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Editorial Reviews
Ennio Morricone (May 2010)
"Hayley Westenra is a rare singer, maybe unique in the international panorama. Her voice and perfect intonation have really struck me. This is already a lot for a composer. Then, working with her, I found out that she is also a great interpreter. I'm sure we'll do a good job together."
Product Description
Hayley is now realizing her dream of working with master Italian composer and conductor, Ennio Morricone, on her forthcoming studio album.
Well known for his iconic film scores including The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Once Upon a Time in the West, Morricone received in 2007 an honorary Academy Award for his contribution to the art of film music. Paradio was recorded with Ennio's orchestra in Rome this past Summer and features new songs written by Morricone for Hayley as well as some of his best known film compositions of the last 50 years.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I admit, I am a fan of both Hayley Westenra and Ennio Morricone's music, and have listened to them both for quite a while. So, when I found out they were doing a collaboration, I was super excited. This album does not disappoint in any way, shape, or form. Hayley Westenra's voice is exquisite, displaying a depth of emotion not seen in her previous albums. As always, Morricone's music is superb, and both the new tracks written specifically for this album and the old ones rearranged for Ms. Westenra are delightful, sending the listener into a little taste of paradise, making the album aptly named. I would recommend this product to anyone, but especially to enjoyers of soundtracks and classical crossover.
17 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A decade on from her New Zealand-only self-titled debut album, and Christchurch's finest, 23-year-old Hayley Westenra, can no longer rely on the angelic-looking choirgirl persona which helped her replace Charlotte Church as the world's most successful young soprano. But having achieved quite the coup by recruiting legendary Italian composer Ennio Morricone for her fifth album (and first non-seasonal studio release since 2007's "Treasure"), "Paradiso", it's unlikely that she would have had to, anyway.
Recorded with the 120-piece Roma Sinfonietta in their hometown, its 13 tracks are a world away from her usual fare of traditional hymns, operatic standards and classical pop numbers, revealing a maturity and creative streak lacking from most of her contemporaries.
Indeed, perhaps to establish her songwriting credentials, Morricone has allowed several of his most famous compositions to be rewritten by the now-grownup star, including one of his most famous pieces, "Gabriel's Oboe" (now "Whispers in a Dream"), and the themes to 1970 films "La Califfa" and "Malena", all of which show she's more than up to the rather imposing job.
The less obvious song selections also indicate Westenra is no longer content to follow the crowd, with only the soothing harmonies of "Jill's Theme" ("Once Upon a Time in the West"), the beautifully lilting vocal adaptation of "Deborah's Theme" ("Once Upon a Time In America") and the string-soaked "Profumo di Limone" and "Would He Ever Know Me Now?" (both from "Cinema Paradiso"), likely to be familiar to mainstream audiences.
Instead, the album rummages around the more obscure corners of Morricone's back catalog, with contributions from 1968 sci-fi comedy H2S (the whimsical scale-climbing "Lezione di Musica"), the docudrama "Sacco e Vanzelli" (Joan Baez's slow-building protest song "Here's to You"), and 1969's "Metti una Sera a Cena" (the bossa nova-tinged title track), sitting alongside a cover of Dulce Pontes' Portuguese-sung "Amalia por Amor," and two new tracks, the Disney-esque French festive tale, "Per Natale," and the Tim Rice-penned potential show tune, "The Edge of Love".
A huge leap forward from her previous attempts, "Paradiso" suggests Westenra may be a far more intriguing proposition outside her teenage years than she was during them. J. O'Brien
Focus
Winter Magic
Pure
Recorded with the 120-piece Roma Sinfonietta in their hometown, its 13 tracks are a world away from her usual fare of traditional hymns, operatic standards and classical pop numbers, revealing a maturity and creative streak lacking from most of her contemporaries.
Indeed, perhaps to establish her songwriting credentials, Morricone has allowed several of his most famous compositions to be rewritten by the now-grownup star, including one of his most famous pieces, "Gabriel's Oboe" (now "Whispers in a Dream"), and the themes to 1970 films "La Califfa" and "Malena", all of which show she's more than up to the rather imposing job.
The less obvious song selections also indicate Westenra is no longer content to follow the crowd, with only the soothing harmonies of "Jill's Theme" ("Once Upon a Time in the West"), the beautifully lilting vocal adaptation of "Deborah's Theme" ("Once Upon a Time In America") and the string-soaked "Profumo di Limone" and "Would He Ever Know Me Now?" (both from "Cinema Paradiso"), likely to be familiar to mainstream audiences.
Instead, the album rummages around the more obscure corners of Morricone's back catalog, with contributions from 1968 sci-fi comedy H2S (the whimsical scale-climbing "Lezione di Musica"), the docudrama "Sacco e Vanzelli" (Joan Baez's slow-building protest song "Here's to You"), and 1969's "Metti una Sera a Cena" (the bossa nova-tinged title track), sitting alongside a cover of Dulce Pontes' Portuguese-sung "Amalia por Amor," and two new tracks, the Disney-esque French festive tale, "Per Natale," and the Tim Rice-penned potential show tune, "The Edge of Love".
A huge leap forward from her previous attempts, "Paradiso" suggests Westenra may be a far more intriguing proposition outside her teenage years than she was during them. J. O'Brien
Focus
Winter Magic
Pure
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Paradiso I first saw Hayley on Celtic Woman. I enjoyed listening to her sing and purchased all of her cds and one dvd. Her voice continues to mature and her music is always enjoyable. I am thrilled Ennio Morricone has written some songs for her. Paradiso is great!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
An angel's voice
Hayley - a wonderful young artist with a voice clear as the brightest summer sky!
Ennio Morricone directed the songs and I especially loved the theme from the film
"Once... Read more
Ennio Morricone directed the songs and I especially loved the theme from the film
"Once... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Maire
Amazing as Ever!
As usual, Hayley hasn't disappointed AT ALL! Her voice has matured beautifully, and Maestro Morricone's work is as wonderful as ever. Read more
Published 2 months ago by TD
Voice of an angel
We have been waiting for months for Hayley's new album to be released in the U.S. The wait was well worth it! This is a must buy album to add to your Hayley collection. Read more
Published 4 months ago by John Obradovich
Beautiful voice
What a heavenly voice, a great way to relax by listening to this. I will be buying more of her music.
Published 4 months ago by rescueAdog
Paradiso
I have heard many voices over my lifetime but few could compare with this talented young lovely lady, her range and understanding of what she sings warms my heart, I have placed... Read more
Published 5 months ago by articwolf
Sugar & Pastry Beautimully Crafted
"On matters of taste there can be no dispute" so much of my approach will reflect my own taste. The image that came to me about the CD Paradiso was of sugar, cream, and puff pasty... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Rev. A. Trethowan
One word describes Hayley and that is "PERFECT ANGEL."
Every word that comes out of her mouth is golden magic....Her song selection is always good. You will not be displeased by the selections on this CD. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Craig G. Geis
Beautiful and ethereal
Beautiful and relaxing. Her voice is like an instrument. I believe that I would enjoy anything by Hayley or an artist with a similar voice performing similar music.
Published 6 months ago by Mile High
Outstanding!
Hayley's latest offering is just beautiful. Her voice and style is just growing and improving (if that is possible). Perfection!
Published 6 months ago by loislinda
Praise for Paradiso
This unusual collaboration between between 83 year old Italian composer Ennio Morricone and Kiwi classical crossover artist Hayley Westenra is a testimony to mutual admiration. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Wayne Bokum
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