Customer Reviews

Tried and True

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Ever since Clay Aiken ran over, got out of his car, checked the body and drove over it in reverse singing Mack the Knife on American Idol -- I have been dying for him to do a standards set. He always had an excellent way with phrasing. And that is what separates someone from just bulldozing through a song and making it truly live and breathe. There has to be a connection that goes beyond vocal ability and also, there has to be a great band. Thankfully this CD has both, naturally. The songs are allowed to simmer and build and stray just far enough from their more well known arrangements to sound familiar but also adventurous. "Suspicious Minds" keeps its jaunty juxtaposition of rhythm vs. lyrics. And What he does to an old war horse as "Misty" is just grand, he stretches and plays with those vowels like a cat with string. "Moon River," is simply flawless, ranking up there with Raul Malo's wonderful take.

I would love to see Aiken tackle more material in this genre, his voice has grown to this lovely smokey quality that still has a killer upper register. It is more than adept at carrying the weight of these lyrical gems. It would be amazing, say about 15 or so years from now, to have a library from him that is in its infancy and be able to sit next to those that have mastered the American songbook.

I have loved Clay's voice since I first heard him on American Idol, over 7 years ago but to be truthful, his CDs never quite captured his amazing vocal ability....until now. I have been listening to this new offering on repeat since I downloaded it and it is stunningly beautiful. Decca records has done what RCA failed to do, capture the richness and glory of a voice that comes along rarely. Clay has never sounded better.

His duet with Linda Eder, Crying, is so beautifully sung by both artists. It is just gorgeous. Truly a masterpiece as is the entire CD. Even if you don't think you will like these timeless songs, Clay makes them fresh and new. He is working with some fabulous musicians which helps to create a swinging big band sound reminiscent of the masters of yore. But there is nothing old about this CD. It's fresh, new and Clay Aiken at his very best. I'm loving every single track.

Finally the album that i have been waiting for. Clay had the good sense to record the classics. Great song selection, and renditions. This is the music he should have been singing all along. The best covers since he recorded Solitiare.

His voice is tailor made for these songs. One of the best versions of Unchained Melody, a heatfelt It's Impossible, and a sublime duet with Linda Eder on Crying. Not to metion his Kick-Ass version of Mack The Knife.

If anyone loves GOOD music, this album is a must have !!!

I just finished listening to this cd and I have to say I LOVE IT! I must admit when I heard this was going to be a covers cd I was not a happy camper. Well, Decca Records and Clay obviously know what they are doing because Mr. Aiken has never sounded better. I was really taken to a different place while I was listening to this cd. There is just something so haunting and relaxing and downright glorious about the music and Clay's voice. He was made to perform this type of music, I am convinced of that after hearing this. So I am now gladly eating crow for all my bitching about this cd prior to its release. If you had any reservations, as I did, about this cd, trust me, GRAB IT, you WILL NOT be sorry, it really is FANTASTIC! 10 STARS from me.

I just now watched the dvd, OMG I have to have those songs that he is singing on the video that are not on the cd! Love the version of Build Me Up Buttercup that he does on the dvd. I hope we will be able to purchase these songs through PBS! The DVD is a huge tease....I didn't think I could get any more excited about the PBS Special coming up, I was wrong! This little clip they show on the dvd just pushed me over the deep end! I CAN NOT WAIT TO SEE THIS PBS SPECIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best part of the CD is that the voice is front and center on each song with the orchestration supporting but not overpowering. The CD has an updated retro sound (if that makes sense--LOL)--Big band, modern arrangement. I especially like his version of It's Only Make Believe, totally different vibe from Conway Twitty--faster and with a lot of swing. Unchanged Melody has a wonderful arrangement, quite different from the Righteous Brothers. I didn't think I could stand to listen to this song again, but it's actually one of my favorite. Amazing ending. (What is that note he hits??) I've always hated Moon River, but the arrangement surprised me, and Vince Gil's guitar work is so beautiful. Crying, the duet with Linda Eder, is really something.

A masterpiece! What a remarkable treasure TNT is! Clay is in his element here singing timeless classics such as the heart wrenching Moon River,crying Unchained Melody and It's Impossible..Clays vocals sweep you up and embrace you with it's sheer beauty!! Then you have the ballads that will make you feel good and want to clap,tap your feet or sway : songs such as Mack The Knife, Suspicious Minds and Theres A Kind Of Hush!! This is a collection of gems that was brilliantly created by Decca Clay composers and musicians!


Run do not walk and treat yourself to TNT ..I assure you: you will be overjoyed you did!!!

I was a little trepidatious when I first heard that Clay's first release with Decca was going to be an album with music from the 50s and 60s. I am happy to admit, I was wrong. If you are looking for a note by note replica of the originals, this CD is probably not for you. If you want a new spin on these classics and you're looking for music that makes you want to dance, cry and love - this is just the ticket.

These songs are classics for a reason and Clay has adeptly walked the line between honoring the past and breathing new life into them beautifully. The arrangements are superb (bravo to Chris Walden, Ben Cohn and Jesse Vargas, job well done). The production value is top of the line (kudos to Alex Christensen). Every song is a treat and, with every listen, you hear a nuance you missed the first time - whether it's a Flugelhorn or a bit Clay's impeccable phrasing. Clay Aiken - what can you say? Clay has an amazing voice - his range, his tone and timbre, his phrasing and interpretation. This truly is Clay Aiken at his best because it truly is Clay Aiken, singing in his pure voice.

Stand outs for me are Moon River (with an amazing guitar solo by Vince Gill), It's Impossible, Crying (I have never heard Clay with a better duet partner. Linda Eder and Clay Aiken need to record together again, their voices blend beautifully). It's Only Make Believe (love the bass line). Mack The Knife (just pure, unadulterated fun). What Kind of Fool Am I (great solo by David Sanborn and Clay's vocals are haunting). Misty (always one of my favorites). Suspicious Minds (it's pretty cool to hear that guitar intro by Mark James, the composer of this gem). These are the stand outs, but every song on this CD is worth the listen. It's an emotional mixture of fun, sadness, longing and laughter.

Bravo to all who were involved in making this CD. It is a not to be missed treasure.

This is an awesome album. All the songs that I love and Clay sings them with flawless perfection. His voice melts my heart.

When I heard Moon River would be on this album, I thought it would be like Andy Williams redux. I'm happy to say I was so wrong. Clay took this song and owns it. The Crying duet with Linda Eder is awesome. Their voices blend perfectly. They get every last drop of emotion from the song and I wanted to cry with them and for them. What Clay does with Unchained Melody I've never heard anyone else do, ever. It's amazing and impossible for me to describe. You have to hear it yourself. The music on this album will make you want to dance on some songs and get all emotional on others. It's incredible. There isn't one song on this album that is not very very good.

Being a fan of Clay Aiken since he first appeared on American Idol, it is always exciting when a new album is released. His last album, "On My Way Here", was a masterpiece. After that incredible record, I was kind of disappointed to hear that his next release would be another batch of cover songs instead of original material.....specifically covers of 50's and 60's songs. While that is not a bad thing, I was just hoping for another original album from my favorite artist.

That being said, Clay is probably the BEST cover artist in addition to being just a fantastic singer. He truly takes older songs to new levels, and completely redefines them. So it was no surprise that "Tried & True" turned out to be a very good album. While it doesn't measure up to the fantastic "On My Way Here" album, it does fit in comfortably with the rest of his work, and proves one thing: Clay can sing anything.

I'd heard all of these songs before, but Clay definitely didn't just rehash them. Instead, he put his own personal stamp on it and made them his own, while still retaining that classic feel. It was pretty impressive how consistent this album was. The tone stayed the same all the way through, and the arrangements were both jazzy and orchestral. Clay's voice was also fairly restrained for the most part....only rarely letting rip with his huge vocals. He seemed very at home with these songs.

There were indeed several fantastic highlights. His duet with Linda Eder on the classic "Crying" was fantastic, and his takes on "Misty" and "Mack the Knife" actually made me enjoy those particular songs. His last note on "Mack the Knife" is pretty amazing. I was slightly disappointed by "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You", "There's A Kind of Hush", "It's Only Make Believe", and the bonus iTunes track "You Don't Have To Say You Love Me", but all were still enjoyable songs. His rendition of "Moon River" was very beautiful. Two of the least familiar songs to me were "What Kind of Fool Am I?" and "It's Impossible", and both were absolutely amazing. "It's Impossible", in particular, was a stand-out. It might be my favorite on the album. But it would have to compete with "Suspicious Minds" and "Unchained Melody".

"Suspicious Minds" is probably the most contemporary arrangement, and it's a very fun song that definitely improves upon the original. I have to say that when Clay sang this song on his Jukebox tour several years ago, he ended in on a particularly amazing final note. Sadly, this "official studio version" doesn't end as majestically as it did when he performed it live all those years ago. But it's still a fantastic track. Meanwhile, "Unchained Melody", probably the most covered song in the world, is so well-known that any alteration to it can be somewhat jarring. But Clay actually stayed faithful to the original arrangement, and even kept it very mellow throughout....that is, until the amazing climax when he finally lets loose, and entirely redefines the song and makes it his own.

All in all, I would have much preferred some original songs, but "Tried & True" is still an excellent album, and worth it for any fan of Clay Aiken or classic romantic music.

Must Haves: "Unchained Melody", "Suspicious Minds", "It's Impossible", "Crying", "Mack the Knife", "What Kind of Fool Am I?", and "Misty".