Posted on 12/08/2004 2:02:33 PM PST by paudio
Aiken, who admits that his favorite childhood Christmas specials were stop-motion classics like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, explains that his holiday onslaught is characterized by a return to the roots of the season.
"My preference and what we tried to do for the album and the specials and the tour is to do really classic stuff," he says, calling from a Salt Lake City tour stop, audibly exhausted. "I think that that's what's new and original now. So many people come out and try to do jazzy versions of the classic Christmas songs or a hip-hop album or something extremely pop-flavored and ignore the classic melody and the classic song itself."
(Excerpt) Read more at sun-sentinel.com ...
He's a good kid. Nothing negative about him.
The kid has great pipes, no doubt about it!!! Should have won Idol hands down over Ruben - but the cream rises to the top and the truth be known by the sound of the cash register ringing up at least 10 Clay CD's to 1 of Ruben's I would guess....
His heart is as great as his voice.
I bought his Christmas cd. It's great.
And he is a really NICE person. Kind of nerdy, but a nice guy.
The trend in pop music these days is strongly toward "black urban street" music -- rap, hip-hop, and something called "mash-ups." This trend was heavily confirmed with the Grammy nominations released earlier this week.
#1 and #2 on the Billboard list are albums of that genre. Nevertheless, even bucking the strong rap/hip-hop trend, Kelly's album is the #2 new release, #1 in the pop-rock genre, and #1 female artist of all genres. The numbers for this week will be on the Billboard charts next week.
Clay's Christmas album opened strong, but it has been dropping precipitously each week it's been out. Ruben's second album is sinking like a rock. It never made it into the top 20. Fantasia's first album didn't do as well as the first albums of Kelly, Clay and Ruben.
Aside from Kelly, Clay is likely to have a solid career in the adult-contemporary genre. He does have a gorgeous voice. One other former Idol contestent who's doing well is Tamyra Gray, from the first season. She's currently performing on Broadway.
He has done a remake of "Solitaire" which is truly superb. Usually I don't like remakes, and usually I don't like songs like that, but his voice is crystal clear, in perfect pitch, and very listenable.
Seems like a nice kid too.
I bought his Christmas CD, too. Haven't taken it out of the wrapper yet. I'll do that tonight while I wrap gifts. I really like Aiken's voice.
I think of them all, Kelly has the best voice for the genre. Actually, I saw that Diana DeGarmo on a morning show today (she is too old for her age, if you know what I mean), but she did say something profound. That each of the winners really have different audiences for their music and they'll all do well. Just a weird little peeve I have about Kelly Clarkson is how hard she hits her "t's" Do you understand what I mean. When she sings everthing witha hard "T" in it is somehow emphasized and it gets on my nerves. But she does have a unique voice.
There are also few mass-market venues for them, unlike in the past with movie musicals, TV variety shows and the stage. Young, up-and-coming entertainers also don't have access to the kind of grooming and star-making machinery of the old Hollywood studios.
Today, the more vulgar and cheap the persona, the better the "artist" does with the kids who buy the music. Unfortunately (from my point of view), Kelly's management is taking her into that pop tart category of the Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Christina Aguilerra type.
The main thing about Kelly that I think could benefit by the old Hollywood studio-style grooming is the way she speaks and carries herself in interviews. But her vocal talent is beyond question -- and is not being used to best advantage in the pop-tart genre that young female singers seem stuck with these days.
As for Clay, there's no question his long-term appeal is in the adult contemporary genre. He's got a fabulous voice, and terrific poise on stage. The one knock I have on Clay is that he doesn't sing with much emotion. He sang "Have your self a merry little Christmas" on Good Morning America today. Even thought he sang it with his usual smoothness and power, I kept thinking that no one seemed to understand that song like Judy Garland did. Emotionally, Clay's singing was flat, as always.
Diana DiGarmo also has a fine voice. But I agree with you. At 17, she's "too old" already. She also doesn't have "it," whatever "it" is that says "this person has star written all over them."
Quite possibly, over time, the one Idol contestant that may hit the truly big time either on Broadway or in the movies, is Tamyra Gray. She's had a couple of excellent opportunities handed her due to all the sympathy she got when she was voted off early in the first season. By all accounts, she seems to be making the most of them.
I didn't know Clay was a Christian....?
The payoff for taking number 2 continues.
I voted for Diana. Wished she won but oh well.
yeah really... I hope Ruben is able to do something once he loses some weight. I wonder if his weight was preventing him from really singing.
I love Clay Aiken.
His Christmas CD is wonderful.
He is so rare because he is such a great talent, and he is wholesome.
I LOVE THAT!
He always wears a WWJD bracelet....
He has always been forthright about his faith.
He lives it.
As in any reality show these days, it's better to come in second than come in first. Look at The Apprentice. Bill Rancic has to work for The Donald and then be trotted out at a moment's whim to be used as Donald's lackey when needed. He has no personality of his own now. He's COMPLETELY owned by Trump Enterprises, and then God knows what. On the other hand, Kwame went out and made himself his own mult-million dollar deal doing what he likes to do while making his own decision without being beholdent to anyone. That's winning, in my opinion.
Kelly? Really? She hurts my ears. None of them can hold a candle to Clay IMHO.
I am of the belief that AI2 was rigged. Two white bread Red state winners in the first two seasons would have killed the series. Remember, it's called show Business.
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