The Clack House

[bitterorange]

I didn't sign up for the cellcerts because I wanted to be unspoiled for my show, but I had to check out the encore after hearing that so many people were put off by it. So I downloaded the cellcert and listened just to the last song.

"Good News" doesn't have an obvious hook, but I think it has a very good chance of working just from what the cellcert showed us of the harmonies, instrumentation and the resonance and expressive power of Clay's voice. (Oooh -- nice gospel flourishes there from him near the end!)

Major thanks to Eva for getting this in the vault so quickly!

[institches]

[beagle2]

Webcat said:

[Nova]

Okay, I'm envisioning Grandma Got Run Over....in that gentle accent. With an orchestra. Clay! Think of the chirrun! *snort*

[Clandy]

We are SO LUCKY to be in a Fandom where we learn SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!

I would never have known about the importants of the book lists and where to buy a book to get on these lists. I had NO idea that the list can dictate book price and placement in a store.

Who would ever know that you could learn so much by following a sexy, 25yr old, smart, singer, author, humanitarian supernova who is Clay freakin Aiken!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you so much GBB for naggin, proding and most of all informing us to make well thought out smart decisions when buying. We can make a difference when we know how.

Did you get that RCA-Firm-interns. WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN WE KNOW HOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[chestnutdreams]

[lovepopculture]

Okay, I'm back from the concert in Orange County. Had a great seat in the sixth row off to the side. His mother and brother were two rows behind me. I looked at her throughout the concert to catch her reaction at times. I saw her wipe a tear when he danced with the lady in the wheelchair and smile at the audience reactions. I have not read anything yet because I want to give my impressions while they are fresh.

This concert is very different and I recommend that people leave their expectations at home. Firstly, he is still sick and he was subdued and pale. He is beautiful. I was worried for him for the first half because he was being guarded with his voice and I was afraid he would lose it before we got through all of it. I think he handled this concert like a real professional. He knew his limits and worked within them.

The second half of the concert he started to show a little more of the Clay I have seen in concert before, but again this show is very different. I'm not sure if I am just imagining things, but I saw Angela, Quiana, and Jacob watching him with care and concern. Since I was doing that myself, I can't really tell if I was just reflecting my own feelings.

I loved being there tonight. I felt so many emotions after reading his book and hearing him speak the words from his book that I felt like I was watching a friend. He's right about his fans wanting to mother him. I don't know how he is going to rest that beautiful voice, but I am really looking forward to seeing him again in a month in Pasadena. I'm glad it is a month away.

The show was rocky, he messed up the words, the kids on stage were just what you would expect them to be. At times, his voice was tender and smooth; other times, rough and forced. Jerome was cracking down on people for cameras. People mostly sat through the concert. A few times people would stand for the applause. I think he did his best with limited voice and that's way above average for other performers.

Don't miss this concert. Leave your expectations at home. It's quite spiritual interrupted only by the "I love you, Clay" and the "Will you marry me" catcalls. The backup singers are minimally involved except for the Quiana and Angela solos. I wonder if the solos will stay there once Clay's voice is back.

I might add more later, but you can ask me questions if you want. Sounds like you heard a cellcert so I decided to just give my impression.

ETA: CAP121 asked

[Goood Baby Brush]

JNT Clack

Concert_Clack/Joyful_Noise_2004/Orange_County/Photos/jojoct/ folder:

041126_OC_jojoct_1.jpg
041126_OC_jojoct_2.jpg
041126_OC_jojoct_3.jpg
041126_OC_jojoct_4.jpg
041126_OC_jojoct_5.jpg
041126_OC_jojoct_6.jpg

A taste of the photos from tonight by jojoct. IMO #3 and #6 are particularly gah-worthy.


FIND THE FILES BY CLICKING HERE AND ENTERING YOUR KEY:

Orange County Photos

[YouStopRightNow]

[Halos]

This is claysvegasfan ghostposting.

Well y'all have heard by now...

CLAY SANG TO ME!!!!!

OMG I honestly dont know how I survived. What was great about it was that it was so unexpected. He started singing WAYDNYE and filtering to the left (his right) of the stage. My seat was Row A (4th row) last seat on the aisle. He was at the top of the stairs which was so great, cause he was so up close. Then...he started moving slowly down the stairs. I was like "OMG" I thought he would get to the bottom and then go back up and finish the song center stage.

But no. He came off the stairs. He looked right at me. I smiled at him. He started moving towards me. I was like "Oh no, dont come over here, I'll die." Then as he got closer I was like "Oh yes come to mama baby." He stood right in front of me and I didnt want to reach out in case security yanked him back. But he REACHED OUT FOR MY HAND! So I took it. He held it and looked into my eyes and sang. OMG I knew the power of those green eyes from TV and from the video shoot where it wasnt so close, but I have NEVER experienced anything like this, ever. I dont want to sound cliche but it was SURREAL. He finished with me and moved on to Libby not zakaroni.

My god what an experience. I was shaking all over and I started to cry during the next song. Quietly I might add. During intermission, a female usher came over to me and said "Are you ok? I thought you were going to pass out, you are so cute, you were shaking!" lol

So there endeth my supreme serenade by Clay.

The concert was really really good. It was beautiful. The camera nazis were out in full force, so I doubt anyone got Clack of it, but I'm hoping.

I saw Faye and Brett. And a ton of other meers I have not seen in ages.

I'm riding so high right now. Funny enough, one of the first thoughts I had during intermission was "I cant wait to tell Ryan, he'll be so jealous!" lol jk ;)

This is my only concert this tour, but I dont want to see any others. This will always be special for me.

[wcv63]

So much wonderful news this week! It really is an embarrassment of riches. Successful album, book, tour......upcoming Christmas special...truly makes the season bright and hopeful.

As for radio play...I'm not ready to give up yet. Josh Groban had a helluva time breaking into radio and is just now seeing some success. I'm willing to be patient if we some rewards in the end.

Happy Holidays everyone!

[Shadylil]

My bad. I haven't read any posts yet, as to not be influenced by anyone.
Loved, loved, loved the concert. Hated the ending song. ::hated:: I thought it sounded like a funeral dirge.

However, I didn't like YWT at the beginning and that turned out to be my favorite song of the NaT. Go figure. I really would have liked him to end the concert with a more upbeat song. And I lost the bet I had with myself. I thought he might do a sing-a-long with the audience at the end.

#2 on the NYT best-seller list????

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now THAT's good news indeed!!

[lyndolphin]

[CAP121]

[California Clayfan]

ellenpoppy here, ghost-posting from California Clayfan's computer. Lala52 and Renee4Clay from CB are also here.

I see that claysvegasfan is still alive after that experience tonight. She was at the end of our row--I was three seats down from her and contemplated leaping over the intervening seats and shoving her aside when I saw Clay heading her way--and it was incredible how Clay held her hand and sang right to her.

I want to add that Clay--sounding beautiful and much better than I expected--continued down that aisle and sang to Libby (come out, Libby, and post!) and then to a handicapped woman in a wheelchair in the next row. He reached down to hug her, and she was trying to reach up to him for the hug. I asked her later what happened. She said that he tried to lift her up and asked her in a whisper if she was okay with it, and she said she whispered, "I'm a quad," and he said, "That's okay," and attempted to pick her up. Her seat belt was attached, and her husband scrambled to unhook it while Clay waited and continued singing. Then he reached down and held her up in his arms and danced with her. She said that he knew exactly how to hold her, apparently because he's held quadriplegic children. He continued dancing and singing throughout this.

Next, he sang to a young girl of 8 or so, getting down on his knees and kissed her on the cheek.

We'll be back with more after we get our food...

[Shiiiine]

[BarkyCat]

jojoct... thank you!

#3 GAH!

ETA: Muchas Gracias for the re-caps, everyone!

California Clayfan wrote:

[mica]

I'll Be Home for Christmas is beyond gorgeous (and that's with my crappy speakers). Thank you, Clay. Please continue to get well.

ETA: I can't stop listening to this. Why, oh why, couldn't this have been included on the album??

[Goood Baby Brush]

[IceDancer]

Wow…am I going to be one of the first to review the first show of Clay’s new tour?

Just walking in at the start, the whole place was abuzz. I’d never been to a show in a theater before with an atmosphere like that. It was…electric. And, lo and behold, who am I sitting next to? The reviewer from the Orange County Register. He was taking a lot of notes during the show and listening attentively. I didn’t press him too much for his opinion of things, but he did share that he thought Clay was holding up extremely well considering he was coming off being so sick. I feel somewhat assured that whatever his opinion, it will be an honest review of Clay and the show, although I can’t remember offhand what his IT and Idols reviews were like.

My general impressions:
There are some definite kinks that needed to be worked out, and I’m guessing that Clay will be having some words with a few people after the show. Before I start waxing poetic (or just EEEEing, as the case may be) about some of the performances, the not so good:

1. The kids. My husband and parents and I agreed that they added zilch to the show. The high school choir was effective, though.

2. The sound. I think the band was drowning Clay out in some places and there was some significant feedback on Clay’s mike at a few points.

3. The drummer. Totally f-ed up TFN and one other song, IIRC. Clay was the consummate professional and covered over the mistake very well.

4. The ending. To echo a few others, the final song, IMO, completely sucked all of the energy out of the room. Should have ended with DSIAFCD or JTTW.

5. Angela. One word: screechy. My husband was covering his ears.

6. Clay appeared to be having trouble with his modulation. Whenever he tried to sing softly, he went really hoarse, and tended to glory note more than on the album in order to improve his tone.

Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, on to the good stuff…
Sleigh Ride was AWESOME! He sings it even faster and more bouncy than on the album, if that’s even possible. Really great start to the show. Silver Bells with Qiana was really lovely. They seemed to blend much better than Clay and Kim Locke, from what I remember. The Christmas Waltz was one that I hadn’t heard before, but really liked. And then…WAYDNYE. O.M.G. So sexy. And I was beside myself with glee that so many of the CHers (including my favorite zakaroni) were getting to experience Clay soooo close. I thought it was really sweet and so very Clay-like that he chose a woman in a wheelchair to slow dance with during the song. Quiana’s solo, MGUCL, was really well done. I know it’s been pondered here many times before, but I just can’t figure out why this woman doesn’t have her own record contract by now.

After intermission, Clay comes out to sing OHN in a Christmas Carol jacket that was absolutely to die for. He got a well-deserved standing O for his rendition. He must have had some throat coat tea during intermission, because he seemed a lot stronger after the 20 minutes rest. TFN, one of my all-time favorites of his, was absolutely perfect – strong and clear. My favorite of the second half (and possibly of the whole show) was I’ll Be Home for Christmas. Clay and a piano. What else is there to say? S’Von had quite a bit of fun with his noodling (which was the source of the laughter). It was just so tender and so jazzy-sexy. Afterwards, Clay went into his banter about giving love throughout the year, introduced Walter A in the audience, and then segued into DSIAFCD. Getting to experience the utter joy with which he sings this song is absolutely worth the price of admission.

Other things of note: Jerome was giving smackdowns left and right. I don't know whether this was for videotaping or just photography or what. But two ladies got kicked out less than 5 minutes into the show for something. Just as the lights went down, someone pulled out a spinning glow stick, and my husband was ready to jump over the seats and tackle them. And thing is, they never put the damn thing down the entire show. Are people really that clueless as to how disruptive and inappropriate their behavior is? Or do they just not give a damn?

Anyway, a wonderful time was had by the IceDancer clan. I’m soooo looking forward to Pasadena and El Cajon. I can’t believe I’m going to have to wait an entire month!!!

I’ll let you all sleep now (if you hadn’t already drifted off reading my post.)

Oh, and EEEEEE! For the NYT bestseller list.

[Nova]

[lyndolphin]

ellenpoppy wrote:

... he reached down and held her up in his arms and danced with her. She said that he knew exactly how to hold her, apparently because he's held quadriplegic children. He continued dancing and singing throughout this.

I thought I had died before--BUT THIS!!! How beautimous is that MAN!

ETA: to remove much of the same thing GBB quoted while I was composing my post

Last edited by lyndolphin on Sat Nov 27, 2004 3:04 am GMT; edited 1 time in total

[Halos]

[whmom2]

spot posting as whmom2:

There is partial Clack.

[jeramie]

Meant to be a PM.