Free at Last / What Next?

[kaypea]

I think the jazzy vegas performances may be a huge step in Haley's career growth. I have loved everything I have read and watched. That said, I don't want jazzy-Haley to take over. What drew my to Haley is her versatility with blues, rock and even pop. I do want jazzy-Haley to influence her songs, but I love, love, love the variety. It may take her longer to find that mass core audience, but it will be worth it and will last a lifetime (IMO).

Yes-and as Miguel pointed out jazz was an easy way to help them fill up three sets worth of material for the night.But now isn't the time to go in that direction.Not just because of the financial angle but I think that Haley has too many other ideas swirling around in her head at this point.

There's so many different sides to her-at heart I think she's a blues/soul singer but that doesn't begin to tell the whiole story.Some people like to try and pidgeonhole her and use words like "niche artist"-and retro and throwback,etc mostly on the basis of one album I suppose.But all you have to do is listen to Follow Me and Spiderweb from that album to hear all the other possibilities.

[Halien Grandma]

I think the jazzy vegas performances may be a huge step in Haley's career growth. I have loved everything I have read and watched. That said, I don't want jazzy-Haley to take over. What drew my to Haley is her versatility with blues, rock and even pop. I do want jazzy-Haley to influence her songs, but I love, love, love the variety. It may take her longer to find that mass core audience, but it will be worth it and will last a lifetime (IMO).

Yes-and as Miguel pointed out jazz was an easy way to help them fill up three sets worth of material for the night.But now isn't the time to go in that direction.Not just because of the financial angle but I think that Haley has too many other ideas swirling around in her head at this point.

There's so many different sides to her-at heart I think she's a blues/soul singer but that doesn't begin to tell the whiole story.Some people like to try and pidgeonhole her and use words like "niche artist"-and retro and throwback,etc mostly on the basis of one album I suppose.But all you have to do is listen to Follow Me and Spiderweb from that album to hear all the other possibilities.

I totally agree! During the 3 nights, I have to say that I had hoped that Haley might incorporate ''Spiderweb''. It is haunting and sexy, and to those hearing her for the first time, it would have shown off her diversity, IMO. It's smooth too, and fits well with the ''vampires'' of Vegas. And I refer to the sleeping habits (sleep all day, prowl the strip at night!) Am wondering why she didn't include it.

[mercfan3]

I don't think Haley will just stick to one genre. Her background in music is diverse. Her voice sounds like a combination of Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Stevie Nicks..rock, blues, and jazz.

even if her phrasing can be jazzy, she'll belt in a bluesy soulful manner.

I wouldn't be surprised, if somewhere down the line Haley does a jazz standards album. But I don't think she'll be strictly a jazz singer. She's too much of a combination of musical genres to do that.

[jjames865]

I as well as others have said that Haley should find a label that is willing to market her in England/Internationally. It is my impression that the English are not as closed-minded as the American public when it comes to blending different genres into a unique sound. Tusk I know it’s been awhile since you lived in England, but what do you think? If there are any other Halien's from England feel free to chime in. Halien’s fell in love with Haley in part because she is so versatile and her versatility touched a chord in many for many different reasons. I believe Haley has the creativity (as shown by Listen Up!) to meld different genres into a distinctive, unique style that will ultimately be very successful given appropriate promotion.

[Tusk]

I as well as others have said that Haley should find a label that is willing to market her in England/Internationally. It is my impression that the English are not as closed-minded as the American public when it comes to blending different genres into a unique sound. Tusk I know it’s been awhile since you lived in England, but what do you think? If there are any other Halien's from England feel free to chime in. Halien’s fell in love with Haley in part because she is so versatile and her versatility touched a chord in many for many different reasons. I believe Haley has the creativity (as shown by Listen Up!) to meld different genres into a distinctive, unique style that will ultimately be very successful given appropriate promotion.

I have been trumpeting her to get to England/Europe since the Idoloonies days, and have been repeating this up until the split. Interscope should have let that market sample her style/personality/talent before parting ways with her. She would have been a sensation. I could even see them adopting her as their own, I believe that much in the possibilities for her over there...I have relatives there and would have loved to 'sacrifice' and fly over there to 'report' about it for you .

Now off to my nephews Bday...I'm still so jealous, I knew Saturday would be special as they would have been brimming with confidence after success in Vegas, and would spend time with Haliens. Still very happy for the ones that were able to be there. Swansteel, Yanni and Tim were truly digging her, and nothing better as a fan than to be rewarded by spending a little 'down' time with Haley. (Pat seems really nice too, maybe Ill meet her at the next Halien gathering

[kaypea]

I as well as others have said that Haley should find a label that is willing to market her in England/Internationally. It is my impression that the English are not as closed-minded as the American public when it comes to blending different genres into a unique sound. Tusk I know it’s been awhile since you lived in England, but what do you think? If there are any other Halien's from England feel free to chime in. Halien’s fell in love with Haley in part because she is so versatile and her versatility touched a chord in many for many different reasons. I believe Haley has the creativity (as shown by Listen Up!) to meld different genres into a distinctive, unique style that will ultimately be very successful given appropriate promotion.

Well-the English do seem to have a particular passion,as of late for distinctive female voices.Starting with Amy Winehouse, Josh Stone,Duffy,Paloma Faith-and.of course-Adele.

[john]

Sir Tusk, based on Keith's tweets I was thinking that he must have had his WTF moment in Vegas.

[buzzenator]

HaleyRfans7 found a "Charity Ball" hosted by Seth Meyers on that date.

http://www.charitywater.org/charityball/

https://twitter.com/charitywater

Not in a ballroom but Keith might have thought that after hearing "ball."

I think that Keith is still in the clouds from last night.I'm curious-wouldn't he be travelling with someone else whose involved and might know where they're going? If not-someone should tell him that New York is a really big place.

That's hilarious kaypea...maybe Keith is on a need to know basis...

---

Enjoying everyone's take on the Haley adventure...and we all received a serious dose of what Haley is capable of in Vegas, along with a blow by blow (hat tip to fight night at the Cosmo) description of the performances and atmosphere from Swansteel, Tusk and Yanni.

I do have a couple of questions for our fellow Haliens that attended the events in Vegas. In light of how fond we are of Haley as nicely-aged or aging fans...

1. What was the demographic of people in the bar watching Haley perform? Were there a lot of Haliens from her peer group that were locals or flew in for the event? Her friends from Chicago, LA, any large block of young people passionately whooping it up? These questions are all part of...it was wonderful that Haley showed her appreciation for her passionate and mature fans afterwards, but where were the younger Haliens during this post-party....still there I hope?

2. The younger generation, 18-35 year olds, in my family give me a lot of grief about liking Haley. They love to bring out the 'creepy' word, and Mrs. Buzz, although she listens to Haley regularly in the car, never misses an opportunity to pile on. They have a deep-seated aversion to anyone coming out of Idol as being relevant in music. We as more mature music lovers are less likely to stereotype someone based on the path that brought their abilities to us. Having said all this, wouldn't Vegas have been an excellent venue for many of her younger fans to come and show their support?

I am not trying to imply anything about Haley's fanbase and would admit that I have a limited perspective based on predominately being on just this site. And let me add that if there is only one site to be on as a Halien...this is it! I guess I would like to hear from those who attended the events in Vegas as they experienced the crowd first hand.

[Tom22]

LOL Buzz...
... I'm not going to touch most of that but I ... well I understand the position you're in.

The bottom line is that I don't think Haley is going to be able to earn a living with the over 40 crowd of fans. I'm sure lots of uber talented, almost legendary Jazz artists can't make a living here .. I think they spend most of their time in Europe and Japan where I guess there are more paying Audiences.

Norah Jones was a cross over Jazz artist but she hit a nerve first with young people.. people in their 20's that spread her music.

While its nice to listen to these jazz show's Haley can't go Pointer Sister .. she's got to look groovy and alternative and keep bringing in the fusion of sounds we heard on the album.

I'm really afraid that while I love big band type Jazz, walking that walk can put off other swaths of young people like the Idol connection does.

Jazz can be cool enough.. Amy Winehouse was bringing sounds in. Ray Charles (not really a jazz musician per se, but maybe to the non educated probably ) was a cool guy from 30 to the day he died at 90(?).

Haley looked great at the Stage-it show , which had great music . I loved hearing "At Last" but I don't think that was off-putting to younger people as one of a set. A cover of an up beat older song like Santeria doesn't do much harm I don't think (not saying that is jazz, but its maybe an old peoples song lol(now that I'm 48 i guess i crossed the half way hurdle ).

Anyway, its tricky . Marketing is vital. Image is vital. Music is the End All but in terms of making a career I don't think can be the "be all" (whatever that means.. im on a roll)

I'm just thinking that keeping things looking hip always is important. The smokey New Orleans jazz club is cool.. .. not sure if Carnegie hall is cool (but of course she had to do it once)

Anyway.. this is outside my field of expertise but, to get kids listening to her album , which is really cool, they need to feel there is something cool about it until they listen enough to get their ear trained to the sounds we hear and appreciate.

How to get kids to start appreciating the jazz runs etc has a lot to do with the image of the artist....can't deny that or avoid it (Like I said, it doesn't need to be a sell out.. Norah Jones didn't sell out nor did Amy Winehouse...very different people and there isn't one route..but never look stodgy in the least bit I'd think.. and something that looks "nice" to a 48 year old is probably damn sure to be stodgy)

[alpha7388]

True enough, but not taking into account the supposed shift in musical tastes which continually happens over time.

I still think Haley is so unique we may not know just what she will do or how 'far' she will go. She has proven in Vegas that she can make a great living in music in Vegas. There are performers who work their whole careers there.