Taylor Hicks Shows Us How To Sing a Billy Joel Tune

Funny how juxtapositions work sometimes. Just 3 days ago I layed my eyes on some videos from the Hannah Home Charity Concert, which starred Taylor Hicks in a rare acoustic moment (helped ably by horn extraordinaire Jeff Lopez and keyboard aficionado Brian less). He played about 8 or 9 songs that night, but the one that made me catch by breath - literally - was a Billy Joel tune called "NY State of Mind". Let me tell you people, I haven't seen singing like this in many many years. I'm not talking about hitting the right notes, I'm talking about emoting and laying down the emotion to a song. They're synonymous with Taylor's name and totally absent from anything playing on Top 40 radio. And I mean that.

Then I watched last night's American Idol. David Archuleta attempted to catch the essence of the lyric of another Billy Joel song called "And So It Goes". Yes, he hit all the right notes alright, but the rendition left me completely sterile.

When will American Idol realize what a GEMSTONE they had in Taylor whom they let slip through their dirty fingers?

During the chit-chat between songs, Taylor left us with the following 'tease' about the upcoming album! I get all tingly just thinking about how *great* this album will be. Hurry up, Mr. Hicks, the world is waiting to be woken up!

...."I have had the great opportunity to write with some of the best songwriters in the world the last few months. I learned alot about myself as far a a songwriter. I didn't have really have much time to get creative on the last album. This is going to be some of the best music I've ever written in my whole life. All the clubs and bars, you know all the trials and tribulations of just going thru all that and something to be able to express myself in a big way. So an album is coming out soon so hopefully you guys will check it out." ...

NY STATE OF MIND

New York State of Mind from Lh1100 on Vimeo.

ON & ON

On and On from Lh1100 on Vimeo.

MOONDANCE

Moondance from Lh1100 on Vimeo.