| Concert Review of Taylor Hicks at Avalon on Tue Apr 03, 2007 |
| Event Date |
| Tue Apr 03, 2007 |
| Source |
| Boston Globe |
| Concert Review Preview |
| Far from idle, Hicks turns in animated night of soul By Joan Anderman, Globe Staff | April 5, 2007 Taylor Hicks didn't mention "American Idol" at his concert on Tuesday, and while the urge to move beyond the televised talent show that launched his career is understandable, the truth is Hicks wouldn't have been onstage at Avalon performing for nearly 2,000 adoring fans without it. That's not to say the 30-year-old singer isn't a hard-working and talented musician. But "Idol" is the only way a graying blue-eyed soul belter plying a style that was in vogue two decades ago -- a man who says "sock it to me" with conviction -- could ever have connected with a vast, mainstream audience. That audience -- a broad and underserved swath of older music lovers, young children, curious college students, and screaming female professionals still in their workday suits -- were treated to 90 minutes of rousing and affectionate cover tunes and sturdy originals from Hicks's self-titled major-label debut. There were exceptions. In and among the Marvin Gaye, Van Morrison, and surprisingly powerful encore performance of Cream's "Badge" was a baffling dip into mid-career Rod Stewart. No amount of slap-bass could make Hicks's sleek, bluesy take on "Young Turks" anything but drab. Snappy, soulful new songs like "Heaven Knows," "The Maze," and "Runaround" were interrupted with forays into midtempo schmaltz. Hicks's voice just isn't lovely enough to sell Bryan Adams's gospel-inflected ballad "The Right Place," and despite his gritty delivery, Hicks's current single, "Dream Myself Awake," gleamed a bit too brightly with pop-factory polish. His own "Soul Thing" was the funkiest original on the bill, so here's hoping Hicks's handlers dispense with the pro-songwriter safety net on the next project.. |
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| User Comments |
| Hicks projected the image that he’s definitely sticking around. And with a house mix tailored to his voice (as opposed to Idol’s televised sound mix), his singing has never sounded stronger. Love this review, it is right on!!! |
| Went to the concert with reservations, came away a full fledged "SoulPatroller". GREAT SHOW! |
| Love the reviews coming in on all Taylor's shows, he is "bringing soul back"! |
| Taylor is definitely riding the Soul Train... Glad I'm on board. |
| This man defines entertainment. Ive been a Taylor fan from his first audition on american idol, and still was blown away by the energy he brings to his shows. I also have tickets to see him at Hampton Beach and cant wait for another dose of soul Taylor style. |
| Like Taylor said from early on, it's ALL about the music! Boy, can he make some beautiful music. This review is spot-on. Freakin' fantasic singer, performer, fantabulous band, great songs, awesome covers and tags on the songs. Taylor is never predictable - and that's a good thing. |
| Like Taylor said from early on, it's ALL about the music! Boy, can he make some beautiful music. This review is spot-on. Freakin' fantasic singer, performer, fantabulous band, great songs, awesome covers and tags on the songs. Taylor is never predictable - and that's a good thing. |
| Because of the rather small stage at the Avalon, I thought this show might not quite live up to expectations (based on previous show reviews.) Well, I couldn't have been more wrong! Taylor owned this stage from the minute he walked on. His band is fabulous, and the chemistry between them and Taylor is appaent. He's the consummate entertainer, and I'm so happy that I get see him again in CT in just a couple of days. |
| The show was amazing - really exceeded my expectations and it reminded me that Avalon is great place to see a concert. Taylor started off with 4 songs that really got the place rockin’ and his voice sounded so good. ITA with the Boston Herald review - what difference from the AI concert (with the exception of Taylor sweating through his shirt again - which I totally enjoy seeing!). Never heard Somehow before - very nice - and he did a very good version of Wherever I Lay my Hat. The song that surprised me the most was the Maze - didn’t care for on the CD but it was perfect to follow Heaven Knows, which would also be a good encore song. Not crazy about Young Turks - not sure why out of all the covers he would choose that one to sing, but everything else was great. Would’ve liked a second encore song - I wasn’t ready to go home yet! |
| Here's the BOSTON HERALD's Take on Taylor's concert : http://theedge.bostonherald.com/musicNews/view.bg?articleid=192748 Taylor Hicks is finally in his own element. It’s all about context. The further the “American Idol” season five upset winner distances himself from the show that crowned him, the better off he’ll be. Somewhere underneath that salt-and-pepper dome of his, Hicks knows it’s true. It’s never been clearer than during his sold-out Boston debut at Avalon last night: Taylor Hicks had no business being on “Idol” to begin with. It’s just not his aesthetic. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The proof lies in the difference between last night’s fantastic “Showtime at the Apollo”-style shakedown and the way he came across last summer during the Idols Live tour. Against the “Idol” backdrop, he looked a little silly and his stage shenanigans reeked of Vegas contrivance. But on his own, with a powerhouse seven-piece band behind him (including 2 keyboardists, a sax player and a backup gal), Hicks presented himself as a blue-eyed soul belter along the lines of Michael McDonald - no small compliment. Beginning with the “Ain’t That Peculiar” sample-built “Heaven Knows,” into “The Maze” (featuring the first of several ferocious sax solos) and the slick urban r & b of “Give Me Tonight,” Hicks projected the image that he’s definitely sticking around. And with a house mix tailored to his voice (as opposed to Idol’s televised sound mix), his singing has never sounded stronger. All that, and he played guitar and harmonica. Looking vibrant, healthy and considerably thinner than this time last year, Hicks strutted in his jeans and suit jacket, joyously buckling over in nonstop animation. And he wasn’t the least bit awkward or goofy. Rather, he seemed just as he should - like an enthused performer delivering the goods to his devotees. His cover choices - including a blues-hijacked spin on Rod Stewart’s “Young Turks,” a rousing encore of Cream’s “Badge,” Van Morrison’s “Naked in the Jungle” and Gene McDaniels’ “Compared to What?” - all spoke to where Hicks really lives musically. Turns out it’s a more historically aware place than where most of his “Idol” peers hail from. Not enough good things can be said of opener Toby Lightman, whose blues-pop chanteuse chops have become mighty well honed since her moderate 2004 chart success with the single “Devils and Angels.” Backed by a tight trio featuring slap-happy bassist Kenny Harris, Lightman showcased dynamite material from her latest, “Bird on a Wire.” |
| Taylor does Van and Ray and Rod and any other musician he channels proud, but I REALLY love it when he does his own stuff. |
| Toby Lightman, Taylor Hicks and his outstanding original composition -- SOMEHOW...what's not to like ? A perfect evening made even better by a combination of 2 great performers. |
| This was the most enjoyable concert I have ever been to. So intimate so perfect. It won't soon be forgotten. Just as Taylor won't be! |
| Another fantastic concert |
| Taylor Hicks gives the best live performance I have ever seen. This concert has been in my spirit for days. Loved it. |
| The man is amazing! GReat voice and a entertainer pure and simple |
| He performed Traffic? Man, I wish I was there. Was it "Gimme Some Lovin?" Anybody know which song? |
| Taylor sang "Medicated Goo" by Traffic! |
| Toby Lightman is the perfect opening act to Taylor Hicks. Give us a passionate blues female singer who can complement a passionate blue eyed soul male who is the main attraction and this is the formula for -- MAGIC ! Which is the one word I would describe my night out at the Avalon. Let's give more of this musical gift to Boston ! |
| Badge was a very powerful encore and showed exactly what Taylor is capable of. He is a serious, touring musician. I guess that's where his heart is. I would however like to see him on tv again. Whatever's in his future, I'm a proud fan. Taylor and his band have earned my respect. |
| Yeah Baby! Blew me away Dawg! |
| What is there not to love.. Badge was the icing on the cake..what a rush. I was high for days after the show just from the memory of it. If you haven't see T live you have no idea what you are missing.. AI didn't showcase what he is really like and capable of..The Chris Daughtrys will come and go while Taylor is here to stay. |
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