Hayley Westenra: Hushabye - an album guide
Which songs are on the New Zealand soprano's latest album for the Royal Baby? Including Sleep On by Paul Mealor, as well traditional lullabies and well known songs, accompanied by tranquil guitar, piano and strings, discover the delights of this relaxing album with our track by track guide.
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1. Pretty Little Horses
Peaceful and serene, the album starts with Hayley's fluttering tones singing the tune to Hush, Little Baby, before gliding softly into the lilting Pretty Little Horses, complete with folky guitars and pipes.
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2. Hushabye Mountain
You might have heard the tune in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, but it's transformed by Hayley's glittering soprano voice in this version. The beautifully mournful tune is accompanied by a twinkling music box, as Hayley's voice floats over the top of the texture.
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3. Dream a Little Dream
"Night breezes seem to whisper, 'I love you'…" Hayley's pretty tones suit this relaxed love song, painting a picture of sweet dreams and sunbeams.
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4. Sleep On
Gentle and rocking, this simple prayer carries all the hallmarks of a perfect lullaby. The soprano tune interlocks with a delicate flute melody, accompanied by Catrin Finch on harp and a bed of lush strings - perfect for the Royal Baby, and newborns everywhere.
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5. Twinkle Twinkle
If you thought you knew Twinkle Twinkle, listen to Hayley's version of the song and think again. The arrangement transforms the children's playground song into a piece of remarkable beauty, showing off the poetry of the text and bringing the music to life with glittering piano notes which shine through the texture.
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6. Go To Sleep
Hayley accompanies herself in this traditional song, singing all three parts of this American lullaby. You might have heard the music in the film, O Brother, Where Art Thou.
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7. Brahms Lullaby
Another modern take on a well-known classic, complete with a flowing piano accompaniment and liberal use of the harp to add a sense of magic. It's perfectly suited to Hayley's bright singing.
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8. Goodnight My Angel
Billy Joel's poignant love song takes on quite a different character when tackled by the angelic Hayley. Intimate and simple, the lyrics speak for themselves.
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9. All Through the Night
Slower and more relaxed than the well-known hymn on which it's based, it's just Hayley and the piano for this peaceful Welsh lullaby.
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10. Baby Mine
Fans of Disney's Dumbo might associate this song with cute cartoons of baby animals and their mothers, but it's given a fresh reworking on this album. And if the lyrics weren't tear-jerking enough, there's a generous helping of soupy cellos to add a little more pathos to the arrangement.
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11. Hine E Hine
Giving a nod to her New Zealand roots, Hayley sings a Māori lullaby by Princess Te Rangi Pai, written in 1907. This is the second time she's recorded it: it also featured on her album, Pure.
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12. When At Night
This is originally a duet between Hansel and Gretel in Humperdinck's opera, but it's rearranged as a solo lullaby on Hayley's album. The words tell the story of the fourteen angels keeping watch over the children by night.
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13. Stay Awake
Beautifully eerie and otherworldly, the album finishes with this peaceful song to the moon, complete with a mellow violin and voice duet, and gorgeous twinkling piano notes accompanying the singing.
