Clay Aiken has returned….
Clay Aiken has never sounded more at home than he does singing the lushly arranged classics on his fifth studio album Tried and True — the international pop phenomenon’s first album for Decca Records. Showcasing Aiken’s powerful voice and considerable interpretive gifts, the new CD is comprised of songs from the ’50s and ’60s that Aiken grew up listening to as a child. The platinum-selling artist and idol to many has arguably never sounded better. Tried and True will be available everywhere on June 1st.
For Aiken, Tried and True (so named because he feels the songs have stood the test of time) was about getting back to himself after a career performing more pop-oriented material. “There are a lot of elements to this album that are about me returning to what I’m comfortable with,” Aiken says. “To me, older songs are more melodically appealing and beautiful. So doing this album was an opportunity to just be myself.”
Aiken’s delight in the material on his new disc shines through with his impeccable vocal delivery, as well as his genuine emotional connection to each track. Highlights include swinging album opener “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” made famous by Frankie Valli; “Misty,” the Johnny Mathis hit, and a soulful rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Suspicious Minds.” Tried and True also features two songs Aiken sang while appearing as a contestant on the second season of American Idol: “Mack the Knife” and “Unchained Melody,” alongside songs with guest appearances by saxophonist David Sanborn on “What Kind of Fool Am I?” and Broadway star Linda Eder on Roy Orbison’s “Crying.”
Aiken launched his career journey seven years ago on American Idol, where he won over millions of viewers with his phenomenal voice and down-home charm. He parlayed his success into full-fledged stardom, selling more than six million copies worldwide of his previous four albums, all of which debuted in the Top 5 on the Billboard chart. In addition, Aiken has launched nine live tours, made the New York Times best-seller list by co-authoring the inspirational memoir Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music In Your Life, and won several American Music and Billboard Music Awards — all while donating a significant amount of his time to such charities as his own foundation, National Inclusion Project and acting as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. In January 2008, Aiken made his Broadway debut in the role of Sir Robin in the Tony Award-winning musical Monty Python’s Spamalot. In June, he embarks on a co-headlining jaunt with good friend Ruben Studdard.
Ok Aiken fans, here is your chance to score a free copy of Tried and True! Simply post your favorite Clay Aiken song and why you love it in the comment section below. Contest ends Friday June 11th!
Unchained Melody is my favorite. I’ve always loved that song. First of all my son used to play in on the piano when he was a child, then Clay amazed me with his AI version, and after singing it on several appearances, he finally recorded it and it’s included on TnT, I think he sings it absolutely beautifully, his range is unbelievable!
Can’t pick a favorite Clay song. Love them all!!!! Amazing voice!
My favorite Clay song is Lover All Alone because it was the one that he wrote and because it is a very honest and vulnerable song. I can totally relate to it and the first time I heard it, it brought me to tears because of the raw, honest emotion of it.
“Run To Me” from his Measure of a Man album is my favorite Clay Aiken song. I think the singing and the range in that song is really impressive and stands out from other male pop songs.
I was blown away by Unchained Melody!! this arrangement was so different and unique. Clay’s voice never sounded better on it! I love that he included this song this album because it was one of his mom’s favorite songs that he sang…she envisioned him becoming a star by singing it. too cute!! A STAR HE IS!! The orchestration is perfection!
My favorite Clay Aiken song is very hard to choose. On Trid and True, I would have to vote for “Unchained Melody” which, as he said, he finally was able to sing his own version of it. The last notes made him start fromthe bottom of his feet up throughthe roof into heaven and beyond – incredible!! “Lover All Alone” written by Clay is beautifully haunting and “Solitaire” is totally amazing. Everything Clay sings is a winner; there’s no one like him.
I have always loved anything Clay sings but my favorite would have to be Solitaire. I get goosebumps from it!
They are all so very special and so beautifully done, but my favorite is Mack the Knife, because my sister who passed three years ago bought Bobby;s album as my first album ever, but alas someone stoled it. But Clay brought the memory back to me!
My all-time fave Clay song, as it is for many other fans, is LOVER ALL ALONE, for which Clay wrote the most raw, haunting lyrics known to man. But my reason for loving it best is unique. In 2006 my darling husband passed away. I cannot begin to tell you how lonely & depressed I became. The grief was threatening to swallow my life. The night I first heard this song, it shattered me. Not only due to my own bleak existence at the time, but because I knew that Clay had been dealing with a lot of intense personal issues himself that year. I had no doubt that the theme of the song – questioning whether you were meant to ever have true love in your life – came from the very depths of his soul. And that made me very sad for him. I listened to the song several times & cried myself to sleep. Sometime in the middle of the night I awoke & saw my husband, as he looked when I first met him, kneeling right beside me, just watching me with the most beautiful expression of love & peace. I even saw a faint aura of white light around him. I wasn’t afraid at all, just thrilled to see his sweet face again. I reached out to touch him, partly to convince myself I wasn’t dreaming, & he faded away. But the feeling of unconditional love & the knowledge that he was happy somewhere & looking out for me never left. From that day forward, I was much more able to deal with the tremendous loss. I attributed some of that to Clay’s willingness to show us his heart in a very intimate way. So that’s my story; every word of it is true.
I love the duet with Linda Eder on Roy Orbison’s “Crying.” What an original take with lovely, tender harmonies that turn this classic country hit into the purest pop. Can’t stop listening to this one. I confess it’s hard for me to choose a favorite, because I’m also kind of addicted to the purity of tone & Clay’s beautifully restrained lower register in “Misty” and “What Kind of Fool Am I” as well. This is mood enhancing easy listening that for me becomes a hard-to-break habit. Great job!
My new favorite Clay Aiken song is “Misty” from Tried & True. I never imagined that anyone could equal Johnny Mathis on this song but Clay has done just that. I can’t say that one is better than the other because they both have magnificent voices and each version is special.
I’ve always been a fan of Clay. I think I also like “Lover All Alone” and “The Real Me.” Can’t say which one I like the best.
Love Clay’s Can’t take my Eyes off you &
Suspicious Mind. I feel Clay is singing to me.I Love his voice singing so gently from his heart, So romantic!!!
Clay Voice is Crisp and loving…
Wow Great CD,,Easy listening..
Unchained Melody is my favorite song. Although Ashes is a top one too. But for this give away, I believe that Clay would love for this CD to be given to Caitlin. And Caitlin if you read this, and you do not win, email me and I would truly enjoy buying a CD for you.
My favorite Clay Aiken song is ‘The Way’. It’s my favorite because sometimes when you love someone, you can’t always aptly describe the reasons that you DO love them. This song could be applied to so many different kinds of love and in the end, isn’t that what it’s all about…Love?
My favorite Clay Aiken song is “This Is The Night”. I loved everything Clay sang on Idol, but TITN was, in my opinion, his crowning glory. It took him from the contestant level, to that of a 5-star performance artist. And, on top of everything else, I glanced over at my “he-man” hubby during Clay’s performance of TITN that night and he had tears in his eyes. When the song ended my husband said, “Well now, there’s your winner.” On so many levels he was absolutely correct. Can’t wait to hear the newest CD.
It’s difficult to narrow it down to just “one” song since there are to many but one of my very all time favorites is a song Clay sang way back on Idol called “I Could Not Ask for More”. I had never heard that song before and I simply loved his version of it. Now I’m looking forward to his new CD Tried & True which I know I’m going to love.
My Favourite is What Kind of Fool am I
he sings it better than Anthony Newley
Love Clay Aiken; love Linda Eder; the duet is fabulous!
Kudos to both for a great job and great collaberation!
My favorite is Somewhere Out There. Great range! Great AI — the Best!
Tears run dry- never released on an album but amazing song- should have been on his love songs cd.
Build Me Up Buttercup. The song is very upbeat & was performed by Clay n American Idol 2.
Take time to tell me you really care
And we’ll share tomorrow together
Ooh baby, I’ll always love you forever
Right after he sang it I thought “Wow! Who is this guy?!”
I Tried to choose a favorite Clay song but it’s True I love all of them!!
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Unchained Melody is wondrous.
Lover All Alone – amazing songwriting and style! Wow, Clay! Please tour and come to our city soon!
I’ve always loved “The Way.” It gets good rotation on my iPod!
My favorite Clay Aiken song is from Tried & True. At first I thought “Ugh” when I heard he recorded It’s Only Make Believe.
Great arrangement on that one, and it maked an old song fun!
I have too many favorites on this album. Crying, UM, A Kind of Hush, It’s Only MB. It’s a great listening album for music lovers.
It is the hardest thing to choose one favourite Clay song. I’ll say Crying (for now) – the duet is beautifully sung, nothing can compare to the 2 beautiful vocals, the expressions on the song just tugs at the heartstrings.
My favorite Clay song is “On My Way Here.” I just love it.
My favorite is “The Way”. It is just so beautiful that I could listen to it over and over. And sometimes do.
I love Bridge Over Troubled Water from the AI finakle because it really showcased the strength of his voice.
madamerkf at aol dot com
I like Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Tried & True? So who the heck is he appealing to – the retirement community? Maybe he can sing on cruise ships and play shuffle board with the seniors. Talk about a career crashing & burning.