You know the songs, so here are just some random thoughts from the show. It’s long, sorry. I tried to make it shorter, but I forgot how. In fact, I’ve practically forgotten everything, including how to think. Maybe this is that Christmas spirit thing I’ve heard so much about.
Dear Clay:
Please sing every concert in Raleigh from now on in a place like Meymandi Hall where the acoustics are sublime and your voice sounds otherworldly.
ThanX!
His voice filled up the space like it was the very air we were breathing. I think I got a catch in my throat at the very first note he sang, and didn’t lose it until…well, I’m not sure I’ve lost it even yet.
I swear I didn't know I was so sentimental about Christmas, of all things. I don't even like Christmas all that much; what it has become anyway.
But sure enough, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas was when I started smiling, and when my face felt numb by Merry Christmas With Love I realized I had been grinning like some loony bird the whole time.
First things first - What Are You Doing New Years Eve…where did that come from?!?! One minute he's singing a bouncy Sleigh Ride and a schmaltzy waltz and the next he's visually slaying everyone on the front row, and the next thing I know I’m on my knees turned backwards in my seat watching him dance with his former teacher not twelve seats away. How embarrassing, but whatever. I was … feeling the spirit. Yeah, that’s it. ::blushes::
He’s very tall. He was moving slowly, so slowly down the aisle, ravaging everyone with his laser greens. It looked like he was prowling, seeking something, or someone, to drive mad with just a touch. I noticed things – such as that he knows how to slow dance like he
means it. He also knows how to
hold someone when he slow dances. He really, really does. His teacher gave him a little kiss, he gave her back a killer smile. Holy smackers. Merry Christmas to meee!
::dies::
When they announced a twenty minute intermission, I think I groaned. I think it was out loud. Oops!
The second half was magnificent. O Holy Night was such a glorious hymn of praise; so dynamic and somehow mysteriously subtle at the same time. Silent Night was so beautiful, it’s one of my favorites on the CD. I’ve never heard his voice sound quite so sweet as when he sings Silent Night.
You’ve all heard about Clay singing I’ll Be Home for Christmas to his Granny and Papa Aiken. He sat on the edge of the stage right in front of them, front row center. I thought about the “gas” joke in the book and smiled. It looked like his grandfather reached out for Clay at one point during the song; I didn’t know how he could go on singing. I could barely breathe, but he sang on. His face was glowing. It was very, very touching.
Don’t Save it All for Christmas Day was powerful and passionate. You can tell the lyrics hold meaning and he was feeling it! At the end when he crouches down it’s like he is channeling some great vocal force that starts in his toes and it travels up and out and fills up the whole room with a blast of truth……Yeah!
Second only to the songs themselves is watching Clay as he feels the power of the songs. It almost makes me feel like a voyeur watching him experience the music. I am a peeping tom y’all.
As I mentioned last night, the inspiring glory notes, the extended wails, the emotive power Clay expresses in song always make my heart beat faster. But with these songs, in these venues, with the kids, the choruses, the lighting, the simplicity of the set design, I was much more touched by the gentleness, the instances of a more tender delivery, the sweet passion expressed in the more substantive presentations.
And speaking of substance, the encore of Good News was breathtaking. This was performance art - the stark vision of Clay in black against the white curtain, his eyes cast upward in respect and praise, the focused lighting on the choir behind the curtain, it all gave the scene an ethereal tone. He didn't stand center stage because this wasn't about him, this was about something higher taking center stage. I never felt as though I were in church. But I did feel as if I was witness to a personal exploration and intimate giving of thanks and worship. That peeping tom thing again. Thanks Clay, for letting me watch.
It was quite beautiful and entertaining and special. Very special.
I will treasure this concert always; I’m not sure I will ever hear this particular voice again, filled with such awe and gratitude and sentiment. Clay’s voice, when it touches you like a gentle caress, goes a long way toward making you understand what he must be feeling when he sings the songs. He shares that, and what a gift it is. For me, Clay is the Christmas spirit.
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