bottlecap Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 (edited) I know nothing about the vocal stuff - only what sounds good to my ears. Right now, I am fascinated by the kind of growly tone Clay has at the end of the word "Emmanuel" in each of the songs that contain it. I can't tell you exactly what he's doing, but it's something and it's consistent. Edited December 5, 2006 by bottlecap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennaZ Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 I am a bit confused why there are not enough albums to go around - why do a project if it is not for profit. I think Walmart expected to make a profit on the the original order, but just didn't expect AIW to sell as quickly as it did. If it's true that they've ordered more, my guess is that they're actually earning a decent income on these CD's, enough to make it worth restocking. I've also thought a big reason they may have wanted an exclusive was to draw people into the stores for the Christmas shopping season, although I'll admit, I haven't seen any Walmart promotion for it. I would not be surprised if RCA and Clay are not earning a lot on these CD's. However, I can see how they might view this as an opportunity to develop a good relationship with one of the biggest music retailers in the world. Also, the low price might attract consumers who might be hesitant to pick up a full album at first. And if people like this mini-album, it's possible they'll eventually buy other albums as well. The part of the blog I liked was the indication that Clay now has a sort of production team he can call on quickly - as Jaymes noted in her blog - John Fields as producer and Stephen Lu for the string arrangements. I just always like the idea of Clay building ongoing professional relationships. I am also thankful for Jaymes' apparent push for Clay to write lyrics. Me, too. It's great that Clay seems to have developed good relationships with producers, and that he's becoming more comfortable about taking an Executive Producer role. I still have yet to get my hands on this CD (will try again today), but if reports are accurate that this may include some of his best produced tracks yet, it's encouraging to hear what he can do, especially given so little time. It seems to me that since day one there have always been times Clay's voice has sounded rough. I always attributed it to his allergies. But lately I have thought for the most part his voice has sounded better than ever. To my ear - untrained that it may be - his voice seems to have a richness and maturity to it I never heard before. With the exception of Waukegan (and I am sure a few isolated times in the past), I think his glory notes have been fine. Yes, to me, Clay's voice has often sounded a bit "rusty" when he hasn't been singing on a daily basis. His first concert has never been his best. And we do know colds and allergies have affected his vocal quality in the past, and that he seems to be susceptible to both. I would look to those first before blaming Paxil. However, on the whole, I haven't noticed a pronounced deterioration of his voice, and I agree that he seems to have developed a new richness and maturity. Some people love to worry, and some people love to get other people worried, but this is bullshit! Are they listening to everything he sings lately, or just to ATDW and AIW? Also, they have short memories--I remember some clunkers on Solitaire, and this "his voice is going" is an old, old refrain. Pfffttttt. So true! For some, worrying about Clay is a full-time job. If it's not his voice, it's his career, or his health, or his mental state of mind, whatever they can think of. You're right, jmh. It's nothing new at all. Just another spin of the same old wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAndre Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 Yeah, what all y'all said. For the last two days. All I know is that wow, Clay is sounding delish to me. He is funny as hell and I need to somehow get though 9 more days before I see him in person... Also, he's cute. Especially when he's talking 'bout his crotch. How do I deal with the haters, bloggers, idiot deejays and assorted gossip perezites? I don't, because I don't give half a shit about any of them. Works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atinal Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 I am convinced that there are some in this fandom that are not happy if they can't worry/doubt about something and in turn make others worry/doubt about something related to Clay and I just don't understand it. I don't know if this has much to do with the subject of Clay's voice and the feeling of someone thinking he is screaming: Some singers with strong voices are difficult to record even in a controlled professional environment. I remember reading many years ago before Reba McIntyre became famous that one of the reasons she didn't receive a recording contract sooner is that they didn't feel they would be able to record her voice properly, that the tone and range of her voice would be distorted. People recognized she had a powerful, beautiful singing voice but didn't feel it could be captured well on recording. I'm sure the equipment and the processes have improved since then with sound engineers who know what they are doing. So, if "some" think that Clay sounds like he is screaming on the fan videos made with non professional equipment it's entirely possible that they are not getting a true sense of how it sounded live. I can say that in Merrillville, he did not sound screamy or yelly at all, at least to me. Of course, you can take my opinion with a grain of salt too, because I was the fangirliest of all of the minions, just because I was there hearing him sing live again, and loving every minute of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couch Tomato Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 Somebody got banned at OFC? LOL... almost worth the effort to sign in to find out who. Speaking of which, is anybody else having trouble logging into OFC. Anytime Clay blogs I have to get a new password. I would like to go leave a nice message for Jaymes. Gotcha Play. I shouldn't try to read when I should be sleeping. I also think the more Clay sings the stronger he'll get. It's been awhile when he did this on a consistent basis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskifest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 After watching the AIW download from last night, I've been thinking about this whole voice thing and was going to come on here and expound on it... However, I see something of far greater import has been leaked.... Who got banned from OFC? No.....really.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playbiller Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 (edited) I just thought it was an interesting way to run a board, to advertise the status of a person, the person - no one important, just another pod person. Since I really never post there, don't have a blog there, I don't think I will ever be banned - what? Am I going to be a bad lurker? Edited December 5, 2006 by playbiller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atinal Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 Ansa, wanted to say that I agree with your well thought out post at the CH and the sharing of Clack, I'd also like to say that I don't know Precious at the CH, but I understood what she was getting at regarding the Waukegan AIW. Those responding to her seemed to feel that it was posted by some hater that just got it off of one of the public sites, I think she was feeling like it was a "fan" who put it up on YouTube and couldn't understand why a fan would do that. I understand her concern and confusion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottlecap Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 From angelty at the CV about Verona: We went to the bus last night and I got a handshake. We were talking to the security guard at the bus and she met Clay and said he was very warm, kind and a gentleman. There was also a vocal group of young people with disabilities all dressed in red who we were talking to after the concert. They all had pictures that were taken with Clay, both group and cheek to cheek pictures. They were in love. These are the things no one knows about. I just love him. A funny thing... while we were waiting, casino busses were stopping in front of us. One stopped just as Clay was approaching. OMG Claymate anger at it's funniest. People were yelling and gesturing "MOVE BUS"...get going, go away, Clay's coming, don't mess with the Claymates. Man, what a heartless, talentless, so-over bastard this guy is. What am I even still doing here? The casino bus thing? I can soooo see the crowd physically pushing or pulling it out of the way if necessary. "One, two, three - Heave!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskifest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 This picture in my avie from river on CB absolutely takes my breath away. Unfortunately, I'm at work and don't have my iPhoto thingy to lighten it up...only have Paint here and I have no idea what to do with that one! But when I get home I will fiddle with him (heh) and make him easier to see...cuz he's absolutely breathtaking---everything about this picture is perfect. sigh. see? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAndre Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 I gotta know who was banned too... Man, what a heartless, talentless, so-over bastard this guy is. What am I even still doing here? I'm here 'cause I'm evil like that. ETA: Dang, muski! Warn a girl when you post the pretty like that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskifest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 I just sent that GAH picture to my hotel contact in Chicago that was an enabler of my Sunday Clay soiree with the Pink Posse. She's the one who kept my 11x17 picture of the AIW pose that I had on a poster board to welcome the Posse to the loverly suite where we watched Clay on a big screen, drank mimosas, wine and ate chocolate Clays and cheesecake. She listened to some tracks of ATDW and fell in love...and some lust, too! I'm hoping to get her to join me if I ever go to a Chicago area ATDW concert.... How easily they fall.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claygasm Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 God there are some luscious pictures from last night! Muski's avie is breathtaking! And this one by Invisible926...... Be sure to click twice....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskifest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 Yep, CG, I almost used that pic for my new avie...classic good looks, IMO.... drop dead beauty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
playbiller Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 I don't know, he looks like he just got off the island to me (survivor reference here, maybe if I watched lost, it would be a lost reference), The fuzz does give hi chin a sharper definition though. Ok, going to do some work and get ready to go. Hee. Tra la, tra la, concert day is here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 God there are some luscious pictures from last night! And this one by Invisible926...... Be sure to click twice....... Oh. My. I'm not a huge profile lover, but that picture sends me over the edge. What a beautiful, beautiful man. Ok, going to do some work and get ready to go. Hee. Tra la, tra la, concert day is here. Isn't that the most exciting feeling in the world? Have a great time tonight play, we'll be looking forward to your reports! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ansamcw Posted December 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 YAY a discussion on Clay's voice... I am definitely not an expert, a year of voice lessons in High school and 5 years in choir does not make me an expert but our choir director was so good at explaining the mechanics of singing that I never forgot that. It has made me appreciate how difficult Clay;s job really is and that even if he makes it look effortless it is never that. I do think Clay is singing better now than ever. Yes I detect some wear and tear over the years...some may be due to age and others just the result of putting too much strain on those chords...but Clay has learned to develop his artistry and interpretative skills. He also has learned to use more technique in getting great sounds and not just barrelling through as he used to do in NC...he has more finesse in his delivery, and there is now more body and character in his tone. Why does he sound like he is screaming in the glory notes? Cos essentially he is...he is putting a lot of energy and power behind those notes...not just to reach them but to create a certain majestic feel. There are other ways for Clay to reach these notes...one is by going falsetto...but this is not the effect he is going for...this was meant to be a strong and powerful section. Now what makes this different from a scream is because he is controlling the chords so that a beautiful sound and notes come out of it instead of just garbled noise. That is what can be so exhausting. Its trying to control all that power... and at that range. He was going for operatic tenor range and the reason why opera singers can handle this in a smoother way is because they are trained to approach these notes by placing their voices in a different way...thus they produce the chracteristic opera sound...and that is not what Clay sounds like cos he is a pop singer thus he has a very different placement in his voice. I once heard Pavarotti and Sting sing a duet...they were both hitting the same range of notes but the sound is so different. Most pop singers do not attempt this range and sustain notes cos it is very difficult to do. I also agree that I think people are just romanticizing the past. I dont see too much difference in the quality of the last note of AIW and the last note of BOTW... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldyjocelyn Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 How about some fun with the pretty profile? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskifest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 Oh, I do so love to pontificate on something I know little about. hheee! I've actually sung 'professionally'---used to do nightclub gigs in my twenties/early thirties with a guitar player and a microphone at little places in my small town in Delaware; have been part of the musical entertainment of a state beauty pageant (shut up); sung in a band my senior year of college that performed at a dinner/dance place, etc. And have only in the past few years NOT been part of a regional choir performing classical music. All that being said (hah! as if that really were ALL THAT! ), I still have had only one semester of a voice class, shared with five other students in college, so what do I know? I have to say that upon hearing the three live performances of AIW so far, I've had these reactions: Waukegan: He sounded desperate to me much of this evening, even before the last two sounds. To my ear and eye, he was reaching and grabbing for not only the quality, but even the PITCH at some times. THAT was truly a surprise; he's almost always RIGHT ON pitch. He obviously was NOT at his best, but he's still the best, you know? 'The Note?" Yeah, he couldn't quite do it, but I think---after how he seemed to struggle most of the night---I'd have been more surprised if he'd nailed it! Merrillville: This was such classic Clay, to me. He was pissed and pissed that he hadn't 'delivered' the way he so demands from himself and was bound and determined to do what he knows he can do. And yes, he 'hit the note', but I have to be honest....I'm not sure I'm such a fan of how this whole thing has taken on a life of its own. "Will he or won't he?"...The song is incredibly impossible to do consistently well night after night---much moreso than ANYthing he's ever sung before---I actuallly wouldn't mind at all if he changed it up a bit to avoid the NEED to prove that he can do it over and over. Verona: When I watched this, I got uncomfortable a bit because the wait for the end became a show within a show in a way and...a little weird for me to watch, to tell the truth. (And I'm not talking so much about the facial contortions..don't really care about all that.) He was so intent on 'getting it out' that THAT almost overshadowed the beauty of the song itself for me. You could see it so very, very clearly in his whole body language (talk to MEEEEEE, Clay, with that body ) and the look in his eyes, the set of his scruffy jaw line. It was amazing, yes...he is amazing and I love him. Maybe it was because I've begun to anticipate this song now as its own 'show', I received the actual NOTE as being screamed somewhat, instead of just being a vehicle to deliver the song's meaning. In short...I KNOW Clay can sang, y'all. Most of the time his voice truly transports me to a unique place that no other vocalist can....I'm thinking of NOT watching a few of the AIW downloads, though, just...because... Gee. I'm at work. Think I should do something like....budgets or...something.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bottlecap Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 Well, golly, y'all make me feel unedumacated. [tm Homer Simpson] I certainly enjoy reading the perspectives of people who have some vocal training and music knowledge. Much food for thought. I must admit that I'm having some mixed feelings about the banter right now. It seems so very much fan-focused, and I wonder how the more casual concert-goers are taking it. I'm also wondering if the audience attention-whoring antics are going to increase exponentially. playbiller, have a fabulous time during your concert run. If you come back all squealing and fangirlly, I promise I won't tease you. That is, unless you use more than 3 emotions in a post. And particularly if all three emoticons are dancing bananas. Then all bets are off. [Back to surreptiously trying to watch the crotch banter Clack without getting busted.] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennaZ Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 (edited) Ansa, wanted to say that I agree with your well thought out post at the CH and the sharing of Clack, I'd also like to say that I don't know Precious at the CH, but I understood what she was getting at regarding the Waukegan AIW. Those responding to her seemed to feel that it was posted by some hater that just got it off of one of the public sites, I think she was feeling like it was a "fan" who put it up on YouTube and couldn't understand why a fan would do that. I understand her concern and confusion. I agree with your post, too Ansa. I think there is a need for greater discretion, especially now that there are so many more available means of distributing video. I do think there has been a lack of discretion in the past. IMHO, there was a lack of discretion when the link to the "hands" photo was posted. I also think that there is such a demand for Clack that when people upload to public sites, they really have not been stopping to think, "Could this be used against Clay?" or "Would this be embarrassing to him if shown out of context?" I don't believe I have ever heard of footage kept out of concern for Clay's image. The only reason people seem to have not uploaded video is because of picture or sound quality. He's missed notes before, forgotten the words, etc. (I remember a particularly gruesome "Run to Me" from long ago.) It's all been available. However, what may be charming and forgiveable for fans, can be ridiculed by detractors. I don't think it's too much to ask before putting up Clack, "Is this something you wouldn't mind seeing on the morning news?" Because, quite frankly, that's entirely possible. We're living in a digital age. I don't think it's "Letting the haters win" to take a moment to evaluate Clack before posting it. 99.9% of the Clack is magnificent and worthy of broadcast. We just need to be aware that we're not the only ones watching. Edited December 5, 2006 by JennaZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claygasm Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 (edited) It is interesting to read what those who know at least a little something about singing think. My feeling about THE note in AIW is he still isn't 100% confident he can hit it consistently so he tenses and has to work for it instead of singing with his usual ease. I believe if he starts hitting in consistently, like for a week or so, he may relax a bit because his confidence in his ability to hit it consistently will grow. I also think it then also become less of a concern in the fandom. Or not. ETA: I must admit that I'm having some mixed feelings about the banter right now. It seems so very much fan-focused, and I wonder how the more casual concert-goers are taking it. I'm also wondering if the audience attention-whoring antics are going to increase exponentially. I agree with this and I wonder what those who just go to these orchestra performances think. Much of the joking isn't "in" jokes, but he definitely plays to the fans and that, of course, leads into attention-whoring which I am sure will increase! I wish sometimes Clay would ignore those trying to be noticed the most. Maybe it would shut them up. :glare: Edited December 5, 2006 by Claygasm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskifest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 Oooh! Lookie! A buddy of mine from EAYOR lightened up and cropped my avie picture for me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muskifest Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 Crap....y'all are gonna get me fired...this is so much more interesting than budgets.... I read a bit of a discussion on CH about that whole fan-focused banter thing. You know, there are people who think Ethel is a fame-whore who is an embarrassment and irritation to the fandum; then there are those who think she's a lovely woman whom Clay seems to like and who is just one lucky beyotch to have his attention and affection (Hi, couchie!) Would I have tapped his boot to tell him his fly was unzipped? You're kidding, right? Hell, if I'd been able to reach, I'd have grabbed his ZIPPER with my teeth to let him know! not really, of course.... But seriously now folks....sometimes I admit to sighing a bit at what might seem to be his encouragement of attention-getting behavior, but Clay's so damned masterful at commandeering the direction of the banter, I don't worry in the end.... Oooh...commandeering and masterful and Clay in the same sentence....excuse me a moment.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennaZ Posted December 5, 2006 Report Share Posted December 5, 2006 I don't mind Ethel. She seems like a genuinely warm person, and Clay seems to like her. I'll admit, I do wonder if Clay may be directing a bit too much of his banter to the repeat audience. However, he does seem to be bringing the house down. Personally, I have a feeling that Clay is going to get funnier and funnier as the weeks progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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