Taylor Hicks - Taylor Hicks
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Free Music Notes for Taylor Hicks
Free Music Review: Outstanding!
Hit: 5 Stars
I can honestly say that, after several listens, there's not a single song on Taylor's cd that I dislike. The band is excellent throughout, and Taylor's vocals are consistently superb, even on the one or two tracks that have slightly formulaic lyrics.
'The Runaround' is pure whomp and joy - a real 'barn burner', especially when Taylor performs it live. 'Dream Myself Awake', although lyrically perhaps a bit mundane, has a good melody and hooks that make it very radio-friendly and a potential pop hit.
Apart from the songs written by Taylor, which I love, I think 'The Right Place' is my favourite, belonging right up there with the greatest soul ballads of all time - a classy 'classic'. I also love his interpretation of 'Wherever I Lay My Hat' - for me, it conveyed more of the true feeling of the song than did Paul Young's earlier version (which was also very good). Apart from being a great vocalist, Taylor has a true gift for interpreting lyics in a way that connects with the listener.
I'd say my least favourite on the cd is 'The Maze', but it has grown on me somewhat with repeated listenings.
One of the most significant things about this album is that the few Taylor compositions featured stand up well both lyrically and musically against some very seasoned songwriters. This bodes well for him having more of his own material on his next cd.
The production finds a good balance, never overdone or overpowering Taylor's fine vocals. The excessive 'bells and whistles' often found on Idol albums are not an issue with this album, thank goodness.
All in all, I have nothing negative to say about this cd. For an Idol debut album, produced 'start to finish' in about 6 weeks, it's a cohesive cd of exceptional quality, with something to please everyone. Well Done, Taylor!
Free Music Review: Something for Everyone
Hit: 5 Stars
Taylor Hicks CD has a variety of music that should please almost everyone's musical tastes. There are upbeat songs, power ballads, soulful tunes, songs that tell a story, and everything in between. It was difficult for me to pick an absolute favorite because several songs for me were in the running, but after listening to the full CD several times, Just To Feel That Way inched its way to the top. It is a beautiful haunting ballad where Taylor's vocals particularly stand out. I find myself closing my eyes during this song to fully take in it's emotion and beauty. The last track on the CD, The Right Place, comes in a very close second to being my favorite. It is a song that was written for Ray Charles, but he passed away before he had the opportunity to record it. Taylor does a beautiful job on the song and I think it will stand the test of time and be a favorite for years to come. The Runaround, the opener, is a fun, upbeat song that had me on my feet and dancing to the tune. Gonna Move could be a page out of Taylor's life story. Taylor has never stayed in one place too long. His music has taken him on a long journey and we get a glimpse of it in Gonna Move. Places I've Been is another lovely ballad. Taylor's self-penned songs, Soul Thing and The Deal are two of the best songs on the CD. Both very soulful, Taylorized tunes, full of emotion and longing.
The lyrics to Dream Myself Awake ("Do me wrong, do me right, do me anywhere you want tonight") were enough to get me to want purchase this CD. Fun, catchy tune. Heaven Knows, The Maze, Give Me Tonight -- all different. They didn't place at the top of my list, but it might be different for you. As I said before, there is something for everyone in this terrific CD by Taylor Hicks.
This CD is nice!
Free Music Review: Taylor Hicks Wins Once Again
Hit: 5 Stars
You never really know what an Idol's first album is going to sound like. Most previous winners and runners-up did not seem to have a real good sense of their musical direction, and their debut albums lacked cohesion. Not so with winner #5. Taylor has said that he was already "formed," and had been thinking about making this album for years. For the most part, I think he won the battle. Taylor Hicks is a funky, soulful mix of old-school brass and sass, and there isn't a bad track on it.
What's interesting about this album is that the more I listen to it, the better I like it. Songs that I was somewhat lukewarm about on the first run-through have now moved up to the top of my list. I love "Gonna Move" and "Wherever I Lay My Hat," and "Places I've Been" can move me to tears. "Give Me Tonight" never fails to get me up and dancing (wherever possible) and "The Right Place" still gives me goosebumps. "Heaven Knows" kicks butt!
I love the new recordings of "Soul Thing" and "The Deal," and while I am still not a total convert, can't seem to get "The Runaround" out of my brain. "Dream Myself Awake" and "The Maze" are the only two cuts that I would have swapped out - maybe for a new version of "The Fall" and "Hell of a Day," which only appears on the special edition sold by one of the "big box" stores.
I rarely give a CD five stars, and while this album is not perfect, Taylor earned top ranking from me for being able to put together a quality album in just six weeks. He stood fast, and while there are certainly some compromises reflected in the track selection, I think he won the battle. I've heard the debut albums of all previous winners and runners-up, and I feel confident declaring Taylor's album the best debut Idol album ever. Now get out there and buy a copy!!!
Free Music Review: Taylor Hicks is a "Whomp Fest"
Hit: 5 Stars
Hello, my name is ....... and I'm a Taylor Hicks-aholic. There, I admitted it. Being a Taylor Hicks-aholic can be taken two ways, first addicted to the person, second addicted to his debut album. Yep, I'm both!
Taylor wanted to be true to himself, his style, passion, soul-blues-jazz style, and this album does it all! From the hip and funky, "The Runaround" to the ballad style "Wherever I Lay My Hat" and "The Right Place". It's all good! I've played these songs over and over, and I don't get tired of them.
When I first heard "The Runaround", my first thoughts were "what the....", but after a second listen, I couldn't get it out of my head! It's great to move and groove to.
Having some of Taylor's original music is very good. It gives a peek to the past but with a new modern beat. "The Deal" & "Soul Thing" are just good simple songs. If you are lucky enough to have the remake of "Hell of a Day" you have a third treat from Taylor.
I've heard Taylor sing "Gonna Move" a number of times with his old bandmates, Little Memphis Blues Orchestra. I never understood the words until the song was on the album. It's got great lyrics that tell a story. I can't help but wonder if the story is similiar to Taylor's life as well.
"Just to Feel That Way" will be the radio version. I understand there are different versions that will be released to Top 40 and Adult Contemporary stations. It's a good song - great mood music, may even be a classic love song someday!
As Taylor often says, "it's all good!" Try it, you'll be glad you did!
Free Music Review: Taylor Hicks' CD is AWESOME!!!!
Hit: 5 Stars
The new CD by Taylor Hicks is ABSOLUTELY AWESOME!! I highly recommend you buying a copy for yourself!!!
If you want a CD that everyone in the family will enjoy...then Taylor Hicks new CD will do the trick!!! There is something for EVERYBODY!!! You have fun, upbeat songs that will get your feet tapping away (even while driving!!!)...such as, The Runaround and Heaven Knows...You get a sexy groove with Give Me Tonight...You get a healthy dose of SOUL...with Taylor's homage (written by Bryan Adams) to Ray Charles with The Right Place along with two other Soulful tunes, Gonna Move AND Wherever I Lay My Hat...AWESOME!!! For a love song...you can't beat Just To Feel That Way...I get goosebumps EVERY time I listen to it...it is BEAUTIFUL!! Another love song is Places I've Been, it REALLY tugs at the heartstrings...it REALLY puts you in mind of someone you deeply love...and longed for when you're away from them. If you've had struggles with love...you will identify with the lyrics of Dream Myself Awake and The Maze...both excellent songs and wonderful showcases for Taylor's AWESOME voice!!
Then...to add to all the wonderful songs Taylor does...we are treated to two of his original songs...songs he wrote himself several years ago...Soul Thing and The Deal...both these songs illustrate what a wonderful songwriter Taylor Hicks is...in addition to being a man with a GORGEOUS voice!!!
GREAT CD BY A FANTASTIC MUSICAL TALENT!!! Taylor Hicks IS the REAL DEAL...Awesome singer...awesome songwriter and awesome musicican!!!!