DEC 29 PHOENIX DODGE THEATER FAN REVIEWS

THE PHOENIX EXPERIENCE

PRE-CONCERT:

Hubby and I left the Dallas/Fort Worth area early Monday morning and drove a loooooong way to El Paso. We spent the night in El Paso, then headed for Tucson the next day. After arriving in Tucson, we decided to drive on in to Phoenix, only a two hour drive. We were amazed at the traffic between Tucson and Phoenix in the evening: very congested.

We arrived in Phoenix, checked in, and were really quite tired from all of the traveling. In fact, Hubby was sick and went to the military base hospital when we were in El Paso. They gave him medication for asthma, but he still does not feel well.

We attended to Hubby's military book business at Luke’s Air Force Base in Phoenix, and then went downtown to “scout out:” the Dodge Theater and the restaurant for the pre-concert dinner, Maherle’s. While there, I spotted Clay’s three buses. And we laughed about a bag of trash with cans between the buses. I said if they were filled with Clay’s soda cans, they would be worth e-bay gold!! We went back to our room, Hubby rested, then we changed clothes for the concert.

In the meantime, I had talked to LIz, Clays_Buddy on the phone. I told her I would be wearing a beaded red vest and a red boa!! Which I did! Hubby wore dress pants and shirt, a jacket and tie. And let me say, he was one of only a handful of men we saw with a tie on! At the concert, we saw mostly jeans and sweatshirts. We didn’t care! We had dressed up for Clay! Actually, Hubby still was not feeling well, and I don’t think he cared who was wearing what!!

Liz was a pleasure to talk to on the phone, and what a sweetheart in person! We met at the restaurant and Liz, her friend Stacey, Hubby and I sat together. We were joined by a lady Hubby said looked liked Grandma Barbara Bush, her husband and granddaughter. We had an enjoyable meal, and Liz and I got in a little “Clay” talk.

Liz and Stacy had already parked at the Dodge Theater so they rode in the van with us from the restaurant down the few blocks to the theater. Of course, the parking place I had eyed earlier by the buses was gone!! So we found a spot around the corner, and not too far from the theater.

As we walked to the theater, a young man came out walking a small black and white dog, not Raleigh. We spoke to him and he said he was part of the tour and the dog, Dudley, was on the tour, too. He didn’t say too much, but I tried for info about where Clay would come out after the concert!

We were going to take Hubby’s camera in to take pictures in the lobby, but when someone came outside and kept announcing they were going to take up all recording devices, Hubby took his camera back to the van, and Liz took her camera back to her car, too. (Later, Hubby said he saw a girl walking another dog when he took the camera to the van, I showed him what Raleigh looked like in the program, and he said that was the dog!)

A long line formed to go in, but as has been my experience, there really isn’t a need to wait in line for a concert. Once the doors opened, everyone was usherd in and bags were searched, but not that closely! There was a raised area with a Christmas tree and two comfy chairs in the lobby. Hubby sat there while I bought a program. (Beautiful pictures, by the way, in the program!)

We went in and found our seats! Hubby and I were at the end of a row with a great view of the stage.

THE CONCERT:

What can I say! No one can perform like Clay. He is the ultimate entertainer: great showmanship, fantastic voice, tremendous rapport with the crowd. I know many of you have seen the JNT concert or download it and know all about it. First, a small child came out and sang “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” Then there was a song I am not familiar with and the children’s choir was present and a choir of teenagers, too, some of which entered the stage from the aisles.
(Later, Liz said she almost joined them and went on stage!! She would have fit right in. She looks like a teenager!)

Clay was wearing the brown toned Argyle sweater with an orange shirt, grey pants, and (dark shoes, I think.) The first part was more of the secular Christmas songs: “Winter Wonderland,” “Sleigh Bells Ring,” “The Christmas Song,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.,” “Silver Bells,” “The Christmas Waltz,” and more I’m sure. He was in great voice and these songs sounded fabulous.

He ended this part with “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve,” and he walked along the front of the stage eyeing those ladies, then stepped down into the aisle and sang to one, kissed her hand, and sang to another and kissed her cheek! Now, I’ve said I think of Clay as “a son,” but he is definitely a “sexy dude!!”

At one point, Jacob did a number on the piano, and Angela and Quiana, both had solos in the second half. What a talented trio they are!

The second half was definitely more of the spiritual, religious Christmas songs. Clay came out in the long coat with a blue tie (or shirt??) In this part, a child would read a portion of the Christmas story from the Bible, and then Clay would sing. He began with “O Holy Night,” then “Silent Night.” (When I first heard his album, “Silent Night” was the song that brought tears to my eyes, and it did so again at this performance!) I’m not sure of the order, but he sang the “Hark/ OCome” medley, “The First Noel” as a duet with Angela. Also, “Mary, Did You know.” I know I’m leaving out some somgs. These were all sung very reverently! And I loved the children being a part of it.

Clay left while one of the gals sang her solo, and came back with black shirt, black pants, and a sky blue striped tie, (subtle stripes). Then he sang what I had been waiting for, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” I was in heaven. He also sang “Don’t Save it All for Christmas” as his ending song. But after a standing ovation, he came back to sing “Good News.” Also, a new song for me. He sang in front of the “chiffon” curtain, and he really looked angelic. His face looked very white to me, he looked up a lot, and he was very expressive with his hands. I forget to watch his hands sometimes, but this time there was no microphone to hold on to and his hands were beautiful. Is he our angel on earth?

POST CONCERT:

Liz and I hugged and both said how thrilled we were with the concert. It was her first, and my seventh, but I never tire of seeing him. Knowing that Hubby still felt ill, I did not go stand at the buses, but we headed on back to our room.

AFTER THOUGHTS:

Clay is a delight in his banter with the audience. He is always funny, and I wish he had shown more of this side of himself on the TV special.

Clay: “What are you all doing New Year’s Eve?” (to the trio)
Jacob: “I want to go home.”
Clay: “Well, that can be arranged!”

Clay: “Don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. Don’t go on a diet. Eat what you want. Eat everything you want!”

Clay: “How many of you watched “Lost” instead of my special?” (Usher starts moving down the aisle.) “Well, here comes the usher to escort you out.”

Clay: “I appreciate you all waitiing a month for this concert. Some of you think I was on vacation!! We are doing Christmas songs tonight. Christmas isn’t over ‘til I say it’s over!”
{Cheers from the audience.)

There was so much more, but I can’t remember all of the funny things he said. Clay is just naturally humorous!

The orchestra added such a classy touch to the whole program. I noticed a little bit of “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” in “O Holy Night” and a little of the Peanuts “Christmas TIme is Here” at the end of “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” on the keyboard.

This is probably my favorite of any of Clay’s tour programs, and I’ve seen one AI2 concert, one Independent Tour Concert, and four Solo Tour Concerts. I think I appreciate more a concert without a lot of screaming and signs and flashbults. Also, I loved the Christmas songs, and Clay singing without feeling he has to shout above a loud accompaniment. The balance was great between Clay and the instrumentalists. (I do admit that I wish I had been on the stage playing violin in his orchestra, but I would not have been able to enjoy him as much, because I would have been concentrating on the music!)

The ushers were quite diligent to stop anyone attempting a picture with flash, and for the most part, there was not a lot of screaming: just loud applause and cheers at the end of songs, and not before a song finished.

I still feel such pride in Clay when I see him perform, and think what a long way he has come from those AI2 days. I always wish that the three stooges (Simon, Randy, and Paula) could see Clay now!!!

My special thanks to Liz, Clays_Buddy, for making these tickets available to me. It was a pleasure to meet Liz and to “share” this experience with her. Thanks to Hubby, who, inspite of feeling ill, sat through the whole concert and was a good sport about coming all this way to see Clay! Also, to Clay for postponing this concert until AFTER Christmas so I could see it!!

Prissy

POSTSCRIPT:

While at one of the military base exchanges, I picked up an outdated “Entertainment Weekly” and saw in the album reviews, they had given Clay a D on his Christmas Album, and proceeded to “pan” it in the review. All I have to say to EW, is you guys don’t have a clue as to the best Christmas Album to come out in years. “Bah Humbug” to EW!