So what makes a “kick-ass” tour?
Taylor Hicks delivered on it.
“Kick-ass” music.
That doesn’t always mean loud and pounding. There was that—like “Bulletproof” that revved up the senses from the first pounding beats and a chorus—“This time baby I’ll be bulletproof” that plays in the head, and it hasn’t stopped yet.
The other end of the musical spectrum was when closed eyes and emotional vocals took you away on a romantic journey. There was “Maybe You Should” which Taylor says is for the couples in the audience and “The Fall” from his own repertoire of early song writing. The impact was stunning, especially if you had just heard “Bulletproof.”
In between there was foot stomping “Back to Louisiana,” funky rock with “Love the One You’re With,” rock and roll classic like “Not Fade Away,” and old favorites from “The Distance” and “Early Works” albums. One tweeter said she didn’t see how Taylor Hicks could do “Seven Mile Breakdown,” “The Fall,” and “Bulletproof,” …what a setlist. Eclectic doesn’t begin to describe the music on this tour.
“Kick-ass” band.
Also named “kick ass” by Taylor, this band brought immense talent to the stage. More importantly, perhaps, they brought the ability to meld into pure musical magic. “Best ever” was the constant description, and I thought I had seen the “best ever” in 2007. I can only give you a non-musician’s take: I was excited to hear every note and every song of the show. Brian Less, Jeff Lopez, Sam Gunderson, Brandon Peeples, Leif Bondarenko, and Matt Kimbrell were not just “backup.” They were always an integral part of the performance and stars in their own right.
Taylor Hicks and this band took “best ever” and made it better.
“Kick-ass” venues.
From roadhouse casual to grand piano posh, the venues gave us a tour of live music homes across America. I had no idea. There was summer place charm in New England, biker bar feel in the Midwest, and a dinner/music “room” in San Francisco. Versatility doesn’t even start. Blues club to jazz club to posh club, Taylor Hicks and the boys from Alabama played them all and took away the accolades for a “kick ass” show.
“Kick-ass” fans.
There were New Yorkers in California and Southerners in New York. Some groups of fans were just all over the place. They always get there! And there were new fans. Fans stood in line for over an hour to meet Taylor Hicks, get his CD, autograph, and picture. And Taylor met every one who wanted to meet him. He hand delivered his CD to a few more thousand fans. They will remember this one.
“Kick-Ass” Mr. Hicks.
Taylor has said that early on he learned that you have to “entertain, or go home.” He has ramped that up to…
Kick ass, or go home!
A San Diego writer reviewed the tour concert at The Anthology just today. He recalled walking through the airport a week after Taylor Hicks became Season Five American Idol and seeing his face on the cover of every magazine. After reviewing the music and “Not Fade Away” in particular, he said:
Taylor Hicks delivered on it.
“Kick-ass” music.
That doesn’t always mean loud and pounding. There was that—like “Bulletproof” that revved up the senses from the first pounding beats and a chorus—“This time baby I’ll be bulletproof” that plays in the head, and it hasn’t stopped yet.
The other end of the musical spectrum was when closed eyes and emotional vocals took you away on a romantic journey. There was “Maybe You Should” which Taylor says is for the couples in the audience and “The Fall” from his own repertoire of early song writing. The impact was stunning, especially if you had just heard “Bulletproof.”
In between there was foot stomping “Back to Louisiana,” funky rock with “Love the One You’re With,” rock and roll classic like “Not Fade Away,” and old favorites from “The Distance” and “Early Works” albums. One tweeter said she didn’t see how Taylor Hicks could do “Seven Mile Breakdown,” “The Fall,” and “Bulletproof,” …what a setlist. Eclectic doesn’t begin to describe the music on this tour.
“Kick-ass” band.
Also named “kick ass” by Taylor, this band brought immense talent to the stage. More importantly, perhaps, they brought the ability to meld into pure musical magic. “Best ever” was the constant description, and I thought I had seen the “best ever” in 2007. I can only give you a non-musician’s take: I was excited to hear every note and every song of the show. Brian Less, Jeff Lopez, Sam Gunderson, Brandon Peeples, Leif Bondarenko, and Matt Kimbrell were not just “backup.” They were always an integral part of the performance and stars in their own right.
Taylor Hicks and this band took “best ever” and made it better.
“Kick-ass” venues.
From roadhouse casual to grand piano posh, the venues gave us a tour of live music homes across America. I had no idea. There was summer place charm in New England, biker bar feel in the Midwest, and a dinner/music “room” in San Francisco. Versatility doesn’t even start. Blues club to jazz club to posh club, Taylor Hicks and the boys from Alabama played them all and took away the accolades for a “kick ass” show.
“Kick-ass” fans.
There were New Yorkers in California and Southerners in New York. Some groups of fans were just all over the place. They always get there! And there were new fans. Fans stood in line for over an hour to meet Taylor Hicks, get his CD, autograph, and picture. And Taylor met every one who wanted to meet him. He hand delivered his CD to a few more thousand fans. They will remember this one.
“Kick-Ass” Mr. Hicks.
Taylor has said that early on he learned that you have to “entertain, or go home.” He has ramped that up to…
Kick ass, or go home!
A San Diego writer reviewed the tour concert at The Anthology just today. He recalled walking through the airport a week after Taylor Hicks became Season Five American Idol and seeing his face on the cover of every magazine. After reviewing the music and “Not Fade Away” in particular, he said:
“Hicks took the lead vocal and proved he'd still be on the magazine covers if enough people could see him perform live….
“Hicks ended his 90-minute-plus performance with a surprising ’70s power-rock cover of La Roux's hit "Bulletproof" that was the highlight of the show. He sang and played a mean blues harmonica on Nick Lowe's "Battlefield" and did a roadhouse-rocking cover of "Love the One You're With" that put Stephen Stills to shame. Hicks included several original songs that all sounded great live but don't translate well to studio production. Taylor Hicks has still got the music in him, you just have to see him perform to appreciate it.”
This is why Taylor Hicks tours and why it is “kick ass!” It is who he is!
“UNTIL…..”
another “kick ass”one!
Quote from: “Idol Winner” by Alan Segal, The San Diego Reader, 8/29/10
http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2010/aug/29/idol-winner/
For more about the Taylor Hicks Summer Tour 2010, visit our tour forum and media board:
Photo by San: Taylor Hicks at The Aquarius, Laughlin, NV 8.21.10
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