Paula Abdul has confirmed that she will not be returning to judge American Idol Season 9. Just another nail in the coffin, folks. As I have extolled over the last few years, AI has beenjumping the shark since that magic season when the silver haired soul singer won.
I have been on record regarding idol madness and their obvious lack of creativity in keeping the franchise fresh and interesting. The plethora of copy cat “talent shows” that have diluted Idol’s appeal, in combination with the producers’ hubris in maintaining the same old cheesy format have assisted in sounding the death knell of the reality show talisman. It was fairly transparent that the addition of Kara Dioguardi as the “fourth” judge was but the first step in replacing the wacky, somewhat unreliable Paula Abdul.
However, what the producers fail to understand is that Paula is one of the things that makes Idol, Idol. No more crying tirades, no more “just what is in the Coke cup”, no more Simon/Paula love/hate exchanges….definitely the ending of an era. My prediction is that Idol will trudge through Season 9 with little of interest between the judges — much like the other three judge panels of American reality talent contests. Ratings will continue to drop and limp into Season 10, which will be the last season.
You heard it here, first, folks!
As for Paula, I’m figuring that she’ll continue to make money like she always has and is likely well set after her eight seasons on AI. What I’m really hoping is that she’ll write a tell-all memoir of all the backstage shenanigins that we all know go on. She just might be ditsy and pissed enough…
Sorry for the lack of attention here over the last few weeks. Our lives have been quite busy and something’s gotta give. Hundred of post ideas pass me during the week, but I’m usually not in a position to post it. Therefore, I thought I’d throw out the week in review (from my mind).
On the personal front, we’re starting to center life around the river and the boat. We’re readying our house to sell in order to build our dream house, so there’s plenty of work to keep us busy. More to come on the dream house, but here’s a preview….
While this has been top of mind for us, other exciting things are also happening. May is shaping up to be quite a nice month. On Monday, Mini DD fulfilled a big goal (at least one of his Mom’s) in becoming an official member of the National Honor Society.
Part of the induction ceremony is the new Junior members being “tapped” by a graduating Senior member. 5′ 6″ Mini DD was tapped by 6′ 8″ GM. It received the biggest laugh of the night.
Very nice way to start off the week and so proud of our progeny.
Cinco de Mayo — which seemingly lost it lustre this year because of Swine Flu — required travel starting at 3:00AM (that’s not a typo), with meetings/dinner until after 9:00PM. I therefore, missed Idol, but was kept informed by Shrew and KD.
On Wednesday, John Mayer posted the second video chronicling the creation of his new CD, Battle Studies.
Johnny Boy’s been particularly busy on Twitter and on Wednesday twittered right before playing this…
Since I was traveling home on Wednesday, I once again missed Idol. I was kept informed that the dudes were safe and Allison was going home, but an important detail was omitted. No-one told me of the absurd Paula Abdul “first time on TV” performance. This is wrong on so many levels, but SO telling regarding what the “judges” endorse as good music.
WARNING: Viewing this video may be hazardous to your musical health.
Along American Idol lines, Taylor “Tinks” Hicks released his country foray, Seven Mile Breakdown, complete with video. Perhaps Taylor is reading? From my March 15th, 2009 post on The Distance:
Along with Nineteen, Seven Mile Breakdown (co-penned with Hicks by Spoonful James’ guitarist and pre-Idol buddy, Wynn Christian) and the title-track, The Distance, Maybe You Should has serious Country potential, if appopriately brought to Nashville. Even the blues number, Wedding Day Blues is oddly reminiscient of Garth Brooks’ Country anthem, Friends in Low Places.
I think that Country will be much kinder to Taylor and there are even better Country songs on the current CD to be released. This might have legs. (**clapping as hard as I can**)
Taylor is also a twitterer, recently tweeting that he LOVES FEIST!!! See, all you Feist haters. Taylor thinks she’s the female Paul McCartney. I might not go that far, but do still love me some Feist.
Feel it All, Feist
Rather excited to find this morning that Janiva Magness was named Entertainer of the Year at the 2009 Blues Music Awards in Memphis last night.
….although she beat our Watermelon Slim….
Pretty cool, as the guy is left-handed — so he’s playing that dobro upside down and backwards.
All in all, a pretty solid week except for the fact that Dom Deluise died. Sure miss the great comedy of Carson and Company.
R.I.P. Captain Chaos.
I will be back to regularly scheduled programming soon….just trying to catch my breath.
In the early ’60s, every man wanted to be them and every woman wanted to be with them. They epitomized the swingin’ sixties and reigned over the short, yet prolific time between 1959 and the Kennedy assasination when “The Summit” was the height of cool.
Tonight’s feature of Rat Pack songs on American Idol will likely fly way over the heads of the younger audiences and I’m thinking that even the performers will have a difficult time with the material. Can’t help but wonder if Idol was influenced byJohn Mayer’s recent performance of Sinatra.
In the spirit of the theme, here are some of Music Maven’s favorite Rat Pack performances…we’ll see if they make an appearance tonight.
Memories Are Made of This, Dean Martin
Summer Wind, Frank Sinatra
What Kind of Fool Am I?, Sammy Davis, Jr.
That’s Amore, Deano
That’s Life, Ole Blue Eyes
Mr. Bojangles, Sammy
Everybody Loves Somebody Sometimes (with banter), Deano
The Tender Trap, The Chairman
Candy Man, Sammy
Ain’t That a Kick in the Head, Deano
Three Coins in the Fountain, Sinatra
Keep Your Eye on the Sparrow (Baretta’s Theme), Sammy Davis, Jr.
First, let me say that Taylor Hicks owes me nothing. Nada. Not a thing.
I used to think that he did, but let me say here (clearly), that I was wrong. You see, four years ago when I rabidly followed Taylor on the cheese fest that is American Idol, I was envigorated by a young man who appeared to beat the odds, defy “the man” and strike a blow for the every day music lover. He was a refreshing throwback to good, “old” music that was pure, un-synthesized, and “real”. He was the everyday musical hero who came to save the day.
After AI, I expected Taylor to remain “all about the music” and continue to defy the musical ogres who control content and dole out the uninspiring pablum derived from electronic manipulation. It was evident from Taylor’s first post-AI release, Taylor Hicks, that there was more influence from those writing the checks than any of us would have preferred. Through the whole time, Taylor seemed to be impersonating some character in a play and while fans largely supported the record, it rang hollow on the charts. It seemed that the daring, soulful style and smokin’ harmonica accompniment was largely absent from the record, leaving listeners, including me, wondering just where Taylor Hicks went.
His live tour was very successful and likely garnished Taylor enough dough to break away from J Records (whether mutual or not), start his own label, and take time for the next record that, maybe…just maybe, would more closely represent what fans so desparately want to hear from the soul man. There have been some detours along the way, including the Broadway role of Teen Angel, that I simply did not agree with because it’s not my vision for the dude. But, really…what do I know?
Oddly enough, Grease appears to have been the catalyst that provided some public acceptance and a bit of a springboard for, perhaps, a redemption of “America’s pick”. Even though I still cringe at the notion of Taylor crooning out Beauty School Dropout, I can’t deny that it’s been good for his career. Hey, it’s a mean to an end, I guess. I have said all along, if the music is good, people will listen and all of the other extra-cirricular activities won’t mean a thing.
That brings us to the release of Taylor Hicks’ new CD, The Distance. I’ve been listening to it for a few days along with some other new music that I’ve been recently turned on to. I wanted to give it a few days to simmer before I commented. First, let me quench your curiosity and say that overall, this CD is MUCH better than the first release.
There’s a definite ease on this record that was absent on Taylor Hicks. While that effort was frenetic, disjointed and a bit out of control, The Distance is thoughtful, balanced and comfortable. It is very reminiscient of his pre-Idol work and shows that Taylor seems to be going “back” to his core, which is exactly what most people loved about him in the first place. This should have been his Idol release, had they been smart. The arrogance of greedy people who believe their “formula” for making a record and maximizing its profit never ceases to amaze me, but we continually see these dinosaurs take unique and genuine talent and turn them into something that is the opposite of what actually makes them appealing, and then scratching their head at its failure.
But, I digress…back to the review.
As I previously detailed, the first single, What’s Right is Right, is a simple, pleasing tune with a great video. It’s currently doing well on AC radio and seems to be a happy medium between what’s expected from fans and what’s accepted by the industry.
But what about the rest of the record? Well, I think I get Taylor. He is not just one style or one genre. Like me, he likes a lot of different types and styles of music and I think that’s what he wanted this record to be. Recently, he did a guest DJ spot on “My Turn” on 100.3 (Newport Beach, CA), no doubt as part of his promotion of this release (which I have to say is 200% better than the crack PR team at J Records and The Firm). Whoever is in charge of promotion this time is doing a fabulous job. Anyway, Taylor’s playlist for the hour long DJ stint is very telling.
St. Dominic’s Preview – Van Morrison Gasoline Alley -Rod Stewart How Long – Ace Rainy Night In Georgia – Brook Benton You Belong To Me – Carly Simon Hurricane Water – Citizen Cope Foggy Mountain Breakdown – Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs Where I’m From (Alabama Frame Of Mind)-Shelby Lynne Life’s Been Good – Joe Walsh Lowdown in Lodi – Freddie King Something So Right – Paul Simon Arc Of A Diver – Steve Winwood Don’t Think Twice – Susan Tedeschi I’m In Love – Wilson Pickett
To hear Taylor’s DJ skillz, click on the following player.
Now, I have to say that this was one of the most redeeming things I’ve heard from Taylor in a while. It validated that the dude still has great music taste and still true to it. Many of the songs on the new CD incorporate “sounds” from Taylor influences like Steve Winwood, Keb ‘Mo, Delbert McClinton, Van Morrison, and The Meters. He signed on a quality producer in Simon Climie, who has produced Eric Clapton and who is an accomplished keyboardist and song writer in his own right. In addition, some of Clapton’s touring band performed on the record, including Doyle Brahmall II and bassist Nathan East and was joined by Paul McCartney’s drummer, Abe Laboriel, Jr.
This is a quality record, with quality songs, musicians, and mixing. I like it. I have to say that it’s very entertaining and there are a few really good tracks on it. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Maybe You Should. Written by Taylor and Nashville songwriter Gary Nicholson (who contributes on several songs), it is a great ballad that reminds me of Bonnie Raitt’s I Can’t Make You Love Me. That could be because songwriter Michael Reid co-wrote both of them. While I love Taylor’s raspy blues feel to this song, I could also see Keith Urban doing this song.
Along with Nineteen, Seven Mile Breakdown (co-penned with Hicks by Spoonful James’ guitarist and pre-Idol buddy, Wynn Christian) and the title-track, The Distance, Maybe You Should has serious Country potential, if appopriately brought to Nashville. Even the blues number, Wedding Day Blues is oddly reminiscient of Garth Brooks’ Country anthem, Friends in Low Places.
While there’s certainly some Country influence, this CD is not a one trick twang pony. One of my favorites, Keeping It Real, is influenced by co-author Delbert McClinton’s wily humor along with a great strider piano, New Orleans sound. It’s also the ONLY track on the CD with a harmonica accompniment. A pity, as I really dig the harp.
There’s also plenty of “soul” in the Nick Lowe cover, I Live on a Battlefield, and one of my all-time favorite tunes, Woman’s Gotta Have It, where he is accompanied by AI buddy, Elliott Yamin. Now, Woman’s Gotta Have It is one on my Music Maven “All-Time Favorite” list, but James Taylor’s 1976 version from his In the Pocket CD which is, in my opinion, one of the best albums ever made — but that’s a different subject for a different day. I really love the meshing of voices between Elliott and Taylor and especially Taylor harmonizing background vocal (fulfilling Simon’s ambition for him), but the beginning of JT’s version is more to my liking. Got me to wondering what a combined version would sound like. Hmmmm….
Once Upon a Lover and New Found Freedom are my “throw away” tracks. I didn’t like the Latino sound of West Texas Sky and I don’t care for it on Once Upon a Lover.New Found Freedom is more of an Idol “coronation” songthat just doesn’t measure up to the other songs on the CD.
The marketing plan of three “special tracks” via different store exclusives are in play for The Distance. Wal-Mart offers the Ray Charles’ cover Hide Nor Hair, Target provides Indiscriminate Act of Kindness, and iTunes has Yes We Can, Can. While I haven’t been able to sample Hide Nor Hair, Indiscriminate Act of Kindness reminds me of Taylor’s much heralded performance of the Ray classic, Georgia. It is indulgent and very non-descript. While I know this won’t be popular with the “Soul Patrol”, Indiscriminate Act of Kindnessis NOT a song that exhibits Taylor Hicks’ talent nor is it a very appealing cut. However, if you’re looking for a theme song about drug addiction and recovery, this is likely as good as it gets.
On the other hand, the iTunes “special”, Yes We Can is a veritable who’s who of funk & boogie. Written by Allen Toussaint and covered by the likes of soul man, Marc Broussard and The Pointer Sisters, Yes We Can pays homage to the soul/zydeco/funk of the Southern Gulf Coast. While Taylor may be considered the “forgotten idol”, the fact that Ivan Neville, Delbert McClinton and Stax legend, Steve Cropper provide back-up, indicates that “real” musicians “get” Taylor. Even Marc Broussard couldn’t pull that off.
Music Maven gives Taylor Hicks’ The Distance 4 of 5 stars. Buy it.
Today, the inaugural Taylor Hicks music video premieres.
Click the picture to view.
The link takes you to Jake Davis’ blog. Davis is the director of the video and I must say that I like his style. He’s managed to capture alot of what I think Taylor Hicks wants to portray. He creates that “alone” James Dean feel, complete with the overcoat walk in the snow on deserted streets…even the diner scene.
Photos by Dennis Stock
The video is good. It’s just the right amount of highlighting the artist, storytelling and showcasing the song. Well done, Mr. Davis.
I have to say that Taylor has never looked better. As I mentioned in an earlier post, his new What’s Right Is Right is a pleasant-enough song that seems to be catching on a little with a #25 position on Billboard’s Hot Contemporary Chart. It also looks like he’s embracing his inner Idol with last weekend’s appearance with the other six idols to christen Disney’s “American Idol Experience”.
Taylor’s CD, The Distance, drops March 10th and again, I think we’ll see an Idol appearance around that time. Could it be that Idol #5 will finally start to gain traction?
….goes to new American Idol judge, Kara Dioguardi.
Admittedly, I was a bit skeptical of the new judge. While I still think that idol is jumping the shark, I gotta give credit where credit is due. Shamefully, I can’t help but watch the train wreck. One of the blatant sexploitation stories of Season 8 is “Bikini Girl”, Katrina Darrell. Judge for yourself why she was put through to Hollywood:
Now, newbie Dioguardi, who really seems to think that this is a TALENT competition was incensed that Katrina was given a golden ticket. However, it appeared that she was ready to give her another chance on the big stage of the Kodak Theatre. Legally Brunette, Katrina, however has no humility, nor pride of self and gladly exploits her looks for to move her along. Kara was having nothing of it.
After a very mediocre rendition of Faith Hill’s Breathe, Simon and Randy let their nether regions cast their vote and actually voted to keep this bimbo into the second round. Both Paula and Kara were disgusted, but Kara executed the best line I think I may have ever heard on idol, when it was announced that everyone in Kara’s group was “through to the next round”. And, I quote:
Leave your number backstage. Bring your pole tomorrow.
Badow. **snap** **snap** **snap**
Kara, for your steadfast opposition to bimbeaux’s everywhere and for your sharp, quick-wittedness and sarcasm….you are the first winner of the Music Maven “You Geaux, Girl” Award.
While I was a HUGE Taylor Hicks fanwhen he was sporting that lovely paisley shirt, purple velvet jacket and getting funky on American Idol a few years ago, I lost interest after a while. His over-produced, Idol infused “debut” CD, the obvious malfunctions in his marketing and the insaneness of the online “fan wars” caused me to put some distance of my own between me and the Silver Fox.
Also, the whole Grease thing really shattered my illusions of the nitty, gritty, “real”, all about the music, soul singer. I had envisioned Taylor with the likes of Marc Broussard, Norah Jones, Widespread Panic and Grace Potter, not prancing around in a teased up pompadour singing Beauty School Drop Out. While I still don’t like the move, it appears that the Teen Angel part has kept him out in the public. In the summer, he released Early Works, full of older pre-idol material that was self-produced and had limited distribution, mainly via Target. Not sure of the exact count, but let’s just say that it didn’t storm up the Billboard charts.
Taylor has been working on a new CD, titled The Distance. It will be released via Taylor’s Modern Whomp Records and distributed via the indie-promotiong Artists2Market. While quite a challenge to go it alone, Taylor has asserted that this CD will be a true representation of his music, without interference from “others”. So, today the first single from The Distance drops — a smooth, easy tune called What’s Right is Right.
As much as I may have seen Taylor, and his music through rose colored glasses previously, the pendulum swung hard the other way over the last two years with my disappointment in the music (or lack thereof) of Taylor Hicks. Where was the John Mayer collaboration? The Ray Charles studio session? A Muscle Shoals revival? The Yabba Dabba Soul Patrol Mojo Dive Tour, for Christ’s sake?
However, lately, I have wondered if I have simply been too hard on poor Taylor. After all, his was an uphill climb out of the chute. Not really Country, not really Alternative Rock, not really any specific “genre” for the suits to throw him in. While he certainly made missteps and was, at times, lazy…did I throw the baby out with the bathwater? I decided to really give this new CD a try. So, I have started with What’s Right is Right.
While there’s nothing here that will set the world on fire, the song is good. It’s James Taylor-esque to me, with simple instrumentation and vocals I can actually hear. Not sure that he’ll get much radio play on anything other than Adult Contemporary stations, but I don’t think that’s the point. James Taylor has had VERY few “hits” over his career, yet is certainly a respected musician and singer. If you can make money pleasing a fan base, over time, you will be able to sustain yourself and leave a lasting legacy. I like What’s Right is Right and I think that I will like the rest of the CD that drops March 10th, 2009.
The track listing is promising, with a little of something for everyone.
Wedding Day Blues
Seven Mile Breakdown
What’s Right Is Right
Woman’s Gotta Have It
New Found Freedom
The Distance
Nineteen
I Live on a Battlefield
Maybe You Should
Once Upon a Lover of Mine
Keepin’ It Real
There is a potential solid Country hit in Nineteen, along with one that I have a feeling will be a Music Maven hit — Bobby Womack’s Woman Gotta Have It. I have adored this song since 1976, when my brother gave me my first LP album — James Taylor’s In the Pocket, arguably one of his best albums. But THAT, my friends, is another story for another day.
If I may — give Taylor just one more chance and try to listen to this new CD without rose colored glasses or bias from unrealized expectations. Try listening to it like any other emerging artist I might throw out there at you and then, we’ll give it a proper review. Just keepin’ it real.
It will be available on Amazon, March 10th. The single is available today on iTunes. My Libra Dragonsis predicting an American Idol appearance in mid-March. Don’t they at least owe the guy that much?
ETA: It’s worse than I thought. Rather than dramatic changes that would assist in torpedoing the most watched television series in history, the initial show was EXACTLY THE SAME drivel as previous years. Hideous singers, exploited women, and Ryan’s tired-ass schtick. The demise may be faster than I initially predicted. The only bright spot in the whole show was blind musician, Scott McIntyre.
One of the first signs of the piroueting fish is substantial changes to format. Well….Season 8 opens with a new judge (Kara DioGuardi), a promise that the spasmatic, William-Hungistic performances will not be exploited, and an expanded number of “idols” in the Hollywood round. I’m sure there are more surprises as the season goes on, as well.
HEAR ME NOW….American Idol will suffer it’s lowest ratings ever this year. Of course, I’ll be watching and commenting just to prove that I AM RIGHT, dammit.
Interestingly, I was watching the NFL play-off game between Philly and the Giants this weekend, when the following promo for AI came on. Even though it goes by fast, take note of the :14 mark and the :23 mark. He’s grey-headed and skinny with some funky moves.
It has been 90 days since I posted my unmistaken disappointment in Taylor Hicks taking the role of Teen Angel in the Broadway production of Grease. I vowed that if this turned out to be a good thing that I would happily admit that I was wrong.
Well, I have to say that I am floored that this whole Grease thing has been nothing but positive for Taylor. Somewhat magically, once he donned the sparkly blue suit and descended the ice cream cone for the first time, substantial and positive press surrounded him. Of course, this is the total opposite reaction I was anticipating from the less than kind industry press.
While I think that Taylor made chicken salad out of the proverbial chicken shit and seems to have virtually saved the production from closing early, I have to wonder about the sudden shift from cowpies continually flung in his direction (if he was even talked about at all) to the literal toast of the town (a really big one).
I don’t know if this gig was his idea or not; if he finally acquiesed to AI minions; or if he just wanted to summer in NYC, but he certainly has embraced the role and seems to be having a high time. Again, I still don’t really “get it”, as I’d prefer that he be doggedly working on a “real” CD, however I must admit that this part has given him some definite positive traction.
With the demanding schedule, I highly doubt that he’s been recording anything. So, I think it’s unlikely that we’ll see the new CD before Christmas. Particularly since the Early Works CD is being released today in an exclusive Target offering.
For $9.98 you can own re-mastered tracks from In Your Time and Under the Radar. While not the normal CD price, I think the $9.98 deal through Target is a great distribution deal that will end up saving Taylor money and ensuring that the CD is highlighted in a very effective channel. (For example, EW makes it’s debut alongside the very popular Jonas Brothers CD ^^^^). It’s also “priced to sell”, which means more people will consider buying it.
In case you’re wondering about which songs are included on the Early Works CD, here you go:
1. Soul Thing
2. The Fall
3. Hold On to Your Love
4. The Deal
5. Heart and Soul
6. In Your Time
7. West Texas Sky
8. Somehow
9. Tighten Up
10. Son of a Carpenter
11. My Friend
12. Georgia (with Billy Earl McClelland)
While these are well known to many who have followed Taylor for a while, there are many who have never heard the early stuff, i.e., the good stuff. Hopefully, this CD will show those who are unfamiliar, Taylor’s grittiness, talent and range.
It appears that some fan groups are doing a bit of guerilla marketing, as well…
by PayTheDevil661
I’ll be glad when the Grease thing is done and a new CD with new tracks hits the street. Will we finally see that collaboration with John Mayer? How about Robert Randolph? Norah Jones?
Music Maven 