Taylor Hicks - Taylor Hicks
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CD Details
Artist: Taylor HicksEdition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 2011-06-08
Music Label: Arista
Product features:
- TESTED
- The Runaround
- Dream Myself Awake
- Heaven Knows
- Gonna Move
- Wherever I Lay My Hat (That's My Home)
- Give Me Tonight
- Just To Feel That Way
- The Maze
- Places I've Been
- Soul Thing
- The Deal
- The Right Place
Music reviews of Taylor Hicks
Music Review: One of the Best American Idol Debut Album Ever Produced. This is a Definite Keeper !
Rating: 5 Stars
I have already heard the entire CD (except for the bonus track -- HELL OF A DAY ( another original Taylor Hicks composition ), apparently available only when you buy from Wal-Mart). I am not shy then to give my personal judgment on the album --- IT IS (as of this writing) ONE OF THE BEST DEBUT ALBUM EVER TO COME OUT FROM ANY AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANT OR WINNER ! ONE OF THE BEST EVER FROM THIS HUMONGOUSLY SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINMENT FRANCHISE.
True to his innovative personality, Taylor Hicks calls this eclectic mix of musical fusion of southern rock, blues, jazz, swamp boogies, Cajun and 20th century soul -- "modern womp music" ( see his interviews ).
This album is a very good showcase of the Hicks' versatility. His desire to experiment with modern beat will probably cause some concern to his old school fans -- the legions who supported him at American Idol who call themselves the SOUL PATROL. These are the people who prefer to listen to Hicks perform root-influenced old-style soul music. They see him as the antithesis of today's modern assembly line music, which many consider, justifiably for the most part, trashy and tuneless. They want an "old-time" soul revival.
To these old schoolers, let me assure you -- this isn't a "me-too" type of album. It is very carefully and thoughtfully crafted, produced with excellence in mind and superbly performed. What surprised me is the cool collection of great cover selections, re-recorded original compositions and a few slick pop songs ( maybe a compromise with uber-producer, Clive Davis ). However, kudos to Mr. Davis for trusting in Taylor Hicks' own musical instincts and not "forcing" his own vision as to what a good Taylor album should be on Taylor himself.
Many Soul Patrolers might not recognize the Taylor Hicks they have come to know, but they need to understand that Mr. Hicks is actually a multi-faceted artist. He isn't one to stand still and desires to innovate, to try out new sounds. This is a good thing in my book...it prevents stagnation and leaves open a whole new world of music that can be explored !
Hicks' soulful, gruff vocals is the star of this album -- and what a natural instrument it is !
Ignore the once dismissive comments of envious mouseketeer, Justin Timberlake, who tends to appeal to boy-band type listeners who want to remain teenagers forever. Taylor Hicks has that soulful, manly voice that appeals to mature adults. His vocals are always impeccably spot on, emotive, rich and full and always appealing. You also cannot ignore the fact that Taylor Hicks plays more than one instrument, writes his own songs, and performs in such a way that he draws the audience to each and every one of his musical interpretation. To say that he is a "new artist" is of course inaccurate. The man has honed his skills for over a decade in every bar, blues alley and honky-tonk clubs in the South. His "soul-fires" circuit are well known to people who have followed his career for years.
His decade-long musical journey is manifest in this album. The energy and creativity, pinpoint focus, an astute versatility that covers a broad swath of musical ground is clearly present in the album compilation as a whole.
What does not surprise me is Taylor's mastery of various musical genres. The American Idol contest in a sense, forces contestants to show this sort of versatility and the one who lasts longest is clearly the one who shows his/her ability to do well in many genres. Taylor Hicks won because he clearly showed his knowledge and ability to perform different styles of music as well as his ability to pick and choose the right songs for his unique voice during every theme night.
Ultimately, what endeared him to the public is his genuine passion for his art ( as he once said to Ryan Seacrest -- "It's All About the Music"). In this album, Listeners can feel his passion whether he's wailing seductively, growling or simply soulfully crooning; The bottom line is this -- If you think that Hicks is just all about live, quirky, fun performance and that his voice alone minus the visuals will expose his limitations, you are wrong. This album showcases his excellent vocals. His strength as a vocalist is his intuitive sense of rhythm, phrasing and emoting, and timing. He once said in his audition : " I WANT MY VOICE HEARD". Well, he got his wish. His strength lies in his natural God-given ability to deliver emotive "feelings" to a song and thus draw the sensitive listener to an emotional participation in the performance itself. This uncanny talent cannot be taught. It is a natural gift.
You will just have to listen to this album more than once to drench yourself in what makes for a wide, engaging, often impressive and richly fulfilling listening adventure . What you saw in American Idol is but a small insight into the multi-faceted talent of Taylor Hicks the musician . In other words, there is more to Taylor the musician than meets the eye and you will miss the rest of what you should know if you fail to get this album.
To conclude, I believe that we have in Taylor Hicks, an artist who will be with us for a long time. If he stays healthy ( unlike the unfortunate Eva Cassidy) and does not get into an accident ( God willing ), the musical world will be blessed to have someone we can enjoy listening to for years and years to come. The great thing about Hicks is he isn't willing to stand still. He has shown that, like Lennon/McCartney, he is willing to experiment, evolve, progress, create in order to explore additional aspects of his talent. If you're willing to embark on that journey with him, then hitch along and don't miss the ride because Taylor Hicks is going to have a long, fruitful and enduring career.
Here is my personal endorsement: Invest $10.00 on Taylor Hick's album and buy additional copies as gifts for your like-minded friend or relative. Listen to the album more than once and be receptive to soul music that blends styles or elements from more than one tradition. Allow yourself to be immersed in the music for a short while. I'm willing to bet you'll become either a registered or unregistered member of the SOUL PATROL if you're open minded enough.
DOWNLOAD:
1) Taylor Hicks' own composition "The Deal"
2) His cover of the late Paul Pena's "Gonna Move" ( the excellent a capella interplay with the backup singers in the 3rd half of the song is worth the price of the download ).
3) "The Right Place". The best song in the album and one for the ages. The song is evocative of the other gospel-tinged classic -- LEAN ON ME by Bill Withers. This song, co-written by Bryan Adams, was originally intended to be recorded Ray Charles, who unhappily passed away before he could sing it. Taylor does his hero proud with his comforting and emotional interpretation of the song. I can imagine the great Ray himself smiling as he listens to this version. STRICT OLD SCHOOL Taylor Hicks fans will absolutely treasure this song.
4) "Just to Feel That Way". A dramatic, haunting and rousing rock-opera type song. The song draws you to it from the opening piano bars to the rousing chorus to the deliberate slowed down ending. Taylor Hicks' voice alternately wails, soars, moves seamlessly from fortissimo to pianissimo in tandem with the complex movements of the song and emotions of the lyrics. If I were to pick one song in this album that can is perfect for top 40, this is it.
5) "Heaven Knows" co-written by Ray Charles and Smokey Robinson and one of the many spirited and soulful songs of the album.
Description of Taylor Hicks
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