From early reports, it is evident that the infamous "Aiken Fog" flourished before, during, and after the Tried & True Concert presented by Clay Aiken & Co. Tuesday night in the Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie.
During the show, the singer talked to merrieeee by cell phone, though she remembers little of the conversation: "Hee, I just talked to Clay Aiken on the phone! I wish I could remember what the heck I said!"
I have it on good authority (blow-by-blow texts on my iPhone) that, after greeting Clay in the post concert bus line, Royalle, deemer, and Scarlett were stopped by a policeman while driving home.
The infraction? Missing an exit and making a U-turn at the airport entrance. While one was having to prove her sobriety, her partners were crossing their fingers and texting that they hoped the three would survive the "fog."
No ticket -- but this is one recap CA fans won't want to miss! Dallas Concert Goers Replay Show
As he does in most shows, Clay bantered with the audience following the powerful opener, "Where Do I Begin/Theme from Love Story."
jclay: The show starts, and once again I have to say that although I cherish clack and worship all the clack gatherers, no way does clack do this concert justice. There is something about this concert that goes straight to my gut, my stomach, my heart.
I had told my husband that since we were close to the front, he might be part of the shtick. Sure enough, after Clay talked to the couple where the husband has been to 20 concerts, he came to our side of the stage and looked directly at us!
All is hazy, but I remember that my husband said we'd been married 30 years. Clay asked if there is a secret to 30 years, and my husband replied, "Go to concerts when asked."
Scarlett's video of the opening banter replays jclay's foggy recap, followed by the song "There's a Kind of Hush."
Clay banters with husbands at Grand Prairie Show.
'There's a Kind of Hush' in Texas.
EmeraldEyes: The comedy routines are so much more polished now than they were at the beginning of the tour. My jaw hurts from smiling so much. Clay truly is a funny man. I hope someone caught Quiana doing the heavy metal "Who's Sorry Now" because GF was working it and Clay was splitting his sides at the sight of her.
Vocally so beautiful, "Unchained Melody" was out of this world. He got several standing O's for various songs; UM was perhaps the biggest outside of "In My Life."
All of our clack-gatherers are a treasure. There are more people than just us that appreciate the videos they take.
I purposely didn't tell my non-board concert buddy anything about the show other than it was good because I wanted her to be surprised -- only to learn she's been watching T&T videos on YouTube!
I don't know what's next, but I can't wait to find out what the next Clay Aiken adventure will be.
Below are expandable concert photos by hosaa, 1, 3; and Invisble926, 2, 4, 5.
topcat: Clay was in top and full performance mode last night. He was in total control of the stage, and there was no question he owned it. That's no surprise, but I still marvel at how natural it is for him to work the concert stage like it's his living room. [snip]
Cutest moment: Clay and Quiana singing Disney. You can tell he really likes that one. So much awwwww and love between those two.
Most touching moment: When he put his arm on Quiana's's back. So sweet. He respects and appreciates his band deeply and the feeling is mutual.
Most rockin' moment: Felix. OMG, he plays drums like Clay sings, and he was so much fun to watch. The best part of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" was watching Felix rock it.
I'm in a fog, so I'm going to have to watch the clack to remember the rest ...
Grand Prairie Set List
Where Do I Begin, Love Story Theme Mack the Knife There's A Kind Of Hush You Don't Have to Say You Love Me Misty
Jazzy Medley - The Way, This is the Night, Measure of a Man, On My Way Here, A Thousand Days, Invisible
Something About Us Foggy Day In London Town (Quianna)
Auto Tune: Party in the USA
Suspicious Minds Build Me Up Buttercup It's Impossible
Who's Sorry Now - Genres: honky tonk, "chipmunks," Disney, heavy metal
It's Only Make Believe Can't Take My Eyes Off You Cry Me A River (Quiana) Crying (Clay and Quiana duet) Unchained Melody In My Life
Check back for updates as recaps, photos, and clack are posted. Meanwhile, you can download Grand Prairie audio/video files at Clack Unlimited and Scarlett's Tried & True Concert Tour doc on Google. Her videos can be viewed at the Wowzers4Clay Channel on YouTube.
'Who's Sorry Now' in the Disney genre.
Clay Aiken's Back in Town with 'Mack the Knife.'
After greeting fans at the bus line, the Tried & True musicians hit the road for the 18-hour trip to Mesa, AZ. Next concert is at 8 pm MT at the Mesa Arts Center.
Expandable photo by toni7babe from Fort Wayne Concert.
Tried & True in Fort Wayne
Banter, Ballads Shine in T&T Show
Tonight Clay was quintessential "Clay Aiken." He was funny, even more than funny. When he sang the fun songs, he had us in stitches and when he switched to the ballads, he wrapped a perfect voice around our hearts.
He was perfection and reminded us once again why we're here and still spending our children's inheritances eight years later. -- canuck2010
In her brief post for message board friends, canuck2010 eloquently summarized Wednesday's Tried & True performance by Clay Aiken & Co. at the Embassy Theatre in Fort Wayne, IN.
In addition to the Canadian's concert report from her iPad, below are some of the musical/banter highlights from Wednesday's show videoed by Scarlett. For downloads of these and other files from the show, see her Fort Wayne doc.
Clay performs a fan favorite, 'Mack the Knife.' View video full screen at the Wowzers4Clay Channel on YouTube.
Clay sings 'You Don't Have to Say You Love Me.' View video full screen at YouTube.
luckiest1: The concert was amazing. [Due to a medical emergency in the second row the night before] ... Clay warned all of us in that row to watch out. We were hooting and hollering at him; it was great energy, and he was soaking it up.
He got so far into his explanation of the Clay Aiken Medley and then, just out of the blue, said he had to take his tie off because it made him look three months pregnant. He'd seen the pictures. It was hilarious.
The 'Who's Sorry Now' portion was hysterical. He did some deep knee bends and growly notes in the "old school funk," and he did some great hip shakes in the "merengue."
The whole concert was just fantastic, every song, every bit of banter, I was totally and completely mesmerized the whole night.
Clay explains the plan for 'Who's Sorry Now.' See video by Scarlett at YouTube.
'Who's Sorry Now' in the Merengue style. Full screen video can be viewed here.
'Who's Sorry Now in Old School Funk style. Full screen version is available at YouTube.
Fort Wayne Set List
Where Do I Begin (Love Story Theme) Mack The Knife There's A Kind Of Hush You Don't Have To Say You Love Me Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
Jazzy Medley [The Way, This Is the Night, Measure of a Man, On My Way Here, A Thousand Days, Invisible]
Something About Us Foggy Day In London Town (Quiana)
Auto Tune: I've Got A Feelin'
Suspicious Minds Build Me Up Buttercup It's Impossible Moon River
Who's Sorry Now It's Only Make Believe Can't Take My Eyes Off You Cry Me A River (Quiana) Crying (Clay and Quiana)
Band Intros
Unchained Melody Misty In My Life
Photos of Clay and Quiana Parler, his backup singing partner, from the Fort Wayne T&T Concert are by toni7babe, 1; Shamrock, 2; bottlecap, 3, 5; and cindilu2, 4. All are expandable.
Below are the remaining concerts of the 22-city supporting the Decca Tried & True release:
3.04.11 Waukegan, IN Genesse Theatre, 8 pm 3.05.11 Minneapolis, MN State Theatre, 8 pm 3.07.11 Memphis, TN Minglewood Hall, 8 pm 3.08.11 Grand Prairie, TX Verizon Theatre At Grand Prairie, 7:30 pm 3.10.11 Mesa, AZ Mesa Arts Center, 8 pm 3.12.11 San Francisco, CA The Warfield, 8 pm
Have an awesome weekend, Clay Nation! Catch you again after Waukegan!
Clay Aiken banters with Pittsburgh Tried & True audience. Photo by cameocat is expandable.
Tried & True Shows
Pitt Audience Proclaims 'Best Yet'
According to concert goers, Clay Aiken's Tried & True Tour shows keep topping or one-upping themselves, as Pittsburgh fans were quick to report that Friday night's show was the "best yet."
The 22-city T&T Tour heads to Cleveland for tonight's 7:30 pm concert at PlayhouseSquare and Sunday to Waterbury, CT, for a 7:30 pm show at the Palace Theater.
In Pittsburgh, "Who's Sorry Now" was treated to not-to-be-missed do wop, mambo, and polka arrangements by Clay, Quiana Parler, and the rockin' backup musicians.
Link to the WPIX website to view a 27-photo slide show from the Pittsburgh show.
Clay Surprises with 'Both Sides Now'
"Both Sides Now," a fan favorite since Clay performed the song at the National Inclusion Project's October Gala, was the surprise closer and can be viewed in this entry.
Featured below are four videos by Scarlett and Canfly. This Google Doc link will allow you to view and/or download all of Scarlett's videos from the Pittsburgh show.
In a microcosm of Friday's show, here are videos of "Mack the Knife," the "Crying" duet by Clay and Quiana, the singer's signature version of "Unchained Melody" arranged by Ben Cohn, band intros plus the beautiful "Both Sides Now" closing number.
Note the iPad charts being used by Ben Cohn, keyboards/arranger/conductor; guitarist Adam Fallen; Del Atkins, bass; and Felix Pollard on drums! As Clay remarked, very "21st century"!
Clay swings 'Mack the Knife' at the Pittsburgh Show. View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.
Clay and Quiana in amazing 'Crying' duet. View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.
Clay's signature 'Unchained Melody' (arr. Cohn). Link to YouTube to view video by Scarlett full screen.
Clay introduces backup vocalist, instrumentalists. View video by Scarlett full screen at YouTube.
Singer closes Pittsburgh show with 'Both Sides Now.' Link to YouTubeto view video by Canfly. Download with this Megaupload file.
Have a wonderful weekend, Clay Nation! Check back after Cleveland ...
Clay Aiken's Back in Town - Montage by LovesClaysVoice
Concert Recaps, Take 2
Clay Aiken Wows Fans at Taping
Clay Aiken opened the March 12 special performance in Raleigh with "Mack the Knife." The concert, which will air on PBS this summer, also included songs from the singer's upcoming "Tried and True" CD. LCV's montage features Clay's Mack the Knife rendition from the American Idol 2 season.
Clay Aiken's one-time only concert at Memorial Auditorium in Raleigh included a preview of his upcoming Decca album, Tried & True, plus a host of other memorable classics.
Without the visual clack that fans normally share following a Clay Aiken concert, the performance and and excitement has been relived through word pictures, recaps and reflections, by those present. This entry is a continuation of the March 13 post: Take 2!
PINK ARMCHAIR: I was so thrilled with the way the taping went. Clay, first of all, really was better than I've ever seen him; and, vocally, he knocked it out of the park over and over again. Unbelievable.
I have to say (and was fortunate to get to say to a couple of people associated with the production) that I had sat in a lot of tapings but had never seen something with that many elements go so smoothly, with so few retakes and almost no problems (the poor guy who broke his leg notwithstanding -- hope he's doing okay).
I have a huge amount of respect for whoever directed it -- it was choreographed and orchestrated to the NTH degree -- a really first class production. It's very difficult to film something as if it were going out live, and they did it in spades. My hat is off to them.
In fact, my main emotion watching the performance was that it was like seeing a rare and priceless jewel, after years stuck in a drawer, finally placed in its proper setting. It was, in a word, dazzling, both visually and aurally. I think I'm always going to remember it that way.
CABLEGIRL: One tidbit that I will share is about who I was seated next to. When Clay asked all of his teachers to stand we ended up seated next to most of them. As the gentleman next to me started to sit down, I said, "Oh, you were one of his teachers?" and he said, "No, I was his high school principal and he hated me."
I waited until the end of the show to talk to him again. He said that Clay was quite a hand full his senior year and that they had more than a few run-ins, all relayed with a big smile on his face.
He told me that he had loved the show, thought Clay was fantastic, and then shared something with me that I thought was so cool. At the end of the second run of "Spamalot," Clay flew him, his wife, and a few of the other teachers and their families to New York for three days, all expenses paid.
Smiling, he added, "He may have been a handful, but I think we're all even now."
All I can say is what an amazing guy we have all chosen to support and follow!
Clay performs on Memorial Auditorium stage. (Jim R. Bounds/AP)
CINDILU2: During the show, Clay mentioned that "Menopause," the musical, would be the next event in the Raleigh venue, then quipped, "Today Clay Aiken, tomorrow menopause!"
Truly the pinnacle of my seven years as a Clay Aiken fan. He went from star to supernova right before my eyes, and I will forever be grateful that I was there to witness it.
MUMM FUMS: I don't know if anyone mentioned the fog machine for Moon River? It really produced some fog; and from where I was sitting, the first couple of rows got to experience that "Aiken Fog" quite literally!
CONCERT SET LIST(some of which will be on Clay's upcoming "Tried and True" album):
Mack The Knife You're Just To Good to Be True It's Impossible When I Said I Needed You Eso Beso (upbeat samba) Who's Sorry Now I'll Take Romance Breaking Up Is Hard To Do (intro of Ruben)
BIG BAND MEDLEY • Baby Got Back sung by Clay • Poker Face (Lady Gaga) sung by Ruben • Crazy In Love (Beyonce) by Quiana • Maneater (Hall and Oates) by Clay • Tik Tok (Kei$ha) -- Ruben • Straight Up -- Quiana (Clay and Ruben singing "oh oh oh's") • She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy -- Clay (crooner fashion) • Play That Funky Music -- Ruben • Can't Touch This -- all three
Misty What Kind of Fool Am I? Crying (duet with Linda Eder) Suspicious Minds Build Me Up Buttercup In My Life Only Make Believe There's A Kind of Hush Unchained Melody
Encore #1: Moon River
Encore#2: Re-do of Mack the Knife, Who's Sorry Now, Misty, Suspicious Minds
MOONHEAD: "Crying!" OOOMMMMMGGGG!!! Seriously, this was extraordinary. Clay and Linda Eder together singing "Crying.: He hit a couple of notes in this song that were amazing. It was the song that afterwards would not get out of my mind. I woke up several times during the night with it replaying in my head.
"Buttercup" blew me away. The audience response to it was organic and enthusiastic. This was the performance that hit me emotionally. As I watched him up there singing his heart out -- happy and in such good voice, with the gorgeous lighting, the multiple cameras whirring around him -- I couldn’t help but think back to his AI performance of the same song.
I felt such a sense of fulfillment of Clay being where he belongs now, of peace with the past and excitement for the future. It was just perfect, and he sang his heart out.
"In My Life" was so tender, stripped down, quiet and reflective. Clay was just sweet during this song paying homage to his teachers. It was a special moment.
Clay's own version of "Unchained Melody." Wow, he owns this song!!! And he really changed up the last third of it. His own version, indeed! What he did with this was quite spectacular.
The show was a wonderful blend of genres, tempo, and style -- some reflective, some fun, some dramatic and powerful. It was well put together and beautifully executed.
When Clay finished UM and had to stand there and accept our applause. He didn’t try to stop us, he didn’t race off stage, he didn’t have the curtain brought down. He stood there and took in the applause he so deservedly earned.
And lastly, I felt such a sense of support for Clay last night from those that surround him -- the label and his management. The whole production was so beautiful, and it was clear to me that Team Clay knows what they have and are going to do what it takes to show everyone the talent that he is.
I will be forever grateful that I was able to be there. It was a night to remember.
Clay blows away audience. Photo by Jim R. Bounds/AP
GOLDARNGIRL: We saw Simon Renshaw arrive at the Raleigh airport when we did on Friday. I was pretty impressed that he was there and was hands on. Simon spent a lot of his time in the wings to Clay's right, which gave us a full view of him.
I saw him giving Clay "thumbs up" at times, and he was there when Clay came off stage and probably was part of the decision process for the songs that were being retaken.
At the end when the applause was deafening and Clay was standing there soaking it all in, I leaned over to FromClaygary and said that it was great he was allowing people to appreciate him and accepting the applause, which he doesn't normally do.
While he was standing there soaking in the applause and love, I looked over to the wings and spotted Simon continuously bowing from the waist, telling Clay BOW. I looked back to the stage as Clay was straightening up from a bow (after taking Simon's direction).
It was really great to see that Simon was right there guiding him and it made me wonder whether his hands were tied on some items before.
JMH123: Two of us were seated in the balcony, third row, right behind the soundboard. Various people tried to offer us closer seats, including some production people; but all were off to the far side of the orchestra or in the side mezzanine. Besides, I wanted to watch the process of filming.
From our seats we could see all the cameras, as well as two laptop computer/television monitors showing two of the camera views, and also the sound equipment and, of course, the people working in the booth.
There must have been another location somewhere, outside or backstage, where the actual directing was taking place and where there were other TV monitors.
The negative side is that we couldn't really see Clay's face, because of the lighting and the distance, but we got some good closeup views now and then in the monitors.
There was a fair amount of shots showing the whole band at once, as well as closeups on various instrumentalists, all the soloists, and Clay at various distances. Lot of variety. And, as I said, we could just see two monitors.
Oh and yeah, that Clay Aiken guy! When the curtain opened and he was standing there with his back to the audience, just that silhouette that is so classic and familiar, I felt such a rush I can't tell you. I just wanted to hug everybody for the rest of the night. The crowd was electric. Even the ushers and crew seemed to be into it.
Clay Aiken can flat out sing. "Mack the Knife" was like the AI2 performance times a million.
The band totally rocked, and the choice and chosen location of the instruments was fascinating to me. The sound was just incredible. The band was tight. It was a big band sound, but uniquely Clay also.
Everything was arranged as a unique, Clay Aiken version; and the band was a huge part of that. For me anyway. And Clay's voice just soared. It filled the room. I think I'd forgotten the way he can do that. Effortless, huge voice with those amazing pure tones.
Because it was Raleigh and Memorial Auditorium and because of the theme of the show, it was also for me, especially for the first three or four songs, Clayton Grissom fully grown and handsome, but yet still and totally that guy -- that Raleigh boy.
Clayton Grissom of Hometown Connection putting on a show for PBS, but mostly classier.
I was struck by how he really has come home, how he has remained "tried and true" throughout AI, becoming a "pop superstar," coming out, doing Broadway, being a dad, everything he's been through. He is still that geeky, skinny, picked-on guy; and now that guy is fulfilling a lifelong dream.
SUEREU: Anyone who loved Clay Aiken's vocal performance last night (and I don't see how anyone could not say he was short of brilliant) needs to give up on making him the next rock/pop God.
Almost to a person, what I heard was that was the voice they fell in love with and it had been too long since they've heard it.
The reason that we got that voice, that quality, those dynamics, that magic was because he stopped trying to be "2010 pop Clay" and became "vocalist extraordinaire Clay Aiken."
Oh, and I need to add that he is singing pop, but he's singing pop from an era where vocals ruled and shtick took a back seat. An era before pro tools, when it was imperative that the singer could actually sing and melodies were written with true vocals in mind.
HEART: Everything was wonderful from his voice to the staging to the lighting to his wonderful personality.
That's what touched me most. It was like seeing a good friend after a long absence. Not just his voice, but his mannerisms, his facial expressions, his jokes, the way he moves his hands, the way he smiles and makes fun of himself -- it was all there.
I felt like saying, "Thank God, he's still here; he's still the same." The voice may be better than ever, but my friend is still here. Nobody connects with his audience like Clay does. No audience connects with a performer like Clay's fans do.
HE'S BACK!!!!!
ELIZABETH: I only had one "friend of a friend" tidbit to share. Clay's manager Simon Renshaw said that he and Ruben would be touring for three weeks and Asheville will be the first show.
CRAVING CLAY: This was absolutely the best Clay concert I've ever experienced (and I've been to quite a few). He was confident. He owned that stage. The musicians were terrific. The set list, the song arrangements, the pacing of the show, the lighting were top notch.
And Clay's voice was delicious. It washed over me, satisfied, but left me wanting more. I'm desperate to hear these songs again. He's quite simply the best!
He was in his element and it showed. He was absolutely a star up there and, yet, still so sweet and humble. What a guy
CLAYM8: During one of the earliest slow songs, which he sang standing up, he was singing about love, but he opened his arms as though giving us a general hug.
At the very end of the show after the re-takes, Clay waited to hear that all was well and he said something like "It turns out I'm perfect"; and, of course. the audience roared.
Then he gave his signature two-finger salute to us, which he didn't do at the end of the official taping.
Special thnx to all the CA fans who have reflected on their Raleigh experiences in this blog and throughout Clay Cyberspace. Have a wonderful week, Clay Nation!
This blog is about my passions: family, friends, music, teaching, journalism, Carolina basketball, and Clay Aiken. Since 2007, visitors have dropped by from 170 countries, the most recent being Cuba, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Nicaragua, and Aruba. Hope to see y'all again soon! - Caro
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