Critical Mass 14 :: Clay Discussion

[KSChristian4Clay]

Clay's MySpace has been updated with a long article about ATDW, with commentary on each song:

Fans like to hear big songs, says Aiken, Thats what people have come to expect from us. I like big songs as well, but on this album, we also wanted to choose songs that expressed different parts of my voice.

To be sure, Partons peppy Here You Come Again, done on A THOUSAND DIFFERENT WAYS as a ballad, shows off a softer, more vulnerable Aiken. I have always liked that song, he says, but I had never sung it before. Foster promised to come up with an arrangement that would suit Aikens voiceand she did. Its truly my favorite song on the album, says the singer.

I did feel a bit anxious about 'Because You Loved Me,'" the singer offers, "not only because of Celine, but also because the original was produced by David Foster, one of the greatest producers of all time.David has heard our version, and so has Diane Warren, who wrote the song. They both approve of what weve done, and that makes me happy. (Aikens version of Because You Loved Me was produced by Eman. Other producers on the album include John Fields, Andreas Carlsson & Samuel Waermo, Adam Anders, and Russ Irwin & Charles Pettus.)

If any song made Aiken nervous, it was Adamss Everything I Do (I Do It For You). That gravelly voice is so well-known, says Aiken about Adamss iconic rasp, I didnt know if I could do the song justice. With a lovely, restrained vocaland an arrangement with a lilting Celtic feelAikens version is an undeniable highpoint of the new disc; its one of the most romantic songs the singer has ever sung.

The new songs also give Aiken the opportunity to show off his emotional growth, with each track highlighting a different facet of his personality. Everything I Have (written by Jeremy Bose) brings to mind the poignancy of an Art Garfunkel performance. The songs subtle piano and string arrangement allows Aikens naked voice to express the delicious ache of love. Every woman I have played that for absolutely loves it, says the singer. I have people telling me they want to play it at their wedding. A Thousand Days (written by Christian Leuzzi, Aldo Nova & Emanual Olsson) and These Open Arms (written by Jon Bon Jovi & Desmond Childs) are both classic Aiken, with big dramatic vocals and rousing, take-no-prisoners choruses. The fourth new track Lonely No More has a lighter, more playful pop sensibilityand the song also represents Aikens first songwriting credit (along with writers Andreas Carlson, Samuel Waermo, and Mimmi Waermo.)

Perhaps the most astonishing artistic departure for Aiken was the decision to cover the Mr. Mister hit Broken Wings as an ethereal, New Age-like track. With an otherworldly spoken word vocal by poet Erin Taylor, the song is a spectacular tour-de-force. We didnt know if it would work. We took a chance, and Im so happy with how it came out.

Clay's MySpace

[KSChristian4Clay]

***INSIDER SPOILER***

From cotton at CV:

Insider on.
Christie Brinkley 1st

Clay Preview:
Lara says "you can serenade me anytime!"
Hinting at Clay Aiken's major announcement!
You could hear him singing for a couple of seconds.

It's recording - so I'll 'flesh out' my recap after I get to rewatch after the show ends.

Billy Joel's daughter. Brad Pitt and fatherhood.Lindsay Lohan.Ellen - OscarsLeo Decaprio. pfft. Who cares? New James Bond. Kennedy women.

Lara says:
Clay Aiken's serenade to me! EEEEEE !! Singing!!

Too much teasin'! Dancing Wynona and Hal singing IWKWLI.

CLAY!!! He sang! He talked! He smiled!!
No announcement. I don't know if that's all. I'll have to rewatch.
3:45 pm right now. Pat O'Brian did tease about a big announcement???

More Kennedy stuff. Wahhhhhhh! I want Clay!!

How many commercials???? Dallas news! Another DUI. Sheesh.

Clay singing! Pres. appoinment was the big announcement. No details about it.

I just want to add that when he walked up to Lara she told him he looked gorgeous and he said

"FINALLY"

[quynn]

allows Aikens naked voice to express the delicious ache of love.

Oh My! 

[Sundancer]

Thanks, Meesa. I love to hear him talk about his music!

[grammaof6]

What a great article! Thanks Meesa for the find. Lately there's been lots written about ATDW, but it seems we learn more and more each time.

Marilyn, could this have been a Murphy's Law day for you? Everything that could go wrong, does? Perhaps the rescheduled interview is a POSITIVE thing. You'll know where to go this time, you won't eat at Wendy's and you'll WOW the interviewers to the core! I'll be thinking about you on Monday.

[KSChristian4Clay]

From brightstar at CV (this is paraphrased):

As per OFC in Soiree forum on the Virgin Megastore thingee on the 26th, Jerome will be there.

This new post basically gives guidelines for fans who are going -- Clay will sign one item per person. Fans do not have to buy the CD to get one signed--they can bring their own purchased elsewhere, though purchases there are encouraged. They can take pics of Clay, but he will not pose with them for pics. And the usual "say your piece, keep it short, and move on quickly" thing. Sounds like they think all who come will be able to have their item signed.

[ILClaymate]

HOLY SMOKES!  More new pics!

THUDMUFFIN

HOLY FEDORA!

[aikenseeker]

HOLY SMOKES!  More new pics!

THUDMUFFIN

HOLY FEDORA!

I'm sorry, could somebody please re-direct me to where I appear to have lost my brain, and my capability for speech....

*whimpers*

 

 

[fantasy]

Ok, Clandy I didn't look but just the caption "Holy Fedora"... I don't think I have to see it to 

[grammaof6]

HOLY SMOKERS! Now those 2 photos I likey.  Where did THEY come from?

[claydevotee]

Quote
allows Aikens naked voice to express the delicious ache of love.

Oh My!   

QUYNN, do you think maybe OUTTHERE/AMY or MISHA is the ghostwriter for that article?

~~~~They're stringing us along on the Insider right now....conjoined twins, "Dallas", Brangelina, oh, lookie lookie it's Clay!!!  (and his "naked voice" is giving me some "love aches" right about now)        

[claydevotee]

HOLY SMOKES!  More new pics!

THUDMUFFIN

HOLY FEDORA!

CLANDY, Between that first photo, especially and seeing HRH on the "Insider"   

[Marilyn]

I JUST LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THE FIRST ONE

THE SECOND? DONT LIKE THE VEST- IT DETRACTS, SOMEHOW.

BUT THE FIRST?? AND NO NECKLACE TO HIDE MY ADORED CLAYNECK

WOOO HOOO!

[clayMaine-iac]

Okay, Clandy----

where is my avie with the fedora??? Hmmmm????? 

I am currently watching The Insider.  Anyone else here watching???

[Marilyn]

Okay, Clandy----

where is my avie with the fedora??? Hmmmm????? 

I am currently watching The Insider.  Anyone else here watching???

YUP- JUST WATCHED. I LOVE CLAY
AND WE HAVE A NEW CLAYMATE!!

[clayMaine-iac]

AND WE HAVE A NEW CLAYMATE!!

Yep!  Another one bites the dust. 

[Marilyn]

HOLD ME IN THOSE ARMS, BAYBEH

BEST BUY JUMPING THE GUN A BIT, MAYBE?

[Marilyn]

AND WE HAVE A NEW CLAYMATE!!

Yep!  Another one bites the dust. 

SPOILER

I WAS DISAPPOINTED WE DIDNT HEAR THE WHOLE SONG!

[clayMaine-iac]

I gotta say, I really liked his hair much better tonight.  It isn't in his eyes any more.   

[Marilyn]

I gotta say, I really liked his hair much better tonight.  It isn't in his eyes any more.   

DUDLEY POSTED SOME GREAT SCREENCAPS ON THE OFC. HIS HAIR LOOKS LIGHTER AND REDDISH- MORE NATURAL- I LOVE IT!!