Clarkson's concert real and powerfulBy William Kerns | A-J ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR
Friday, November 06, 2009
Story last updated at 11/6/2009 - 1:33 pm
LUBBOCK/First American Idol wows local crowd with her own hits and four covers
The first thing I noticed at Kelly Clarkson's concert Wednesday night at the United Spirit Arena was that the headliner's voice is as powerful as the artist is genuine.
No, I take that back. I first noticed that age demographics in the audience have not changed all that much from 2005, when she came close to selling out City Bank Auditorium.
There were enough teens and young students present Wednesday to make the arena look like it might be hosting an "iCarly" convention.
This many mom-and-daughter combinations had not been seated at the USA since Britney Spears' abbreviated (power ouitage) appearance in the summer of 2002. The arena also had to be set up in "half house format" Wednesday, thanks to no more than 4,000 fans buying tickets.
Throughout it all, Clarkson, still recalled by most as the first "American Idol" victor in 2002, gave her all in a tightly structured pop-rock concert.
Her band this year has mushroomed to 12 top-notch players, twice the number she brought to Lubbock in '05. In fact, her band also included a deejay, with scratching vinyl introducing more than one song.
Arrangements allowed her to send out as many as 18 songs in only 75 minutes.
Naturally, there was some cheese. I'm not certain that "Idol" judge Simon Cowell would have held sarcasm in check for long when Clarkson sang semi-goofy, ultra-cheerful "I Want You," separating the audience for a sing-along.
On the other hand, Wednesday's concert at times seemed inspired by "American Idol," specifically by her desire to find varied covers that fit both her voice and personality.
Clarkson now is a rare artist taking advantage of her own power to fill her live show only with the songs she likes. And if not all of them originated on her own four albums, so be it.
Indeed, she is no diva, and doesn't give any impression that she aspires to be one.
She revealed some nervousness, especially in the beginning, by speed-talking, but has learned to just laugh whenever she varies from scripted routine between songs. Clarkson obviously still wants to impress both her music director and the audience, and has no trouble doing so.
Still, no less than four times Wednesday, she delivered cover tunes - and more than one proved to be highlights.
The only questionable inclusion was her version of White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army."
Her band definitely seemed to get it. But Clarkson sounded tentative, like she was along for the ride. Some may be surprised to learn that Duane Allen, with country's Oak Ridge Boys, guided a more intense version in concert in June at City Bank Auditorium.
Two covers, though, were absolutely gorgeous. Even her band was glancing at her as she injected heart and soul into the bluesy "Lies," by the Black Keys.
When she said she had asked her music director to arrange two songs for her, who could have expected to hear Alanis Morissette's little known "That I Would Be Good," seguing two-thirds of the way through into the commanding "Use Somebody" by Kings of Leon. She explained afterward that she had waited a long time to see if Morissette planned to release her song as a single - adding that she hoped her director liked her vocal.
One can't help but be impressed by the way this performer, only 27, willingly opens her heart for all to see.
Predicted earlier to become a country songstress - she even has a duet with Reba McEntire to her credit - Clarkson kept her toes in that musical pool with her rendition of "Walking After Midnight," although she warned the audience that the band planned "to blitz it up a bit."
Not to worry. Clarkson would have made Patsy Cline proud.
Even so, fans came to hear Clarkson sing her own songs. In fact, this turnout, almost 5,000 strong, knew all the words and sounded good singing them, rarely hesitating when Clarkson gave permission to take the (combined) lead vocal.
Not that the songstress held back at all. In her favor is not only a beautiful voice, but an ability to wail and the knowledge to know the proper times to do it.
Indeed, Clarkson's voice had no difficulty reaching over the band, finding the venue's farthest corners in effortless style.
Performing more than a dozen songs from four albums, she used many - "Never Again" and the haunting "Because Of You," for example - to paint an ongoing portrait of heartbreak, making fans wish she would find the right guy soon.
On the other hand, some of her best songs have been about the men who do her wrong. But she's no weakling; just listen as she expresses strength with "I Do Not Hook Up."
The encore was little more than a chance to catch her breath before continuing. After complimenting the crowd, Clarkson made Lubbock one of only a few cities on her tour to receive a four-tune encore: "Sober," "Already Gone," "Seven Nation Army" and, saving a hit for last, "My Life Would Suck Without You."
Clarkson is exciting, gifted and funny. Concerts like this are bound to see her fan base - in more age groups - continue to grow.
lubbockonline.com/stories/110609/fea_513173173.shtml___________________________________________________
Don't be rude to Kelly Clarkson By Jonathon Moran
From: The Sunday Telegraph November 08, 2009 12:00AM
MIND what you say in front of Kelly Clarkson: she's music's new Miss Manners.
"There's too much rudeness in popular culture,'' Clarkson says - and she's sick of people like Kanye West getting away with it.
"I'm really tired of people being so disrespectful,'' she told Insider.
"It's not just him (West), it's all around and not just in my industry.
"It's life - people are so disrespectful and they think they can get away with stuff, and I'm tired of people thinking that.
"When I'm an asshole, my friends tell me; they call me out. I don't feel like a lot of people have those people in their life - so I'll be that person from now on.''
After a personally satisfying but less commercially successful detour on her previous album, My December, Clarkson is again ruling the charts with her latest album, All I Ever Wanted, thanks to hits such as My Life Would Suck Without You and I Do Not Hook Up.
She will tour Australia next year, playing Sydney's Acer Arena on April 17. Tickets go on sale Thursday through Ticketek (132 849).
www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sunday-telegraph/dont-be-rude-to-kelly-clarkson/story-e6frewt9-1225795143989Clarkson's Obama dramaKelly Clarkson says meeting Barack Obama was one of the most horrifying experiences of her life. (there is a video of her talking about it here:
www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sunday-telegraph/dont-be-rude-to-kelly-clarkson/story-e6frewt9-1225795143989