Hayley Griffiths – “Far from Here” | Progressive Rock Central.com

Hayley Griffiths released two new albums on January 20^th of this year. One a rock album, Melanie, and the second, a Celtic folk album, Far From Here.

I reviewed the rock album here: https://progressiverockcentral.com/2023/10/17/hayley-griffiths-band-melanie/

As you can read, I really enjoyed the Melanie album, but I think Far From Here, is far and away, the better showcase for Hayley’s voice. Hayley’s press release describes Far From Home as, “A collection of 11 tracks, produced by Mike Stobbie, (formerly of Pallas); 10 of which are new cinematic style arrangements of much loved Irish and Scottish Celtic classics, with the other being the original title track and lead single”.

Hayley has a classically trained and crystalline voice with which to perform all this wonderful music. She has toured the globe and has a rich experience as a Celtic and folk singer, along with her time with Karnataka, as a rock singer as well. Her intensive vocal training with mezzo-soprano Louise Crane, earned her the prestigious ABRSM Performance Diploma in Singing. She also has done some acting, alongside Geraldine Somerville and Sian Philips in the BBC period drama The Aristocrats. Hayley won the role of Lady Emily Lennox at just 13-years-old.

Hayley’s debut album, Silver Screen was launched on May 11th 2010. Silver Screen went on to achieve the coveted “2010 Album of The Year in the Classical Crossover Awards”. Celtic Rose, Hayley’s sophomore album was released in 2011 alongside, a new role as Lead Singer in the Irish Touring show “Ragus”, which featured a collection of traditional and contemporary Celtic songs; including “Danny Boy”, “You Raise Me Up”, “Carrickfergus” and “Song For Ireland”. Hayley was invited to perform at The Waldorf Astoria, New York, for “The Kelly Cares Foundation Irish Eyes Ball” hosted by Regis Philbin and to sing live on Adrian Flannery’s “Irish Radio Network” on St. Patrick’s Day in New York.

“Far From Here”, is a wonderfully expressive album of Celtic classics. I enjoyed the entire album, from start to finish. Hayley adds well to the huge and historic archive of Celtic classics, with her own song Far from Here, composed by Mike Stobbie, formerly of Pallas; one of my favorite bands. She sings these songs full of emotion; having grown up and lived in these acres wild, from these green and pleasant lands. So her vocal authenticity, can never be questioned. This album is full of her rich and enchanting voice and should be appreciated well, during the colder days ahead by the fire. However, there is also a hint of spring and summer scattered throughout the album, as well.

My favorite songs on the album were: Hayley’s rendition of “Scarborough Fair”; the song made famous globally by Simon and Garfunkel. Hayley and Mike Stobbie’s new classic, “Far from Here”, “Siúil a Ruin”, “She Moved Through the Fair”, “Loch Lomond”, and of course, “Caledonia”.

Please get “Far From Here”, and cherish the extra effort and care, Hayley and Mike Stobbie, endeavored to develop and choose the classic songs included within. This album will keep you warm throughout the dark days ahead, and at the same time provide inspiration; when again, the sunrise lights up the green hills and hedges throughout the British Isles…and the rest of the world. Cheers!