Musical Collaborations: Or Sharing The Wealth Of Talent

Clay Blogged! The excitement is building for Clay’s sophomore album and I cannot wait. I want to be a Clay Aiken fan for years and years and years. Longevity – that’s one wish I have for Clay. I want a great solo career as well as the opportunity for wonderful collaborations. After Clay sang with Heather Headley at her benefit concert for "Broadway Cares" Equity Fights AIDS back in 2004, he went into the audience to watch the rest of the performers. People who were there have described Clay as looking like a sponge, soaking up the creativity and performance skills of those who have been in the business longer and who have an ability to touch an audience.

Watch Clay and Heather and you can see the more experienced artist sharing the stage with the newcomer and her honest performance energy combines with Clay’s enthusiasm to create a wonderful moment.



As I think about my desire to see Clay share the stage with others, to work with the best, to learn from the best – I reviewed some other wonderful collaborations. This clip of a very young Eric Clapton in 1970 first singing with the rest of Derek and the Dominoes and then singing and playing guitar with legends Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash is simply awesome. It’s a long clip combining the two songs – but worth it!



In 1969, just a few short years prior to his death, Bobby Darin did a marvelous duet of If I Were A Carpenter with a very young Stevie Wonder. I wish the video were better – but there’s no denying their amazing talent and their shared admiration for each other.



Sometimes it’s simply two incredible pros like Van Morrison and Ray Charles lighting up the stage with their talents.



Charity events like Live Aid always give performers an opportunity to work together and this performance combines the fabulously talented Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Elton John and Mark Knopfler singing Tearin’ Us Apart. Watching their enjoyment of one another is absolutely infectious.



I’ll end this blog with another duet I adored. I remember hearing it for the first time at Meadowbrook, NH – how surprised we were to see Clay covering an Aretha/Michael hit – and the minute the music started – my husband turned to me and said “Clay’s getting funky” – oh, yes he is – and I loved watching him sing this with Angela Fisher. Here’s I Knew You Were Waiting from Raleigh NaT.



I cannot wait to see the opportunities that come Clay’s way over the next few years and the fabulous artists he gets to work with. What a great ride it’s going to be.

Technorati tags: Clay Aiken
Eric Clapton
Derek And The Dominoes
Heather Headley
Johnny Cash
Carl Perkins
Bobby Darin
Stevie Wonder
Van Morrison
Ray Charles
Tina Turner
Phil Collins
Mark Knopfler
Elton John
Angela Fisher
Broadway Cares
duets
musical collaborations


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