ElitesTV Raves About Summer Tour

We're giving ElitesTV top marks for their new review of Clay's Los Angeles concert last month. The review is actually 2 reviews bundled into one article - the first half deals with Clay's concert at the Greek Theatre in LA and the second half talks about Michael Bubel's concerts at the same venue. Check out some of the great things they have to say about Clay's show:

I saw Aiken first. It was different than past concerts for the former AI star. This show sported no frills, bells or whistles (except those that went off in the minds of the Claymates of course). Unlike Clay’s last tour (Jukebox) that had him running from one era of rock n’ roll to the next while he ran from one end of the stage to the other , this was a really bare bones presentation. This time Aiken rested on his laurels and relied on the pure power and clarity of his voice to carry the show.

Did it work? You betchya! If there’s anyone who can pull off a show of this kind, Aiken can. He does it by simply singing. The only extras we got were his southern boy gift of gab and somewhat corny/dork sense of humor coming out in a medley that spoofed the fact that he is not “cool.”

Clay is clever enough to make his country boy image still work, and more than ever, he seems to be happy with who he is and what he’s about. He still wears his heart on his sleeve and it’s this fact and a down to earth demeanor that are so obviously infused into his pop persona now. Early Aiken showed a bit of a struggle with how he should present himself, but it’s clear now who he is--what he gets from his music, his fans, and his life’s work.

Mainstays Quiana Parler and Angela Fisher were there as always to back him with vocals and then take center stage to do their own solos. They continue to add beauty, fun, and talent to any evening with Clay. The two women also help the artist get a reprieve each night for just a few minutes when they become the featured soloists and Aiken gets a chance to rest his voice.

The highlight for me was when the artist performed a song he wrote the lyrics to: “Lover All Alone.” Producer David Foster wrote the music and the collaboration resulted in a piece that should draw serious attention for Grammy consideration. Will it though? Probably not—it was recorded only on a bonus track for Aiken’s last CD entitled “A Thousand Different Ways” and hasn’t been heard much. Still, if a tree falls in the forest. . .?? Yes, for me, it does make a sound. And trust me, the sound of Aiken singing “Lover All Alone” is something else.

Speaking of David Foster, here’s another commonality that Buble and Aiken share. Foster produces Michael Buble. So there you go!