Clay's Blog

• Re-Cap -- Neil Sedaka -- 50 Years of Hits!

  10/28/07 5 Comments

  Re-Cap -- Neil Sedaka - 50 Years of Hits 26 Oct 2007 -- Avery Fisher Hall -- New York

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  Weather: Very Rainy & a Bit Chilly Compatriots: the Wonderful Trio of dancermom, butterflyshine & Frandy , and a whole lotta other people Avery Fisher Hall: Lovely venue, amazing acoustics, classy

  The Show: Elton John , in a taped video clip, sits at his piano (in Vegas?) and offers a medley of snippets of some of Neil's songs, sincerely compliments Neil's musical talent, then expresses his deep thanks that the proceeds will benefit his foundation.

  David Foster intro's the first group of artists, including the Opening Act, Renne Olstead , who is one of his protégés. She was dressed in a silver and white dress, hair long and straight, very young, pretty and slight -- she sang a song I did not recognize ("Never Let You Go" ?). Her voice was quite lovely; smoky, mature and with a smooth jazz inflection.

  Captain & Tennille -- they sang "Love Will Keep Us Together" -- bubbly & fun, with a lot of audience participation, brought back memories for me. She looked fabulous, slim and pretty in an off-the-shoulder bright red dress. The Captain looks a bit more 'worn' -- Her voice was very "rough" when she talked but she sang fine -- I gather the Captain normally doesn't do much (if any) talking in their act, but after they finished, he walked to the mic and said something very quickly, which drew a laugh... unfortunately I missed what he said because I had a VERY chatty seat-mate.

  Dion was next. I didn't know much about him but I liked him immediately -- he talked for a bit about a party with Neil and Annette Funicello and he was funny and "cool". He played his guitar & sang "Calendar Girl". Very good!!

  David Foster now messes up (on accident?) and starts introducing Clay without actually saying his name but talking about AI and not winning but still winning, etc. (which gets the Clayfans squealing and whatnot) -- mentions Katharine McPhee -- but OOOPS!! he realizes that the next act was a jazz trio called "The Bad Plus". They did a strange arrangement of "Laughter In The Rain" that was "innovative" but discordant and went on a bit too long ... it wasn't terrible, just kinda strange.

  Now it's really Clay's turn. Another Foster intro. here: this is a winning song and this guy (Clay) took that guy's (Neil's) song and made it a hit again ... I can't remember if this was where he said you can sing a song "A Thousand Different Ways" or if that was earlier .. but he was SOOOOO teasing the fans!! Clay Aiken strides on stage -- looking fantastic; hair, clothes, his carriage all said "Star" -- the woman next to me had not seen Clay for a while -- her jaw literally dropped open and she looked at me and said "that's not him" I responded "oh yeah, it is... he's grown up" and she was like "oh my, he sure has..." -- the audience responded very enthusiastically and some stood (many Clay fans in the front sections) -- then he turned to look out and I caught that sweet smile and the sparkle in his eyes and that was it ... toast!! Launched into "Solitaire" without saying anything ... and yep ... blew the roof off the Hall -- absolutely amazing rendition -- starting with such control, many varied tones & shadings, so much emotion and heartbreak -- when he hit those glory-notes; they launched out into the hall, doubled back and wrapped everyone in the glorious sound ... goosebumps and shivers!! I think he KNEW he nailed it, by his reaction at the end. Many rose to their feet, and the response was overwhelming! I heard the guy in back of me (not a clay fan) saying "wow, wow, what a voice, wow" ... it was a "perfect moment" for me ... a dream ... I did see Neil and his entire family standing for Clay and my heart was so touched by that.

  After this I was a bit foggy for a while.... Lou Christie sang a song that I think someone said was called "Sing Me" ... I don't remember any of it ... I know I heard "Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen" at some point ... maybe here?

  Natalie Cole came out in a shiny dress and amazing shoes that looked like they were made out of disco-ball material and she's gorgeous -- sang the slower version of "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do" and was stunning -- I had goosebumps again, what a beautiful, beautiful voice ... lovely performance -- after Clay it was tops for me.

  Connie Francis was next, I was sort of expecting her to be "off" because I had heard she had medical & other problems and didn't sing anymore, but she was super! Really!! Talked a bit and then went into "Where The Boys Are" (great song). She did a wonderful job, her voice was still strong and very pure and it was another precious moment. She got a (mostly) full standing "O" (well deserved).

  At some point a local DJ, Cousin Brucie Morrow, did something?? and some other NY guy came out and gave Neil a "Golden Microphone Award" but I have no idea who or why?

  They had a taped tribute from Barry Manilow. He looked way too "over-processed" and I was disappointed that he plugged his new CD, on which he recorded "Solitaire". That set up a funny moment when Foster came back out and said "uh ... somebody else did Solitaire, Barry." HaHa!!

  Paul Shaffer next... he did some fun audience participation with us all singing do-wop stuff but then talked and played piano too long, he sorta "stage hogged" a bit (IMO).

  Now the reason for the show -- Neil Sedaka!! He talked for a while and was very sweet and fun and a complete entertainer -- engaged the audience totally, very charismatic -- he sang several songs, "Oh Carol", "My Diary" "Stupid Cupid" w/ Connie Francis (right before this, Neil spilled his water (joked it was vodka) and while they mopped up the piano bench, she told a funny story about hating everything that Neil & his writing partner, Howard Greenfield, pitched to her until they played this "Cupid song), Neil and David did a credible version of "Bad Blood" and he sang something with the Captain & Tennille, -- also "Give Me One More Time on the Merry-go-Round" (??) & "The Hungry Years" Neil dedicated the song "You" to the fans but it was sung in part to his wife (sniffle) & the faster version of "Laughter in the Rain!!!!"

  The show ended with most of the group (minus Clay, Dion & Natalie) singing "That's Where the Music Takes Me" (sort of reminded me of Clay's "Hometown Connection" videos)

  Wrapping it Up: Absolutely fantastic show -- well worth the trip and braving the rain -- This is honestly a memory I will cherish forever ... not just because of Clay's "Solitaire" performance (which was truly outstanding in a way that cannot really be explained in words or appreciated on a video clip) but because of the entire evening -- it was magical !!! I am so blessed to have been there, in person, I know that!

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