SOUND CHECK.TAYLOR HICKS Taylore Reuben Hicks (born October 7, 1976) is an American singer-songwriter. Hicks got his start as a professional musician in his late teens and performed around the Southeastern United States for well over the span of a decade, during which he also released two independent : ``Taylor Hicks'' - Two stars ``It's a whole new education,'' sings the ``American Idol'' winner over some funky second-line rhythms in the opening moments of this uneven debut. Forget the bluster -- Hicks isn't doing much schooling here at all. Without a strong vocal identity and tethered Attached to a data or power source by wire or fiber. Contrast with untethered. to a Top-40 producer (matchbox twenty's Matt Serletic Matt Serletic is a record producer who has worked with several popular bands and artists for Atlantic Records, including Collective Soul, matchbox twenty, Blessid Union of Souls, Edwin McCain, Stacie Orrico, Taylor Hicks, and Rob Thomas. ) who values badly dated '80s-style synth synth n. 1. Informal A synthesizer. 2. A style of light popular music made with synthesizers. Also called synth-pop. sweetening over true Southern soul grit, the admittedly hard-working Hicks is being pulled apart in a wind of good intentions. Nearly all the dozen songs were fashioned (or written) by the Alabama native, ranging from Paul Pena's rootsy, convincing ``Gonna Move'' to a couple of deadly ballads (aim for some credibility, Taylor -- don't ever cover Diane Warren) and an ill-advised ``Wherever I Lay My Hat,'' which Marvin Gaye Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay, Jr.) (April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984) was an American singer-songwriter, musician and performer who gained international fame as an artist on the Motown label in the 1960s and 1970s. did best and Paul Young later made a signature song. The best of ``Taylor Hicks'' are the two numbers he wrote himself, produced correctly, for once, without a lot of studio treacle treacle: see molasses. slathered on. Those songs are ``Soul Thing,'' a classic r&b workout with a nicely unexpected jazz section, and ``The Deal,'' the sort of brokenhearted bro·ken·heart·ed adj. Grievously sad. brokenhearted Adjective overwhelmed by grief or disappointment Adj. 1. grinder Grinder A slang term for a person who works in the investment industry and makes small amounts of money at a time on small investments, over and over again. Notes: Hicks seems most comfortable putting across. Fans only. -- Fred Shuster LOU RAWLS: ``Merry Christmas Baby'' (Capitol) - Four stars LOU RAWLS: ``Christmas'' (Time-Life) - Three stars Rawls recorded several Christmas albums over his long career, so it isn't surprising, nearly a year after his death, that he has competing releases in stores. The Capitol disc collects Rawls' splendid, swinging 1967 Christmas disc, along with seven cuts from 1993's ``Christmas Is the Time,'' and two songs from his final recording session. That last session is presented in its entirety on the Time-Life disc. Rawls' versatile, soulful voice is fragile but still able to marvelously convey his clear fondness for the fun and warmth of the holiday season. Merry Christmas baby, indeed. -- Glenn Whipp VINCE GUARALDI: ``A Charlie Brown Christmas'' (Fantasy) - Four stars Jazz pianist Guaraldi's soundtrack for the quintessential holiday special has become almost as much a cottage industry as ``Peanuts'' itself. Buyer beware: This reissue has generated some controversy among true believers, both for its remastered sound and inclusion of alternate takes in place of originals. I'd count both as reasons to buy the disc, as it presents something of an alternate version of this Christmas classic as well as including the original cover art and four unheard bonus tracks. The music's charm and eloquence still shine as bright as that Bethlehem star. -- G.W. CAPTION(S): 5 photos Photo: (1) no caption (Taylor Hicks) (2 -- 5) no caption (CD covers) |
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