Carolina Clay

I don't have a kewl banana emoticon, but I will say ... BATTER UP!!!

Hope that helps!

Caro

Ahem. Anyway, I think he's just using some rubato, which he has the perfect right to do as a soloist.

Definition of rubato - Rhythmic flexibility within a phrase or measure; a relaxation of strict time. Having certain notes arbitrarily lengthened while others are correspondingly shortened, or vice versa.

As Caro said, it's Jesse's job as the pianist to keep the beat and the rhythm going, and Clay can then play around with the vocal timing as he pleases to suit the mood of the piece. Soloists do this kind of thing all of the time. It's sort of like melisma, only with rhythm. There may a little room for the cellist to use some rubato, too, but overall I think the cello part should be played as written, with perhaps a little bit of relaxation of the beat now and then.

Giddy ... Gabby ... Gibby -- excellent lesson in rubato!

Caro

Back to Clay's instrument. I love what somebody way back there said about Clay's musical artistry and talent---I only took one year of piano way back when and have never had vocal training other than a semester of a voice class in college, but I've always sung in choirs and actually did gigs during my 20's as a 'professional' singer with a group and with a lone guitarist in smokey nightclubs...heh. There are so many things about Clay's voice that I appreciate (although not all things---he sometimes has a harsh, ear-blasting nasal quality, IMO)...and I do recognize how adept he is at harmonizing and thinking on his big feet when he needs to mesh with an orchestra or accompanist...

One thing I'd like to ask the musical pundits here....on LAA, sometimes the timing seems odd to me---that maybe Clay is coming back in a little too early or maybe the cellist is a hair late or something...is that just my ear or is it designed to be that way? Or am I hearing things that are/aren't there?

Not a pundit, but I agree about LAA. That's what I was trying to get at with my earlier question.

Clay's harmonies are amazing, and I think one of the reasons he appreciates Q & A is for their ability to harmonize.

I totally agree with the statement about Q & A's harmonizing abilities. :00000462:

What I'd really like to do is see the score for LAA. The piano is what holds that song together. Jesse is keeping a pretty steady beat which allows the two soloists to bend the beat somewhat. After four nights, Clay and the cellist probably could "take liberties" more than usual, JMO.

I'm not a vocalist, though I've been around many. My husband played drums for Sonny James (you have to be a fan of older country music maybe to recognize him, but he's in the CMA Hall of Fame and was a big deal in his day), and my BIL is a minister of music. Mainly, I think all this talk about vocals comes down to what pleases us in tone, pitch, timbre, as well as what moves us emotionally.

I agree that, on occasion, Clay does have some harsh tones, perhaps when he pushes his voice/instrument to its capacity before reigning it in. Sometimes it's beautifully done, sometimes not quite. With his upbringing, he can no doubt attain a country sound/twang at the drop of a hat. "Tractor" was not a stretch for someone growing up in NC.

**waves** Hello, Cindilu! Keep your songs, g/f -- you know what you like, and that's what it's all about. Music is very subjective.

Back to scheduling lessons ...

Caro

Thankful4Clay, since I have the same board heritage as you, I thought you might be interested in some of the research that went into the "booer" conclusion. I had to scroll back about 10 pages in the previous thread to find this list deducing Clay's favorite cuss word:

couchie wrote:

BWAH..you know what..Ethel's name gets bandied about like nobody's business and from what I understand it's because she's a famewhore so she gets what she gets. Well, anyone who boos at a Clay concert is a famewhore of another kind so why is she being shown such respect. I honestly don't get it. She booed, in public, at his own show. It's on the clack. So yeah fuck it..I say yes take the r out of his favorite cuss word and there you have it.

Should we just call her She Who Must Not Be Named? (apologies to the HPH KAndre & Co.) Seriously though. Why is it not okay? Clearly she doesn't have any guilt, compunction or shame over her actions. I figure if you do something like this, you at least ought to own it. The anonymity of the message board gives people a bravado they don't always possess in 'real life'. Oh, right. Nevermind.

Voldemort was in Orlando?

H E L L...no R

H E C K....no R

D A D G U M....no R

B A L L S...no R

A S S....no R

M E S S....no R

SH..S T U F F....no R

C R A P.....

Now about that 5 against 4, I totally missed the question. Looks like a good explanation from Gibby.

While I'm at it, I'll put some thought into Clay's instrument. The puffed cheeks are hilarious -- I would have let him have it I were his band director.

Caro

When we were waiting outside the gates at Cary, we met a young woman who had come from South Carolina with her boyfriend that day. It appears that the orchestra needed a viola player or maybe another .

So obviously he did not have anytime to practice with them before the rehearsal with Clay. She did say he had played with them a few times before. This plus the unbearable heat could be a reason for the poor sound there. I expected them to be exceptional so I was a little surprised.

Disclaimer: I have never been a musician nor do I pretend to be one.

Somewhat off the topic; but I tell all my violinists if they REALLY want to be indispensable, they should learn to play viola, too. They can almost write their own ticket. Just like this violist got called while many violinists in Raleigh couldn't fill the bill.

Caro

I have been scheduling fall lessons ever since I wrote the previous post, but I see you folks are doing some great analysis. Just gives me an excuse to run the Orlando show again ... EEEEE!!! While I wait for some call backs, here are a few thoughts ...

One of my favorite solos -- and I'm prejudiced because it's my major instrument -- is the oboe on "Everything I Have." There were some excellent oboists in the tour orchestras, as well as on the album.

Of course, two other obvious solos are the cello in LAA and the great little sax ride at the end of "Perfect Strangers." You can see Clay give these soloists props in several concerts. Puggmom, a high school alto saxophonist in the OFC Blogs, and I have debated the fact that the sax sounds more like a soprano than an alto.

I love the sound of French Horns, and you can really hear them soar in the countermelodies of "West Wing."

Clay's voice fits so beautifully with an orchestra, but I think he knows some of his fans would like another "band" tour with the new CD. Probably if the new songs include upbeat/edgy material, his next CD tour will reflect that. I NEVER extrapolate, so this is not factual.

I am an instrumental music major, but I love the way Clay sings harmony. He makes the ideal duet partner in that he lets the solo part take the lead. My mother, a vocal ed major, appreciated this, too. Until her death in 2005, she had to hear Clay's voice every single time I visited her in the nursing home. And every time, she sang harmony for him the same way, "a la Clay Aiken."

YIKES, this was written before I saw Gibby's -- just corrected that from Giddy, LOL! -- question about my favorite orchestras of the tour. I didn't download all of them, so I'm counting on you guys. For sure, the last one because they were together for four shows. I think I remember that Chautauqua was really good. Seems like I remember that Raleigh was not, probably due to some of those heat-related tuning problems.

I would love to the see the manuscript for "The Classics." Heck, I'd like to see one for the whole show.

Caro

Good Morning, FCA! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

I just toured the Meet & Greet thread and found some more folks to add to my welcome list. Totlak, washgirl, MzKatieOne, titch, and anyone I missed -- we're glad to have you!

LOL, I quoted KAndre's post, but couldn't remember why. So much for the brain cells this time of day. :eusa_whistle:

Speaking of which, Carolina Clay, when are you going to share your expertise on the orchestras and arrangements this tour??

Orchestra expertise in a nutshell -- some were better than others. Heat and humidity do a number on all instruments, make tuning a bitch, and play havoc with pitch. However, professionals learn to deal with it, some better than others. All of this is based on watching videos/listening to audio since I didn't actually attend a live performance this time around.

Being able to sightread a show was never more evident than at Meadowbrook when the music had to be faxed from Michigan and the rehearsal was delayed and shortened. It's just part of being a professional musician.

About the arrangements, I thought they kicked ass; and I read at least three blogs by tour musicians that said as much. You may remember Jennifer, the flautist from the Frisco gig who wrote about Clay's professionalism -- i.e., he couldn't hear the flutes in his head/ear phones and asked for a sound check. Jennifer played the piccolo solo from "Stars and Stripes," definitely at the high end of difficulty. Well, it was July 4.

Jennifer mentioned Jesse's arrangements in a comment in my blog, but here is her write-up of the rehearsal: Are You Achin' for Clay Aiken? You will recognize her rehearsal photo, which has been passed around CA boards and blogs.

I have a violin student auditioning to be a member of a youth orchestra this weekend. She will have to play a piece, a major and a minor scale, and sightread whatever TPTB put in front of her. Hopefully, she will be ready.

Question: Is this board analyzing videos or just audio?

Y'all have a great day!

Caro

Hi! I’m new here. (Oh, god, I really suck at these introductory posts so please be patient with me.) Anyway, several people had recommended this place to me and I have been lurking the past few days and I like what I see! What a concept! A Clay Aiken message board where you can pretty much say what you think and actually bask in some Clay Joy!

WORD!!!

More welcomes to all new members/delurkers -- xxx4clay, woolovereyes, texwriter, ncgran4clay, and lindylo. :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Thank you for the beautiful gifts, xxx!

**waves** to Toni down below! Weve been enjoying your pix, too!

Caro

oops - I thought that said "I wanna play"!! Oh well - that works too!

Hi everyone! Can't believe I registered for another Clay fan board but I was directed here by others, who told me it was a "fun, smutty" place and that I would fit in. Hee!

Welcome, Canuck! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Yep, you're in the right place!

Caro

Jamar - I haven't started my songs yet but I'm kinda worried about knowing if the orchestra is good. One of the orchestras in Cali was blatantly off so even I heard the sour notes... heh. But I'm pretty good at tuning out everything but Clay's voice. Comes from years of ignoring my dad while looking him straight in the face.

It's a great skill to have.

I have seen people posting the same thing about the Raleigh orchestra. It could have been the heat in a lot of venues; but let's face it, some orchestras were better than others. Heat does making tuning a bitch.

That's a great talent you have for tuning everything out but Clay!

Caro

ETA: I meant to wave to Desertflower, whom I saw down below earlier. So come back, Oh Pure One! **waves**

Hello, FCA! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Welcome to all our new members -- Sassybabe, Laljeterfan, Ialreadyam, N_OF_THE_49TH, Dazaccent, Watcher, Bert53, FromClaygary, Dewdrop. I finally had to make a list.

I loved the green/blue board discussion and nodded through just about every post.

I feel as though I've died and gone to heaven. You have NO idea how long I've been looking for a place that doesn't trash Clay but just accepts him as he is. Honestly, I feel like dancing. I might!

This may be the most quoted paragraph of the past two days, but WORD again!

I have been Carolina Clay (with or w/out the space) since joining the boards. I shorten the name to Caro when I sign a post or blog. The latter I update every three days at the OFC and at Carolina On My Mind on Blogspot. I promise not to bother you with these, though you can almost set your clock by my schedule. In addition to being a musician and a retired orchestra teacher, I am a former newspaper reporter and love to write. I have friends and family who literally keep up with me by checking the "Carolina" blog.

During AI 2, I was thrilled to discover the skinny white kid with the huge VOX was from my home state. I wasn't around for "Take," but quickly became a loyal voter and supporter. I am a member of a private board and CV where I post more in the Paint Shop Pro Forum than in the linear thread. Same with the Pavilion vs. the Street at CB. Jamar, I was once a Forter, but mostly read. When Clay didn't win, I began looking for info any and everywhere.

I feature a lot of graphics by the visual artists from CV and the CB. That's how I met Cindilu2 and Sally. My current lead blend is by AmazingCA:

Clickable

Want to know my favorites by Cindy? I can link you to Forever Clay.

**waves** to Karen Eh? Eleven concerts of pix -- I remember you let that slip the other day, and I can't wait. Meanwhile, have fun in Canada!

Welcome again to all the newbies from boards known and unknown! Y'all have a great day!

Caro

Good Morning, CV ... I mean FCA! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Greetings to all the latest enrollees: aikim, merryclay, vjm, Ivy, Huuugs, and Wandacleo! So much for green ink -- welcome to the land of blue, which is rarely invoked in a menacing manner. Hope I didn't miss anyone. I finally scrolled back and made a list.

I had a ton of quotes -- from newbies and otherwise -- but somehow lost them in the process. Loved reading the posts from last night through this morning. We even have Aikim's countdown.

Hey Caro -- thank Brightstar for inspiring my signature will ya?

Fandom Currently Awesome

HEEEEEEE -- sure will! I already told her FCA thought her list was "off the chain"!

Y'all have a great day at FCA!

Caro

BWAH! But I betcha I'll hold on to my record of being the only person thinking you were a white woman with long blonde hair!

:lmaosmiley-1:

No, that would be Toni7babe!

TGIF and Happ Weekend, FCA! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Rohdy, Liney23, and Thankful4Clay!

Have a great weekend, all!

Caro

Welcome keldanker/CC, and hello to Belly_Aiken, too! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Have a fun camping trip, Luckiest1!

I have run lots of Riversend's pix. Must go back and right-click some posted previously.

'Nite, all ...

Caro

Welcome back, Luckiest1!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Some kewl emoticons, Cindilu!

Caro

Wasn't able to see a concert this tour but have tried(unsuccesfully) to keep up with the recaps.

Anyway just wanted to say hello and will try to jump into the conversation if I think I have something worthwhile to add.

Bratz -- great to have you here!

Hello, O-MOM! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

LOL, I'm listening to Orlando for the ***dredth*** time, and Clay just told Angie she might want to button her top. Er um -- glad he doesn't take his own advice.

Caro

ClayGlo! Great to have you here!

Certainly have enjoyed your tour photos!

Caro

dropping in quick for a banner switcherooo...

thanks to rcknrllmom for our new sexy banner...

Wow - the new banners RAWKS! Love it! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Ditto, Rcknrllmom!

Caro

Hello, FCA! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Greetings to Pushin' and Bookwhore!

Book, great opening post ... just after "the photo" made its debut, LOL!

Yes, Cindilu2 -- a full out banner change is in order! Oops, you aleady did it!

Scarlett, would love to see screen caps from a celebrity!

You know, I LOVE it everytime I see a photo with the tagline "Orlando" on it. Just like a big 'ol FU to the HRL staff. HeeHee!

HEEEE is right!!! Love your sepia photo and many others, AAIT!

Now that's showing a truckload of class. MWAH to you, Ethel!

Seconding or thirding the motion -- very classy, Ethel!

R.I.P. Lickiest1! Welcome back, Luckiest1! :00000442:

When a CV'er asked "What is FCA?" Brightstar provided these possible definitions ... at 11:28 p.m. on her birthday, no less!

Frisky Clay Aiken?

Focusing on Clay Aiken

Finding Clay's aperture

Fabulous cannon accessory

Faulty closing action

Finding cause to admire

Focus, celebrate, appreciate

Forcing Clay to adjust

Frontal crotch art

Many thnx for the NJU story in my blog, Muskifest!

Y'all have a great day!

Caro

Oh this is perfect...the three of them doing this song...

hee...He is up to the task....

I hope we at least get audio of that!

Caro

Hello! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Between the spotty notes -- and a good imagination -- I guess this is it. Wish we were at the party! :fest09:

Caro

Good Morning, FCA! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

Been catching up with you guys reading the threads, and there's a lot going on. Sorry I cratered during the cellcert last night. My carriage/pumpkin arrived early.

If anyone could rip me an mp3 of RHW, I'd be eternally grateful. I can do it myself, but not until tonight.

I have been listening to Deborah's audio this morning and would love to have several songs as singles. I love the way Clay is improvising changeups in these songs. RHW is right up there!

Thnx for the wonderful recaps!

Have a great day, all!

Caro

This part was funny about watching too much TV:

TV Themes...West Wing...He watches a lot of tv. Ask his mom...if she's still there. He used to get grounded from tv when he was young. When Mom and Dad were driving home from work they could tell if he'd been watching tv so he learned to pull out the door on the side of the tv so they couldn't see. They got smart--got out of the car down the street and walked home to catch them.

This is from Momof3boys:

JAPAN girls update... two won prizes at the pre party..now how will they get that big gift basket home

They met Faye, I guess she said something about telling her son about them

The girls gifted Faye with a Japanese outfit that she said she will wear tonight (I hope I heard that correct)

Faye showed up just for the end of the pre party (last five or so minutes)

The donation to Symphony Meet had confusion due to not approving with Clay camp so it will be short and sweet I guess.. (all this news is not 100% sure I got the jest of it, some details may be off a bit due to a hard time hearing the news.

According to a post at CV, Faye was presented a dress by the Japanese fans ... and said she would wear it tonight.