If she’d been at your school, you’d have poked her bleedin’eyes out. Well, was it really necessary for Westenra to have starred in no less than 40 stage musicals by the age of 11? All good practice though: since rocketing to fame with her 2 million selling debut ‘Pure’, the lucky little bugger has sung for such greats as Tony Blair, George Bush and the Queen. Returning with ‘Odyssey’, she embraces varied musical styles including classical, folk, pop and hymn, makes her songwriting debut on ‘What You Never Know’ and showcases her maturing voice. If there was any doubt that Westenra is blossoming into a lovely young woman, the album snaps have her trussed up like a very respectful chicken in generic boho skirt and glittery cardi. It is perhaps a testament to this growing confidence that she decided to take on a Joni Mitchell’s ‘Both Sides Now’ and while she’s pulls it off, to surpass it would require something more than a pitch perfect voice. Her ability to skip through octaves like a twelve-fingered freak often leads to a bored sounding, warbling-by-numbers effect. A perfect example being when ‘Ave Maria’ is wheeled out.
‘Dell’ Amore Non Si Sa’ is the obligatory duet with Andrea Bocelli, and shows that her voice has matured and broadened in range. Rumbling with tension filled percussion, their voices surge and sparkle as they merge. Individually however, Westenra’s pure voice sounds naïve compared to the character and depth of Bocelli’s. Both ‘What You Never Know’ and ‘Never Saw Blue’ are exquisite love songs. The former is lyrically, a touch pessimistic and therefore lacks authenticity when sung by Westenra. ‘Never Saw Blue’ on the other hand is perfect. A truly uplifting and delicate piano-led melody, evoking memories of discovering things for the first time. ‘Bachianas Brasileiras No.5 Aria’ is the standout track. For the first time, Westenra’s voice is spine tingling, almost chilling and the most moving on the entire record, especially when coupled with the pulsing, foreboding string section.
But if none of this appeals, ‘May It Be’ from Lord Of The Rings should at least sound familiar. Talking about the song, Westenra reveals “I pictured the New Zealand landscape around me to help me create the right atmosphere whilst singing”. You might like to try the same in order to heighten your listening experience.
You can keep up to date with all the latest news from Gigwise by following us on Twitter and liking us on Facebook.
Use A Condom This Valentines Day: Musicians And Their 'Love Child'
What Came First, The Music Or The Misery? The Anti-Valentine's Day Playlist
From Whitney Houston to Michael Jackson: Grammy Awards Most Memorable Moments Ever 
