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From the CH's 30000Sunsets:
I got home from the concert rather quickly. I went with my sister and friend, and they aren't the avid fan I am, so I didn't even hint at perhaps waiting around to see who I could see. But ... At least I beat the crowds to the metro.
I'm not as articulate as most who post recaps, but I'll share some thoughts anyway. My apologies for their disjointed nature...
The venue was quite full. I was front row mid balcony, and couldn't see much of the floor, but the floor I did see was very full. I looked up behind me, and the mid balcony was full, and the upper balcony was also pretty full, but it had several empty seats in the far left and far right section. But, in the grand scheme of things, I think it was a great turnout. The area below the mid-balcony -- the "VIP" area or something, where they get drinks served and what not -- also had some empty seats, but I don't think those seats were for sale on TM -- at least they weren't the several times I looked. Maybe they are for season ticket holders or something (if that even exists... call me clueless). There were, of course, TONS of women, but there were lots of men, too, and lots of couples. BTW -- My seat would have been the perfect clack-gathering area for someone with decent zoom. You could capture the entire stage, if desired (and see his big black boots at the same time!) or get closeups with no blocked views. When folks stood, I could still see the entire stage. It was GREAT! And with my binocs, I could see every cute expression he had for us tonight.
He came out to "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and was WONDERFUL! He looked fantastic in the long coat suit and his GLASSES! And that voice! That wonderful, glorious voice! He does Christmas as it should be done, and as no one else I have ever heard. Mesmerizing.
This is the first time I've heard Q & A's songs. I really liked them both, very much. Well chosen selections, and the girls did a great job on them.
I've seen that his "I've read 1600 stories ... big mistake" comment made it to the boards. I think, out of context that can be seen as him expressing a regret or something. I didn't take it that way AT ALL. He did mention he'd read like, A LOT, and did use the word mistake, but his follow-on commentary left me the impression that although it was/is really, really hard and time consuming, he is still glad he did because it lets us (and him) experience different aspects of the Christmas season through others. Maybe the mistake part was his underestimation of the response (more stories than he anticipated), or the time it actually takes to go through all the stories. Maybe I'm just being all "the glass is half full", but I really didn't detect any regret in that comment. I hope folks are not interpreting it as such.
He didn't introduce the readers this time around, which I missed; I think the first reader was Cookie (Dianne, I think her name is) -- the lady with the Claymobile who was on the Mike and Juliet show last fall. I may be mistaken, but if I am, Cookie has a twin running around the DC area today!
I've read that folks were standing up very often. Being in the balcony, I didn't notice that. They weren't standing in the balcony (much to my dismay!!), but after DSIAFCD they DID stand up -- the whole theatre was on it's feet cheering and whistling. Then he came back out for "All Is Well" sans coat. Beautiful! The pants were bigger -- not as well/form fitting as the pants-of-perfection in years gone by -- but they did look very, very nice. Then Jesse starts to play and all goes silent. Man, what a gorgeous, gorgeous song. Clay is so mad talented! The first long "All is WEEELLLL" seemed to go on forever. Then he caught his breath, hung on to the mike, and started that terribly challenging, but perfectly executed final verse. Then, of course, at the end the whole audience erupts again and was on it's feet. What a fabulous reception DC gave him; I certainly hope he felt the love! I was so proud. And you folks who thought you heard "I'm Clay Aiken" at the very end of the Intros -- You heard correctly!! I don't recall him doing that in any other clack, but I've not watched it all, and often the clack ends with the music. Regardless, I'm so VERY pleased he did it again, just like the summer tour. YAY! I hope it continues.
Throughout the whole concert, I don't think I noticed even 1 missed note. Actually, I think I heard 1 itty-bitty crack during the early numbers, and there was a brief 2 or 3 word sound problem during one of the songs ("Mary Did You Know?"? can't remember). It was like the mike was turned down or something, but it came back pretty quickly. I feel so fortunate to have been there, and wish I could go again. My sister (a Clay-concert virgin) and my friend (has only seen him live for JNT05) both enjoyed it, especially the last 2 songs. They'd go see him again. I told them both that "All Is Well" will be on iTunes on Tuesday, so hopefully they'll download it.
Oh -- the lighting on "All Is Well" was different. We didn't get the huge "pencil light" from the ceiling like the last couple of venues did. Perhaps the Warner isn't set up right or something. It was still nice lighting all throughout, but that final lighting for "All Is Well" is way cool! One other cool thing (this is just the geek in me coming out...)-- the lights on all of the musicians stands were all controlled by the lighting guy, I guess, because they all dimmed and came back up at exactly the same time. Maybe this is common and is done all over, but I don't get to many shows, and I just find it cool that they hook up that many music stands and control all those lights remotely. Ya gotta love technology!
Looking forward to the Clack. I bet my sister and friend that at least some pictures would be up by the time I was done posting. The show has been over for 2 hours now; I think I'll go look around a bit before turning in.
Thanks for listening to my rambling. And I'll repeat what many before me have said -- If you don't yet have tickets to a show, do anytning possible to get to one. This is a must-see -- and it DOES deserve to be on TV. It's a brilliantly conceived, perfectly executed masterpiece.
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