Pure_(Hayley_Westenra_album)
Pure (Hayley Westenra album)
2003 studio album by Hayley Westenra
Pure is the first internationally released album by Christchurch, New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra. It became the highest selling New Zealand Album, which Westenra was awarded by at the New Zealand Music Awards of 2004. It was published by the Decca Music Group label in 2003. It was distributed in the United States by Universal Classics in 2004. During its first week of sales it sold 19,068 copies. As of 2007, Pure is the best selling classical album for the 21st century in the UK, and in New Zealand remains the best selling album from a New Zealand artist.[1][2]
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Pure gives a new freshness[citation needed] to well known classical repertoire, as well as exploring the world of pop and traditional Maori choral singing, including renditions of "Who Painted the Moon Black?", "Hine e Hine" (a song in Māori), "In Trutina", from Orff's Carmina Burana, "Wuthering Heights" (a cover of the Kate Bush hit), and the perennial spiritual classic "Amazing Grace". Sir George Martin co-wrote the track "Beat of Your Heart" just for the album. Also on the album is "Pokarekare Ana", a New Zealand love song which has enduring popularity, and has become Hayley's signature song.[2][3] "Never Say Goodbye" is an adaptation of the tune from Maurice Ravel's solo piano piece Pavane pour une infante défunte.
Pure topped the New Zealand Album Chart for eighteen weeks, being certified 12× Platinum, as well as topping the Australian and UK Classical Album Charts.[4]
Pure was recorded at Air Lyndhurst, Eastcote Studios, London, England.
