers Dance, The
- Mary Did You Know
- Silent Night Holy Night
- Away in a Manger
Australian version
- Across The Universe of Time
- Never Say Goodbye
- Beat of Your Heart
- Pokarekare Ana
- Who Painted The Moon Black?
- River of Dreams
- Benedictus
- Hine E Hine
- Dark Waltz
- Amazing Grace
- My Heart And I
- In Trutina
- Heaven
- Pokarekare Ana (duet with Russell WatsonRussell WatsonRussell Watson is an English tenor who has released singles and albums of both operatic-style and pop songs. The self-styled "People's Tenor" had been singing since he was a child, and became known after performing at a working men's club...
)
Collector's edition bonus CD
- Silent Night
- Away In A Manger
- Mary Did You Know
- The Mummers' Dance
UK version
- 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 (Māori mix)
Collector's edition bonus CD
- Mary Did You Know
- Bridal Ballad
- Pokarekare Ana (Vocalise)
- My Heart And I
- Across the Universe Of Time
- Silent Night, Holy Night
- Away In A Manger
US version
- Pokarekare Ana (Come Back to Me) – 3:18
- Never Say Goodbye – 3:13
- Who Painted the Moon Black? – 3:38
- River of Dreams – 4:21
- Beat of Your Heart – 3:13
- Amazing Grace – 3:42
- Benedictus – 3:50
- Hine E Hine (Maiden, O Maiden) – 5:06
- Across the Universe of Time – 3:42
- Dark Waltz – 4:18
- In Trutina (From Carmina Burana) – 2:22
- Heaven – 4:09
- Wuthering Heights – 3:44
Japanese version
- ポカレカレ・アナ (マオリ族の伝承歌 / arr. Sarah Class) (Pokarekare Ana)
- ネヴァー・セイ・グッバイ (フォーレ：パヴァーヌからの編曲) (Never Say Goodbye)
- フー・ペインティッド・ザ・ムーン・ブラック (Sonia Aletta Nel / arr. Sarah Class) (Who Painted the Moon Black?)
- リヴァー・オブ・ドリームス (ヴィヴァルディ：四季 – 冬からの編曲 / arr. Sarah Class) (River of Dreams)
- ベネディクトゥス (Karl Jenkins) (Benedictus)
- ヒネ・エ・ヒネ (マオリ族の子守歌 / arr. Sarah Class) (Hine e Hine)
- ダーク・ワルツ (Author Frank Musker / arr. Sarah Class) (Dark Waltz)
- マイ・ハート・アンド・アイ (TVドラマ「ラ・ピオーヴラ」主題歌) (My Heart and I)
- イン・トゥルティナ (オルフ：カルミナ・ブラーナからの編曲) (In Trutina)
- ビート・ユア・ハート (サー・ジョージ・マーティン / Giles Martin) (Beat of Your Heart)
- アクロス・ザ・ユニバース・オブ・タイム (Sarah Class) (Across the Universe of Time)
- ヘヴン (Frank Musker / Ronan Hardiman) (Heaven)
- 嵐が丘 (Kate Bush / arr. Sarah Class) (Wuthering Heights)
- ．メアリー・ディド・ユー・ノウ？ [ボーナス・トラック] (Mary Did You Know?) (bonus track)
- ．アメイジング・グレイス (arr.サー・ジョージ・マーティン) (「白い巨塔」主題歌)[ボーナス・トラック] (Amazing Grace) (bonus track)
International version
- Pokarekare Ana
- Never Say Goodbye
- Who Painted the Moon Black
- River of Dreams
- Benedictus
- Hine E Hine
- Dark Waltz
- Amazing Grace
- My Heart & I
- In Trutina
- Beat of Your Heart
- Across the Universe of Time
- Heaven
- Wuthering Heights
Personnel
- Hayley WestenraHayley WestenraHayley Dee Westenra is a New Zealand soprano, classical crossover artist, songwriter and UNICEF Ambassador. Her first internationally released album, Pure, reached No. 1 on the UK classical charts in 2003 and has sold more than two million copies worldwide...
(vocals) - Giles MartinGiles MartinGiles Martin is an English record producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He is the son of Sir George Martin, famed producer of almost all of The Beatles' records.- Biography :...
(guitar, keyboards, programming) - Robbie McIntoshRobbie McIntoshRobbie McIntosh is an English guitarist. McIntosh is well known as a session guitarist and member of The Pretenders from 1982 until 1987. In 1988 he began doing session guitar work for Paul McCartney joining his band full time until early 1994...
(guitar) - Tony Ingelby (guitar)
- Dave Hartley (piano)
- James BrettJames BrettJames T. Brett is a former American politician who is the current president and CEO of The New England Council. He is also the Chairman of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities....
(keyboards) - Steve Pearce (bass)
- Mark BrownBrownmarkMark Brown , better known by the stage name Brown Mark, also styled Brownmark and BrownMark, is an American musician and record producer.-Biography:...
(bass) - Andres Kallmark (programming)
- Mary HammondMary HammondMary Hammond is an English singer, actress, voice coach and Head of Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music.Having trained in both voice and piano at the Royal Academy of Music, Hammond has been teaching and performing in the field of musical theatre for over twenty five years.In 1994,...
(background vocals) - Royal Philharmonic OrchestraRoyal Philharmonic OrchestraThe Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
Charts
Chart data from the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
and http://hayleywestenra.com
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | UK Classical UK classical chart The UK Classical Charts are three record charts based on classical music in the United Kingdom: the Classical Artist Albums Chart, the Classical Compilation Albums Chart and the Specialist Classical Albums Chart... |
# 1 |
| 2003 | UK Pop | entered as # 8 |
| 2003 | UK Top Albums | entered as # 7 ended as # 24 |
| 2003 | New Zealand Pop Charts | Stayed # 1 for 18 weeks |
| 2003 | Australia Pop Charts | entered as # 7 |
| 2003 | Australia Classical Charts | entered as # 1 |
| 2003 | HMV Classical Charts | entered as # 1 |
| 2003 | Hong Kong and Singapore Top 40 Pop Charts | entered as # 6 |
| 2004 | US Billboard's Top 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
entered as # 70 |
| 2004 | US Billboard Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
Peaked at # 13 |
| 2004 | Crossover chart | entered as # 2 |
| 2004 | Internet chart | entered as # 34 |
Sales and certifications
| Country | Certification Music recording sales certification Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,... (sales thresholds)http://www.newzealand.com/travel/media/features/art-&-culture/art-culture_hayleywestenra_feature.cfm |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | 12xPlatinum |
| United Kingdom | Double Platinum |
| Australia | Platinum |
| Hong Kong | Gold |
External links
- Samples can be heard on the artist's site
- This album is featured on Yahoo! LAUNCHcast and it can be heard on their Internet Radio Station (you can purchase and download the album from here also)
- Comment on album by The BBC
- Walmart offers both a physical edition and a dowloadable version for purchase
- FYE offers physical copies only for purchase