Photos
Videos
From the CB's alisonangus:
So I got back a few minutes ago and started crying. It was a mix of sad and happy as I set down my poster, Ivory scarf, and ivory hat. How long have I been waiting.....6 months and all of the magic is over. Didn't mean to be a downer but I really do think this Post Concert Disorder is a true medical condition. Tonight was like a child's first experience at Disney World, or a seat on Santa's lap.From the CB's riversend22:
Clay sang beautifully, what else can I say, he's a wonderful man. His true feeling through music is not typical. He feels every meaning of the lyrics every time we hear his voice. His voice was powerful at times, but in great control and rhythm, especially in the faster medleys. Tonight, what else happened? To tell you the truth I really can't answer that. I know that cold temperatures made the crowd feel warm and cozy. Clay is so happy, and he doesn't hide nor fake it. Tonight he gave the crowd a few great heartwarming smiles that proved a flow of happiness during the long never ending standing ovation. His love for Christmas music was not ignored and he let people know that this was a serious time to know what to be grateful for.
My Middle School band teacher was in the orchestra on precussion and we saw him come out of the Kirby while we were impatiently waiting in the handshake line. If you were there, the very few that stood there, I was the one with the poster, hat, and scarf, trying to figure out exactly where Clay would be at that time and I was planning on telling my mom I was in an alleyway. My band teacher told me that unlike last year with the banter and jokes, Clay's main intention was to spread Christmas joy and spirit through gentle and heartwarming music.
During the handshake line, a few brave souls decided to wait in the line(if you can call it that) in twenty degree temperatures. We waited in an alleyway. There was hope but some also said there was no way he'd want to come out. Well I thought that he would have to go to the bus sooner or later. I think I saw Jesse on the streets but I couldn't figure out why he'd be there. Then we saw Durham taken out for a potty run I was assuming. That excited me in ways I never thought possible. But anyway, we waited and we waited. I was happy to get video of the bus with my phone. We probably waited a long time. We were cold, I wasn't though, I had a new scarf and hat. Clay came out and I think I was the first person to scream before everyone followed me. Clay didn't do the handshake however I thought the close wave was enough for me. He looked happy and comfortable. He was wearing glasses still from the concert obviously and he was wearing red pajama pants. It was the closest I'd ever been to him and it was paradise.
Hey y'all. I'm a bit tired but thought i'd give a short recap of tonight's show. This was my first show in a series of 8 that I will be seeing of this tour and I've gotta tell ya...I don't know if his voice will EVER be as PERFECT as it was TONIGHT. I have seen an incredible number of shows (I think i'm coming up on having seen around 70..LOL) and I was blown away tonight by the quality and tonality of his vocals. I am a big music person and I can tell if someone misses a note and Clay did not miss one. In a nutshell, I'm speechless. Tonight, for the first time (for me), Clay Aiken's voice seemed effortless. You could just tell he was singing from his heart and it truly shone through in the final product. Bravo Clay. You proved to me once again that your incredible gift is one of the most precious that I have ever had the pleasure of hearing.From the CB's LynninNJ:
Ok...now onto some details. I thought he looked good. I was in the front row and although the piano was right in front of me and I was VERY close to the stage I had the perfect view of Clay. Matter of fact, he's all I could see..LOL. Long coat, glasses, hair swept off to one side...it actually looked wet to me when he came out. I had heard that they were running a bit behind because the show was earlier tonight so I don't know if he was rushed getting ready or something. But he did look very happy as he was smiling quite a bit during the show. At one point he actually starting giggling and I have no idea who or what he was giggling at...but it was definitely cute.
I will also agree that the lighting guy is a genius. That microphone at the end of All is Well gave me chills. Although I couldn't see the girls sing their solos..their voices soared with beauty and they blew the roof off of the place. I loved it. As far as the stories go, I may need to let them warm up on me. I thought everyone did a great job reading them but I also thought some were a bit on the long side. Despite that though, I still enjoyed them. There was actually one that rang very personal to me and as soon as Clay started singing "I'll be home for Christmas" I started to cry. It was hard for those personal reasons..but the song was beautiful.
I would also like to say that Jesse is a phenonmenal musician. His talent hypnotizes me. I watched him quite a bit playing the piano and I was awe struck at how talented he really is.
Ok, I think those are all the highlights for me. It was a great way to kick off the tour. As I said, I have quite a few more shows to go to, and I can only hope that they will be as great as this first show was.
As they say in Italian...BRAVO!
~river~ :bananas:
I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS SHOW!!!!!
I had the honor of reading my "I'll be Home for Christmas" story again last night....it truly was a blessing and something that i will FOREVER be grateful to Clay for.
My travel mate and I had plans to meet 1/2 way in PA on the way up to Wilkes-Barre (or over, whichever it may be!)
I got the email notification Tuesday am cause i had passed out Monday long before the email came in. But i responded to them that i would love to read my story, but i probably wouldn't be able to make it to rehearsal...a girl's gotta work some time!
The venue was really pretty in a cute little town - and we didn't even get lost - AND we had McD's for dinner....all was well!
We got to the venue at about 6:30pm.........and pretty much went right to our seat....the place seemed big and we were excited to be there......so we sat right down!!!!
We were excited listening to the "lite buzz" about the happenings/questions from the M&G from the women around us.......
The show started a little late but was a 7pm start........AND THEN HE APPEARED......GLASSES CLAY WAS BACK!!!!!!
We had 2nd row Center seats.....GOOD LORD we were close! I didn't bring my camera with me - and although they announced no cameras - obviously some had them.
AND THANK GOD THEY DID - I'M SOOOOO THANKFUL FOR THE CLACK GATHERERS THIS SHOW!!!!! THEY ARE AMAZING!
Luckily, our seats were off to the right of the section a bit........cause we had a PERFECT view of Mr Aiken.....torso up - niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!
We actually didn't even realize he had on a long coat - until i saw it backstage during the 2nd half....we would have NEVER known!!! Jesse and the piano were CLOSE,
AND THAT MAN IS A FREAKIN MASTERMIND ON THE PIANO....IT WAS SOOO COOL TO BE UP CLOSE TO WATCH HIM! I think that is what i enjoyed MOST about this show, that i was able to have Jesse AND Clay right in the same view....so i could watch it all...it really was magical!!!!!!!!!
The music was AMAZING - perfection again but not as "perfect" as DC we didn't think.....the sound was a little echoy......no problems at all with his voice...just the sound wasn't as good. However....the Lights??!!! GOOD LORD - they were INCREDIBLE!!!! If you ladies haven't witnessed the SPOTLIGHT yet during the end of All is Well.....LOOK OUT!!!! It's incredible!! Let me know with FREAKIN CHILLS for about an hour after it ended......it really is a spectacular addition! (but makes me miss him RIGHT AWAY!)
I really, really enjoyed the stories this evening from memories of a Dad's videoing of Christmas (we can ALL relate to that funny one!), to the Miracle of Christmas for a baby grandson, to the joys of seeing the Holidays through a 4-years olds eyes......they really are an awesome ACCENT to Clay's musical talents. The girls looked and sounded AWESOME as usual.........QUIANNA DESERVES AN AWARD for WHERE ARE YOU CHRISTMAS....she blows me away everytime!!!!
It's interesting to me that Clay seems like be downplaying a few of the songs now - more so than he did in the first few shows....like Grown Up Christmas List and even I'll be Home for Christmas (which i usually CRY my eyes out during anyway!)........but then on songs like Jingle Bells and others from the Winter Medley - he's really ROCKIN and giving it to us even more!!!! I'M LOVING HOW HE KEEPS EXPERIMENTING AND CHANGIN THINGS UP.....HE'S AMAZING!!!!!!!!
0 comments:
Post a Comment