Comments on: Idol Face Off – Open Arms

By: Connie

Connie — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 19:09:45 +0000

I listened to Elliotts first and thought wow that really sounds good. Actually it surprised me. Then I listened to Clays version and thought wow, wow, wow that was great. There is just no comparison when you hear Clay sing a song done by someone else. It is the same with Karen Carpenter. I’ll hear other women sing and think wow that was really good. Then I’ll karens magical voice and know there is just no comparison. I don’t particularly care for much vibrato and Elliott just has too much for my taste. Elliott sounds like alot of other singers but Clays voice is totally unique. No one has a voice close to his. Its always goosebump time when I hear him sing.

By: clara Boyer

clara Boyer — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 01:55:24 +0000

Bev, I want to thank you so much for your comment . You made complete sense and made me see where some are coming from. I really did not watch Clay’s season on idol. I had one sister that adored him, and one that didn’t. I really had no opinion. The first time I saw him was at the sesason 5 finale when he surprised that guy that “sorta” looked like him, and I must tell you, I loved his singing. I also thought he was cuter than heck. I went and bought one of his c’d's as well. And I honestly think he definately sings better than Ruben. It warms my heart to know that Clay has some good followers like you. I am sure he wouldn’t appreciate the way some people act on his behalf. You are a good ambassador for him.

By: Bev

Bev — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 21:28:35 +0000

Clara. I beg to differ. That is very true with ‘some’ claymates. but the majority appreciate other voices as well as Clay’s. I love Clay’s voice but also love Elliots, Kalans, Taylors, Buckys and many others.
I think (at least for myself), Clay was the underdog that season and the mother instinct came out in many of us, and as so many mother’s will do, we defend him sometimes to the point of being ridiculous. As far as I’m concerned, his talent really needs no defense. It is what it is. I feel its wrong to get so defensive about Clay. He’s a great entertainer but so are many other “Idol” alumni, and there will probably be many others to idolize and defend. Thanks for your insight.

By: clara Boyer

clara Boyer — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 18:18:45 +0000

I read somewhere that ” most people love Clay, but the Claymates , not so much”. I guess the Claymates are starting to get a reputation for being quite snarley, if someone gives an opinion that doesn’t agree with theirs, the claws and sharp tongues come out. Just watch, I will now be crucified!

By: stajay

stajay — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:09:46 +0000

It’s pretty funny reading these after a couple of months have past. I would willingly bet that people who say Clay needs studio help have NEVER seen or heard his live. Same for those saying his voice is thin, he sings with no feeling, it’s planned etc. Anyone who has been to one of his EIGHT concert tours knows the man sings with so much feeling, emotion, control, and range that it can never be captured in a studio. He finished an amazing Christmas tour and went from the solemn gorgeous songs such as O Holy Night, to a jazzy fun medley of upbeat great songs, with a WOW ending, to full beauty and a huge range in All Is Well. Open Arms may be the worst song he has ever performed — not that I thought it was bad by any means. But there has to be one that is not at the level of others or that just doesn’t do the same. This one was it.

But to compare a season opening song, with no real studio or audience, with a piano only, and extremely short amount of time, to a version where Elliott sings with a full audience, a huge amount of time on the show (the last week as opposed to first) and with great music accompanient is just crazy. That’s like comparing the first time a child sings a song to the seasonsed professional singing it.

Elliott has a nice voice, some songs are really good. But many times on that show he was off key and had trouble singing. Saying he was the best is BS and Simon DID NOT say it for the girl who loves to keep implying he did. He said POTENTIAL. Well heck, anyone good on the show might have the POTENTIAL to someday be the best. I’d advise you to watch the show again. Also watch all Simon’s other comments over the years to every other artist. He praises one week and crucifies the next.

By: Remus

Remus — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 06:21:05 +0000

Hmm, a tough one here. I love both singers’ voices but not these performances. I voted that both were equally good, just to be more positive than voting that both were equally bad.

Journey’s “Open Arms” is very much a Clay-type ballad so right away, he has the advantage over Elliott, whose comfort zone is in R&B and soul. However, Clay’s tempo seemed rushed to me so I cannot endorse his performance. Clearly, voters on that night agreed because that was the performance that placed him behind both Ruben Studdard and Kimberley Locke in the top 32 during AI2. Of course, Clay eventually made it to the top 12 via his mesmerizing performance of “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” in the wild-card show.

Meanwhile, during AI5, I (and probably many others) firmly believed Clive Davis tried to sabotage Elliott’s chances on Top 3 week by having him sing “Open Arms” as his judges’ pick. And if Clive Davis didn’t choose that song with ill intent, then it’s a good thing he passed on signing Elliott. If he couldn’t see how unsuitable power ballads were for Elliott’s vocal style, imagine what a disaster it would have been for him to have input on Elliott’s CD! As it was, Elliott did about as well as he could singing “Open Arms”, probably my least favourite of his Idol performances.

Btw, whoever said Elliott sounds even better live is correct. He puts on an incredible show. Here are videos I recorded from a live show I had the privilege to attend recently:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=296972F1D93A82F7

And FYI, toby’s mom, Elliott’s record label is himself (i.e. he has no major label backing – he’s independent). I doubt he has the resources to pay radio stations to play his songs.

By: me

me — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:34:55 +0000

i like both elliot and clay. i thought elliot should have won ai 5 and clay should have won ai2
but clay has it hands down.

just a little piece of information. clay was born with a collaspe lung.

By: Roni

Roni — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 16:08:15 +0000

“clay’s voice is thin and sweet…..”

Clay’s voice is “thin”?!!!!! You’ve got to be kidding Evie!!!! Clay has one of the strongest voice in the music industry with one of the widest range. He can blow any song off the roof with his strong vocals!!!! And that is my opinion.

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:30:42 +0000

Its CLAY for me.

By: Tess

Tess — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:21:12 +0000

Well Evie, that is your opinion. That and $4.00 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks