Hayley Westenra

Originally released in September 2005, Hayley Westenra's second international album was re-released in April 2006 with only 14 instead of the original 16 tracks. Westenra sings a wide selection of pop-oriented compositions, including Joni Mitchell's "Both Side Now," Simon & Garfunkel's "Scarborough Fair," and "May It Be" (as featured in The Lord of the Rings), all with the minimum of backing music, mainly just a pure soprano voice beautifully soaring like a bird and leaving its cage behind. One can't help but think of the scene in The Shawshank Redemption when Andy locks himself in the library and plays some opera over a loudspeaker. "Quanta Qualia" has something of the quality of the Clannad hit "Theme from Harry's Game," while "Dell'amore Non Si Sa" is a duet with Andrea Bocelli. There are also a few new folk ballads: "What You Never Know (Won't Hurt You)," "The Mists of Islay," and "She Moves Through the Fair." Odyssey is the ideal album to chill out and relax to after a hard day's work. [This 12-track version of Odyssey does not include "Scarborough Fair" or "The Mists of Islay."] ~ Sharon Mawer, All Music Guide