Elliott Yamin Sings Backup on Taylor Hicks' New Album

Interesting news! According to USA Today blogger, Brian Mansfield, fellow American Idol Season 5 contestant, Elliott Yamin, has contributed background vocals to Bobby Womack's classic soul song "Woman's Got To Have It", a cut from Taylor Hicks' forthcoming album, The Distance, which drops on March 10, 2009! I think their voices will blend really nicely and it's one of the 14 cuts I'm most anxious to hear from the new album! It's not the first time these two have worked as a duo. The two sang together during the 2006 American Idol tour at Workplay, an Alabama hotspot, on other classic soul classics such as "Use Me" and "What's Goin' On". The entire article reads:

Taylor Hicks' new single, What's Right Is Right, will be available for download starting next Tuesday, but you can hear the song now on his website. What's Right Is Right is the first single from Taylor's new album, The Distance, will come out March 10.

The Distance also features a cover of R&B great Bobby Womack's Woman's Gotta Have It. Elliott Yamin told me the other day that he'd cut backing vocals for Taylor's version.

Taylor's backing band on the album includes guitarist Doyle Bramhall II, bassist Nathan East and drummer Abe Laboriel Jr. The Distance was produced by Simon Climie, who has also worked with Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana and Faith Hill.

The other songs on The Distance, which will come out on Taylor's Modern Whomp label, are Wedding Day Blues, Seven Mile Breakdown, New Found Freedom, The Distance, Nineteen, I Live on a Battlefield, Maybe You Should, Once Upon a Lover of Mine and Keepin’ It Real.

The Making of a Timeless Record, According to Taylor Hicks

Taylor Hicks gave a few more minor details about his forthcoming album in this new interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune. A good read if you can get beyond the unnecessary crap in the first sentence. Some things never change I guess...

"...Winning "American Idol" doesn't guarantee a successful recording career. Taylor Hicks, the 2006 champ, can't match the CD sales of Chris Daughtry or Kellie Pickler, whom TV viewers rejected that season. But the "Idol" title does open doors, and Hicks is proving to be a careerist.

After parting company with J Records, he took the role of Teen Angel in "Grease" on Broadway in June. This month, he began a six-month road tour with the show that will bring him to the Twin Cities next weekend. During the tour, he will play an occasional club to promote his forthcoming album, "The Distance," due in March on his own label, Modern Whomp. He is previewing his new, untitled single during "Grease" as sort of a curtain-call encore.

Q Why are you performing only the last three days of the Minneapolis engagement?

A I'm gearing up for my new record. I previously booked [some gigs] and the mixing of the record.

Q How have you Taylor-made the part of Teen Angel?

A I took the song and made it fit my style more, with the arranging of some horn parts and also adding harmonica. The costume has a Taylor flair to it, to say the least.

Q What does your famous hair look like in "Grease"?

A Let's just say it's definitely a 1950s look.

Q Tell me about your new album.

A I'm really excited about it. There are some really great story songs on the record. I co-wrote most of the material. Doyle Bramhall plays guitar, Nathan East plays bass, Abe Laboriel Jr. plays drums. My producer is Simon Climie; he's done a lot of Eric Clapton and J.J. Cale records. I wanted somebody who could help me create a timeless record. The album is a great representation of who I am as an artist right now, and that's all I can ask for.

Q Do you keep up with our "Idol" homegirl Paris Bennett?

A I do. I think the world of her. I think she's a wonderful singer. She has a natural ability to perform and sing. I hope I get to see her when I come there.

Q Are you happy with your career path?

A I couldn't be happier. For me, this is a marathon, not a sprint. The longevity aspect to me is the most important. Doing Broadway theater and looking at movie roles and writing music and putting out CDs -- you have to be well-rounded if you want longevity in a career..."