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| "Taylor Hicks" Goes Platinum; press release | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 1 2008, 03:56 PM (472 Views) | |
| Taymanfan | Feb 1 2008, 03:56 PM Post #1 |
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NEW YORK, Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ — American Idol’s current reigning champion Taylor Hicks is now a platinum recording artist. His self-titled debut album TAYLOR HICKS (Arista Records/19 Recordings) was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America selling over one million copies since its release on December 12, 2006. Hicks has reached this coveted platinum milestone prior to the release of an official single. The first single, “Just To Feel That Way,” goes to radio this week. To ring in the New Year Hicks will also kick off his first headlining tour on Wednesday, February 21st, in Jacksonville, Florida at the Florida Theater with dates currently scheduled to run through April 27th in Kansas City, MO. This is the first time fans will be able to see him perform songs from the new album in a live venue. After a lifetime steeped in blues, soul, pop and R&B, Taylor’s artistry was reaffirmed and validated in no uncertain terms this past year, when he won the fifth season of FOX’s American Idol on May 24, 2006. |
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| mouser | Nov 24 2008, 10:48 AM Post #2 |
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A review of "Taylor Hicks" that seems fair and is well written. Published 21 December 2006 by Mike Joseph http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/taylor-hicks-taylor-hicks/ US release date: 12 December 2006 Amazon A lot of folks were pissed when Taylor Hicks won American Idol earlier this year, and I don’t blame them. There were certainly better singers that got voted off before him. However, I can also see why he won the competition. Granted, Taylor’s not much of a looker—what with being prematurely grey and a little bit paunchy. He won’t be winning any modeling competitions (although, seriously, which Idol other than Carrie Underwood would be capable of that). However, unlike many of the finalists, who preened for the camera like they’d been practicing for their coronation their whole lives, Taylor seemed to be in the competition solely because he loved music. At least that’s the impression I got. As a veteran of the bar band scene and an independently released recording artist, Taylor appeared (and sung like) someone with a little bit of life experience and natural, unaffected soul. So that leaves the obvious question—what would Taylor Hicks sound like once he was put through the American Idol pop star paces? Well, while the production is undoubtedly more professional that it would have been had Taylor been left to his own devices, Taylor Hicks does a pretty good job of keeping Taylor true to his personality. It’s good-natured and earnest, and there are no major concessions to the state of pop music 2006. They didn’t make him an alt-rocker like Bo Bice or Chris Daughtry, they didn’t go the crooner route like with Clay Aiken, and they didn’t dumb him down and turn him into a pop airhead, although, somewhat strangely, only four years separate Hicks from Justin Timberlake. The folks at 19 Records did hook Taylor up with some good songs. Musically, this album sounds like it walked in from the late ‘80s/early ‘90s. While none of this fits on pop radio circa 2006, this stuff would have sounded perfect in between “Higher Love” and “Sweet Freedom” back in 1986. While elitists who don’t recall mid-’80s pop fondly will turn up their noses, I actually dig a lot of these songs. Hicks’ points of reference are soul legends. You can obviously tell that the man listened to a lot of Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye growing up. Hell, the rollicking “Heaven Knows” actually marries the groove of Brother Ray’s “What’d I Say?” to the melody of Marvin’s “Ain’t That Peculiar”. While it would definitely be a stretch to suggest that Taylor’s in that league vocally, he’s got an appealing burr in his voice that recalls the best of blue-eyed soul singers from Michael McDonald to Joe Cocker. Producer Matt Serletic (most famous for bringing out matchbox twenty) does a bang up job here, with no Pro Tools, no vocal enhancements, and barely any synthesizers. Listening to this album, you can picture Taylor belting these songs out in a sweaty bar somewhere, and two of the tracks ("Soul Thing” and “The Deal") are written by Hicks and date back to his bar-band days. While there are a couple of songs (including Rob Thomas’s “Dream Myself Awake") that fall on the bland side of the affair, Taylor’s album holds up strongly throughout. Highlights include the Motown-esque lead track “The Runaround”, a smooth cover of Gaye’s “Wherever I Lay My Hat” (which compares favorably to the ‘80s version made by fellow blue-eyed soulster Paul Young), and the gospel-inflected closer “The Right Place” (which, astonishingly, was co-written by Bryan Adams). He even manages to handle the dance-inflected number “Give Me Tonight” with aplomb. Even when the songs aren’t up to standard, Taylor is well up to snuff vocally. He definitely knows how to make an emotional investment in a song without overdoing it. There are plenty of vocalists (including more than a couple of former “Idol” contestants) who could stand to use a tip or two from him. While the hipster-types will hate on sight, Taylor Hicks is a solid album of meat-and-potatoes music. With a smart blend of rock & soul not seen since the days when Hall & Oates ruled MTV, the grey haired dude with the spastic dance moves has actually made one of the better albums to sprout from the American Idol machine. RATING: 6 out of 10 |
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| Gr8fulheart | Nov 29 2008, 10:09 PM Post #3 |
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As I was reading this review, it had me thinking back to when I had read it for the first time. Interestingly, my thoughts remain the same. Considering all the comments about 'Taylor Hicks' ~ I Love the album! 
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| mouser | Apr 26 2010, 11:12 AM Post #4 |
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Review Related Questions/Answers Your Review Taylor Hicks CD Item: Taylor Hicks CD Location: by shawn the writer http://www.reviewstream.com/reviews/?p=46188 Taylor Hicks’ self titled CD is one of my favorite CDs released in the past five years. The CD has thirteen different songs and at least ten of them are very catchy. Most of them are really good songs; the kind of songs you find yourself singing along to in the car on your way to work. I love the first track, “Runaround.” It is a really catchy song with an old school 1980s vibe complete with big horns and a great hook. Taylor debuted with his new CD singing this song on the Today Show, and I thought his performance was great, and full of energy. I also like, “Wherever I Lay My Hat,” which allows Taylor to better show his range. It starts out slow and soft but builds to a louder more passionate ending. I could imagine how great this song would be in concert. Taylor also included many of his older songs on the CD including “Hell of a Day” and “Soul Thing.” “Hell of a Day” is easily my favorite Taylor Hicks song. The version on the CD is more uptempo than his previous release and is probably over produced. In fact, that is my biggest complaint about the entire CD. You can see glimpses of brilliance throughout his songs, but they are overproduced with horns and other instruments, and it creates an overly slick sound. Taylor’s earlier CD was more raw and creative. I really look forward to Taylor’s next CD. “Taylor Hicks” is full of catchy song but I know Mr. Hicks is capable of more than catchy songs that never find their way to the radio. Rating: 8 |
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| mouser | Aug 4 2010, 05:34 AM Post #5 |
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Although this was posted on August 4, 2010 , I am thinking it is a revival of one printed in 2007 with the dates changed , but the comments praising the CD TAYLOR HICKS are still nice to read. Taylor Hicks Aug 4, 2010 American Idol Posted by admin at Tony White.com Album Description Taylor Hicks’s much-anticipated major-mаrk debut іѕ being released οח December 5, 2006. More Idol Releases Katharine McPhee Daughtry Fantasia Amazon.com Tһе Ɩеаѕt уου саח ѕау аbουt Taylor Hicks іѕ tһаt һе’s חοt Ɩіkе prior American Idol champs: һе already һаԁ nearly a decade οf gigging іח bars wһеח һе won tһе fifth season іח 2006, complete wіtһ songwriting experience, аח ab… Taylor Hicks This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 4th, 2010 at 2:09 pm and is filed under American Idol . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Sharman K. Galloway Says: August 4th, 2010 at 3:36 pm I listened to the cd 3 times yesterday, had chosen a favorite, listened again, chose a different favorite, then yet another. Wherever I Lay My Hat is the best song on the cd. Even though the song is about a man leaving a woman, Taylor sounds like his heart is breaking yet he is living the life he needs to live. It is soulful,has gorgeous vocals and went me to tears. Simply stunning. The Right Place, written by Bryan Adams for Ray Charles, has the sound of an instant classic. It has the feel of Ray Charles and Randy Newman, a bluesy,gospel feel that warms the soul. Just To Feel That Way shows off Taylor’s gorgeous vocals and should be a huge hit on the adult contemporary list. The Runaround is the song many people will have most likely heard now during Taylor’s promo tv performances. If you can sit still to this upbeat,motown groove song, you have absolutely no rythym whatsoever. The Deal and Soul Thing are songs penned by Taylor and have a nice blusey feel to them. Taylor has the versatility in this cd to make me smile like a drunken monkey and dance barefoot across my kitchen floor one moment with songs like Runaround, and leave me crying like a motherless child after listening to Wherever I Lay My Hat. Kudos to Taylor for giving us an outstanding first offering and I truly believe this young man is destined to become a first class entertainer for a very long time. Rating: 5 / 5 Kenneth R. Jones Says: August 4th, 2010 at 6:18 pm This is my first review. I have bought over 2000 cd’s and I should be reviewing them. My wife told me about this artist. I do not watch american idol, but she does. I bought this cd and we like it. We have a jam every 2 weeks and this cd was played at one of our last jams and it went very well. Mr. Hicks wrote a couple of these songs and he proved himself a very gifted songwriter. Check this cd out. I have been in music all of my life and when I tell you that you will like this cd, Well just see for yourself. Kenny.. Rating: 5 / 5 Parkin Says: August 4th, 2010 at 6:32 pm Like many, I was the more worried about Taylor Hicks’s CD than any other Idol CD. Why? Because Taylor has a sound that’s different than what you hear on mainstream radio. Would they make him fit in like they did with Bo Bice? Fortunately, the answer is no. While honestly commercial, Taylor’s CD certainly allows his blue-eyed soul personality to shine. The opener, “The Runaround,” might be a song that Simon would pan – but I reckon it’s a excellent song that will get you dancing in no time. Taylor’s voice gives it its needed thrust. The next song, “Dream Myself Awake,” is more of a pop/rock effort, but the verses allow Taylor to be expressive, and the song comes out pretty well. This song might get him some new fans. “Gonna Go” and “Wherever I Lay My Hat” are mid-tempo ancient-style R&B types that match Taylor perfectly. “Give Me Tonight” sounds forced and is a dud, but “Just To Feel This Way” is a gorgeous ballad that rivals another fave of mine – Bryan Adams’s “The Right Place.” “Places I’ve Been” is a Diane Warren ballad that’s somewhat flat, but “Soul Thing” picks things up again. “Soul Thing” is like a signature song for Taylor. The CD ends with the before-mentioned “The Right Place,” which allows Taylor to show his range. Should convince even some doubters. So, to sum up, this is one of the best Idol CDs – and I hope it does well, as Taylor has carved his own niche. Rating: 4 / 5 Robert G Yokoyama Says: August 4th, 2010 at 8:26 pm Most of the songs on this CD are about falling in and out of like, and that is okay with me. I just hope Taylor will include more of his personal experiences in his music in the future though. Having said that, I reckon this is a very excellent debut. The drum beat and the trumpet playing sound really excellent on this first track The Runaround. It is a very fun track to start off the CD. Soul Thing is another fun uplifting track here. The Right Place is another highlight here. This track shows Taylor’s romantic soulful side. The piano playing on this track is gorgeous. Dream Myself Awake is another nice track. The electric guitar playing gives this song a nice pop rock edge. Give Me Tonight is a groovy sounding track. This is a excellent song to play at parties and dance to. Places I’ve Been is a very touching song about how a special individual can change another person’s life. This is a very enjoyable debut CD by Taylor Hicks. Rating: 5 / 5 Michael Ferrari Says: August 4th, 2010 at 9:43 pm I was skeptical at first, not sure if the real Taylor Hicks soul would emerge in his first album. Lives up to all expectations and should do very well! Takes me back to the days of Joe Cocker, Marvin Gaye, with a small Ray Charles thrown in for excellent measure. Rating: 5 / 5 |
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| Gr8fulheart | Aug 4 2010, 09:17 AM Post #6 |
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I intend to believe also; this is a reprint of reviews from Taylor's lst album. With that being said, seeing this in print once again should awaken people to who Taylor really is & what he is about. Good to read the thoughts of others; reprint or not. |
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