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In “Whomp at the Warfield” The Interview, Taylor Hicks explains the naming of his “whomp” music with words like “raw,” and “gritty.”
However you define or describe it, Taylor’s modern whomp plays a grand gamut from raw and gritty sounds to tender and melodic songs. One he even identifies as a connection between himself and his loyal group of fans, The Soul Patrol.
“Whomp at the Warfield,” setlist was created from long standing Taylor favorites of his early roots music and new sounds from his post-Idol album, “Taylor Hicks.” It’s eclectic and, as one reviewer said, delivers the funk.
“Gonna Move” has been a frequent concert number from AI Shadow Tour shows to Shadow Tour concerts now. It’s an upbeat song about moving on with a beat that makes you want to get going. Its lyrics speak volumes for the young man who attended Auburn University only to finally realize that “those books were making me lose my smile.” It was time to move on to what really made him smile. He left Auburn with what became a long term commitment to his music.
Not truly being part of the “rock” generation, I have always been a fan of Taylor’s “pure voice” acoustic songs like “Wherever I Lay My Hat,” “The Right Place” and “The Fall.”
This is not to say that I don’t feel it on big blasts like “Badge” and “Naked in the Jungle.” They take the spirit for a ride that brings back the youngster in all of us.
They make you love loud music again!
Still, there is a depth to “Wherever I Lay My Hat,” with lyrics that must ring true to the young musician who has been on the road for much of his life. There seems a sense of sadness in the intense vocals about traveling with no home. Taylor has said he has not had a home since he left Alabama in 2005 for American Idol. This has always been a favorite from “Taylor Hicks” his first post-Idol album.
I would have bought “Whomp at the Warfield” just for “The Fall.” For me, this is the high point of the Warfield experience.
With intricate phrasing and lyrics and a gentle and uncommon melody, “The Fall,” will be the career maker for Taylor Hicks, the song writer. It is a song you can listen to forever. It was performed at the Warfield with astounding tenderness, yet emotional depth. It always makes you wonder about the story behind it, though you know it is only for the singer and song writer to know. Taylor somewhat reveals the future of this song in his interview. Whatever the future, I believe it will be a long one.
Many of the songs in Taylor’s live concerts have delightful little surprises tucked away inside—“tags” of other songs. You’re listening to say, “The Maze” and suddenly Taylor lifts his hands for the band to “pay attention,” waits for the audience’s sense of anticipation to peak, and, with a knowing grin, launches into a “tag” like “Brown-Eyed Handsome Man,” one of the most popular and one that brought down the Warfield as he slipped “Barry Bonds” into the lyrics. “Tupelo Honey” is another sweet and silky surprise, and “Eastbound and Down” takes you trucking to somewhere that Taylor has said is unplanned. It’s the art of the seasoned musician and entertainer.
“The Right Place,” a song by Bryan Adams, was originally given to Ray Charles to record, but he never did. It must have been a thrill for Taylor to have the opportunity to record this song of his idol, Brother Ray. He sings it in a strong voice as if Ray Charles were sitting at the piano pounding on the keys.
These were instantly memorable moments for me in “Whomp at the Warfield.” The complete setlist is included below in a previous “Whomp” blog.
A Taylor Hicks concert is a party of musicians splashing color and personality all over the musical canvass. They are celebrating what they love—making music. The world class band in “Whomp at the Warfield” is as much fun to watch as Taylor. They are equal to the swampy sounds of Taylor’s whomp and take their music to the same intense, energy-laden heights and expanses as Mr. Hicks does. They are all ultimately serious musicians having the time of their lives every night they walk onto the stage.
That’s infectious to the music lover whether it’s captured on DVD or you are standing at the stage experiencing it live.
A music industry blogger, Bob Lefsetz, recently wrote that the live performance is where it’s at. He also said, “We don’t have to have music, but we want it.”
We want real music from musicians who make good music. I can think of a lot of good music out there—and some not so.
“Whomp at the Warfield” is good music!
However you define or describe it, Taylor’s modern whomp plays a grand gamut from raw and gritty sounds to tender and melodic songs. One he even identifies as a connection between himself and his loyal group of fans, The Soul Patrol.
“Whomp at the Warfield,” setlist was created from long standing Taylor favorites of his early roots music and new sounds from his post-Idol album, “Taylor Hicks.” It’s eclectic and, as one reviewer said, delivers the funk.
“Gonna Move” has been a frequent concert number from AI Shadow Tour shows to Shadow Tour concerts now. It’s an upbeat song about moving on with a beat that makes you want to get going. Its lyrics speak volumes for the young man who attended Auburn University only to finally realize that “those books were making me lose my smile.” It was time to move on to what really made him smile. He left Auburn with what became a long term commitment to his music.
Not truly being part of the “rock” generation, I have always been a fan of Taylor’s “pure voice” acoustic songs like “Wherever I Lay My Hat,” “The Right Place” and “The Fall.”
This is not to say that I don’t feel it on big blasts like “Badge” and “Naked in the Jungle.” They take the spirit for a ride that brings back the youngster in all of us.
They make you love loud music again!
Still, there is a depth to “Wherever I Lay My Hat,” with lyrics that must ring true to the young musician who has been on the road for much of his life. There seems a sense of sadness in the intense vocals about traveling with no home. Taylor has said he has not had a home since he left Alabama in 2005 for American Idol. This has always been a favorite from “Taylor Hicks” his first post-Idol album.
I would have bought “Whomp at the Warfield” just for “The Fall.” For me, this is the high point of the Warfield experience.
With intricate phrasing and lyrics and a gentle and uncommon melody, “The Fall,” will be the career maker for Taylor Hicks, the song writer. It is a song you can listen to forever. It was performed at the Warfield with astounding tenderness, yet emotional depth. It always makes you wonder about the story behind it, though you know it is only for the singer and song writer to know. Taylor somewhat reveals the future of this song in his interview. Whatever the future, I believe it will be a long one.
Many of the songs in Taylor’s live concerts have delightful little surprises tucked away inside—“tags” of other songs. You’re listening to say, “The Maze” and suddenly Taylor lifts his hands for the band to “pay attention,” waits for the audience’s sense of anticipation to peak, and, with a knowing grin, launches into a “tag” like “Brown-Eyed Handsome Man,” one of the most popular and one that brought down the Warfield as he slipped “Barry Bonds” into the lyrics. “Tupelo Honey” is another sweet and silky surprise, and “Eastbound and Down” takes you trucking to somewhere that Taylor has said is unplanned. It’s the art of the seasoned musician and entertainer.
“The Right Place,” a song by Bryan Adams, was originally given to Ray Charles to record, but he never did. It must have been a thrill for Taylor to have the opportunity to record this song of his idol, Brother Ray. He sings it in a strong voice as if Ray Charles were sitting at the piano pounding on the keys.
These were instantly memorable moments for me in “Whomp at the Warfield.” The complete setlist is included below in a previous “Whomp” blog.
A Taylor Hicks concert is a party of musicians splashing color and personality all over the musical canvass. They are celebrating what they love—making music. The world class band in “Whomp at the Warfield” is as much fun to watch as Taylor. They are equal to the swampy sounds of Taylor’s whomp and take their music to the same intense, energy-laden heights and expanses as Mr. Hicks does. They are all ultimately serious musicians having the time of their lives every night they walk onto the stage.
That’s infectious to the music lover whether it’s captured on DVD or you are standing at the stage experiencing it live.
A music industry blogger, Bob Lefsetz, recently wrote that the live performance is where it’s at. He also said, “We don’t have to have music, but we want it.”
We want real music from musicians who make good music. I can think of a lot of good music out there—and some not so.
“Whomp at the Warfield” is good music!
Quote "does not fail to deliver the funk" from Lakendra Lewis in Musicouching.
Note: The production of “Whomp at the Warfield,” is superb and highly professional. Closeups capture the expressions, and sometimes antics, of the performers as they enjoy making their own kind of music. It records the magic of the place and time. If you want to know the music of Taylor Hicks, see him perform it live on stage in “Whomp at the Warfield!”
Note: The production of “Whomp at the Warfield,” is superb and highly professional. Closeups capture the expressions, and sometimes antics, of the performers as they enjoy making their own kind of music. It records the magic of the place and time. If you want to know the music of Taylor Hicks, see him perform it live on stage in “Whomp at the Warfield!”
Photo by San: Taylor Hicks in Tempe, AZ, 5.1.07 a few days before the Warfield concert.
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2 comments:
Live performing Mr. Lefsetz is definitely , "where it's at" and where I want to be when listening/watching Taylor Hicks do "his thing."
This is like a jam session , with all the musical attendants getting pieces of the instrumental action. It is almost impossible to separate Taylor from his band . They are mates , they are simpatico , they are joined at "the ear" and seem to flow from musical phrase to musical phrase. It is easy to sense their enjoyment in performing as a unit as they share their comradery with the audience.
While Taylor's interview is staged, choreographed , edited and highly produced , we catch a glimpse of a sincere and modest man.
I hope we will have the pleasure of more DVD's from Taylor.
cath
Ever heard these old saying:
"Good things come in small Packages"? or "Patience is a virtue"? I waited with great anticipation as Taylor progressed through all the hoops the encountered as he worked out getting the autorizations, releases, and other problems to get WATW edited, produced, and ultimately on the market.
I think the final product is well worth the wait. Taylor's interpretations of the songs on this DVD were stellar and in my opinion, gives the viewer a fantastic view of the concert. Taylor's joy in performing is almost palpable and this band is a fantastic addition to the tour -- they were riviting and each performance showed how the players became more attuned to each other and Taylor.
Thanks for the synopsis and I TOO look forward to many years listening to and following the career of this wonderful artist.
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