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: #43727 in Music
• Brand: Arista
• Released on: 2006-12-12
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

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

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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

Customer Reviews

Very Impressive!
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 beautiful vocals and moved 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 beautiful vocals and should be a big 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 weeping 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.

This guy is good
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 love 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 love this cd, Well just see for yourself. Kenny..

Lives up to expectations
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 fairly commercial, Taylor's CD definitely allows his blue-eyed soul personality to shine. The opener, "The Runaround," might be a song that Simon would pan - but I think it's a good 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 Move" and "Wherever I Lay My Hat" are mid-tempo old-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.