keepingfaith

I'm finding a lot of interesting link on that RS website. For instance, Jimi Hendrix has a new album coming out in March, with a single to be released in early February. And they have an article on My Morning Jacket about the band's extensive repertoire of covers -- "From Danzig to Dylan." In the comments section posters were saying such things as .... MMJ doesn't have nearly as many live covers as Phish ... and someone said, "Phish? Black Crowes puts them all to shame and definitely does the most covers ..." These people seem to be competing for numbers of cover songs. So has there been a paradigm shift and Clay's on top of it? (and Clay's fans are late to the party?) I have a theory about Clay and RCA, by the way. I don't think RCA had much independence in promoting (or not) Clay's career and determining how he would be used at the label. I think it was ALL 19 business. 19 contracted with Sony/BMG/Whoever to partner with them to record and distribute its Idol artists. I think 19 was the "Owner" and RCA/Jive/Etc. the "Contractor." RCA got a standard cut and 19 was counting the money in the back room. So I do believe Clay's "Former Owner" was the responsible party. I don't want to debate it, because it's just my guess that 19 drives the Idols' buses as long as they hold their contracts. Clay got out of the "management" hold early on, but his records were all stamped, "19/RCA" with "19" first. I have a feeling that all the hate hoisted on old Clive Davis may actually have been better intended for Simon Fuller. I'd always suspected this, but Fuller's new partnership with PH clinches it into my category of "firmly held opinions."

I have to share this in case there's another Neil Young fan out there and you, like me, missed Jimmy Fallon on Thursday night. In a one-day turnaround, Fallon impersonates Young singing Pants on the Ground from the Wednesday AI Audition of Gen. Larry Platt. I already like Jimmy lot, and this just may be the best things he's EVER done. The following clip is from the rollingstone.com website. "Neil Young" - Pants on the Ground Anyone casting a biopic of Neil Young has just found The Man! Tip: Be careful listening to Italian songs because they really get into your head in the night while you're sleeping. This morning making coffee I'm singing this Italian song in my head and realize it's not Volare ... it's Al Di La! Emilio Pericoli's Al Di La. Which is just a pound or two less cheezay* than the Jerry Vale version, or the Sergio Franchi version, or the Connie Francis version. N-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o! (So hopefully the Jimmy/Neil bit cleansed my memory palate for the day.) or ci sei, as it ci sei tu From the same Rolling Stone page: For solo performers, Michael Jackson left Taylor Swift and Susan Boyle in the dust. "Classics" must be the rage right now. Or else, current pop AND rock is just the shitz. I think it's a case of both being true.

Yes by the Gipsy Kings, but I don't think Clay would ever sing that song in their style ... And I do think he'd freshen up the original, but I LOVE Domenico singing his song! What's that spell? What's that spell? What's that spell?

Nothing's wrong with Volare. But I don't know nothin' 'bout no Dean Martin singing it (although I do remember Bobby Rydell). It was Domenico Modugno (my mother's record) for me -- the Ultimate One Hit Wonder. He won Song of the Year Grammy ... and that was it for Domenico, I guess. A jazzy Volare in Italian could be fab. I guess Volare is similar to Unchained Melody, it was a hit for several in the 50's and the 60's. Since WKOFMI and MTK are from Broadway shows, I've been thinking of other Broadway hits from the 50's and 60's that Clay could make magic with ... Make Someone Happy (would be a natural for Clay) Just in Time (in that Nina Simone way) From West Side Story: Somewhere or Tonight As Long As He Needs Me (hopefully some day) People (remembering Sir Robin's luckiest people in the world!) No Girl from Ipanema? Okay then, how about, Blame It On the Bossa Nova? But that breezy vocal style takes me to Dusty Springfield's The Look of Love, which is a TRUE hot classic. And that somehow connects in my brain to Jackie DiShannon's What the World Needs Now. Didn't he sing that on AI. A group thing, maybe?

All great songs, djs. Hurt by Timi Yuro. Wow. I'd forgotten that one. Wow.

Okay you Bedpost people, you asked for it! What about: Papa Oom Papa Maw Maw Rama Lama Ding Dong Who Put the Bomp in the Bomp, Ba-Bomp, Ba-Bomp How Much is that Doggie in the Window Sixteen Tons This Old House Yummy Yummy Yummy (I Got Love in My Tummy) The Bird is the Word My Boy Lollipop Beep Beep (The Nash Rambler Song) Running Bear The Name Game? (Clay Clay bo-bay banana-fana fo-fay fee fie mo-may, Clay! A little trick with Nick ..... Then the Country songs: Drop Kick Me Jesus Through the Goal Posts of Life I've Got Tears in My Ears from Lyin' on My Back While I Cry in My Bed Over You The Only Ring You Gave Me Was the One Around the Tub Take the Dice Away from Baby, Mama, Before He Craps All Over the Floor You Can I Miss You, If You Won't Go Away How Can You Believe Me When I Say I Love You When You Know I've Been A Liar All My Life? Get Off the Stove, Grandma, You're Too Old To Ride the Range (with props to Dave Barry!) Can't leave out the Death Songs: Tell Laura I Love Her Teen Angel Honey Patches Last Kiss Leader of the Pack I'm sure there are 20 more I can't remember (blessedly). The songs that made me hurl, even back then: Dreams of the Everyday Housewife Walk Like a Man (who was it that said .... "Hey, Frankie, SING like a man!) Take a Letter, Maria Wives and Lovers (Hey, little girl, comb your hair, fix your make-up, soon he will open the door) He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss) Johnny Get Angry Treat Her Like A Lady (As strange as it seems, you can't treat a woman mean) Could there be a chance for: MacArthur Park? Volare? (clearly a classic from the '50's for several people) American Woman (Get away from me)? In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida? Baby I'm-A Want You (about which Barry wrote: Baby, I'm-a too lazy to write lyrics that scan, so I'm-a just adding an extra "a" whenever I'm-a need a syllable) But for a real suggestion: One of those barn-burners by Brenda Lee from the 60's .... All Alone Am I, I Want to be Wanted, Break It To Me Gently, I'm Sorry ... Brenda Lee had big hits with her BIG VOICE! Clay can do things with his voice most other popular singers can't do -- and I believe he should do it! It's why I loved that he sang "Without You" .... BECAUSE HE COULD!!!!!!!

Yes, he was a blond. There were always rumors that he dyed his hair to copy his favorite singer, Roy Orbison, who dyed his hair black, too. Some said Elvis dyed his hair to match his mother's dyed black hair. Anyway, he was a very blond child and a dirty blond young man.

No way to know if it's true, but I have suggested "What Kind of Fool Am I?", and "Mack the Knife" for a couple of years. Neither are romantic, but they are singers' songs. Never liked "Mack" until Clay blew it away on AI. If he's resurrecting AI songs, I'm still holding out for "To Love Somebody." Personally, I much prefer "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" to "My Eyes Adored You" and in fact, it was about the only Frankie Valli song I could tolerate after "Sherry" so I guess I'm happy with that one too. If this is correct, so far he's covering Mancini & Chorus/Jerry Butler [MR was never a hit for Andy Williams although he made it his TV theme song), Sammy Davis, Jr./Anthony Newley (because WKOFAI was a Broadway show-stopper before it was a Top 40 hit), Bobby Darin, and Frankie Valli. If Clay ever recorded Going Out of My Head by Little Anthony, I think it could be a winner, too. Okay, if not necessarily romantic songs there may still be a chance for "House of the Rising Sun!" These are ALL 60's songs, so the 50's speculation remains wide-open. Still a window open for The Platters. Not being a fan of '60's Elvis, my hope is that if he covers Elvis it would be '50's E: "All Shook Up" (for some of that wiggling and jiggling y'all have me thinking about); "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" (just to put me in a blissful coma); "Love Me"; or my all-time Elvis favorite ... "Too Much." I was a little kid listening to my older cousins screaming for Elvis, so for me, Elvis was never the same after the Army. Could be because some certain Mop-Tops from Liverpool showed up right on time. But 50's Blond Elvis was always more authentic than 60's Vegas Elvis for me. And 70's Bloated Elvis was disgusting, to me. There are a gazillion great songs. But, for Mack the Knife, one of the songs that put him in the awe-inspiring category on AI, I can only say EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! ETA: If we're talking Motown, I think the whole world must know how I feel about "Reach Out (I'll Be There)," don't they? Until Clay, I never liked ANYONE attempting to sing a Levi Stubbs vocal. I repeat, ... Until Clay!

I don't know, merrieeee, but I just don't think "romance" when I hear House of the Rusing Sun. I don't see Clay doing a "life gone down the tubes" kind of song. Especially when it was ruined in a New Orleans house of ill repute. (And especially a song recorded by Bob Dylan on his first album.) But I could hear Clay doing some Platters from the '50's, like Only You, My Prayer, and especially Smoke Gets in Your Eyes. I discovered the latter song in the 80's and I fell in love with it. The sound of the first word of that song does me in. I'd like to hear him sing those songs that are rarely covered because they require an amazing voice to sing. Simon Fuller created American Idol, and then he sold it a couple of years ago. I guess he wants back in the talent-search reality-show business. As for Conan, he is reaping the sympathy vote. His ratings are soaring now and Jay Leno is going to pay a price when he gets the Tonight Show back. I've heard so many people say that they won't watch Leno ever again, and these aren't Conan fans but people who think he's being shafted and support the underdog. David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmell and Conan are calling Jay out by name on their shows this week for being cut-throat. How this settles out is going to be very interesting. I don't see how NBC Television CEO Jeff Zucker maintains his job much longer. He's brought NBC from No. 1 to No. 4. I'm sure Clay's PBS special DVD will be available at Amazon. Hit Man: David Foster and Friends is for sale, as is Andrea Bocelli's "My Christmas" show from December, and the Doo-Wop oldie shows. However, when you order during a PBS pledge drive you often get something extra -- plus it gives PBS incentive to do more shows with that artist if the pledges are forthcoming. A win-win. The last time I saw Clay was at the David Foster show. He's had plenty of time to do any number of things with his hair. I wouldn't be surprised if the hair color and style he has for the PBS taping is the same one he'll have on the album and on tour. Maybe he'll want to look romantic and all Christmas 2006-ish ... or JBT ... or even something new and trendsetting. (Because as much as people gig him about his clothes and style, he seems to be at least a year or two ahead of the general public at all times.) And if he doesn't have a venue for the PBS special, perhaps he'll consider the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts in Houston. It's a beautiful place and acoustically marvelous. Not to mention that Houston's KUHT was the first public television station in the United States, and thrives today. It was an original public station with the National Education Television group, which eventually became PBS. Yeah, Houston would be an excellent choice! I'm so excited for merrieeee and "the golfing thing." EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I vote in favor of not caring what people on other boards are bitching about, or disappointed in. I'll just say this, if I hear the new album and Clay's voice sucks, then I'll be disappointed. Barring that, I can't wait to hear Clay sing romantic songs in that sexy, sultry, and sometimes whispery, and other times demanding, voice of charismatic clarity. And if he didn't sing romantic songs, I wouldn't get that edgy, emotional throatiness he seems to have a patented. Now, if we get to make suggestions for romantic songs, I vote for "To Love Somebody" pretty much exactly like he sang it on AI. And I can think of about 40 more right now that I'd DIE to hear him sing. I love that voice so much that I'm not at all particular as to the category or style. I like some songs in just about every type of music and I believe that Clay can make me love anything he warbles and trills so effortlessly in and around that sexy mouth of his. And I seriously don't give a hoot (or a crap) if other people need more than that. Not my problem. I love the guy, and that's why I pay to belong to the OFC and post on this Clay Aiken fanboard. I.am.thrilled. Oh, and one more thing ..... EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

I gotta say that Adam wasn't the only one I didn't like last night. I thought Leona Lewis's voice was surprisingly weak, and choppy. I didn't see J-Lo but I haven't been a fan of lip sync since American Bandstand. Really, I don't know what was with all the singers on this show. I would have preferred more dancing from past winners. The singing was just not entertaining for me. As for Bocelli, he had a PBS Special with David Foster just a few days before his new album was released. It was very good. I watched it because my mother called me shortly after it came on to ask me who he was. I turned it on, ID'd him for her, and was hooked to watch the whole thing. Now he's not been one of my favorites heretofore .. I've never bought his music ... but it was a first-class show and I downloaded a couple of Christmas tunes a few days later when this album was released. I also saw Bocelli on one of the late nights (or maybe Leno?) doing his duet with the Muppets, and David was with him again.

Ahem, my intention is not to insult anyone, and I know that if you can't say something nice it's better to say nothing ... but what the hell, here I go. I finally saw a live performance of Lambert on SYTYCD last night. My reaction is .... who are his fans? I can't see what anyone sees in him. That garb he was wearing was laughable. What was that on his shoulder, a fungus or something? It was unclear to me if the eyeliner was intentional, or a dripping mess. The retro spats were hideous. The whole look was bizarro, and not in a good way. His hair was over-black, over-processed, and not flattering. The pound of make-up made me wonder ... just how bad is his skin, really? His voice is not even in the same town as greatness, unless you think a screeching, whining Axl Rose was one of the greats. And his floppy tongue hanging out on the high screeches was so off-putting it made me and my granddaughter go "Ewwwwww" at the same time twice. That song he sang was instantly forgettable, nothing more than ordinary pop pablum, and I don't know if he is capable of singing high notes without screaming. Is he really supposed to be so talented? If this guy would put on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and blow-dry his hair, and wash his face, and sing unaffectly with his tongue in his mouth, he may have a future. But what I saw last night were the death throes of a desperate marketing campaign. Hated it. I don't foresee ever making an effort to hear or watch this guy again. I simply can't stand fakes, and that's what I saw last night, in flashing day-glo. The aftermath of that performance only made me more and more hungry for real talent, real music, i.e., new music from Clay Aiken. And I don't care what he sings. Or if it's considered hip or classic. It'll be real, and warm, and wonderful, that much I know. Year Seven coming up. Wow.

Bopping in to say that my home computer has bitten the dust. I've been working with it for weeks now and thought last week that it was okay, but now it has to go because it has just about made me crazy. I'm not going to buy a new computer until after the Holidays, so during my two-week Christmas vacation it may be difficult for me to check in, what with my son and granddaughter hogging the other one. The "other one" is 10 years old and works like a charm. It is a Sony Vaio. The one in my bedroom is a 4 year old Dell, and apparently a POS. Soo, ehpeeps, if there's breaking news in the next couple of weeks, and you haven't seen me on the board, help a girl out with a text message, please. Regarding Annise Parker, my mother called me last week and asked if I had heard that Annise is gay. I told her, yeah, I've known it since she was first elected to City Council about 12 years ago representing The Montrose. After 3 terms on council and being term limited she was elected City Controller. After 3 terms as Controller and being term limited, she ran for mayor this year. The field in the general election included (1) an openly gay woman, (2) an openly black man, (3) an openly old white man, and (4) an openly hispanic man. And the old white man was probably the most liberal of the four, although all four are Democrats. Contrary to conventional thought, Houston is a Democratic city, having never elected a Republican mayor in it's history. Occasionally a Republican will give it a shot, but has never been successful. Actually candidates don't run according to party affiliation in Houston, but people know who they are. So we elect Democrats and have already had our first woman mayor, our first black mayor, and although it wasn't public knowledge, we had an in-the-closet gay man elected two terms as mayor in the 1970's. I got put-out with Gene Locke in the final days of the run-off when he accepted the endorsement of the Steve Hotze group (Hotze heads up the local Republican gay-haters club, the kind of group that would be simpatico with the current school board in Raleigh). THEY made it a news story here by distributing homophobic-themed flyers. Yet even after it was blasted about at the last minute, people here have known Annise Parker for years and it had little to no effect on the election. There was some, "Did you know that?", "I didn't know that," and little else that I heard. Now, my mother is 87, and a Southern Baptist, and she was fine with the whole thing. She told me that Annise opened her victory speech Saturday night by saying, "Let's get this out of the way right at the beginning, in case anyone hasn't heard .. I will be the first mayor of Houston who is a graduate of Rice University." Mother thought that was clever and said, "You know, I think I've only known three lesbians in my life, Annise Parker, Rachel Maddow, and (a lawyer from the little East Texas town where she was born), and they are all smart women." I love that my mother is still evolving at 87. I know the little town she grew up in was (and remains) racist as all get out, but she is one of President Obama's biggest fan (and has been since Hillary dropped out last year). She stopped subscribing to the little newspaper in that town because they "said ugly things" about President Obama. She LOVES him. Almost as much as I do. So, it may be a big deal elsewhere, but here in Houston we've known Annise Parker for years, and her sexual orientation was not an issue in any of the previous 6 city elections she won; and it wasn't an issue in the mayoral general election this year, and only became talked about in the waning days of the run-off. But then, Houston has never been a hotbed of anything except maybe frying eggs on the sidewalks. It's just too diverse and friendly a place for all that controversy crap. (FYI, just because Old Man Bush and Bar live in Houston shouldn't cast aspersions on the city. Houston voted for Al Gore in 2000, and John Kerry in 2004, voting against Junior both times -- and Obama carried the city lst year.) And on a personal note, I'm extremely excited that my daughter is coming home for Christmas this year -- it's been since 2005 since she was here. My sweet Noelle.

I guess I've missed this controversy til now. But my first blush reaction is ... I don't get why this is a controversy. I found a link to Clay's voter records from 2004 way back at the beginning of my fandom, which was 2006. Clay was on record as voting in every municipal election in Raleigh and every state and national election in Wake County in 2003-04. He was mostly voting absentee, because he was living in California at the time. Did no one object to that at the courthouse? Wasn't he well known there? Wouldn't they know he was living in California? And wasn't he living in NY during most of 2008? Voting under the address of the home he grew up in has been a constant all these years, and he established a precedent in the community. The people going after Clay on this are really showing their asses.

Interested in seeing Sam Rubin, anchor at KTLA, go after PH? It's a goodie! Huffington Post has the video here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/08/k...h_n_384622.html Here's a tease with the concluding remarks: Maybe "the turning" has begun. We've had too many tabloid years now, too much talentless crap shoved at us. And while it's not over yet, maybe marketing fakes, and tacky self-promotion actually do have a shelf life.

Hi, Couchie! I started watching HDD on Tuesday afternoons and still do when I'm free, as I am today. For the past few months, I check the charts to see just how low the numbers can go for a Top 5 "hit." And it's been amazingly low. Regarding Susan Boyle, I hope the White House thing works out, but I heard that there could be a problem. She's been invited to sing for Michelle's birthday, but word is that Susan only sings on tape and may be too emotional for a live performance. She would be a promoter's nightmare, except for the fact that she's already sold about 1.3 million CDs in two weeks. She's not my thing, but she's an absolute phenomenon. Andrea Bocelli is normally not my thing either, but his Christmas album is gorgeous. (Maybe it'll help put Parker through college, 'cause David Foster done good here. It could take some of the pressure off of Charice to fund Parker's education.) I heard the Gatorade story and they are stressing that they aren't breaking their contract with him, just withdrawing one product named after him, which was intended for a limited time only. However, I can't see how his name will be worth much in the foreseeable future, unless he's selling golf clubs. I was one who thought this was a story that didn't deserve the first 15 minutes, but there was oh so much more to it, and now he'll be lucky if he's not too freaked to show up in public for a while. Personally and professionally, he's screwed the pooch. Golf is a game of nerves, and his must be shot. Kobe's wife stood by him during his crisis, but I think Tiger stands alone right now. It's certainly all crashing down on him, but he has millions and millions for consolation. I just can't scrape up any pity for this man. As long as there are people who lose their jobs and their healthcare and their homes, my heart is with them. Tiger can just cope the best he can, like everyone else.

This just struck me as funny -- remembering those kids declaring in the Nike commercial, "I am Tiger Woods!" Can you imagine kids lining up to say, "I am Jack Nicholson?" Jack has always been such a self-professed low-down, dirty rotten scoundrel where women are concerned. Just a thought, but wonder if Tiger would have become such a profligate were his father still alive? Wow, congrats to Andrea Bocelli who held on to #2 this week with 103% increase over last week. Even Susan Boyle had a % decrease, but Josh Groban, Michael Buble, and Sting all had % increases due to their Holiday music products. Here's hoping Clay will have another Christmas album in the next year or two. I know he said that he had recorded all the Christmas music he liked, but he hasn't recorded all the Christmas music I like! I want to hear him sing, Angels We Have Heard on High, and We Three Kings, and Deck the Halls, and Carol of the Bells. And ..... I'd love to hear Clay sing "Santa Baby" though he'd probably not sing that outside a very private setting. But, still, I triple dog dare him.

Has an announcement been made as to who is replacing Diane Sawyer on GMA? I read yesterday that she will replace Gibson as news anchor on 12/21. Wonder if Clay made inquiries? Remember when he wrote that he had sent a text to DS about the replacement and she asked if he were interested? I'm sure he was interested. Also read today that Lambert has been canceled from JKL and Dick Clark's Rockin' NYE show. ABC must be royally pissed.

Man oh man do I miss Clay! I am so ready for new music. The best things I've listened to in the past year have been Clay Aiken and the The Beatles' remastered albums. Nothing else seems to do it for me. Adam Lambert is derivative to my ears. He does nothing that Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury didn't do worlds better -- and look better doing. And to my eyes and mind the guy is just flat unattractive. Could I be reacting to the hubris jumping out of his very large pores? Susan Boyle? Bores the ever-loving crap outta me. Nice voice, but oh so slow. SuBo takes dragging it out forever to a whole 'nother level. In fact, I suspect she may be unable to voice the lyrics at a faster pace and thus these songs are slowed down and dragged out in uniform sameness. Wild Horses is a great song and her voice is nearly inspirational on it, but it's almost 5 minutes long and I enjoyed it for about 3. Now let's take OMWH. All I have to do is refrain from listening for a week or two and it captures me all over again by revealing new sound-gems that were apparently hiding from me before. That's what I like, something that NEVER gets old. The Beatles' remasters are showing me new things after 40 years. So that's where it's at for me - INTERESTING music with layers and secrets that are exposed over time and that always satisfy and amaze!

I'm not out of town, but may as well be with what's been going on in my life. Enough is enough!Just here for a sec -- but did notice last night that Andrea Bocelli sold more than Adam Lambert, and it was Bocelli's week 2. Could it be a result of the PBS Christmas special he did with David Foster last week? If so, then apparently PBS Specials can be more productive promo than closing spots on the AMAs ... with controversy. (I'll bet RCA took Lambert to the woodshed over that performance.) Oh, and I love that Bocelli records for Decca too. I have to mention that when I am out of touch with the board and can just peak in from time to time, it seems to grow my obsession with Clay, and my thoughts of him. What is it? I'll never be able to shake this guy! YAY!

Alright, that's the best picture I've seen of him at the Gala. Looks like he can see for miles and miles and miles and miles and miles. Oh yeah.

Are you telling me that some people are issuing their regular ultimatums to Clay again? I don't know whether to or . Are the music industry experts in the fandom sharing their expertise as to the path toward his greater success, and is Clay not playing along with their career plan? Is he again ignoring their pronouncements on the songs he should record? If so, it's definitely a for me. To be sure, I'll always be a fan of Clay Aiken. Can't be sure I'll always be on fan boards, because if FCA ever went away (God forbid), I'd probably confine myself to lurking at the OFC for status reports. I certainly wouldn't associate myself with places that censor some speech while giving wide berth to ripping Clay Aiken to shreds, or boring me to tears with faux authoritarianism over his career choices. There's a difference between expressing honest opinion and grinding the old ax. Oy vey! To be clear, Clay can go on Broadway again, do a talk show, take a recurring role in a TV comedy, record every couple of years and tour occasionally while spending most of his time working with National Inclusion, or blow up to the heighths of all glory with adoring multitudes and paparazzi camped on his front lawn; he can sing classics, new songs, obscure oldies, write all his own material, or never write another song. I'm along for the ride and I appreciate how cool he really is. Not transitory/popular cool, but inner cool. I trust that he knows who he is and what he wants and how to get it. I draw no lines in the sand. I'm not open to disappointments regarding what he does with his singing stardom. I just ask for more recorded music to increase his repertoire and my choices. And I'm going to get it! YAY!!! If others have a limit to what they can listen to and enjoy, that's their deal. I just don't know why we all have to suffer through hearing about it over and over and over again.

As much as I am a music lover, I don't think of what I like according to genre. I like tons of Motown, but not all of it. Mostly The Supremes, The Temps, The Four Tops, and Marvin Gaye. I also am a devotee of classic Wilson Picket, Otis Redding, Joe Tex, Bobby Bland. I am toast for Dylan, Baez, Richie Havens, The Byrds, and Donovan. My girl icon of the 60's was Dusty Springfield. I have a passion for Led Zeppelin, especially early Zeppelin (although some would argue it was never late). I like a lot of U2, but not all of it, and the U2 I do love is almost religious. I adore the Moody Blues forever, a more esoteric religion. I buy Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains. Elton John and I share a soul somehow. I listen to Shumann and Mendelssohn, Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. Everyone should know by now how I feel about The Beatles. My most recent CD purchases have been The Beatles. Nothing, absolutely nothing in my past musically would indicate that I would fall in love with Clay Aiken singing songs. I don't have a history with crooners, I mean, Neil Diamond was always too crooner for me. Not a fan of Sinatra, or Elvis either, after he became a crooner. I did enjoy the All Shook Up era when I was a kid watching my teenage cousins bopping around to Elllllllllll-vis. But the balladeer Elvis had me moving up the radio dial. All the Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, swinger singers totally escaped me. When I heard Paula Abdul say that Clay would sing Mack the Knife that night on Idol, I groaned. I really did groan. So, what happened was that he completely kicked my ass with that one. And that one long last note. He owns that note. And it was saloon, but transcendent saloon. He HAD me with that last note. So do I want him to sing I Left My Heart in San Francisco, or Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime? Unh-unh. On one hand, I'm not a fan of the balladeers; on the other hand, I'd lie down in the middle of road for Clay Aiken to record Mack the Knife. So who do I pay for my time on the couch here? Ha! (Maybe I just answered my own question! ) I recently read a Paul McCartney interview where he was asked what music he likes to listen to. His answer was Nat Cole. He only recently discovered him and can't get enough. However, I can't imagine Macca singing Ramblin' Rose!!! Okay, enough tangential thinking for me tonight. ETA: Scarlett, were any of those folks wearing glasses and had spikey hair? Ha!

Since everyone has at least 2 cents worth, here's mine even though I wasn't there and am relying on Clack: I thought Moon River was sung exquisitely, although I've NEVER liked that song. It's not my generation, it's my mother's generation. I've never been a Andy Williams* fan and always have identified that song as his theme since he sold millions of it in the very early 60's. But again, it was Clay's sexy voice that sold that song to me in a big way. It's not so much the song itself but Clay's interpretation that compels my love for it. Same for that Frankie Valli song -- always disliked it intensely!! But Clay's arrangement was quite wonderful, especially the attenuated note. Yes! But he could easily do that with any other song, and that one is apparently about what a big deal it is that a 6th grader "never laid a hand" on the object of his affection in the 5th grade. It's an 'I'm looking but not touching' song, and absolutely leaves me cold. Again, Clay sang it extremely well and almost made me like it because I sensed that he felt a personal connection with the lyrics. And while lyrics are always a consideration in any song, these never laid a hand on me. Enough about the music ... as far as how he looked, he looked puffy-eyed from the first pictures on Saturday. Either he was down with allergies, or he'd been crying. People mention how Clay was suffering from his grandfather's death, but Clay is an empath and I'm certain he suffered as much for his mother losing her father and his grandmother losing her husband, as he did for his own loss. From whatever cause, his eyes looked quite swollen and painful to me. Also, I think it was fantastic that National Inclusion has been recognized by the Eunice Kennedy organization. This iconic woman, who, sadly, died earlier this year, created the Special Olympics in 1968. They are now, officially, The Paralympics, part of The Olympic Games. What a huge honor for Clay and Diane Bubel to receive accolades and partnering opportunities from such a venerable organization. * Speaking of Andy Williams, I think I never liked the Osmonds because he had them on his show when they were a corny kids act, well before Donnie and Marie. They were so sappy (IMO, of course) that I couldn't stand it and so I summarily rejected all things Osmond. Let me just say that I saw Donnie Osmond perform one HOT Argentine tango last night on DWTS. I'm reevaluating in light of the stunning hotness of that performance. And he looked fantastic. Yes, I can change.

What does the "fugly" jacket look like?