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Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com
A Thousand Different Ways, the follow-up to Clay Aiken's chart-burning debut Measure of a Man, trots out the kind of material a fleet-voiced former American Idol contestant can't help having a field day with: Aiken's version of Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting" is bathed in a smoothness that renders it arguably better than the original; his step into Celine Dion's shoes for "Because You Loved Me" sees nary a stumble (no easy feat, considering it's a vocal obstacle course of a song); and his cover of Paul Young's '80s classic "Everytime You Go Away" comes across as a clean-sounding, much-needed update. More proof that Aiken ain't fakin' when it comes to being a stylish interpreter comes courtesy of his convincing carry-off of Dolly Parton's sweet "Here You Come Again," but where he'll earn the most merit points for this disc is with its four originals--"A Thousand Days" especially. Aiken has the kind of voice that makes listeners want to scoot close to the speaker. He may be a softy, but when it comes to trapping raw emotion in song, he's become a mop-topped man of steel. --Tammy La Gorce

Amazon.com
The project, Aiken's first outing since 2004, combines 10 cover versions of well-known songs from the '70s, '80s and '90s with four brand-new songs. The album is a follow-up to Aiken's debut set, "Measure of a Man," which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album chart and is certified triple-platinum, as well as the platinum-selling "Merry Christmas with Love," the best-selling holiday album of the 2004 season.

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Customer Reviews: Read 454 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Not a typical Cover Album!!! September 21, 2006
105 out of 132 found this review helpful

I hope hearing this is a mostly cover album does not scare off anybody. Clay does sing other artists' hits, however Clay puts a new take on them that makes them feel like brand new songs. I will admit, I am biased towards Clay. I like his singing voice more than any other singer out there, and then with all his charity work and working with kids; I really care for his career. However, I do not be biased towards Clay's songs. First and foremost I like Clay because of his singing. So I want to judge each song based on how I like it. Just like any other favorite artist of mine, if I do not like a song Clay sings, I will definitely admit it. However, I can honestly say I have never heard a Clay song I have not liked. My first listen on this album, I thought that record might be broken. However, after listening to this album many, many times; I can definitely say I enjoy EVERY song. When you prepare to listen to this album, try to get the other versions out of your mind. Clay will do them different, and in most cases...BETTER!

01. Right Here Waiting
My first listen, I was not sure. I was thinking; maybe too soft,
too sensitive. I now say "WOW!" Great song!

02. Lonely No More * New Song
Not a bad song. It is growing on me. It does have great lyrics. I
find myself singing this song in my head often.

03. Without You
It has been covered many times, so I was not sure about being the
first single. However, it definitely is one of the top songs on the
album.

04. Everytime You Go Away
Layed back song, easy going. Not bad.

05. Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
Similar to "Everytime You Go Away'; layed back, nice listening.

06. When I See You Smile
Nice Ballad. I really liked "Bad English's" version, but it was a
little over the top and maybe a little cheesy. Clay's version comes
off better, more real!

07. A Thousand Days *New Song
Top notch song! Some up-tempo parts. Should be a single.

08. Everything I Do (I Do It For You)
Classic Bryan Adams song; one of the best. Clay does it a little
different, probably a little faster pace to it. Clay's version is
very enjoyable.

09. Because You Loved Me
Not the Celine power ballad. My first listen I did not like it. I
think it took one listen on these songs to get the other versions
from other artists out of my head. These are definitely not the same
songs. This song is not a big-ballad. It is more slow with a
tender/caring feel. Very well done!

10. I Want To Know What Love Is (with Suzie McNeil)
Emotional powerful, strong song. Also needs to be a single. Suzie
singing is a nice addition, she has a strong voice, and there is not
too much of her.

11. These Open Arms *New Song--Bon Jovi
Good tune, great lyrics, easy tempo, fits in well on the album

12. Here You Come Again
Very laid back song. Nice listening, pleasant. I like it.

13. Everything I Have (William Joseph on the piano) * New Song
Need to notice the piano, it is a nice addition. Very caring song,
make you feel good with the lyrics and Clay's emotional singing.
Great song!

14. Broken Wings
Great song with some intensity. It has a serious tone to it, nice.
There is a lady that talks a poem at different points of the song.
I could have done without that part, but it is something different
which is fine.

4 out of 5 stars

Good covers, great new music - but not enough new music September 25, 2006
65 out of 93 found this review helpful

New music: 4.5
Covers: 4

When RCA pulled the plug on Clay's CD sometime earlier in the year I was frustrated, if not angry. The timing seemed too conspicuous to be anything but a response to all of the "nobody's business" nonsense that was going on. So I don't believe RCAs "official" statement that the release date for the CD was posted incorrectly. Not for a second.

Anyway, Clay wants to be left alone, and I want the press (not only tabloid scumbags, but real journalists like Dianne Sawyer) to leave him alone. His life is his own, and it's his to live. We have no business prying. He sings for us, we enjoy it; he performs for us, we enjoy it. *That's all that matters*.

Now that this has been released I'm similarly frustrated. Sure - I love Clay's voice, and it's wonderful to hear it again. After not having heard anything "new" from him listening to this was like slipping on an old, comfortable sweater.

But I wanted an album full of new music, and I'm extremely puzzled - and a bit angry - at RCA for changing the course of this CD. I certainly hope it had nothing to do with - again - the "nobody's business" nonsense that was polluting the internet. If so, RCA should be ashamed with themselves. Clay deserves better than an album of covers.

Without question, the strongest pieces on this CD are the new ones. So why weren't there more? On his last CD, there were a few songs - notably, "I Survived You" - that were never released and without question should have been. It's not as if there isn't new material that could be procured. Heck, they didn't properly mine the new material from Measure of a Man! (In other words, I think they did a poor job in releasing the songs in the appropriate order. This has nothing to do with Clay, but everything to do with the executives that were more concerned with presenting a certain "image" than they were putting his best foot forward.)

Clay did a better job on these covers than I thought he would. Some were better than others. It's difficult for anyone to sing "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word", because it's difficult for anyone to cover an Elton John song. John's soulfulness was missing from this cover.

But on "Because You Loved Me", he really impressed me. He's covering Celine Dion, and this girl is the cream of the crop. Her first #1 song (on Billboard's Hot 100), btw, was a cover of an Air Supply song - "The Power of Love". Point being here that Dion took a song that a group with a good lead singer didn't do much with (#68 on Billboard's Hot 100 in 1985) and made it wildly successful, and launched her into the stratosphere of female vocalists. Clay is gutsy to cover this.

I was also impressed with Here You Come Again, and didn't think I would be. I grew up with all of these songs, so the original versions are burned into me. It's rare that a cover is better than the original. This isn't better than the original, but I still loved this song even without Dolly Parton's trademark enthusiasm that infused all of her songs. Clay sang this very subdued, and didn't even attempt to take a shot at infusing his own enthusiasm into the song. Kudos. There's something to be said for that, because he has the right kind of voice to "mimic" Parton's enthusiasm and cheer.

A huge fan of Foreigner from their "heavier" rock days, I loved "I Want to Know What Love Is", and was expecting to be considerably disappointed. Somehow Clay grabs the passion that Lou Gramm's vocals had. It's also a collaboration, and well done. Also - and this needs to be acknowledged - the arrangement for this song was wonderful. Many of the arrangements for the covers were sorely lacking, and if not for Clay's terrific voice, would have fallen and scraped their knees on the sidewalk.

I want to speak to the arrangements for a moment. Clay may not be RCAs biggest money-maker, but he's certainly made them enough money, and earned enough respect to have more talented people working on the arrangements. At times the background music felt decidedly amateurish - like he was on the American Idol stage and working with that band (oft criticized by the judges, especially, of course, by Simon).

It is most definitely a shame that "Lover All Alone" is only available on iTunes, because it's arguably the most beautiful, touching song on the CD, made all the more so because Clay co-wrote it.

His best cover, of course, was his finale for Season Two, the song that *should* have given him the win: Bridge Over Troubled Water. I still feel goose bumps just thinking about it. Unfortunately, the recorded version isn't as passionate as the live version. Oh well...it will live on in memory.

All in all, I think this is a fine CD, and I have so much respect for Clay for getting through all of the nonsense that the press, both tabloid and respectable, and late-night comedians who have nothing better than to pick on people more talented than themselves (in most cases) put him through. And I have respect and admiration for him admitting to taking Paxil to help with his anxiety disorder. At least he didn't turn to cocaine or other drugs readily available in Hollywood.

I would be remiss not to mention "A Thousand Days". That's a single waiting to be released. Let's see it.

NOW. When's his CD with all NEW material coming out? Let's get with it. I don't want to wait two years. RCA needs to grow some...well, you know.

5 out of 5 stars

Don't forget he was voted to the top on American Idol singing covers September 19, 2006
38 out of 44 found this review helpful

I've been really looking forward to getting Clay's latest CD so I ran out today to pick it up and I must say it does not disapoint. I've always liked when artists take a trip down memory lane and re-record other people's material and the songs picked for this CD are right up my alley (Paul Young, Bad English, Richard Marx, Elton John, Mr. Mister) All bands I really love. Plus Clay went all the way to the top 2 on American Idol singing covers and everyone loved it then so what's not to love Now. His voice sounds very smooth and strong and gives a great new spin to some classic songs. My personal favorite is Paul Youngs/Hall&Oates "Everytime you go away"

5 out of 5 stars

WOW! Just .... WOW! September 19, 2006
34 out of 38 found this review helpful

As a Clay fan, I know Clay has the ability to take a cover song and make it his own, as evidenced by his Jukebox Tour summer of 2005. But, I had a few concerns when I saw the covers selected for the album. The 30 second clips I heard first were OK. Of the 10 covers, I could hear a "retooling" in maybe half of hem -- and I loved the preview of the 4 new songs. But, when I first heard the full tracks when they became available via ClearChannel -- GOODNESS!! They were SO much better than the 30 second clips. I adore every one of the 14 tracks, but here are my favorites.

Richard Marx's "Right Here Waiting" -- this song is much better than the original. I liked the original OK, but it just seemed to drag a bit. This retooled version holds the listener's interest and moves forward much better.

Harry Nilsson's "Without You" -- this is a perfect song for Clay. It really showcases his amazing voice and contains both the tenderness and huge glory notes that Clay can sing like no other.

Bryan Adams "Everything I Do" -- this is ~totally~ reworked and has a kind of celtic flair throughout. Georgous!

Dolly Parton's "Here You Come Again" -- this was a concern for me, but he knocks it OUT OF THE PARK (those low notes; how DOES he do that?? Especially when coming from a higher register??)

Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me" -- it is a bit faster with a stronger percussive beat that makes me like it so much more than the Celine Dion version.

Mr. Mister's "Broken Wings" -- the first time I heard it, I was kind of like "OK, it's not bad", but the more I listen, the more I like; I'm now addicted to the song. The poetic voice strung throughout was a bit of a distraction at first, but now I can't imagine Clay's version without it. And, pay special attention to the very last line. It explains why this beautiful track is last.

Elton John's "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word" -- this is another one that surprised me, as it is so very different from Elton's version. Clay sings it with such emotion, and the phrasing and falsetto he uses in the "sad sad situation" parts gives me chills (in a very GOOD way!)

The new songs:

"A Thousand Days" -- fans who attended the JBT last summer are familiar with this song. This studio version is quite good; they came very, very close to capturing Clay's "live performance" intensity.

"These Open Arms" (written by Bon Jovi and Desmond Childs) -- this song was not a favorite based on the 30 second clip. But again, when I finally heard the whole track, it is a really, really good song. Some of the lyrics make me think it was custom-written for Clay, but I don't believe that's the case.

"Everything I Have" (featuring William Joseph on the piano, who opened for Clay during his holday "Joyful Noise Tour 2005") -- this song is so very tender. It is a very quiet song -- no big glory notes, no big instrumentation. Basically an acoustic version that truly showcases Clay's amazing vocal talent.

"Lonely No More" (co-written by Clay) -- This song is quickly becoming a favorite. I can't explain why, exactly, but I do find myself humming it while doing other tasks. It's got a nice hook that pulls you in.

While I relly liked "Measure of a Man", this album is far superior to that; it is a masterpiece. The cover songs chosen really do showcase Clay's wonderful voice, and demonstrates Clay's ability to take VERY different songs, make them his own, and make one forget what the original sounded like (much like he did for "Bridge Over Troubled Water"). I can see this album becoming a classic. At least it will be for me. I can imagine myself listening to it decades from now.

I am so thankful Clay has entered the entertainment world. A voice as pure and wonderful as his does not come around often, and it truly needs to be shared. And, he is such a wonderful celebrity role model for my children. He proves that nice guys can indeed prevail.

4 out of 5 stars

The disappointment of others was my good luck... October 1, 2006
28 out of 29 found this review helpful

I noticed that a lot of people seem let down because Clay Aiken released an album of covers. But in my case, it's a good thing he did, or I wouldn't have bought his CD, and you wouldn't be reading this now. The familiar songs were what made me take notice of him. (I don't watch "American Idol".) Frankly, I hadn't expected much, but before I bought it I listened to the samples one by one, and I found myself amazed to be liking them. Clay's voice is practically perfect technically, and it is really fervent and uplifting. And I like the breathy quality, because it makes his delivery very intimate. So, how do his vocals and arrangements compare to the originals? Well, I like the added muscle in the arrangement of "Right Here Waiting", and I would say the same for "Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word". As for "Without You", without a doubt it is very similar to Mariah's, but it is still gorgeous, and I can see no reason why both versions can't co-exist in the world of love Clay is trying to bring to us. I feel the same about "I Want To Know What Love Is". On "When I See You Smile", I actually prefer his vocal over the original. He sings "Because You Loved Me" in a more straightforward manner than Celine did, so the lyrics and their message reach me more easily. And his smoother version of "Here You Come Again" makes it a very different interpretation from Dolly Parton's. I want to add that in no way am I trying to belittle the other artists' versions of these great songs. I'm just saying that they sound different in Clay's hands, and there's nothing wrong with variety. My reaction to the 4 new songs isn't as immediate as to the covers, but I think I like "Everything I Have" the best of the 4. All in all, Clay has a beautiful voice, he does a terrific job, and I say, "You go, Clay, with your bad self!"

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