It offers lovely Christmas and holiday songs, sung as only Clay can sing them. Songs that make listeners bounce with joy and enthusiasm, “giddy-up” with glee, then, almost without warning, be moved to tears by songs of praise, which Clay sings with such reverence and beauty that I am sure Ebenezer Scrooge and the Grinch would be weeping along side us, could they attend.

Then there is the comedy/banter portion of the program, liberally sprinkled thoughout. Last year’s tour, with vignettes, was wonderful, but it did not allow for substantial banter. Many fans missed it. I do believe Clay missed it too. For Clay seems to have reached a new level of hilarity this year—bringing a sharply snarky, quick witted, gleeful, almost uninhibited sense of humor to his shows. The audiences, as I’ve heard in the cellcerts, simply explode with laughter. How fitting it is, after a year filled with haters trying to bring him and his fans down, after a difficult, drawn-out, probably frustrating album cycle, after a sometimes bizarre promotional period featuring inappropriately personal interviews (often badly edited), questions and responses by those who totally don’t “get it,” and a lack of focus on the new music, for Clay to be bursting, not with anger and venom, but with gleeful humor. He entertains us, entertains himself (hee), and even makes a few “points” with that amazing wit.

But the bonding has touched and impressed me the most. Clay seems to be bonding and solidifying bonds with his fans. I perceive a new closeness there. He not only seems to have truly accepted that we love him and think he is amazing (and sexy), but he really seems to love us back, to be proud that we are so supportive of him, and to enjoy just chatting and cutting up with his "family" of fans.

There has always been a flow of energy and love from the fans to Clay, and at the best moments of the best concerts, he seemed to return that love and energy. Now, that occasional connection seems to be strong and steady, in place, acknowledged, and appreciated. And, from such a powerful connection, comes real magic.