June 21 - Detroit Fox morning show

[Flask Man]

I disagree with the fatigue theorists. Haley sang tenderly, meaningfully and with emotion that was truly connected to the lyrics. Her styling was subtle, so those with less trained ears may have presumed that since she didn't belt it out in full rocker mode she must be tired. Truth is, what she did took more focus, more attention to detail, and more skill than any full on belt. Finesse isn't for everyone, and I understand some here don't appreciate jazz vocal stylings, but I actually prefer it. It's where Haley's true brilliance lies, and this performance demonstrated just that. In fact, it may just be my favorite FREE performance to date.

[john]

I disagree with the fatigue theorists. Haley sang tenderly, meaningfully and with emotion that was truly connected to the lyrics. Her styling was subtle, so those with less trained ears may have presumed that since she didn't belt it out in full rocker mode she must be tired. Truth is, what she did took more focus, more attention to detail, and more skill than any full on belt. Finesse isn't for everyone, and I understand some here don't appreciate jazz vocal stylings, but I actually prefer it. It's where Haley's true brilliance lies, and this performance demonstrated just that. In fact, it may just be my favorite FREE performance to date.

Fatigue hadn't occurred to me -- I figured she had spent a few days off in Chicago prior to the Grand Rapids gig. It seemed that the interviewer was into jazz and had been talking with Haley about the genre prior to this segment. She perked up when he brought up Sarah Vaughan. When says how she needs to look up the song and she smiles, shakes her finger and says "I think I know it" (1:20). His genuine interest in music and his attention to her music seems to have taken their conversation earlier a little beyond the standard banter of these talk show and radio appearances. Talking to her about jazz influences on her style is way beyond the typical questions about Fano and other generic stuff.

My theory is that Haley was feeling some good vibes from the guy and was inspired to sing Free a little differently. She did sing the song in a way more emotionally connected with the lyrics. Tender and smokey. At 3:45 she looks up to the camera and does the thing with her eyes as she sings "you still wear me under your skin." She then holds When and We a bit longer than before and at 4:00 she looks to the side with a little raising of her eyebrows.

She was playing with the song, which she has now performed many times. I really liked what she did and Haley continues to grow as a singer.

[My Alter Ego]

I disagree with the fatigue theorists. Haley sang tenderly, meaningfully and with emotion that was truly connected to the lyrics. Her styling was subtle, so those with less trained ears may have presumed that since she didn't belt it out in full rocker mode she must be tired. Truth is, what she did took more focus, more attention to detail, and more skill than any full on belt. Finesse isn't for everyone, and I understand some here don't appreciate jazz vocal stylings, but I actually prefer it. It's where Haley's true brilliance lies, and this performance demonstrated just that. In fact, it may just be my favorite FREE performance to date.

Fatigue hadn't occurred to me -- I figured she had spent a few days off in Chicago prior to the Grand Rapids gig. It seemed that the interviewer was into jazz and had been talking with Haley about the genre prior to this segment. She perked up when he brought up Sarah Vaughan. When says how she needs to look up the song and she smiles, shakes her finger and says "I think I know it" (1:20). His genuine interest in music and his attention to her music seems to have taken their conversation earlier a little beyond the standard banter of these talk show and radio appearances. Talking to her about jazz influences on her style is way beyond the typical questions about Fano and other generic stuff.

My theory is that Haley was feeling some good vibes from the guy and was inspired to sing Free a little differently. She did sing the song in a way more emotionally connected with the lyrics. Tender and smokey. At 3:45 she looks up to the camera and does the thing with her eyes as she sings "you still wear me under your skin." She then holds When and We a bit longer than before and at 4:00 she looks to the side with a little raising of her eyebrows.

She was playing with the song, which she has now performed many times. I really liked what she did and Haley continues to grow as a singer.

Well, I still stand by the fatigue theory (she looks exhausted, for pete's sake!), but FlaskMan I'd agree, this was probably her best rendition of "Free" thus far, for the very reasons you stated above. Her "deviations" from the norm were nuanced and displayed how sophisticated she can be (and we've probably "seen nothin' yet").


John, I would respectfully disagree that she continues to grow as a "singer." Her singing/vocal ability is now the largely the same as we heard while she was a contestant on AI and she probably doesn't need to grow much there.

But she does continue to grow as a performer, as displayed in her ability to vary each performance. But more than anything else, her sense of phrasing/styling, continues to mature. When I use the term "phrasing/styling" (and, usually, I'd just say "stylist"), I mean that ability to know what to emphasize, when to hesitate, when to rush, when to pull back, etc. Sinatra and Ella had that -- Tony Bennett does as well. Not bad company for Haley to follow...

[john]

John, I would respectfully disagree that she continues to grow as a "singer." Her singing/vocal ability is now the largely the same as we heard while she was a contestant on AI and she probably doesn't need to grow much there.

But she does continue to grow as a performer, as displayed in her ability to vary each performance. But more than anything else, her sense of phrasing/styling, continues to mature. When I use the term "phrasing/styling" (and, usually, I'd just say "stylist"), I mean that ability to know what to emphasize, when to hesitate, when to rush, when to pull back, etc. Sinatra and Ella had that -- Tony Bennett does as well. Not bad company for Haley to follow...

I agree with these paragraphs. Thank you, "performer" and "stylist" are better words. I am eager to watch her develop as a stylist/performer.

She may be tired, and doing these gigs (interviews, etc) may get to be a grind at times, but I believe her performance on the show reflected a style she choose, not the impact of fatigue or sadness. I expect she will changes things more often now, if just to keep it interesting. As you noted elsewhere she seems to have good musical chemistry with Keith, which will allow her more freedom to confidently change things and improvise (as with the Bay City HOTRS).