#20: Clay is just so frickin' cute! Cute, cute, cute!

[atinal]

Gibby and Ansa, (and anyone else who has one) would you please share your "best of Christmas lists" when you're fininshed compiling them? I haven't put a new one together for awhile. A couple of years ago I put together one CD that had all of his professionaly recorded Christmas songs and added the ClBing duet and a few other things that were what I considered good quality copies and I absolutely loved that CD, but there are so many things he's added to his Christmas repitoire since then that I really need to make a new one.

Well, looky here, I'm on top, haven't been here for awhile. I always kind of chuckle when I see people fussing about being on top, and the thing that always comes to mind for me is the theme to America's Next Top Model. "Wanna Be On Top?"

ETAA: Can anyone recommend a really good version of I'll Be Home for Christmas? I have a good version of the song, but it has a click somewhere in the middle of it, so I was wondering if there is a cleaner version of it.

[luckiest1]

Gibby, I want to say thank you to you, because you mentioned using the FCA Media "Best of JNaT06" page for recommendations. It's great to know that they are being used (and thanks to ldyjocelyn as well who has PMed me to let me know that some links were not working, etc). So much work goes into making these recommendations, they are really a great resource to have.

I have to put my recommendation in for the jojoct version of AIW audio from last year's Merrillville concert, and agree with those who have recommended the Long Island AIW (I used ClayFaninVA's version). Both are favourites of mine.

ETA: atinal, I have IBHFC from Providence by jojoct on my player.

[Gibby]

Hey, I want to burn a CD of live Clay Christmas music. I have a few favorites, but wondered if other people have particular favorites. I really like MDYK from The View on 12/09/04, Good News from KC JNT 05, and AIW from Vegas. I haven't decided yet on which Emmanuel performance to include. Any other suggestions?

I will give you my "best of" lists:

JNT04:

The Music Of Christmas - Costa Mesa Scarlett

Sleigh Ride - Costa Mesa Scarlett

HYAMLC - Baltimore deborah760

The Christmas Song - Costa Mesa Scarlett

Winter Wonderland - CT jojoct

Silver Bells - CT jojoct

The Christmas Waltz - San Jose Spotlightlover

WAYDNYE - NY deborah760

MCWL - Costa Mesa Scarlett

O Holy Night - CT jojoct

Silent Night - CT jojoct

HTHAS-OCAYF - San Jose Spotlightlover

The First Noel - CT jojoct

MDYK - San Jose Scarlett

IBHFC - Providence jojoct

DSIAFCD - San Jose Scarlett

Good News - CT jojoct

JNT05:

Christmas Serenade - LA Spotlightlover

Celebrate Me Home - LA Spotlightlover

Christmastime - San Diego Spotlightlover

Christmas Waltz - San Diego Spotlightlover

Good News - San Diego Spotlightlover

HTHAS-OCAYF - San Diego Spotlightlover

HYAMLC - San Diego Spotlightlover

Jingle Bells - San Diego Spotlightlover

MCWL - San Diego Spotlightlover

MDYK - San Diego Spotlightlover

MGUCL - San Diego Spotlightlover

Silver Bells - San Diego Spotlightlover

Sleigh Ride - San Diego Spotlightlover

The Christmas Song - San Diego Spotlightlover

IMYMACT - Chicago Filomena123

Emmanuel - NY Scarlett

The First Noel - Atlanta Scarlett

Beautiful Star of Bethlehem - Raleigh Aflack

DSIAFCD - Raleigh deborah760

O Holy Night - Minneapolis Lightnin

I'll be back with my JNAT06. I am not sure I have them quite as wheedled down as these other two, which have been on my iPod forever!

THANK YOU!!!! It will be fun to listen to these.

What I am doing is getting my favorite across the tours too. So I already have my best of from each tour and I am comparing them. What I noticed...aside from the fact that the later tours have better audio....thanks clack gatherers and technology....but Clay's delivery became more nuanced...relaxed. I noticed this most in DSIAFCD. But the strength of the voice was always consistent.

But I did keep one GN from 2004 and 2005. His delivery is really similar but the back up arrangement is different, with a whole choir for 2004 and just the back ups for 2005.

I'd love to see your list when you finish it! I agree about the quality of clack being better in later tours. I find mediocre audio really distracting, so I really appreciate the efforts by clack gatherers to make the quality better.

Gibby, I want to say thank you to you, because you mentioned using the FCA Media "Best of JNaT06" page for recommendations. It's great to know that they are being used (and thanks to ldyjocelyn as well who has PMed me to let me know that some links were not working, etc). So much work goes into making these recommendations, they are really a great resource to have.

I have to put my recommendation in for the jojoct version of AIW audio from last year's Merrillville concert, and agree with those who have recommended the Long Island AIW (I used ClayFaninVA's version). Both are favourites of mine.

You're welcome! And I'm quoting your entire post so that I'll remember to try both of those versions of AIW. Heee, I may end up with a couple of different versions of some of the songs! I'll put them on my ipod and my treo. But I'll have to narrow down the playlist for a CDs I'm going to play in my van and at work.

Speaking of work, I need to high-tail it out of here and get to the hospital. TGIF!!

[Ansamcw]

Atinal...I created my ultimate list a long time ago so I don't know why I chose this but I really love the IBHFC version from Atlanta...by ncclaymate...the problem I had with it was that it had this long intro of everyone...it really is fun if you love banter cos he was too cute with the introduction. But I really wanted an all music compilation so I trimmed if off and now you can hardly hear the audience and he really wails on this one at the end...love it. So if you want a trimmed version I can send it to you.

[christelklein]

Thanks for all the "Welcome" notes everyone :F_05BL17blowkiss: I actually took a few minutes just now to try and catch up on the posts. Great reading.

i too like the "Best of" lists ... as i do hope to burn some more Clay music when i get my computer working. I think i may be able to hook up the internet soon (it's more a matter of switchin the cables and stuff from the totally kaput one and paying for Internet again) .. but the burner is just not working on my old computer ... and that will mean some more $$ (which i can't pay just now).

But when i'm all hooked up and spiffy again ... i do want to burn some more stuff!! And take the time to work my MP3 thingy (maybe that means i can circumvent the "burner" !!)

Love to all!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

[luckiest1]

Well, my iPod battery just died (and I forgot my charger at home) but before it died, I was able to discover why I chose Emmanuel - NY Scarlett (JNT05). It was the "theeee-uuhhhh"s. ::insert thud emoticon::

[merryclay]

I do think that Linda Huber drawing is perfect. The eyes are just right. she is very good.

I do think Clay has planned his career to last beyond the here and now. Just the very fact that he worked the Christmas album and concerts in tells me that he was thinking about being around from year to year. Making himself one of the Christmas singers turned out to be a very smart move. I really, really think he's planning his career step by step and to be around as long as he can.

[luckiest1]

Article on Broadway strike (no Clay mentions):

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/16/theater/...amp;oref=slogin

I sure hope they come to some agreement this weekend.

[atinal]

Atinal...I created my ultimate list a long time ago so I don't know why I chose this but I really love the IBHFC version from Atlanta...by ncclaymate...the problem I had with it was that it had this long intro of everyone...it really is fun if you love banter cos he was too cute with the introduction. But I really wanted an all music compilation so I trimmed if off and now you can hardly hear the audience and he really wails on this one at the end...love it. So if you want a trimmed version I can send it to you.

Oh, I'd love to have it, Ansa, thank you, and luckiest I'll check out the version you mentioned too.

Gibby, I know what you mean about wanting some versions for a playlist that have no distractions. Some of the things I listen to in the car by myself have banter and crowd noise and I enjoy them and laugh along with them, they have fun memories tied to them. However, if I want a playlist to have on as background, when others are around I like ones that showcase his voice and don't have a lot of other things going on in them.

It's funny, I know I don't have as much Clack downloaded and recorded on cds as many of you, but last week I was cleaning our basement office area and I was surprised at how many cds I found down there that I had recorded. Most of these go back to the 2004 and 2005 time frame.

[aikim]

I do think that Linda Huber drawing is perfect. The eyes are just right. she is very good.

I do think Clay has planned his career to last beyond the here and now. Just the very fact that he worked the Christmas album and concerts in tells me that he was thinking about being around from year to year. Making himself one of the Christmas singers turned out to be a very smart move. I really, really think he's planning his career step by step and to be around as long as he can.

I agree!

Kim

[Guest Toots]

Article on Broadway strike (no Clay mentions):

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/16/theater/...amp;oref=slogin

I sure hope they come to some agreement this weekend.

Spamalot is one of the Broadway shows canceled by the strike.

[Couch Tomato]

OMG, I just got an email from someone wanting to pay me to promote Perez Hilton show on my website. BWAH! Ansa told him off before I got a chance to. heee.. Good girl. I went the extra step to say don't even contact me again... cuz really becaue of that link I don't give a damn about who else you have to promote. ahhhh..it's the little things that make me happy.

[cindilu2]

OMG, I just got an email from someone wanting to pay me to promote Perez Hilton show on my website. BWAH! Ansa told him off before I got a chance to. heee.. Good girl. I went the extra step to say don't even contact me again... cuz really becaue of that link I don't give a damn about who else you have to promote. ahhhh..it's the little things that make me happy.

Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick :asshat:

Are you talking about the FCA site? OMG, that takes some balls. Good for you, Couchie.

[luckiest1]

Oooh, three more recommendations! AIW, MDYK and MGUCL from xxx4clay, last year's Greensboro concert. Crystal clear audio.

[muskifest]

I don't think that is what Clay is in this for. I thnk he wants to make great music and record fantastic songs and have people buy Clay Aiken because it's a top of the line brand. <snip> His quote that nobody ever knew what to make of him ... I don't know the context of that remark, but I would guess that observation applied to more than just his singing style. I think the whole person that Clay is has confounded people all his life. He's silly and unpredictable and he has principles. He loves to play the fool, and he knows who wrote the Federalist Papers. He takes risks and he laughs a lot. The list goes on and on.

Oh yes.... and I'm soooooo in love with the man he is....

You know, keepingfaith....next time we run into each other at this or that concert in this or that city, you and I really need to sit down and do some talkin'.... :F_05BL17blowkiss:

So last night was a solemn occasion...I spent the evening alone in the den (by choice) alternately reading my escapist novel (Diana Gabaldon's "Outlander" series...I FLOVE it!) and jotting down ideas for improving the planning process for next year's fall forum. Met with my immediate supervisor this morrning to discuss my talk with the E.D. yesterday and to work out how best to work together. (She was hired just a couple of weeks before this year's conference.)...I have a lot of work to do.

But tonight I'm going to a Warriors basketball game with hubby. I don't really like professional basketball (LOVE college b-ball, but to me the 'pros' are overpaid babies who like the bling more than the thing, you know?)....but it'll be good to spend some time with my man...I can take my iPOd and turn up the volume during time outs when the freaking arena becomes a cacophony of commercialism.

Thanks to all who offered comfort to me re: my underachievement at work. :EmoticonRingAround:

Now....

That Clay Aiken guy sure is hot, ain't he?

[jazzgirl]

Glad to read that you are having fun, muski. Here's a quote to ponder:

"Any new venture goes through the following stages: enthusiasm, complication, disillusionment, search for the guilty, punishment of the innocent, and decoration of those who did nothing." - Unknown

I'm kind of a crusader for ethics in marketing -- and it's lonely out here. For all the talk about marketing Clay, how to, and how much, I don't see that as the issue at all. For something real and lasting, it's all about putting out a unique product that people want because it's really, really good. I can't buy into a scenario where Clay would record throwaway pop just to get on the radio and sell units. That's the old "sucker born every minute" school of marketing, which has gained control without a soul, and there's really nothing there. It's hollow and vapid ~~ just slap on that "Cool" label and push the hell out of it. It's nothing more than a vehicle to coax money out of people's pockets with the usual cynical attitude, and falls far short of anything that can be defined in the ballpark of ethics. I don't think that is what Clay is in this for. I think he wants to make great music and record fantastic songs and have people buy Clay Aiken because it's a top of the line brand.

<snip>

I like your analysis! I think the "build it and they will come philosophy" as in Kevin Costner and "Field of Dreams" works. Put out a good product and people will buy. Of course, we do have the strange saga of the AIW EP, where a really great product was out there, and no one knew about it or could find it! I am glad that the song AIW will be getting some TV exposure with the upcoming skating show.

Before I go to bed, I just have to tell this story. I went to a big classy dinner tonight and happened to be standing right behind Sandra Day O'Connor when a woman I know asked her about a mutual acquaintance and Justice O'Connor said, "You know, he got married again and they're pregnant," and my friend said, "Noooooo. Justice O'Connor, you're shitting me," and Justice O'Connor quickly replied, "No, I am not shitting you." It was terribly funny. And I can't believe I'm at this computer at 2:30 just rambling on! Too much wine.

I suppose this could just as easily go in the Caregiver thread, but it is such an interesting story for those who haven't heard it, about Justice O'Connor and her Alzheimer's patient husband who has found a "friend" in his living facility:

A new page in O'Connors' love story

By Joan Biskupic, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's husband, who suffers from Alzheimer's, has found a new romance, and his happiness is a relief to his wife, an Arizona TV report reveals.

The report, which quoted the couple's oldest son, Scott O'Connor, focused on Alzheimer's patients who forget their spouses and fall in love with someone else. Experts say the scenario is somewhat common.

Offering a glimpse into the private life of a woman who has remained on the public stage since her Supreme Court retirement in 2006 to care for her husband, the report spotlighted John O'Connor, 77. He and the woman, referred to only as "Kay," live at a Phoenix facility for people with Alzheimer's.

"Mom was thrilled that Dad was relaxed and happy and comfortable living here and wasn't complaining," Scott, 50, told KPNX-Channel 12 in Phoenix in a story that aired Thursday. The station is owned by Gannett, as is USA TODAY.

hough Sandra Day O'Connor, 77, did not appear in the television report, it gave a rare look at the life of the nation's first female justice. The family's willingness to highlight an aspect of a heart-wrenching illness recalled O'Connor's decision in 1994 to go public with her feelings about breast cancer.

In a speech to the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship, she spoke about discovering the cancer in 1988 and undergoing a mastectomy.

Scott compared his father to "a teenager in love" and said, "For Mom to visit when he's happy … visiting with his girlfriend, sitting on the porch swing holding hands," was a relief after a painful period.

The O'Connors, who have three children, met at Stanford Law School and married in 1952. John O'Connor left a partnership at a Phoenix law firm to come to Washington with his wife in 1981. He worked for D.C. law firms but was limited in his ability to take on matters that could come before the justices.

As her husband's disease became more difficult to handle, O'Connor retired.

She was traveling Monday and could not be reached for comment.

Peter Reed, senior director of programs at the Alzheimer's Association in Chicago, said the frequency of Alzheimer's patients forming new romantic relations is hard to estimate. "But the underlying causes of this are fairly common," he said. Though patients lose their cognitive abilities and experience mood changes, "one of the things that doesn't go away is the need for relationships."

"Justice O'Connor is certainly to be commended for … raising awareness and helping to reduce stigmas," he said.

Lisa O'Toole, manager at the center where John O'Connor resides, said the facility participated in the TV report "to educate the public about the disease process."

Reed said 5 million Americans have the progressive brain disease that affects memory and behavior.

[muskifest]

Peter Reed, senior director of programs at the Alzheimer's Association in Chicago, said the frequency of Alzheimer's patients forming new romantic relations is hard to estimate. "But the underlying causes of this are fairly common," he said. Though patients lose their cognitive abilities and experience mood changes, "one of the things that doesn't go away is the need for relationships."

Cool stuff....my mom's a widow, but it's uh....interesting when I visit her and see her ALWAYS with her 'honey'.....of course, once I went and she was NOT with him and she told me "We're THROUGH! I've HAD it with him. At first he was all sweet and kind and funny. But now...well, I'm not gonna put up with all his shit."

yes, she said "shit"...

But that was an anomaly....every other time before and after that day, they've been 'together' She's 86 and he's 84.

young love.

[Divayenta]

Hi everyone, I just want to let you all know that on December 1,the night before the DC show, that we are having a Christmas Open House for all who are in town the day before. We live in Alexandria, right next door, minutes away from DC by car or Metro. Let me know if you'd like to stop by! Hugs! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

[Couch Tomato]

Keepingfaith -thanks for sharing your experiences last night. I read it with a smile on my face. I truly love your perspective on the man. I do.

Muski - FOR SHAME. The Warriors are a great time out. I'd rather be there than where I'm going. I love my cousin but she's having her birthday party "in da club" and that is so not my thing at all. I've been dreading it for weeks. But I love her so I'm going.

Diva... ahhh Wish I were heading your way.

[christelklein]

Have a great weekend everyone!!! :F_05BL17blowkiss:

I'm off work (and therefore a computer) until Monday!!

[luckiest1]

From Fountaindawg at the CH:

From the OFC homepage

Clay's "All Is Well, Songs of Christmas" album will be available for purchase on iTunes on December 4!

EEEEEEEE, and when you go to the OFC, and click on it, you get a biggie size AIW cover. It looks awfully pretty on my desktop.

[aikim]

I think that is great that All Is Well will be available on Itunes...I would prefer the actual CD to be available myself, but at least when people hear him sing it, they will be able to purchase it as opposed to last year when you couldn't find the ding dang thing.

Kim

[luckiest1]

I think it's great! It's been available on our Canadian iTunes site for a while now (I know I mentioned it once before) but I didn't realize it wasn't available on the American site. Quoting myself from this past Oct 11th:

Did anyone else get an alert from iTunes this morning? It shows a picture of the TITN/BOTW single and says

Release Date: Oct 09, 2007

Genre: Pop

Total Songs: 2

(P) 2003 19 Recordings Limited

I guess I must have signed up for Clay Aiken alerts. It sure took me by surprise. Was it not available on iTunes before? And when I click on the link it takes me to the iTunes store, where I was even more suprised to see that AIW is available for purchase ($3.96) along with ATDW, MOAM, MCWL and Solitaire/The Way. There are two different versions of ATDW - one with LAA, and one without. Both the same price. Weird. I guess I should check out iTunes more often.....

[laughn]

OMG, I just got an email from someone wanting to pay me to promote Perez Hilton show on my website. BWAH! Ansa told him off before I got a chance to. heee.. Good girl. I went the extra step to say don't even contact me again... cuz really becaue of that link I don't give a damn about who else you have to promote. ahhhh..it's the little things that make me happy.

Did you send him a nice note that looked like this...

[Couch Tomato]

I can't believe this. My brother is buying me a laptop. I just called him so he could help me get a deal from his friend that owns a computer store. And I was even going..huh, are you sure. Did you talk to your wife. HUH? eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

Bwah laughn...more like that last little guy of yours. heee