CLAY AIKEN, Abravanel Hall, Monday.
Being an American Idol star can be both a blessing and a curse.
Case in point: Clay Aiken's "The Joyful Noise Tour" at Abravanel Hall Monday night. Aiken sold out Abravanel with his legion of adoring fans of all ages who went to hear him sing Christmas favorites.
Aiken had said before the tour, "It's not meant to be a show where fans bring signs and scream." But the curse of a pop idol is that even Clay himself couldn't stop his enthusiastic young female fan base Monday from waving signs, wearing Aiken T-shirts and screaming "I love you" during the middle of a song.
Aiken started off with a lavish production of "The Music of Christmas" that included his own three-member band, three very talented backup singers, a 20-member orchestra, a local children's choir and the Bountiful High School Chamber Choir.
The first part of the show could have been called "American Idol Christmas." Even Utah native Carmen Rasmusen made a guest appearance to sing a duet with Aiken on "Silver Bells."
The shrieks from the female fans was deafening as Aiken crooned through "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" and made his way down into the audience to serenade and dance with a few awe-struck fans.
After a 20-minute intermission, Aiken returned to the stage for what was easily the highlight of the show. Dressed in an outfit that included a long dark suit coat, dark blue shirt and red tie, Aiken simply stood in the middle of the stage with a microphone stand and let the music speak for itself.
Aiken belted out a string of Christmas classics beginning with a powerful version of "O Holy Night" that received a well-deserved standing ovation and made one remember Aiken wasn't just a pop star fabrication. The man can sing. In between classics such as "Silent Night," "Hark the Herald Angels Sing/O Come All Ye Faithful" and "The First Noel," children came onstage and read the first Christmas out of the Bible.
Aiken was back to the role of heart throb while singing "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and receiving numerous screams every time he mentioned the word "mistletoe." For the encore, Aiken left with a memorable version of "I Leave You With Good News" that put his full vocal power on display.
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com