AllMusic's Review of Taylor Hick's "Early Works" CD

ALL-MUSIC Guide recently posted their official review of Taylor's "Early Works" CD. They gave a very fair and positive review which should attract folks reading about the album for the first time (3 1/2 stars out of 5). I loved the way he sensed a Stephen Stills/Van Morrison feel to a few of the songs. He calls the songs "sweet, folky singer/songwriter pop". I have a feeling Taylor's new album will be more in this vein than the first one on Arista. Taylor's music is *real* with *real instruments* - not synthesized prefabricated beats. A big thanks to Stephen Thomas Erlewine who reviewed this album without the obligatory comparison to anyone else. That really gets old and is completely unnecessary. Here is a fresh, clean opinion sans any comparisons. How nice. You can read it on their website, or I brought it over here for your convenience:

Review
by Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Officially released on CD late in 2008, long after his American Idol spotlight dimmed so dark he lost his major-label contract, Early Works reveals that Taylor Hicks was always a working musician, a no-fuss journeyman that cranked out soulful rock & roll, the kind that always sounds pretty good in a beer ad. That isn't much of a surprise: his Idol performances and post-Idolalbum suggested that he could always crank songs like "Soul Thing" and the softer "The Deal," a Bob Seger-styled midtempo number that surfaced on his major-label effort and is here in an early incarnation that isn't that much different. What's surprising about Early Works is its strain of sweet, folky singer/songwriter pop, halfway between Van Morrison and Stephen Stills. Most of the record is in this vein - possibly because it's a sound that's easier to market than the soul-rock that made his name - and while it's just as classic rock in its own way as the barroom blues boogie that brought him fame, it does suggest a depth not quite heard in his Idol-era performances. It's still journeyman stuff - music marked by its dogged devotion not divine spark - but it's well-done, heartfelt and endearing, sounding like the work of a local boy made good.

The Re-Rerelease of Taylor Hicks' "Early Works" Now Available On-Line Everywhere

While we wait for Taylors Hicks' brand new album of new music, due out on February 10, 2009, his re-mastered compilation CD "Early Works" will be available everywhere, including all on-line retailers on October 28, 2008, including Amazon ($11.98) and finally Target ($11.98) and Walmart, currently for sale at the bargain basement price of only $9.00.

Let's try and pre-order from Amazon between now and release date to get the sales ranking up. If you already have a copy, buy an extra one and give it to a music lover you know. The remastering makes this collection a MUST have even if you own the two independent albums that this compilation was drawn from, "Under The Radar" and "In Your Time". You can pre-order now, so what are you waiting for?

Taylor Hicks' "Early Works" CD Now Available At Best Buy

Best Buy has a very nice endorsement for Taylor's compilation CD "Early Works" which you can read below. It will available Oct. 28 at this store as well as most other retail outlets and is available for pre-order here!

"...Early Works: Release Notes: Muze

Taylor Hicks was performing and recording music long before his glory days on AMERICAN IDOL, as fans who have sought out his two independent releases (1997's IN YOUR TIME and 2005's UNDER THE RADAR) already know. EARLY WORKS does Hicks fans the world over a great service by bringing most of the tracks from those albums together under one cover. These performances brim with the same soulful, passionate intensity that made the man an international star (just listen to "Hold On to Your Love" and "Heart and Soul," among others), making this set a must for devotees."

And finally, a very happy birthday to Taylor Hicks, who turns 32 today!

Taylor Hick's "Early Works" Now Available On-Line!

Taylor's new CD of his older songs will be re-released to other retailers, besides Target, on Tuesday, October 28, 2008. New Music TipSheet, a website that lists upcoming new releases has the CD listed again. So, if you don't have this great collection of Taylor's early original songs yet because you don't live near a Target, here is your chance to pre-order it on-line or buy it in another store. I found the CD available for pre-sale at the following retailers:

Barnes & Noble Online
Release Date: 10/28/2008
Sales Rank: 213,480
Label: WELK RECORDS
UPC: 015707987028

F.Y.I
Early Works Taylor Hicks
Format: CD
Release Date: 10/28/2008

Sam Goody
Early Works
Taylor Hicks
Format: CD
Release Date: 10/28/2008
Record Label: Wel
UPC: 015707987028
Product Id: 47718674

Tower Records
Early Works * (CD)
By: Taylor Hicks (Artist)
List Price: $11.98
Tower Price: $9.87
You Save: $2.11 (18%)
Availability: Pre-Order: This CD is scheduled to be released on October 28, 2008.

Taylor Hicks's Run on Broadway Winding Down

Heya folks!! Yes, I'm still here.... just been really lazy about the blog since Taylor's new CD "Early Works" was released exclusively to Target Stores. Quite frankly I am still getting over the sting of the relatively low sales numbers for the album. I wasn't fooling myself that it was going to sell like the Clive Davis album, but first week sales were definitely lower than I had anticipated. Looking back, I really should have been surprised since nobody really knows that it's for sale other than his hard-core internet fanbase. Why hasn't there been more promo? I mean, he went to all the effort to get the CD made and get an exclusive with Target, right? Was the motivation to do the CD to get new fans exposed to his pre-Idol material? Good idea, but if they don't know it exists, where's the smartness there? It didn't and still doesn't make one iota of sense to me, but I'm sure he has his reasons that will hopefully become clearer down the road. The effort put forth by his fans to help promote him seem like a waste of time to me, sometimes. It’s like if they (Taylor's people) aren’t even going to try to support the release, why should the fans?

But! I'm over it and am really looking forward to his next adventure - hopefully releasing and touring the NEW album! I'm also looking forward to finding out who that mega-star is who has one of his new songs 'on hold' - and who the new record label is (he's alluded to that a few times already). And last but not least, to finally seeing "Whomp at the Warfield" released to the public. That DVD is too great to be kept under wraps. It's long overdue.

Ace Young, fellow American Idol Season 5 contestant, is scheduled to join the cast of Grease on Sept 9, two days after Taylor's last performance. I wish him luck, but in my opinion, he won't bring the excitment or the fanbase that Taylor did to the show. Not his fault, really - no one has the stage charisma Taylor does, right?.

Taylor's decision to join the cast his summer was the second greatest decision (after trying out for American Idol) he ever made in my opinion. Although I never did get to see a performance, by ALL accounts I've read, he was a rousing success and brought a remarkable presence to the show that probably won't be duplicated again. Nobody will be able to fill out that star-studded suit the way Taylor did.

Anyway, we should have some always awesome new stage door videos from Skeeter/Candy coming up later today so stay tuned for that!

Taylor Hick's Brand New CD "Early Works" - An Overview!

If you haven't picked up your copy of Taylor's new compilation CD "Early Works", what are you waiting for? Don't think you have these songs if you own Taylor's two indie albums "Under the Radar" and "In Your Time". The remastering makes them must haves as far as I'm concerned. Many of the stores are only carrying a few copies (some more than others), and many are already sold out (more inventory is on the way from what I've heard), but it's one collection you should have in your CD library. The sound improvement (re-mastering) is impeccable and makes some songs almost sound like brand new versions! Remember, the CD is available only in your local Target Stores (it's not available on-line anywhere in the U.S. - yet!), so do yourself a favor and treat yourself to this wonderful selection of original music from the best singer/songwriter and most unique winner American Idol has discovered to date (and likely ever will).

Here's my impression of each of the 12 songs:

Soul Thing: Taylor's mantra, his trademark song, the words he lives by. This song makes it 3rd appearance on a CD - "Under The Radar", "Taylor Hicks", and "Early Works". Think he likes this song? I'd say so! This ditty says it all for him - It's A Soul Thing (hey! that's a great name for a blog!) With the remastering, this song just jumps out and hits you in the face! So clear, so beautifully done - it's another favorite of mine and a staple at all of Taylor's live shows.

...I've been traveling all these years,
just barely getting by.
The road can be your friend
Or the devil in disguise.

When the tough get going,
the muses visit me.
Yet in soft, low tones,
they always say to me, say to me,

It ain't no groove thing,
It ain't no country twang,
It's a simple refrain
It's a soul thang...."

The Fall: Ah! Such a beauty! The simplicity of the sentiment and arrangement makes this one a fan favorite. Taylor said this song, about a failing relationship, was only the 2nd or 3rd song he ever wrote in his life. I hope we hear more of this acoustic sound from him on the new album coming up. The hissing from the original is pretty much gone from this copy and its purity just shines through.

Hold On To Your Love: This song also benefits greatly from remastering where the highs are crisper and the lows are clearer. One of my favorite songs from the Under The Radar album. The calypso beats and the uplifting melody are great mood generators. I always thought this would be a great summer release for Taylor. Speaking of which, I can see this and maybe a few others in this collection i.e., Soul Thing and The Fall, making an impact on certain music charts if they were released as singles.

The Deal: Along with "Soul Thing", this is the third appearance of this song on one of Taylor's CD, appearing on "Under The Radar", "Taylor Hicks", and "Early Works". A wonderful mid-tempo ballad with a beautiful arrangement. One of his best compositions.

Heart and Soul: Oh how I love the Hammond B3 organ that runs throughout this song! One of my favorite instruments! This song went through a few changes before settling on this version, most famously the change of title from it's original "Blues and Soul" version. The song captures a live feel which makes it the perfect Taylor Hicks vehicle. A real gem.

In Your Time: This is the first song Taylor claims he ever wrote and has this sort of classic jazzy soft-rock feel to it dating back to somewhere in the mid-70s. Being a child of the 70s, I say this with some authority! The song is distinctive because of the shift in tempo somewhere in the middle where he goes into another zone and heart-achingly cries out in the familiar Taylor growl - "soooooooooth me baby, street light prominade" - a sound you will NOT be hearing on your current Top 40 music station, that I can guarantee you. Awesome song and nicely remastered.

West Texas Sky: This was my least favorite song from the Under the Radar album, but I must say, after really listening to it on this collection, I've decided I love it lyrically - it's about a man taking his dreams on the road. Another totally autobiographical chapter in Taylor's life at the time. I suppose what I didn't love about it initially was that it was weak vocally, which I still maintain (compared to some of the others on the collection), but is still a great addition to the whole story that is on display here.

"...So you're drivin' away these miles
So far away from your southern home
Takin' your charms and dreams to the Golden State
Make your way, seal your fate

That's when you're gone away
Where no one will hear you cry
When you're late For that west Texas sky..."

Somehow: Taylor really lays his insides out here in this gut wrenching tune. Very insightful words of pain from such a young man at the time. His world was less than bright when he wrote this ditty and is expressed brilliantly in the dark lyrics. My favorite on the CD. Along with "Georgia", this is the tune that benefited most from the remastering. His voice was always too low on the "In Your Time" CD, especially toward the end of the song, but here it is brought out and clarified.

"...There’s too many things left to be unsaid,
So I’m in a dark hole,
Sometimes in my head,
But I”m all right,
I’ll get by
Somehow!

You wanna feel their emotions,
Sometimes even hold their hand,
But they’re giving nothin’ in return
To suit their own demands.
And I’m tired, but I’ll get by
Somehow.

Look at the people all around you,
Stabbin’ at your heart,
But you still smile in kindness,
For not knowing who they are.

And their stories have ended,
And they’ve lit up the town,
And it’s time to go home,
As they’re going, they’re layin’ their bodies back down.

There’s too many things left to be unsaid,
Somewhere a dark hole
Sometimes in my head,I’m tired, but I’m all right
And I’ll get by
Somehow..."

Tighten Up: With this song, I figured out why I'm so enamored with Taylor - and that is we have such similiar taste in music. Long before I ever heard of him, I had this song on a few compilation CDs I had put together. I mean, come on, who considers Archie Bell's "Tighten Up" one of the greatest hits of all time? I thought I was the only nut out there until I heard Taylor's version. It's such a tight, funked up version that showcases all of the musicians that played with him in the early days. The musicianship is flawless and just makes you feel great! Taylor Hicks - the young band leader doing his 'thang' here. But Taylor! The song goes way back - way back - even further than your 1973 declaration - it's actually from 1968. And where is the credit to Archie Bell in the linear notes? Should we add that as Taylor mystery #78? Could the song be in the public domain? Someday we'll get an answer to this. But, despite those pressing question marks, it's one of my favorites on the CD - and makes great driving music! The remastering just lights up the song! Brilliant!

Son of a Carpenter: Another lyrically great song from Taylor and quite possibly his first socially aware song. This is the type of stuff I'm looking foward to hearing more of in future recordings. Recently, Taylor said that his new album will be sprinkled with some socially relevant issues and if the song was written today, I'd say it fit the category. I also love the ambivilance of its meaning - exactly who is the son of a carpenter?

"...In the times to short to follow
A man as cold as steel
A work that can only be swallowed
By a fire lit kiln

Now the times are heavy on their shoulders
For the people who pave our ways
No more running for the future
Cause the past is here today

For the son of a carpenter
I can feel your pain
For the son of a carpenter alone again

Decades of sorrow war and grief
And to many things going wrong
The land is wasted and time is running short
For their power ismuch too strong

For the son of a carpenter
I can feel your pain
For the son of a carpenter alone again

He has nothing but to be left alone
His hands and work should willbe carried on
From a third generation son to af uture grandchild
The work of a carpentersmakes the whole world smile

And to many thing going wrong
The land is wasted and timeis running short
For the workof a carpenters will carry on
Carry on..."

My Friend: It's the "impossible to sit still" song on the CD. Just a happy, joyous jam-band ditty that shows off a bit of Taylor's harmonica playing. I always love to hear this tune live as it was recorded here. "Share that smile........ Great job, Taylor!"

Georgia: Last but not least, the song that benefited the most from the restructuring and remastering effort - Taylor's homage to his biggest musical influence, Ray Charles, the beautiful "Georgia on my Mind". I must say that this is perhaps the best interpretation and arrangement of this song that I've ever heard, aside from Mr. Charles himself. It's pure Taylor inside and out, and perfectly delivered. The soul and the gut wrenching, almost gutteral sounds that comes from his inner depths is put on display here. The tweaking of the highs and lows almost makes this live version sound like a new recording as far as I'm concerned. And that sweet harmonica 'crying'. Doesn't get much better than this. Thanks, dude, for painting this beauty with a fresh face. It deserved it - it's just that good.

Top 10 Reasons To Buy Taylor Hick's New Album "Early Works"!

Well folks, the big day is just hours away! The first new Taylor Hicks album in almost 2 years! Okay, maybe the songs aren't new, but it's a new release and that is always an exciting time for Taylor's fans! This new compilation will contain a complete remastering of 12 of the 14 songs that appeared on his pre-Idol independent releases, "Under The Radar" and "In Your Time". Two songs that appeared on those albums that didn't make it to this new compilation, "On Broadway" and "Hell Of A Day" will be sorely missed, but I guess time restraints made it impossible to include. I'm thrilled, however, that my 3 favorites made it: the beautiful acoustic gem "The Fall", the heart-wrenching bluesy "Somehow" and the always funky 1968 Archie Bell ditty "Tighten Up".

If you are still having conflicting emotions about buying this CD because you already have the songs on the 2 prior albums, let me give you my Top 10 reasons why you should buy it:

10. Head to head, any song on this compilaton album is better than any song on Daughtry's album. Yes, it's true!
9. Target stores RAWK and it's only $9.98 and that's a BIG bargain anywhere these days.
8. It's the first release on Taylor's own record label: Modern Whomp Records.
7. It's the first widely released Tayor Hicks CD without any input or influence from Clive Davis or the American Idol conglomerate.
6. Possible new linear notes and new pictures.
5. You will have all of Taylor's original songs conveniently on one CD to play in your house and car.
4. You will be supporting REAL MUSIC - not that crappy Top 40 noise that passes as music these days.
3. You will be helping Taylor get back on the road with THE band!
2. It's re-mastered and the sound will be much better than the originals.

and the #1 reason............

1. IT'S FUCKING GREAT MUSIC!!!!!

BE THERE OR BE SQUARE!!!!(and please Daughtry fans, don't come here whining about my #10 cuz if you say anything unpleasant about Taylor or his fans, I'll zap you faster than you can say Soul Patrol!! :)

Taylor Hicks "Early Works" CD in Target Store Advertisement!

Make sure you pick up your local newspaper this Sunday, where you're likely to find this great TARGET ad (8/10-8/17) for Taylor's new CD "Early Works" dropping the following Tuesday, August 12! I love the way the CD is up at the top right next to the hot Jonas Brothers CD as the two big releases next week! Definitely a keeper for the memorabilia drawer!

And this in-store display for next weeks upcoming releases, they put Taylor's new CD up at the top with the new Jonas Brothers CD!! WHOMP!!!

This is Taylor *F* Hicks - Hold Onto Your Love - Live!!

Our fifth installment of Taylor Hicks original songs (as we await the release of his new CD "Early Works", which will be available at all Target stores on August 12, 2008), is "Hold Onto Your Love". As I was looking for a good copy of this song, I found that no straight song renditions are available online that I can see. Seems Taylor only does this song in combo with blues tags all meshed together. Let me tell you, this one from Cohasset, MA is one of the best performances by this bluesman I've ever seen. Just sit back and soak it all in, because it just doesn't get any better than this in a live musical setting - from *anyone*. Period.

From August 17, 2007, posted by TrueNorthTaylor....

Taylor Hicks - "My Friend" Live!!

Our fourth installment of Taylor Hick's originals leading up to the release of his new album "Early Works" available exclusively at all Target Stores on August 12, 2008! Check your local Target circular for promos. We hear it will be on sale for under $10. Pick some up for your loved ones!

From TaysHarp - August 12, 2007 in Torrington, Conn .... "My Friend"

Taylor Hicks - "Somehow" Live!!

The third in our installment of songs what will available on Taylor's new digitally remastered compilation CD, "Early Works", which will be available exclusively at all Target Stores on August 12, 2008! Mark that date down on your calendars!

From the Best of the Boogie Boards, one of Taylor's best original songs called "Somehow" (originally on the "In Your Time" album). Enjoy!

Taylor Hicks - "The Deal" Live!!

Carrying on with our videos of songs that will be on Taylor's new CD, "Early Works", coming out in 12 days - August 12, 2008, available exclusive at your local Target store, here he is with his 2007 soul-intensive backup band performing his own original "The Deal" on 10-13-07 at Millersville University in Millersville, PA. Video by our own fabulous videographer 'sturgess66'! Enjoy!

Taylor Hicks - News Flash! "Early Works" Exclusive with Target Stores! Available August 12, 2008!

YES!! WE'VE MADE CONTACT!!
According to Taylor's management team, his new compilaton CD, "Early Works", which will consist of his 2 pre-AI indie albums, "In Your Time" and "Under the Radar", will be available for sale through TARGET stores - an 'EXCLUSIVE' deal, dropping on August 12, 2008. That's 2 WEEKS from today, folks! Start gathering those pennies and be prepared to invade Target's CD section!

These store exclusives are a great thing for the artist, who will pocket sometimes up to 4 to 5 times as much money than they would earn if they released their CD through a standard distribution deal - and - the promotion is usually better. And being that Taylor is releasing this on his own new label, "Modern Whomp Records", he's sure to turn those old tunes in pure Gold. And deservedly so. The 12 tunes featured on the CD are some of Taylor's best self-written compositions. Songs like "Somehow", "The Fall", "In Your Time", Son of a Carpenter", "Heart and Soul", "My Friend", "The Deal", "West Texas Sky", "Hold Onto Your Love", and "Soul Thing" are brilliant and all are written by Taylor himself. It's a chance to let the casual fan in on Taylor's great songwriting abilities. I think once people hear this material, it will turn some heads for the better. This is a great set-up for Taylor's forthcoming album in the Fall of brand new originals.

Things are really falling nicely into place for the Soulman and I for one, couldn't be more thrilled. Spread the word people! Taylor's about to kick some serious musical ass in the near future!

Taylor Hicks - Big News Coming About Upcoming CD!

Well, folks, looks like yesterday turned out to be one of the most tumultuous days in Taylorland yet! Many of us received notifications from amazon.com that Taylor's new 'reissues' album, Early Works has, depending on what you want to believe, either been backordered because of the brisk pace it was selling (they claim they ran out of copies and are waiting for their supplier to ship more), or the CD is not for sale anymore because of poor sales!? Trigger Twilight Zone music......

What's strange about this is that the CD is still for sale at many on-line outlets, such as Barnes & Noble, F.Y.I., VH1, Sam Goody, CDUniverse, MTV, among others. To add to the confusion, there's an unsubstantiated rumor floating around that one of the major chain department stores will be the sole retail outlet for this CD (sorta like Walmart was for Bo Bice's last CD). We are supposed to get some information from Taylor's managment regarding this CD this week and hopefully that will put all the anxiety and speculation to rest. The only thing we DO know from his management is that the release date has been moved UP one week and will be released in about 3 weeks, on August 12, 2008. Happy happy joy joy for that bit of good news!

What's particularly annoying, however, is that a few of Chris Daughtry's fans - the chrolls as I like to call them, are using this uncertain period to try and confused Taylor's fans - spreading lies about the circumstances behind the confusion at amazon - even being so brazen as to invade Taylor's own fansites. The only thing I want to say to you about these poor pitiful lonely souls is to try and NOT engage them in conversation. Nothing. Zippo. Nada. (yes, I've been guilty of this myself, I'll admit). By engaging them in conversation, we are doing exactly what they want and gives him an ego boost into thinking they have any power or control over Taylor's fans. Let's make believe they don't exist - even though the temptation is strong - and dismiss the ignorant gnomes. If only Chris Daughtry knew about his insane fandom, he'd roll over in shame and embarrassment and hit his bald, poser head on the pavement. Ouch! :)

But anyway, getting back to the important news, I suspect BIG announcments coming down the pike SOON, maybe even today, so stay tuned for lots of excitment! BTW, lots of great reviews of Taylor from people attending "Grease" to see the new leads. Check out this beautiful picture! And oh yea, check out WWOR's clip with Taylor from the Grease stage! And yes, he admits to being a lady's man! Wooot!

Taylor Hick's "Early Works" - Sold Out on Amazon.com! Release Date Moved Up!

Congratulations Taylor fans! You have completely depleted Amazon.com's pre-order stash of Taylor's upcoming CD, "Early Works"! I'm not sure I understand why they felt the need to take the entire page down from their system just because they are waiting to replentish their supply, but be that as it may, it's a good omen for the demand of the CD when it gets released on August 19th. As with other CDs, a simple "Out Of Stock" would have sufficed and eliminated the panic that spread through the fan base, but as we all know, a simple solution like that is never in the cards where Taylor *F* Hicks is concerned. Hopefully, EMI Distribution will send out more very shortly and all will be right in Taylorland again. I'll report back when the CD is again available on the Amazon page.

Until then, I encourage you to buy copies for everyone you know on the equally as good Barnes and Noble website!

Late Breaking News from Taylor's Camp !! The release date for this CD has been moved UP to AUGUST 12! More information as it becomes available...........

Taylor Hicks on Good Morning New York! Big Announcement Coming Soon!!!

Entire interview portion here.

Your Favorite Taylor Hick's Original Songs!

Here are the results of the poll we just finished! Thanks to everyone who took the time to answer! It's fascinating that people like such a variety of his original music! Many of these songs will make an appearance on Taylor's upcoming CD called "Early Works" which will be a compilation CD of his early songs, so be on the lookout for that. It is scheduled to be released on August 15, 2008 on the Vanguard Label.

What Is Your Favorite Taylor Hick's Original?

Somehow 187 (40%)
The Fall 70 (15%)
Soul Thing 42 (9%)
Hell Of A Day 28 (6%)
The Deal 27 (5%)
Hold Onto Your Love 21 (4%)
In Your Time 16 (3%)
Son Of A Carpenter 15 (3%)
Heart and Soul 13 (2%)
West Texas Sky 12 (2%)
Limon 11 (2%)
My Friend 10 (2%)
Hello Lonely 10 (2%)

Total Votes: 462 (100%)

Take A Hike, Clive, Simon & Nigel, I Got My Own Label Now!

There's a new record label in town and it's called Modern Whomp Records, named for Taylor Hick's self-description of his current musical sound. His next CD release, a two-CD set called "Early Works", will be released on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 on his new label and distributed by Vanguard Records/Welk Distribution. It will be a compilation of his 2 indie albums, "In Your Time" & "Under The Radar". I hope that he also includes a little extra something to entice those fans who are still hesitant to purchase music they already own. Most certainly it will be, at the very least, digitally remixed, which will vastly improve the sound on many of the songs. But in addition to that, I'm hoping we get one or two unreleased tracks or maybe a live version we haven't heard before.

Regardless, a brand new nicely packaged CD with comprehensive liner notes of these great older tunes will no doubt bring Taylor many new fans who only know him from American Idol and his Clive Davis-at-the-reign post Idol CD, Taylor Hicks. Many still don't know of his acoustic and blues roots, so I'm hoping that this long overdue set will open some ears to the troubadour Taylor many of us grew to love since the first time we heard his voice. As far as I'm concerned, some of his best deliveries and most significant original songs came out of those dark, empty bar rooms and lonely nights spent trying to get noticed by anyone in the music industry. I'm glad to see some of them finally being released to a broader audience.

In addition to the Early Works CD, Taylor will be releasing a brand new, full length CD this Fall with all new songs. He says this CD, described as having songs sprinkled with political & social undertones and songs about love & past relationships - "a snapshot of his current life', will be primarily his own original work in additon to collaborations with A-List songwriters from Nashville, New York, & Los Angeles. It's not clear whether this CD of new songs will be released on his own label, but we do know he created it with full creative control/freedom which just about ensures an album vastly different than the one released under Clive. That said, I still listen to the Taylor Hicks album and I really feel there were some wonderful tunes on there that deserved a lot more promotion than it ultimately got (which was zero), most notably Gonna Move, The Right Place, Heaven Knows, Whereever I Lay My Hat and the standout originals Soul Thing, The Deal and Hell of a Day. But there was an attempt here to turn Taylor into a "pop artist" and it pretty much sucked all the natural soul out of his exceptional voice. He is a blues and soul singer, not a pop singer, with a little bit of rock and pop thrown in. This new venture will give him total creative freedom, more money in his pocket, and a distributor to do the leg work of getting it into retail outlets.

Will this new CD sell as many as the last CD (850,000 Worldwide) with Gold and Platinum certification from the RIAA? Probably not, but I tell ya, this might be just the right medicine to heal the wounds that, for the past two years, continued to be a pain in the ass for many of his fans. Everything from sales comparisons to arguments concerning the success and non-success of Idol winners and losers were relentlessly being debated. We know Taylor didn't give a rat's ass about these sorts of things (as he has said in many interviews), but the endless inuendos by disgruntled fans of other Idol losers were, at minimum, draining for his die-hard fans. Ultimately, it was and is, all bogus. So the next time you find yourself getting riled up from one of the brain-dead baiters out there, remember that none of it matters and none of it is meaningful.

Thankfully, all that is behind us now. One thing I'll not be doing when these new CDs come out is angst about the amount of "units sold". I'm sure for many of us, that really took much of the enjoyment out of owning Taylor's music. It's a new day and he's on a new open road with endless possibilities. He wants to wet his feet with more acting roles and no doubt, his tours will always be where he ultimately 'lays his hat'. I'll be traveling this road with him and although I know they'll be more bumps in the road, I know the end result will bring him to where he's going and I'll be there waiting with him at the end of his journey.

Taylor Hicks - HICKS FINDS NICHE

...."comprised MOSTLY?? of his pre-Idol tunes?... What do y'all make of that? Could there be some new songs on the Early Works CD? Things that make you go hmm!?

Here's a blurb from the NY Post.

June 20, 2008 -- 'AMERICAN Idol" winner Taylor Hicks has finally landed with a record label more in-tune with his personality.

Vanguard Records, the longtime purveyor of jazz, blues and folk, has agreed to distribute Hicks' next album, which he plans to cut on his own label, Modern Whomp Records.

The disc is expected to be comprised mostly of Hicks' pre-"Idol" tunes and is slated for release in August.

Hicks is currently appearing as the "Teen Angel" in Broadway's "Grease."

Taylor Hicks to Release Pre-Idol Reissues On Vanguard Records

According to New Music TipSheet, Taylor will be re-releasing Early Works, his pre-Idol music on Vanguard Records , one of America's leading independent labels, on August 12th, 2008. There is no info yet on their site about this release, but I suspect it will be shortly. Stay tuned to this site, Vanguard's website and/or Amazon for ordering information (it's not available for purchase yet). I have no further details on what exactly will be on this CD - whether it's just a reissue of his first 2 self-produced albums or whether it will have additional songs that were never released or whether there will some remixes on the CD.

Some other artists on the Vanguard Label include fellow blue-eyed soul singer Marc Broussard, Blues Traveler, Carbon Leaf, the Robert Cray band, Hootie and the Blowfish, Shawn Mullins, Linda Ronstadt, and Edwin McCain just to name a few. Check out their website for more info on label.

UPDATE: In response to an email I sent Vanguard Records, I received this in response:

"This was actually listed wrong on a couple of sites and Vanguard Records is simply just distributing this title so it's not being released on Vanguard Records. This album is on Taylor Hicks own label which is called Modern Whomp Records."

So, this is what we know. "Early Works" will be released on August 12. It will be distributed by Welk Distribution on Taylor's own label called Modern Whomp Music.

Stay tuned for more info!