Michael Slezak won’t be back from his well-deserved vacation for a couple more days, but I’m sure he’d want me to tell you that Billboard has the full scoop on Taylor Hicks’ post-Idol major label debut CD, which comes out next week (Dec. 12). No surprise, Taylor Hicks will include covers of Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson, and soft-rockers like Rob Thomas and Bryan Adams (though the Adams tune is one the "Summer of ‘69" singer composed for Ray Charles). I’m just relieved that Hicks (pictured) and the evil geniuses who run the Idol sausage factory his producers aren’t forcing us to listen to "Do I Make You Proud" again.
Meanwhile, USA Today’s Idol Chatter blog is reporting that Hicks’ fellow Season 5 finalist, the eerily precocious and versatile Paris Bennett, has signed a record deal and could be releasing a CD as soon as February. This news has me worried, since the tiny songbird has incredible poise and technique but never displayed enough personality, individuality, or emotion to win the hearts of a majority of Idol voters. (Contrast her with the less polished but much more interesting Elliott Yamin, whose unabashedly personal style has earned him an ardent fan base.) Let’s hope Bennett makes careful song choices and hooks up with producers who’ll let her be herself (whoever that is), since it would be tragic for her to release a merely good album that gets lost in the shuffle, leaving her washed up at 18.
UPDATE: Taylor Hicks is streaming in its entirety at VH1.com. How is it? Listen and report back.
Comments (1-30) of 85 Add your comment
I for one am looking forward to Taylor’s CD. I can honestly say the same for Paris. She should have gone a lot further than she did. Paris has got a very special gift and I wish her well. McPhee should have gone off Idol the week Paris did.
Check out Billboard’s 200 Chart……DAUGHTRY debuted at #2, second only to some dude called JAY-Z (LOL).
Actually, guys, there are only TWO covers on this CD: Marvin Gaye’s “Wherever I Lay My Hat” and Paul Pena’s “Gonna Move.” Last time I checked, singing a song that someone else wrote (but never recorded) was NOT a cover, it was just the music business.
The CD is available for streaming preview at VH1. For a post-Idol release, it’s pretty good. A couple of real gems on this one!
Taylor’s CD is amazing! Holy cow, definitely worth the very long wait!
Any word about Elliott getting a record deal?????
Taylor Hicks’ new record can be previewed at VH1 for those who are interested. A small clarification: Only two of the songs are covers – “Gonna Move” by Paul Pena and “Wherever I Lay My Hat” by Marvin Gaye. There are two newly-arranged Taylor Hicks originals “Soul Thing” and “The Deal” and the rest are new, including the “The Right Place” written by Brian Adams for Ray Charles (who died before he could record it, unfortunately).
As for Paris, good news that she’s been signed! The young lady has a tremedous voice and I look forward to hearing her again soon. I do share your concern about her song choices, however.
Elliott has not signed a recording contract but does have a publishing deal with Sony. He’s been recording in LA, Nashville and Atlanta and plans to release a CD in February (don’t know who will be distributing). Has been working with producer Derek Bramble among others. But first, he’s releasing “This Christmas,” a Donny Hathaway cover on iTunes and AOL Music sometime soon.
Not sure if I agree with your assessment of Elliott being less polished than Paris. His growth and evolvement on the show was very noticeable. Not sure about Paris. Best of luck to her, though.
Just had a listen to Taylor Hick’s new album. It’s incredibly better than ANY idol album I’ve heard since Idol started. And I like pretty much every song which is unusual to say the least.
I’m going to buy one of these without a doubt.
Also season 5 contestant Mandisa has just signed a record deal it was confirmed on her myspace page, how come this is not getting any talk, on todays popwatch! she was just as good if not better than paris, and defiantely better than Taylor, heck she was the best this season!
I just listened to Taylor’s cd on vH1. Its pretty good – there are a few songs that I could do away with, but “The Right Place” makes the whole thing worth it.
The vocals on Taylor’s CD are awesome. The track mix is nice and should make for a really great concert tour. Some of the songs are fun get-up-and-dance numbers. A couple (“Just to Feel That Way” and “The Right Place”) have the potential to become Grammy winning classics.
Taylor’s CD sucks ass….just sayin.
Loving the new hairstyle! For that alone will I buy the new CD, haha!
I can’t stream the album at the work computer (nor do I think I’d want to, no offense) but can I just say it’s amazing what a good stylist can do for a person, great haircut, great eyebrow grooming, great skin… I’m not even minding the skeevy uncle open shirt deal because it’s a nice shirt. Way to go Taylor!
What is going on with Elliott?? It seems inconceivable that Paris and Mandisa have recording deals before him. I heard that even Ace has a song out!! I thought Elliott had the best voice by a mile last year–a novice on performance skill but just an outstanding voice.
I’ve heard a bit of Taylor’s CD. Sounds pretty good. I won’t mind hearing the songs if I don’t have to see him bent over like he’s got gas. (Come on–you know it’s true. He bends over like he’s suffering gas pain when he sings.) Best of luck to him.
Taylor’s cd is fabulous. There’s two tracks I’m not crazy about, but they’re still good. Each of the other ten could be a hit single on their own. Kudos Taylor. You made us proud – again!
good but not great! there are only few songs that shine through (“the right place” is a diamond in the rocks). definitely inferior to kelly’s “breakaway” and even carrie’s “some hearts” but im sure he’ll be a success. with the sp-ers, it’ll be clay aiken and the claymates all over again…
BEST album I’ve heard in the past few years … it collectively combines old soul with new soul, funk with groove. Amazing stuff!
Rock on Soul-Man!!!
I love the album. I’m buying it
Taylor’s freshman AI cd is one of the best I’ve ever heard from any idol. There’s only one song I’m not wild about. Considering he only had six weeks to record it, due to the length of the AI tour this year, it is completely outstanding. This man has got a looooooong career ahead of him!
Probably the worst album an Idol winner has put out. The only good song on it is “The Right Place”.
It is NOT radio friendly at all and I can’t imagine anybody other than the Soul Patrol buying it.
I predict big opening 400-550K but fizzling out after a few weeks for the songs won’t be played on the radio and MTV/VH-1 won’t play any of the videos.
It will fizzle the way Jay-Z’s CD did.
Well what can I say. Taylor’s CD is amazing. There has never in my lifetime been a CD that I liked on the first listen till today. This is a winner!! A great mix of tunes with something for everyone. His vocals are superb. I see many hits in this mix!! My score 9.75 out of 10. Why is it that most articles I’ve seen so far cannot report accurate details about the CD in regards to content. When I read the press release it was quite clear that there are only two covers on this CD. Both of which are awesome by the way.
I love it! Is it December 12 yet??
F*cking FABULOUS!!! I love *every single song* on the album…. Congratulations Taylor!!! This is a GEM!
I MUST for any record collection… !!!!
The excitement for Taylor’s CD release continues to build!
Following the posting of tracks yesterday on VH-1, hundreds of us have already given it a much-anticipated listen.
We expected it would be good…even great…but…
This CD is an absolutely amazing, chill-producing kaleidoscope of the many sides of Taylor Hicks and his knowledge and love of music. There’s something here for everyone! Along with a nod to the obvious influences of Ray Charles and Marvin Gaye, Taylor adds layers of instrumentation and brass with ass to create an absolute masterpiece that you will want to own!!!
It is unbelievable that this CD was produced in six short weeks following the Summer tour. Nothing was shortchanged…nothing was left to chance!
Taylor’s imprint is on every single tract, from rockin’ songs that get your feet movin’ to soulful ballads that take you to another place… this is a gift from Taylor’s heart.
This CD is a keeper, indeed!
Ok, didn’t like Taylor on Idol, but thought I would give this album a listen.
I have changed my mind. This is the best debut album by an idol in the history of the show. The album is pop, but still has an edge. I never knew the guy could sing like this. I will buy the CD and I am recommending it to people I know too.
Finally real music with real freaking intruments from an idol…unbelieveable!
I highly recommend Heaven Knows, Just to Feel that Way (a pop song with lyrics that actually mean something), Wherever I Lay My Hat and The Deal.
WOW! What a great combination of music! There are those who can sing and those who can feel the music in very cell in their bodies. This is CD is a great example of feeling, living the music. Great positive change from the garbage that was highlighted on recent music award shows!
Some of the songs are downright boring making them forgettable and they terribly sound alike. They could’ve picked better (and more upbeat songs) songs. However, this type of sound is exactly what his fans expected from him (except for a few pop songs that his managment sneaked in behind his back – the back-up vocals on one of his songs makes one cringe and roll the eyes) so that’s a good sign. His vocals are definitely better than when he was on the show. It remains to be seen whether he can gain new fans but I’m sure his fans and AI fans would love this.
Yeah, i agree that “Some Hearts” is definitely better but this is at least better than Bo’s “The Real Thing”.
Makes one wonder what could’ve been if Elliot won AI.
WTG Paris! She totally deserves this. That girl can sing!
I have listened to Taylor’s CD which is available to listen to on VH-1 twice, and I find that it is INCREDIBLE!
I love the fact that Taylor has such a wide range of song-types on the CD, which will cover pretty much the entire listening population – something for everyone…
“The Runaround” is such a kick-butt song, I can see people playing this song in the car with the windows down, weather permitting…
“The Right Place” was written by Bryan Adams for Ray Charles, but unfortunately, Ray passed away before Ray could record this incredible song… I can hear shades of Bryan, AND Ray while Taylor is singing this, and it brought me to tears when I heard this the first time…
I can hear shades of Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 when I listen to “Dream Myself Awake,” and is a pretty song…
“The Deal” and “Soul Thing” are incredible songs that Taylor wrote for his 2nd self-produced album called ‘Under the Radar’ which is available at LasersEdgecd.com, and was released sometime in 2005…
Taylor wrote another song, called “Hell of a Day” which will be featured at Wal-Mart as an exclusive track…
You will not be disappointed with Taylor’s major-label debut CD!