Taylor Hicks singing What’s Right is Right at Tunica, MS
January 26, 2012
Taylor Hicks: a look back at some great 2011 performances
As we wait for Taylor Hicks to release his new CD and for the band to hit the road in 2012, let’s look back at some of the great videos taken by fans in 2011.
In February 2011, Taylor Hicks got his band together for a three day tour through Florida and Mississippi. Joining Brian Less (keyboards), Brandon Peeples (bass), Leif Bondarenko (drums), Sam Gunderson (guitar) and Jeff Lopez (sax, flute) was David Keith on percussion. “What’s Right is Right” at the Gold Strike Casino in Tunica MS on February 25, 2011, is a perfect example of a Taylor Hicks original song. It combines the soul music we love so much with a blues infusion of harmonica and tags by Howlin’ Wolf and Van Morrison. Video by Lh1100
Taylor Hicks at Vinyl Music Hall, Pensacola 2011
January 19, 2012
Taylor Hicks: a look back at some great 2011 performances
As we wait for Taylor Hicks to release his new CD and for the band to hit the road in 2012, let’s look back at some of the great videos taken by fans in 2011.
Taylor Hicks started January 2011 with a jam cruise. In February 2011, he got the band together for a three day tour through Florida and Mississippi. Joining Brian Less (keyboards), Brandon Peeples (bass), Leif Bondarenko (drums), Sam Gunderson (guitar) and Jeff Lopez (sax, flute) was David Keith on percussion. “Ain’t Gonna Hurt Nobody” at the Vinyl Music Hall in Pensacola FL on February 24, 2011, was a big fan favorite in 2011. This may have been the last time he played it in 2011. Bring this song back, Taylor! We love it! Video by Sweettfan
Taylor Hicks covers Van Morrison’s “Rough God Goes Riding”.
After the terrible devastation that tornados wrecked in his home state of Alabama (and other states), Taylor Hicks hit the road for a couple of weeks of pre-arranged back to back concert dates in the Northeast. He did not forget what his friends and family were facing back home. Taylor sang several covers that brought home to his audience just how heartbreaking the damage was for him and his Alabama-based band.
“Rough God Goes Riding” sung by Taylor in Pitman, New Jersey on May 12, 2011, clearly spoke to us about the storm destruction and his anguish. Video by Diane
New York State of Mind, Taylor Hicks!
March 27, 2011
Taylor Hicks covers Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind”
One of my favorite songs that Billy Joel wrote and recorded is “New York State of Mind.” I am proud of my city and my state and this song says it all. This is one of the best videos I found of Billy Joel singing this song. My friend, Richie Cannata, plays the sax in this video.
At a fundraising event for Hannah Homes in Leeds AL on May 10, 2008, Taylor covered this song. At the time, it was a veiled hint that Taylor was about to star as the Teen Angel in the Broadway revival of Grease. I went to heaven during this song!
Video by Diane
Come back to New York soon, Taylor!
Taylor Hicks must want more lobster!
March 18, 2011
On July 25, 2010, Taylor Hicks played a concert at Jonathan’s in Ogunquit Maine. During the concert, he told us he had eaten lobster three times that day! Taylor has another concert scheduled at Jonathan’s on May 8, 2011. Enjoy your lobster, Taylor!
Here is Taylor singing his original song “What’s Right is Right” at Jonathan’s in July. Thanks for the excellent capture, Andrea!
Happy Birthday, George Harrison
February 25, 2011
Taylor Hicks covers the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun”
George Harrison would have turned 68 today. Those of us who grew up with the Beatles will never forget Harrison’s distinctive voice, and most of all, his fabulous guitar skills. Here is a video of George Harrison and Paul Simon on Saturday Night Live in 1976 singing the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” which originally featured George Harrison on vocals.
During his Summer 2007 tour, Taylor covered this song a couple of times. Here is Taylor in St. Louis MO, video by Sunnydey1
Happy Birthday in heaven, George!
Taylor Hicks – Happy Valentine’s Day
February 14, 2011
Taylor Hicks tags “My Funny Valentine”
On June 2, 2007, Taylor Hicks played a concert at the annual Elvis Presley Festival in Tupelo, MS. During his original song, “Hold On To Your Love,” Taylor tagged “My Funny Valentine.”
Happy Valentine’s Day, Soul Patrol!
Taylor Hicks tags Solomon Burke
February 12, 2011
Taylor Hicks tags Solomon Burke’s “Cry to Me”
On October 10, 2010, we lost the great Solomon Burke, known as the King of Rock and Soul. In 1962, Burke released the song “Cry to Me” -”an ode to loneliness and desire.”
Sunday night, Mick Jagger is scheduled to honor Solomon Burke at the Grammy Awards. Playing with Jagger will be Raphael Saadiq and Josh Smith. Josh Smith was Taylor Hicks’s guitarist for several tours. Taylor fans are ecstatic for Josh!
Taylor honored Solomon Burke at a November 2010 concert at EPCOT in Orlando, FL. During his original song, “Hold On To Your Love,” Taylor sang a few bars of “Cry To Me” with his own stylings. Thanks to Lh1100 for this terrific video.
The Music of Taylor Hicks – Don’t Let Me Down
February 5, 2011
Taylor Hicks covering the Beatles’ “Don’t Let Me Down”
Forty-two years and a couple of weeks ago, the Beatles went up on a rooftop in London and played what was to be their last public performance. One of the songs they performed was “Don’t Let Me Down.”
Fun fact #1 – Who was playing piano with the Beatles on the London rooftop on 1969?
When Taylor Hicks went on tour as the winner of American Idol in 2006, he announced he was going to include an “obscure” Beatles tune in his set. Even though DLMD was not considered obscure by those of us who grew up with the Beatles, it was wonderful to hear Taylor perform it. Taylor has performed this cover on most of his tours. The best one I have seen is from the Eat to the Beat concert in EPCOT in 2009, taken by auburnsommer.
“Don’t Let Me Down” – EPCOT, Orlando FL (11-2-09) by auburnsommer
“Don’t Let Me Down” – Welk Resort Theater, Branson MO (7-30-07) by Sunnydey
An acoustic version:
“Don’t Let Me Down” – Smith’s Olde Town Bar, Atlanta GA (8-16-09) by NJ4Taylor
Fun fact #2 for 6 more degrees of separation – Taylor referenced a concert in Atlanta at the end of NJ4Taylor’s video. Who was playing in Atlanta that day?
The Music of Taylor Hicks – Lowdown
January 29, 2011
Taylor Hicks covering “Lowdown”
Recently Taylor Hicks asked fans on Twitter to send him a link for his youtube covers of Boz Scaggs’ “Lowdown.” Taylor performed this cover several times during both the Spring and Summer tours of 2007. The best one I have seen is from Bloomsburg Fair in PA, taken by dg90001.
Before the Jones Beach concert, I had a Meet&Greet and I mentioned that this Boz Scaggs song was a favorite of mine. I almost dropped the camera when he began to sing it! Perhaps he is planning on putting it back in his setlists? We can hope!
“Lowdown” – Bloomsburg Fair, PA (9-28-07) by dg90001
“Lowdown” – Jones Beach, Wantagh, NY (9-8-07) by Diane
“Lowdown” – Warner Theater, Torrington, CT (8-10-07) by Miss Meerkah
