Track Listing

1. The Runaround
2. Dream Myself Awake
3. Heaven Knows
4. Gonna Move
5. Wherever I Lay My Hat
6. Give Me Tonight
7. Just To Feel That Way
8. The Maze
9. Places I've Been
10. Soul Thing
11. The Deal
12. The Right Place

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6446 in Music
• Released on: 2006-12-12
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.com
The least you can say about Taylor Hicks is that he's not like prior American Idol champs: he already had almost a decade of gigging in bars when he won the fifth season in 2006, complete with songwriting experience, an ability to play harmonica and guitar, and a pair of self-released albums. On his major-label debut, the Silver Fox settles in a plush, comfortable sound framed by vintage-sounding soul and R&B, as well as classic rock--it's comfort food for the ears. The one thing that's not here is Hicks's first single, "Do I Make You Proud." Other than that, the songs are a well-balanced mix of oldies (Marvin Gaye's "Wherever I Lay My Hat"), newbies that sound like oldies (Rob Thomas's "Dream Myself Awake," Bryan Adams's "The Right Place"), the obligatory Diane Warren ballad ("Places I've Been"), and some party-fun anthems ("The Runaround," "Heaven Knows"). This last track actually is one of two paying tribute to Hicks's patron saint, Ray Charles--it references the piano riff from "What'd I Say," while "The Right Place" was originally written for Charles. Clearly, there are worse people to look up to. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Album Description
Taylor Hicks's much-anticipated major-label debut is being released on December 5, 2006.

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Customer Reviews

Good, not great
I liked this album but didn't love it. I really enjoyed watching Taylor Hicks on American Idol, and I think I might enjoy watching him live than listening to a recording. Something is missing from this studio recording, the soulful voice and aura that I know Taylor Hicks has does not shine through on this recording.

Taylor is, however, one of my favorite idols, but I don't think that this album does him justice. There are a few good parts, but for the most part, it sounds rather karaoke-ish and there are many parts that just make me want to skip to the next track.

Great music
Great first CD from the American Idol Season 5 winner. Just gotta love his bluesy-soul.

Taylor Hicks is a true artist
I must confess, dear readers, that I am not enamored with the American Idol phenomenon. I used to work in the music business (managed a mid-level rock band, I'd rather not mention names) and I just never thought Idol was more than amateur hour.

Taylor Hicks intrigued me, however, because he couldn't fit the American Idol paradigm less if he tried. He stands out - for all the right reasons. His voice has a gruff, lived-in quality that perfectly suits the material he obviously loves. He possess an intense, focused stage presence - when he sings a song, he truly means it. Friends of mine sold me on Mr. Hicks via early recordings he released independently prior to his victorious run on Idol. Anyone who has doubts about his artistic validity needs to check out his stirring performance of "Georgia On My Mind" (the closing track on his first independent release, "In Your Time"). Throughout it's 7-minute-plus duration, Mr. Hicks displays a truly impressive array of emotion and power. His 2005 CD, "Under the Radar," is even better - seven original songs that demonstrate a lot of songwriting maturity from 1997's "In Your Time."

It should be noted that his major label debut, "Taylor Hicks," is not really in line with those earlier recordings. I'm sure most of the differences can be chalked up to making him "more commercial." There is a glossy, over-produced sheen to this album that is (thankfully) not present on "In Your Time" and "Under the Radar." As a musician, Mr. Hicks is a capable rhythm guitarist and a fine harmonica player - though you wouldn't know it from this album. His musicianship is limited to a couple of cameo appearances from his harmonica. As for Mr. Hicks the songwriter, he is restricted to a pair of rerecordings carried over from "Under the Radar."

In fact, it is on these holdovers that the weaknessess of this album become apparent - especially so if we look at a third rerecording, "Hell of a Day" which is a bonus track on some editions. Without exception, the original versions on "Under the Radar" are much more authentically soulful than the busier arrangements found on "Taylor Hicks." Don't get me wrong - these songs ("Soul Thing" and "The Deal" are the others) - are strong enough to survive the reworkings. But honestly, the producers of the new album didn't do him many favors.

Since Mr. Hicks was unceremoniously dumped from his label, there seems to be a surge of people rushing to say he had no talent to begin with. This album was underpromoted by Idol standards - there was no official single released to radio stations until months after it's release. Where were the supporting music videos that have been a standard part of music marketing for decades? They don't exist. Clearly, they didn't know quite what to do with Taylor Hicks and ended up doing as little as possible. Despite all this, the album was certified Platinum and spawned a pair of modest Adult Contemporary hit songs.

I like this album because Taylor Hicks manages to shine through it all - even though he was saddled with a fair amount of poor material. The opening track "The Runaround" is an energetic pop/soul number that is one of the best tracks here. The closing track "The Right Place", written by Bryan Adams for the late Ray Charles (who passed on before being able to record it), showcases Taylor's voice perfectly. Of course, I mentioned the Hicks originals earliers, "Soul Thing" and "The Deal" - both of which would have made ideal single choices (particularly the upbeat "Soul Thing").

"The Maze" would've made a good single choice - it is contemporary sounding, with a sort-of Maroon 5 vibe. Not necessarily the best type of song for Taylor, but not a bad way to bridge Taylor's 'old school' approach with something more current. The Rob Thomas-written "Dream Myself Awake" is a decent pop song. Most of the rest is a mixed bag. I've heard pre-Idol live versions of Taylor performing Paul Pena's "Gonna Move" that are far better than the smooth studio version found here - but that doesn't render it useless, covering this type of material suits Hicks well. Actually, I caught one of his shows from his tour last year. In every single case, the songs he performed from this album fared significantly better in concert.

Taylor Hicks was an unusual winner for American Idol. I hope he can overcome the stigma he is currently saddled with (first Idol winner dropped from label after only one album). He is far too talented to fade into obscurity.