If there is ever a singer you can depend on to bring the vocals, it's Ms Kelly Clarkson. Promoting her greatest hits, she put on a performance at American Music Awards that cleverly told her decade long journey through the musical world via her own back catalogue.
Starting with Ms Independent (which was was co-written by Christina Aguilera, no less) was a telling choice. She could have gone for the higher selling, and first single, American Idol winner's song, A Moment Like This. But in in choosing to perform Ms Independent in front of the faux-Judging panel, she got to acknowledge her American Idol beginnings but also, more importantly, her own independent streak. A streak which began to manifest itself on second album, and next song in the medley, Since You've Been Gone.
It's at this point the crowd begin to get into the show, and Kelly seems to get some fire in her belly too. I get the feeling her attire was restricting her a little, as the energy was slightly down on what we've been seeing from the clips of her own concerts this year. There was also some timing issues at the end of this section, but I think it was due to the backing vocalist coming in too early.
The penultimate song in the set was this year's empowering anthem, What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger). There were quite a few high G's in here- if I'm not mistaken- and it was a rousing rendition that sums up Kelly's own attitude to the tribulations she has faced on her journey so far.
The medley comes full circle and ends rightly with latest single, Catch My Breath: Kelly Clarkson's own autobiographical take on her story. There's no massive notes here, but the sentiment and emotions speak louder than any belt or high note ever could. I had goosebumps by the end of it.
A great end to not only this performance but this chapter in the book of Kelly Clarkson.
