Clay Aiken reveals new album in Raleigh concert
If you're a fan of shmaltz, 60's music, and/or Clay Aiken, Raleigh Memorial Auditorium would have been a magical place to be on Friday, March 12.
Last summer, Clay Aiken's recording contract with RCA ran out, and label and artist mutually decided not to continue together. Instead, Clay made the move to Decca records, home of such classic artists as Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Judy Garland, and Billie Holiday.
Now Clay is preparing for the release of his fifth studio album, tentatively titled Tried and True, a compilation of 60's covers. As a part of the celebration of his album release, sometime this summer, PBS will be featuring a concert of Clay's new music. Though the show will not air until around the time of the release, the actual concert took place on the previously mentioned date. Anyone who was lucky enough to be there, whether they were from the Raleigh area or they had to travel in for the occasion, knows what an amazing evening Clay had in store for his fans.
The set list ranged from the up tempo beats of "Mack the Knife" (with such an amazingly huge, long, perfect last note that it moved the audience to a standing ovation as soon as the first number concluded), "Eso Beso," "Suspicious Minds," and "Build Me Up Buttercup" to the slower, simpler side of Clay with "Misty," "Moonriver," "In My Life," and "Unchained Melody" (with a jaw dropping climax in which Clay hit a note that seemed to redefine the meaning of the verb "to sing"). There were flashy lights, lots of smoke, and chandeliers that descended from the ceiling to change the atmosphere before certain songs.
Front and center was Clay's amazing voice, but coming in a close second was his big heart. This showed up early on in the night when, after the first five numbers, Clay came into the audience looking for Sandy Schmidt. Ms. Schmidt had taken four busses over a 36 hour period from Nebraska, traveling all by herself just to see Clay again. After receiving word of this from her friends, Clay personally escorted Sandy to the front row.
Clay also paid tribute to many of the teachers that he had throughout his time in the Raleigh public school system. To begin with, he told a story about being a "big loser" in sixth grade, not having friends and eating lunch with non-English speaking students if he was lucky. One particular teacher helped Clay get through this rough time by allowing him to eat lunch with her in her classroom everyday. After introducing her to everyone, he asked anyone who had ever taught him to stand. About twenty people stood up to a huge round of applause, as well as heaps of praise from Clay about what a huge difference teacher make in the lives of their students. He went on to dedicate his beautifully understated performance of "In My Life" to these important people who made such an impression on him.
One of the greatest highlights of the night was a special guest appearance that many of Clay's fans had already guessed at. Clay spoke briefly of Neil Sedaka Night on Idol, of how he had wanted to sing a particular song, but Ruben had snatched it up before he had the chance. Here on this stage, though, he would prove that he could sing "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" better than Ruben could. He got two lines out, walked off stage left, and Ruben Studdard himself walked on stage right. It was wonderful to see Ruben in what it turns out is his element, as well as Clay's.
After the song, the two had some great comedic banter about how awful music today is. ("It's crap," said Clay, "and that's an industry term.") So, calling upon one of Clay's amazingly talented backup singers, Quiana Parler, the three promised a medley of classic big band songs that they love. The instrumental introduction started out with lots of big strings and horns, and Clay came in with, "I like big butts and I cannot lie!" The audience roared with laughter as other pop songs were presented in big band style, like "Poker Face," "Can't Touch This," "Tik Tok," "Maneater," "Crazy in Love," and "Play that Funky Music White Boy."
Clay's fan base is mostly the 40+ crowd, but the masterful songster proved how well he knows his audience, and how wonderfully his voice panders to them. The new record, to be released this summer, will definitely appeal to those who have stuck by the former Idol since Season 2 ended.
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