Endless Love Founder Resident Marilyn Monroe Fan Mrs.Tyler Christopher Alias Obsessed SydVaughnlover Mrs.Michael Vartan
Posts: 255
(10/27/03 9:26 pm) Reply
Endless Love Founder Resident Marilyn Monroe Fan Mrs.Tyler Christopher Alias Obsessed SydVaughnlover Mrs.Michael Vartan
Posts: 256
(10/29/03 12:33 pm) Reply
2nd week SalesPop Idol Fends Off Rock Vets On Billboard 200
Despite suffering a 64% decline in U.S. sales, Clay Aiken's "Measure of a Man" outsold new releases from Rod Stewart and the Eagles to lead The Billboard 200 for a second straight week. Aiken's RCA debut sold 225,000 copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan, bringing his two-week total to 838,000. The second-season "American Idol" runner-up has a short lead over Rod Stewart's "As Time Goes By: The Great American Songbook Part II" (J Records).
Can I just say how AMAZING this is?!!! Clay beat out rock LEGENDS with his 2nd week sales!!! His sales declined and he still beat them! What's more amazing is that Clay isn't getting a lot of radio airplay and his music video isn't even out yet! Not to mention Rod did OPRAH last week and Clay still outsold him WOW! People who think Clay is a "flash in the pan" have another thing coming! By the way, it took Kelly Clarkson almost 9 weeks to sell 1 million albums. By the looks of things Clay will have sold that many in under 3 WEEKS!!! OMG EEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I'm so happy for him!!!!
NY Rockers to Debut Top 5; Clay Aiken Could See Another Week at #1
October 29, 2003
In case you haven’t heard, Southern California is burning out of control.
Sucks, but what’re you gonna do when Mother Nature goes a little heavy on the Tobasco and torches much of her prized west coast real estate?
It’s at least vaguely interesting, then, that an album titled Room on Fire will be next week’s top album chart debut. Yes, even as we in Sherman Oaks choke on ash, our soot-clogged lungs wheeze to the beat of RCA’s The Strokes, who are on track to sell about 130k for the week, according to early reports from national accounts.
That figure will assure the New York garage revivalists a Top 5 album-chart berth (continuing BMG’s chart roll), and could get them all the way to #2, depending on a couple of things.
Indeed, depending on what kinds of second weeks J’s Rod Stewart and Elektra/WSM’s The Eagles have, as well as how Arista’s Outkast holds up, The Strokes could come near the top of the chart.
Chart-topper Clay Aiken, meanwhile, will likely see a third week at #1, depending on the very same stuff, as well as how the third week for his RCA debut shapes up.
It’s no small irony, however, that San Diego and Los Angeles were the #1 and #2 markets for The Strokes’ last album, and that major fires in those cities could now potentially suppress sales of Fire. We’ll have to wait and see how that one plays out.
Other releases yesterday included R.E.M.’s In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003 (Warner Bros.), which appears likely to sell 100k for the week, and Gerald Levert’s A Stroke of Genius (Elektra), which should approach the 100k mark as well.
Endless Love Founder Resident Marilyn Monroe Fan Mrs.Tyler Christopher Alias Obsessed SydVaughnlover Mrs.Michael Vartan
Posts: 260
(10/30/03 11:18 am) Reply
Re: Clay Aiken "Measure of a Man" GUSH post!! UPDA
Clay calls in to San Diego Radio Station to send prayers to victims of LA fires.
Endless Love Founder Resident Marilyn Monroe Fan Mrs.Tyler Christopher Alias Obsessed SydVaughnlover Mrs.Michael Vartan
Posts: 264
(10/30/03 5:52 pm) Reply
Re: Clay's first music video!!!!
Dee, seriously words cannot express how much you ROCK!!!!
OMG, thank you sooooo sooooo Much for posting the phone call and the VIDEO.
How awesome is this man?!?! How sweet and wonderful was that of him to call that radio station to wish all of them well. Dude, I NEVER hear of famous people doing stuff like that.
Now on to that video, I've watched it like 5 times and I'm about to watch it again. Is it normal that I get teary eyed every time I watch it? Is that happening to you? Every time I see him singing to that girl who is crying, by the way I think that's the same girl from the Leno show, I almost start crying like a little girl.
Also, I'm not sure but it really looked like he just set up at that spot and started singing and the people in the video weren't extras. I could be wrong, but that's what I think happened and if he did that again OMG this man is so wonderful!!!!
And I agree with you, there are some scenes in that video that is major swoon worthy.
Thank you again Dee, you ROCK my friend simply ROCK.
Ping
Words spoken by the great Mancini: "I got hit by a car.....again."
Endless Love Founder Resident Marilyn Monroe Fan Mrs.Tyler Christopher Alias Obsessed SydVaughnlover Mrs.Michael Vartan
Posts: 278
(11/2/03 1:16 pm) Reply
Re: Clay's first music video!!!!
Quote:Dee, seriously words cannot express how much you ROCK!!!!
OMG, thank you sooooo sooooo Much for posting the phone call and the VIDEO.
And I agree with you, there are some scenes in that video that is major swoon worthy.
Thank you again Dee, you ROCK my friend simply ROCK
Aww My Gosh Pingy! You are sooooooo welcome!! I can't NOT do it though, I LOVE him so much seriously I can't not do this stuff!
Quote:How awesome is this man?!?! How sweet and wonderful was that of him to call that radio station to wish all of them well. Dude, I NEVER hear of famous people doing stuff like that
I KNOW!!! That's one of the many reasons I love him so much! He's SO genuine
Quote:Now on to that video, I've watched it like 5 times and I'm about to watch it again. Is it normal that I get teary eyed every time I watch it? Is that happening to you? Every time I see him singing to that girl who is crying, by the way I think that's the same girl from the Leno show, I almost start crying like a little girl.
YES it happens to me ALL the time!! Clay just has that affect on me he's simply AMAZING. He makes me feel so many things all at once it's unreal and completely real all at once, I've never felt this way about a celebrity before.
BTW That IS indeed the girl from Leno in the video crying!! Her name is Sherri and she's famous now too
Quote:Also, I'm not sure but it really looked like he just set up at that spot and started singing and the people in the video weren't extras. I could be wrong, but that's what I think happened and if he did that again OMG this man is so wonderful!!!!
You are right, the people in the video are NOT extra's they are indeed real fans. Clay wanted it that way. he invited them to the shoot He is indeed WONDERFUL!!
Endless Love Founder Resident Marilyn Monroe Fan Mrs.Tyler Christopher Alias Obsessed SydVaughnlover Mrs.Michael Vartan
Posts: 279
(11/2/03 1:25 pm) Reply
Clay on the Cover....FYI Clay will be on the cover of the next TEEN PEOPLE
I am a person who doesn't buy mags but I do buy them if Clay is featured or on the cover so yes I will be buying this LOL!
Edited by: NickSharonNemLiasonFan at: 11/3/03 5:31 pm
Endless Love Founder Resident Marilyn Monroe Fan Mrs.Tyler Christopher Alias Obsessed SydVaughnlover Mrs.Michael Vartan
Posts: 290
(11/3/03 5:12 pm) Reply
Re: Clay on the Cover....WEEK IN PREVIEW: OUTKAST, STEWART MEASURING UP
It Will Be Clay's Day, But Race For #2 Is Tight
November 3, 2003
The fires are almost out, the smoke is still clearing, and this week's #1 album will be Clay Aiken's Measure of a Man. That will make three weeks in a row for the RCA disc.
Endless Love Founder Resident Marilyn Monroe Fan Mrs.Tyler Christopher Alias Obsessed SydVaughnlover Mrs.Michael Vartan
Posts: 300
(11/4/03 12:50 am) Reply
Re: Clay on the Cover....
One person's view on MOAM. I have "issues" with sme things she has said but hey it's her opinion right?
Foxes on Idol Article
Recording Master Class: Clay Aiken’s ‘Measure of a Man’
by Rosanne Simunovic -- 11/03/2003
Voice Instructor Rosanne applies her Vocal Master Class concepts to Clay’s premiere album, Measure of a Man. How does Clay’s singing, along with the writing, music, and production, “measure” up?
Those of you who have read my articles know that I am a huge fan of Clay Aiken. I believe this young man is not only a consummate musician but also a star role model for our young people to emulate and follow. Through his appearances on American Idol, we came to enjoy and marvel at Clay’s charm, charisma, and strength of character as he faced millions of viewers and endured the critiques of the judges.
Regarding this album, I have tried to be as fair as possible in my evaluations. The fact is that this is not the kind of music that I would have liked to hear Clay sing – and I am sure that I echo the sentiments of hundreds of thousands of fans. Why RCA felt that he had to compete with Justin Timberlake or Britney Spears is beyond me. Clay achieved his enviable level of success because he wasn’t like these artists – he filled an artistic void in the music business, much in the same way that Frank Sinatra or Barry Manilow or The Beatles or Elvis did during their era. It cannot be duplicated and it shouldn’t be tampered with – it should be embraced and celebrated as a new era in the music world.
I can only hope that RCA’s vision for Clay is accessed without the blinders on when his next album is released. To me, he will always be Classic Clay –he doesn’t nor should he have to compete with anyone. Clay stands alone – he is Solitaire.
Invisible
Strengths: This is a really good song with great melodic hooks and productional wizardry. Clay sings with musical conviction and passion throughout this song. The key of the song is a good one for his vocal range as it allows him to display his fabulous lower range in contrast to his ubiquitous upper range. The production of this song is well formulated and there are some wonderfully creative moments throughout the number that really allow this song to shine throughout its duration. The background vocal effects are excellent – really first class all the way. In short, a very radio friendly number for the airwaves!
Critique: My biggest concern – and those of you who are regular readers of my Master Class articles know I have often emphasized this fact – is that Clay is really singing with a great deal of tension in his upper register in this number. As previously stated, the key of this song is not the problem; the problem is how Clay is producing his upper register sound. His tenor range is “too spread” and the ringing pure vocal sound that is so necessary in all styles of singing is noticeably missing here. His upper register lacks focus and head tone resonance – important technical aspects that would enable Clay to enjoy a richer, fuller sound in his tenor register. His vowels lack purity as well – the diphthongs are not handled as efficiently as possible and as a result, the pure vowel sustaining qualities, the ringing head tone, are absent from his singing. If Clay would apply his stellar baritone resonating abilities to his tenor range, then his voice would sound seamless and evenly focused throughout this performance.
Additionally, I feel that, although the overall production of this number is very good, the chorus of the song could benefit from a little more bass and reverberation in the chorus and this would allow Clay’s voice to shine and “cut through” the powerful background vocals and instrumentals.
I Will Carry You
Strengths: Clay sings this number with more vocal purity and better technical control. Although I would prefer an even rounder, more focused sound, his voice still sounds super in this number. Clay sings this song with great passion and musicality – this is always a given with Clay’s performances – recorded or live.
Critique: I felt that the instrumentation was really loud in comparison to Clay’s voice in the refrain. I suppose this is the new edgier way of producing albums – but it gives the impression that Clay’s voice has to compete with the powerful dynamics of the background vocals and/or instrumentals.
Vocally, there is a moment in this song when Clay has to sing a very high note in the bridge – the tension in his voice is very palpable. Again, I can sense that his mouth and jaw are not relaxed, thus allowing for the diaphragmatic muscles to support his upper register. In addition, the word “you” sounds to me like “yeu” in the upper range.
Personally, the song lacks a creative spark within the melodic structure and lyrical content. I really tried to warm to this song, but it fell short in my eyes.
The Way
Strengths: Clay opened with a little country twang in the beginning and it initially worried me. However, as the song progressed, Clay sounded more vocally secure and his vocal presence was more successfully highlighted in this song than in the previous two selections. In addition, the established key of this song selection didn’t tax his upper range focusing instead to showcase the depth and beauty of his lower range. However, when he did sing in to his upper range toward the end of the song, there was more focus and beauty to his vocal sound and the ringing head tone quality became very apparent in his tenor range. Beautiful ending here. Good ad lib in the bridge and ending chorus of this song
The beautiful background vocals complemented Clay’s voice without overpowering or making their presence an unwelcome reality. This is an excellent production. This song is going to be a huge hit I feel – that hook in the refrain never escapes you.
Critique: I was expecting the introduction to this song to be a little longer as it would have created and reinforced the emotional content of this song. In addition, I didn’t like the verbose quality of the lyrical content in the first verse – it sounded disjointed and tedious; however, the rest of the song was a great listen. This was the best song – artistically and technically – so far in this album.
When You Say You Love Me
Strengths: Vocally, Clay sings quite well in this selection, as the song doesn’t pose any real vocal challenges within the melodic structure (see critique). The background vocals perfectly compliment Clay’s relaxed rendition of this up-tempo ballad.
Critique: Clay’s country twang is back and I have no idea why this is happening – but it’s starting to really worry me. Clay has so much potential to display the classical pop elements in his voice and I don’t feel that this song – or this album, in fact – has allowed him to do this. Once again, the lyrics and melody within the verses are really sub-par. The chorus is excellent, however – that seems to be a running theme throughout this album. However, the repetitive melodic nature of this song is very disappointing. In addition, at this point in my Master Class article, I have to say that all the songs – production-wise and artistically – are really starting to sound the same. It is becoming very difficult to distinguish one song from the other.
No More Sad Songs
Strengths: The background vocals in this song are terrific. Clay performs this song well, even though I do hear the tension in his upper range. The throat sounds pretty constricted, although it seems to work well with the depressing, angst nature of this song. This song is a good one and will do very well on the radio. It is a great composition that is made even better by Clay’s performance and the awesome background vocals. Clay really shines in this number and his upper range sounds – for the most part – beautifully focused and rich.
Critique: Once again, we have another song written in the minor mode and it is again depressing. Is this what they call “the edge”? The instrumentation is very harsh in this song – almost cheap sounding, at times. The introduction, as well, was cheesy and almost ghoulish in musical content. I find it very difficult to become accustomed to this new age recording wave that seems to attract the younger audience.
Run To Me
Strengths: Now, this sounds like the Clay we came to know and love on American Idol. This is a hauntingly beautiful song that allows Clay’s voice and his wonderful interpretive gifts to shine. This is not an easy song – it jumps all over the place and Clay has the voice to navigate these jumps with supreme artistry. Clay’s sensitivity really shines in this number and I have to say that, up to this point in the article, this is my favorite as this song allows Clay to be Clay. In addition, this song has established that he has definitely grown as an artist since his AI days
Critique: I have very little to critique – this was superbly sung and produced.
Shine
Strengths: As in the song “When You Say You Love Me,” Clay sings quite well in this selection as the song doesn’t pose any real vocal challenges within the melodic structure (see critique).
Critique: Once again, we are assaulted by a minor mode introduction – too much use of this tonality throughout this album in my opinion. Clay has to watch his approach to the diphthongs in this song – especially the “shine” word: he sustains his sound on every vowel of this diphthong, instead of the cleaner, purer “ah” vowel. This creates a whiter, vocally spread quality in his voice.
As a musical composition – you can drop the “musical” part and add “mediocre” in its place – this song really falls short. The production of this song has a tinny, metallic quality that probably is in keeping with this “new edge feel.” However, I cannot say that I am a big fan of this approach – it is not uplifting and it does not represent what Clay is all about. Additionally, there is a mundane repetitive nature to this song that never really builds to any kind of climactic musical moment – very disappointing.
I Survived You
Strengths: Great bridge in this song and, of course, the refrain/chorus is always good, in keeping with the theme of this album. Once again, it is to Clay’s credit that he somehow manages to pull this song together – he can make any song sound terrific. He is such a committed artist. Vocally, he sings with good technique, although he has to watch his “r” consonants – they tend to be harsh. It would be better if he would forget that this consonant even existed and concentrate on the vowels before and after it. However, the key of the song is a great one for Clay and he enjoys a more resonant, vocally rich quality in this recorded performance.
Critique: Good heavens – who wrote the lyrics to this song? So many words to sing and so few notes to accommodate the lyrics – especially in the verses. Other than this, the song manages to breeze along in good fashion.
This Is The Night
Strengths and Critique: Remember this song? This is Clay, RCA! Here are my comments from the last Recording Master Class for Clay when he released this song as his first single.
Perfect Day
Strengths: This is a really great number and Clay performs a splendid rendition of this song. There is musical variation in this composition and the lyrical content is very good. Once again, there are some wonderful hooky moments in this song that will translate beautifully to radio airplay. The background vocal and instrumentals are excellent and I especially enjoyed the keyboard work in this selection. This is another personal favorite on this album and I enjoy the fact that it allowed Clay to really display the emotional and dynamic depth of his stellar voice.
Critique: I don’t have a great deal to critique in this song – it is well produced and superbly performed by Clay and his musicians. Clay just has to be reminded to allow his diaphragmatic muscles to support his vocal sound on the pure vowel, with relaxed and open facial muscles. However, generally, his excellent performance of this number outshines any technical flaws in this selection.
Measure Of A Man
Strengths: The song begins beautifully, with Clay displaying the soft ringing head tone ability that we have all come to know and love from his American Idol appearances. This song means a great deal to this artist – you can hear the emotion in his voice and how he sensitively interprets the lyrics of this beautiful song. There are beautiful dynamic contrasts in this song and the key change toward the end of the song was effectively done. The production of this song is tastefully done – and the beauty of Clay’s voice is allowed to shine. Another song that will do exceptionally well on the radio
Critique: At times, I find the lyrics a trifle overdone in creating the intended emotion of the song; however, once again, the chorus of this song saves the day. That said, this is the first time that Clay’s lower range lack the resonance and richness that I am accustomed to hearing. In addition, as beautifully as he interprets this song, Clay has to be really careful of the tension in his throat, his lack of proper bel canto tone placement and proper diaphragmatic breath support – it is disabling the beautiful head tone quality in his upper range when he sings his louder, more powerful phrases. He really needs to enable the sustaining element of singing on the pure vowels and to avoid the diphthongs and/or excessive use of the consonants to weaken his melodic line.
Touch
Strengths: There are some really neat vocal dimensions in this number with the addition of some reverb and echo effects – they add an almost ethereal quality to the song. Clay generally sings very well throughout this number and his outstanding range is really showcased in this number. That beautiful baritone range is back once again – ringing with just the right amount of “head tone” quality to give it clarity and depth. His upper range, as well, sounds more focused in this number – it has more ring and transparency. The production of this number, for the most part, is very good. I like the repetitive guitar riff – not initially, mind you, but it did grow on me after a couple of listens.
Critique: Once again, I feel that Clay’s voice is occasionally lost in this song because of the powerful background vocals and instrumental accompaniment – particularly in the chorus. In addition, Clay, although he handled his voice more efficiently in this number, has to really make certain that his vocal sound is being managed in the correct fashion at all times. There is a strained, closed quality to his voice and, because of this, we are not hearing the true potential within his vocal range. This is such a shame – he has such potential as a recording artist if he is allowed to develop and showcase some of the wonderful classical elements in his voice.
So – there you have it – my take on Measure of a Man. Please check back in the coming weeks for additional Master Class articles on the American Idol Holiday CD as well as Canadian Idol Ryan Malcolm’s debut album, Home.
If you haven’t already done so, you can still buy Measure of a Man from Amazon: Measure of a Man
Rosanne Simunovic is the Voice Instructor and Conductor for the Timmins Youth Singers. If you have any further questions our comments, please at e-mail her
Re: Clay on the Cover....
OMG!!!!! You're awsome!!!!!!
Thank you thank you thank you for scanning the magazine, and the scan came out perfect. I was able to read the entire article perfectly.
And I had no clue he was a Sag SO AM I!!!!! Do you know the exact date of his birthday? I swear I would faint if his birthday is the same day as mine .
Thank you again Dee.
Ping
Words spoken by the great Mancini: "My mothers nick name in her town was Bella and she really was. She was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen till this day."
Endless Love Founder Resident Marilyn Monroe Fan Mrs.Tyler Christopher Alias Obsessed SydVaughnlover Mrs.Michael Vartan
Posts: 354
(11/13/03 6:39 pm) Reply
Re: Clay on the Cover....
Pingy!!!
I"M SO glad you got the CD!!! Is it not AWSOME? I still listen to it NON stop I just LOVE Clay! That's the cutest story of how you got it too
Here's some new info! I'm so happy for him
Clay Aiken Sells 1 Million Copies Of Debut CD
Second CD Single No. 2 On Amazon.com Best Sellers
POSTED: 11:35 AM EST November 13, 2003
RALEIGH, N.C. -- Clay Aiken has officially gone platinum, selling over 1 million copies of his debut CD "Measure of a Man."
Aiken CD's debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 100 list when his CD was released Oct. 14. Two million copes of the CD were shipped to stores worldwide.
"Measure of a Man" is currently eighth on the Billboard charts.
Aiken's new CD single featuring "Invisible" and "Solitaire" will not be released until Dec. 9, but it is already No. 2 on the Amazon.com best sellers list.
Aiken's former No. 1 single "This Is the Night" sold 912,000 copies.
Aiken will be back in Raleigh Nov. 22 to serve as grand marshal of the Raleigh Christmas Parade. He will also be in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which airs at 9 a.m. on NBC
Edited by: 
WOW! People who think Clay is a "flash in the pan" have another thing coming! By the way, it took Kelly Clarkson almost 9 weeks to sell 1 million albums. By the looks of things Clay will have sold that many in under 3 WEEKS!!! OMG EEEEEEEEEEEEEE! I'm so happy for him!!!!
YOU 
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