Christmas waves a magic wand over this world,
and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.
~Norman Vincent Peale
~~~~~
For many years, Clay Aiken toured throughout the United States during the holiday season. Called The Joyful Noise Tours, Clay presented a program that was filled with joy and was a beautiful way to celebrate the holidays.
One of the most breathtaking moments of the concerts was actually the encore from the early days of touring. Good News is a dramatic song which conveys the true meaning of Christmas.
Good News was written Rob Mathes, a 47-year-old composer, arranger, conductor, producer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist. Besides writing beautiful music, the multi-talented Mathes has written arrangements for Jay-Z, Elton John, Mary J. Blige, Tim McGraw, Lou Reed, Beck, Chris Botti, Sting, Yo-Yo Ma, Renee Fleming, Luciano Pavarotti and more.
In 2012, Mathes received an Emmy in the Outstanding Music Direction category for his work with The Kennedy Center Honors, a special that airs on CBS each holiday season. He also was the musical director of We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial in 2008.
Good News was on an album by Rob Mathes called William The Angel. In 1993, the country singer, Kathy Mattea, included the song Good News on her holiday album, titled Good News.
Clay’s performance of Good News was exquisite and brought many people to tears.
Good news / Good news
An angel brings Good news
Good news / Good news
I leave you with Good news
Close your eyes / Fold your hands
For a moment let your sorrow fade
Why, oh, why are you afraid
Has this world stripped you of your faith
Close your eyes and on bended knee
Listen to an angel pray
And once again prepare the way
So you’ll see a gift that’s given
For you a time of joy/ Behold a baby boy
~~~
Good news / Good news
I leave you with…
I leave you with
Good news
The following video was recorded in Louisville during the 2005 tour. I would imagine you will just have to watch it more than once.
I certainly would love to hear a professional recording of Clay performing this beautiful song.
Did you ever hear Clay sing this song live at a concert?
