Topic: 12/1/12-ATLANTIC CITY-TRUMP TAJ MAJAL (Read 24721 times)

Marilyn · « **Reply #105 on:** December 02, 2012, 03:49:48 PM »

SCARLETTS YOU TUBE LINKS

"The First Noel."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z_McXVg-Wk

"My Grown Up Christmas List."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2yGrBP-1M4...eature=youtu.be

"Remember The Lyrics" Contest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WZBPkPTejg...eature=youtu.be

"Sentimental Medley."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbK88Riae0E...eature=youtu.be

"Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel" Banter aka "Idol, TCA, Wardrobe Malfunction and Pantomiming; Clay is Hilarious" Segment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUXCwOXijU4...eature=youtu.be

"Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j14PYU_3GN8...eature=youtu.be

All links can travel.

Marilyn · « **Reply #106 on:** December 02, 2012, 04:03:51 PM »

Quote

tamra ?@Tamra4444
I just met @clayaiken I'm pretty much on cloud 9 #PerfectMoment pic.twitter.com/ven2mrgn

Marilyn · « **Reply #107 on:** December 02, 2012, 04:21:44 PM »

ROADNOTTAKEN AT CV

i was there -- and yes, it did go by way tooooo fast.

His voice had a very few little cracks during the first song or 2 and then was smooth as silk from then on. (See Clay, that's why singers usually warm up their voices a bit before the show begins... )

We were 15 rows back, so I could only see his face well when I used my opera glasses, but he looked really great. That haircut is worth every penny he paid for it, and I hope he has that person on retainer!

The venue was almost full on the floor level; the back upper level I don't think was full. But there were a TON of men there tonight. I'd say maybe close to 1/3 of the audience??? Definitely at least 1/4. Lots...

The "singer" did a great job of being comfortable on stage and adlibbing funny lyrics -- and he hugged Clay twice before he left the stage!

I'm so happy that the stream was clear for all of you. I hope I'll be able to d/l it and make a CD of it once I have my iTunes loaded onto this new computer.

I swear his voice has gotten better over the last 10 years. It's warmer and more nuanced. Unlike most people, I'm not enamored of the glory notes (though I can appreciate them) -- my favorite Clay vocals are the quiet tones. I melt when he sings softly, like in most of "My Grown Up Christmas List" and "Welcome To Our World" and I LOVE the last "oooooooh" at the very end of "Mary Did You Know?". I left the theater well-melted tonight!

Marilyn · « **Reply #108 on:** December 02, 2012, 04:23:32 PM »

CRAVING CLAY AT CV

The concert last night was great! The venue and seating, not so great. The chairs were tied together with nylon ties so you couldn't move them at all. And they were chairs for skinny butts!! We were crammed in like sardines until a couple of people moved to empty seats in other rows. Our seats were in Section 105, Row 7 which was to the left of the stage. The rows were turned somewhat toward the stage, so I could still see but not close when he was in the middle or over on the other side. And then it seemed like every time he came over to our side somebody was coming or going in the aisle and blocked him from sight.

Clay had a couple of minor vocal bobbles early on that he covered well, but was mostly in great voice. He could not do the opening schtick in front of the curtain because there was no curtain. The guy he brought up on stage to sing the lyrics to a Christmas song had a really good voice and made up really good lyrics to O Christmas Tree (even though they were completely wrong) and won the Macy's card. Then he proceeded to hug Clay at least twice. I think he said he was there with his wife but that he was the fan. Very excited!

My DH was with me, so I asked him afterwards what he thought of the stories. He said that people who didn't know what they were (before Clay explained) might have been confused and a little bored. Thought they were too long although they tied into the songs well. I found Faye's story a little hard to understand (or maybe I was letting my mind wander at that point).

Anyway, back to the singing. "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day" is my favorite and I think I was grinning all through it. When he was done people all around started to leave, but THEN the orchestra started playing All Year Long and suddenly there is Clay out in the audience right smack dab in front of us. I'm not sure I even heard the song because I was just drinking in looking at him so closely. Many people were trying to get to him and then he was gone -- like sucking the air out of the room.

I'm so glad I get to go to Easton on the 12th to see the show in a theater from the 2nd row. It will certainly be a different experience than last night. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it but there's something to be said for comfort, better acoustics, and a less distracting crowd.

Marilyn · « **Reply #109 on:** December 02, 2012, 04:26:10 PM »

M& G REPORT-CAGNEY

Meet and Greet Red Report from vjm's computer.
This was my first Meet and Greet in ten years and to say I was a little excited, well yeah.
When I heard about the boardwalk event for Clay I thought there might be an adjustment in the time and I went looking for an email, and there it was noting the time change to 4:30. (I don't check that email account because it is so filled with junk mail). I am glad I did because when 4:30 came, the ebay winner had not shown up. I suggested to Lauren (his manager) that perhaps she didn't get the email but Lauren got the second email about the time change-more on that later.

Lauren told us that we would have an opportunity to sit in the back of the venue and he would come back to say hello and sign one item. I met tuliptime
who originally is from Atlantic City and discovered she first became a fan in 2009- I love hearing new conversation stories. It was AI Rewind for her and the opportunity to see him sing BOTW which she said she wore out a VHS tape listening to.

We got to hear Clay sing MCWL and Emmanuel and sang it in full force-his voice was magnificent and it got me even more excited (if possible) for the upcoming concert. He then left the stage and strolled down to where we were sitting. I tried to take every moment as I knew the M&G would be brief and I wanted to maximize the experience.

Clay looked great-what you saw for the boardwalk event but I think with less product then we saw later. His hair was a strawberry blonde and I think maybe close to his natural hair color. it looked soft and fluffy. He asked us our names and where we were from. When he heard I was from Lancaster- he said something like - oh-Amish Country. He said he was surprised that Lancaster had such a state of the art venue-although he wanted me to know that he wasn't putting Lancaster down. When he heard my name, he said -oh like Montana- and I said I pronounce it differently. And then my mouth wouldn't stop and I said my mother called me another name but the nuns changed the pronunciation and mom just stuck with it. Clay looked mocked outraged and said "And how did your mother feel about that!"

The M&G was maybe 15 minutes-but fun nonetheless. More later about the ebay winner.

cagney

Marilyn · « **Reply #110 on:** December 02, 2012, 05:22:44 PM »

JCAIKENHEART@CV

Wow! Totally Awesome x-mas concert in Atlantic City today. Totally beautiful vocals & hitting those all high notes! Clay just take my breath way every time when his gorgeous long lock of hair falls over his face and he gently brush his hair back. Clay was as entertaining as usually with his interaction with the audience. It was great seeing everyone! On my way home from Atlantic City. Looking forward toward St George x-mas concert tomorrow night!

Marilyn · « **Reply #111 on:** December 02, 2012, 08:34:53 PM »

DANCERMOM2@CV

The concert last night was wonderful for a wounded soul.

The "arena" is um....a concrete unfinished floor...and just a huge warehouse like space. The floor was absolutely flat. There were risers in the back. I walked in and was immediately reminded of the TT in NYC and the seating fiasco. The seats on the far edge were really in boondockville on the floor. Clay tried to play to the sides a lot because I think he realized that they were in outer Mongolia. This didn't of course work well with "All Year Long". He went over to the far side and I could hear him but all I could see from where I was in the middle section in Row 11 was spotlight and some hair and now and then if I strained a face. Everyone stood up because they had given him a SO for "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day" and stayed standing. It didn't work well for anyone who wasn't sitting in the far side.

He looked AMAZING. Happy...snarky...and so on. He was having a blast up there. I think the show is tighter now. They rerecorded some of the stories and the person telling the story is reading it faster and the reading has life. It's not a flat reading but something that has life which is important. It's also important that he explained the stories and why he included it.

The orchestra was fantastic. The sound balance? See warehouse like setting. The accoustics sucked donkey balls.(Thanks Trump) Clay riffed on Trump and TCA and about it not ending well and that we couldn't diss Trump while we were in his show but if we wanted to later we could. HA!

The roughness?? There were some places but he saved it and I don't think it sounds so rough in person as it does on the stream. He fought for those rough spots and never totally went wrong on the note.

I cried during MCWL. I mean I cried. Too close to life right now.

The button fly pants were by far the funniest thing I have ever seen him do. He mimed the people who were trying to tell him his fly was open...and it was HILLARIOUS! He was pointing and making faces and gesticulating.

Marilyn · « **Reply #112 on:** December 02, 2012, 08:53:27 PM »

VJM@CV

Yes, the arena was unattractive and uncomfortable, and yes, the crowd was 'colorful,' but those influences disappear when Clay starts to sing. He sounded fabulous and was his usual warm and engaging self on stage. My first time seeing Clay live was JNT 1 at the Sewell concert, which I totally loved. I've been to all of his Christmas tours since that time and had them in mind last night. Since it's been so long since he did a Christmas show, I was able to appreciate the growth in terms of his style and nuances in his voice. What a gift!

Marilyn · « **Reply #113 on:** December 02, 2012, 09:10:16 PM »

JASR9203@CV

My thoughts about the show.Yes the acoustics were not so hot. And the seats less than comfortable. But we were fortunate to be in the center section, albeit 18 rows back. I found his voice to be, while not on par with Durham, pretty darn close. I heard no bobbles or rough edges. His control of the lower tones is magnificent and the softer tones sublime. His is as smooth as silk. I don't think I have heard him sound better.A couple of notables for me. The Away in a Manger Medley is a sheer work of vocal artistry. Brought me to tears. And I love how he is using his hands to interpret "All Is Well". Beautiful to the eyes and ears alike. And finally on "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day", he finally gets the emphasis on certain words without shouting them. Whatever adjustments he has made. wow, all I can say is that I wish I could be there every night. It sure as heck was a beautiful end to a beautiful day spent with my DH. DH enjoyed the show very much and actually hopped to his feet after Clay hit THE note in "Don't Save It All For Christmas Day". And may I add he looked f*^$ing gorgeous. I took some pics at the boardwalk thing and I am trying to upload them now

Marilyn · « **Reply #114 on:** December 02, 2012, 09:39:31 PM »

MY PERSONAL RECAP OF ATLANTIC CITY

When my sister and I arrived at Taj Mahal, we were trying to find the parking garage, so I drove down the street by the side of the structure- an lo and behold we came to a dead end. As I was making a u-turn right THERE was Clays bus- I am like- o crap, I hope I don’t hit it!!. It was parked- and I did turn around without any mishaps.
We got to the theater and I was VERY disappointed- I had sixth row tickets, which I thought would be great- and it turns out they were in section 104-the left half not being in front of any part of the stage at all, and there was even a section 105 which was even further off to the side! I was on the aisle seat and my sister was next to me. We actually had to turn sideways in our seats to be able to see Clay and the orchestra. The seats were VERY uncomfortable, and as others have said, narrow and tied together with plastic tags. I felt sorry for those in the front part of section 105.
Clay did try to come over to the left side of the stage (his right) but he could only go so far. The fellow that got picked for the lyrics was in the second row of our section, but a little toward the middle.
What can I say about his voice? I am loving the various nuances, the deep vibrating tones, the powerful glory notes- I love them all!! He delivered in his inimitable way and we drank it all in and were temporarily sated (because you can never get enough Clay Aiken). There was an older gentleman sitting behind me that was singing along on the medley –“I’ll be home for Christmas/Christmas Song/Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”. Not too loud, but it was somewhat distracting. And that is the drawback of having a casino crowd- people talk during the show. No, there were no tables, just rows and rows of hard seats on a concrete floor- almost like a high school gymnasium setup (only gyms have better floors!!). Yup- at the Taj Mahal- very classy, only NOT!!
The guy who sang the lyrics was delightful, and had a great voice- Clay was cracking up and gave him the gift card even though the lyrics were totally wrong. At the beginning, when Clay read the name of the song, the guy said “SH**”. Quick witted Clay said- “I don’t think SH** is part of the lyrics” then he leaned over Ben’s piano and looked at the sheet music and said “No- it isn’t”.
When the person called him out on the unbuttoned fly, and he pantomimed how they were trying to let him know it was undone, the whole place was laughing hard. He is so funny, and the audience really appreciated it.
At the end, when he went offstage, some people started to leave, and we in the know stood waiting. Then I saw a darkened figure come around to the area in front of section 105. It was Clay, and he came and stood in the aisle right in front of us, and sang “All year long”- people pushed forward to shake his hand, but luckily they were not very tall, and I saw him so close. People, those eyes sparkled with joy- I swear they were illuminated from within. His voice was so wonderful, and then the soft last sentence, and as he was finishing, he turned around and sang the last two words as he walked away. I swear he came to that side because he knew the view was limited, and that section missed so much.
I love the way he is with his audience. I love the way he finally understands us, his fans, and how much we care about him. I love how he never ceases to thank us for our support and our caring of him.

I love Clay Aiken- always and forever.