Night shift yet again! Well, at least I'm not too tired at the moment. Took a while to get used to the funny hours initially, but I've developed a regimen of afternoon napping before starting this 11-hour marathon, so looks like it's working.

Has anyone heard Clay Aiken's studio recording of Bridge Over Troubled Water on local radio yet? I heard it for the first time last night on Power 98, and it was #3, while Ruben was either not on the chart or somewhere below that number ( I didn't hear the full show ). Strangely, a call to a couple of large CD shops in town revealed that the single hasn't even hit the shelves yet! So here we have Clay zooming up the countdown, before people can even buy the CD. Hmm, sounds a lot like what's been happening in the US lately -- ie. the unbelievable pre-sale orders on Amazon.com. Wow!

However -- and I hope I don't get flamed to bits with this comment -- BOTW fell short of my expectations. After Clay's uplifting live rendition on the American Idol finals, this version pales in comparison. The most glaring flaw is the way the song was arranged. The choir is way too loud, drowning out Clay's own powerful voice. I don't know how many takes they had either, 'cos if they picked this one because they considered it the best, then I think they must've rushed through the recording. It's really sad, 'cos it's a rather unflattering reflection of Clay's abilities -- the uninitiated may think he's got weak vocals -- and I definitely expected better from Clive Davis, who after all, once managed Elvis Presley's career. Ruben Studdard's single, Flying Without Wings, on the other hand, was a lot less dramatic, and ironically, much better in terms of production. At least I can hear Ruben's voice loud and clear.

But you know me. Always a Clay fan. :) I'm gonna buy the CD regardless of its quality, basically because he's one of the few artistes whose voice I love so much that I couldn't care less what he sings. ( Others on this list include Josh Groban and Robbie Williams. ) But ultimately, we all know Clay's a fantastic singer, and his performances on American Idol serve him well in that respect, 'cos we know what he's capable of, and well, Clay fans are always enthusiastic about their idol. :D In any case, Robin the nice lady from Raleigh ( Clay's hometown ) will be mailing me his CD, and I will forward the favour by buying a few copies ( once they get here ) for my friends. I heard over the radio that Clay has chalked up 392,000 in sales since its release, beating Ruben by 107,000. Go, Clay! :)

Here's a shortcut to a customer review page on Amazon.
And this is from my favourite Clay Aiken website. Looking good! :D

And not forgetting... a video of the Rolling Stone photo shoot! Plus, a special spread with gorgeous photos to boot!

Excerpts from the Rolling Stone article can be found at this link. You may need to sign in to read it, but it's a pretty simple procedure.

And for those of you who'd like to download the BOTW single for free, you can do it here. Just click on the underlined WMA next to the picture. Somehow, it just sounds a lot better on the computer speakers than on the radio. Hmmmm...


Okay then, I'm done with that piece of news. Are you still with me? ;)


Just wanted to share a few thoughts on a serious issue, and see if any of you can contribute your views. The key words here being: Hypothetically speaking.

A works for a major organization, but ranks lower in the hierarchy due to his youth rather than any measure of incompetence. And like many of his counterparts, he takes his job seriously, and aspires to do the best he can for his customers.
However, this organization is also the kind that puts its seniors and juniors in close proximity for many different purposes. There were a few who garnered A's respect and admiration, but there were also others who made such glaring mistakes and compromised customer care that A was deeply disturbed by it.

Thus, A made the decision to voice his concerns in a public forum. His comments reached a large audience, and a number of its more luminary members even applauded his stand. Those who supported him hoped for a change for the better in terms of how the organization was run.

Unfortunately, A was called up by his superiors, who were not forewarned about his decision. Although they didn't sack or censure him, and even offered him a job in administration, they compelled him to reveal certain details, and "advised" him to inform them the next time he intended to make his complaints in public.

A few weeks later, B wrote to the same forum, this time making a much more impassioned speech about a gross injustice that was committed against a high-ranking member of his organization ( though technically different, it belonged to the same parent company ). Those in the know had already been outraged, and a few other seniors stepped down as well as a show of support for someone whom they respected, trusted and loved. It was widely speculated that their chief had been wronged, and B wanted the story out in the open so others would understand the true circumstances.

Those in charge of the forum were inclined to publish B's article. But after learning of A's experience, they were unsure of how the organization's top leaders would react, not to mention some government figures who were also involved in the incident. A lengthy discussion ensued, and a general concensus not to proceed with the publication was reached, though the decision was a reluctant one. Reasons cited include the danger of getting sued or sanctioned, as well as the sad but likely possibility that printing the article wouldn't result in any improvement or solution. With a heavy heart, the "chairman" of the forum informed B, and the piece never surfaced for public consumption.

C, who also sits on the committee of this forum, is understandably troubled. Though a relatively new and young member, he is grateful to have been involved in the decision process, and was moved by the comments from his fellow comittee members, who felt that, if conditions had been more favourable, B's article deserved to be and would have been printed. Sadly, they live in a country where people like B, as well as those who choose to allow his views to be aired, are considered by certain parties to be "dangerous" and potential "destabilizers of national security" and the like. Never mind that human beings have the basic right to voice their grievances and try to right a terrible wrong. Who cares if a respected and well-loved mentor gets screwed over? You just can't fight the powers that be, full-stop.

I don't think there's any way to get round this problem, but hypothetically speaking, it's a frustrating and demoralizing situation, and needed to be addressed.

Thanks for reading. Any input is appreciated.