My wife, Julie, and I spent yet another day at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival. And, that means another Eat to the Beat concert at the American Garden Theater in front of the American Adventure.
Performing tonight was Taylor Hicks. This is the first year that Taylor Hicks performed at Epcot. For those of you who don’t know, Taylor Hicks won the fifth season (2006) of American Idol. He is a pop/rock singer who has released a number of albums. I am not familiar with his music and didn’t recognize any of the songs he sang.
We only stayed for one show so I don’t know if he changed up song in his second and third shows. He has a decent voice and had a very good band backing him up. The theater did fill up, however, the audience was very reserved compared to many of the other groups that we’ve seen perform. I do think that has to do with the lack of big hits from Taylor. My wife is a very big American Idol fan and was looking forward to seeing Taylor in concert. Unfortunately she wasn’t impressed with him either. Sorry Idol fans!
Tip: for those of you who don’t recognize songs by their title (like me) you can go to either YouTube.com and find a video or a web site like Amazon.com and look up the greatest hits album. Amazon will allow you to play a few seconds of each song; just enough to help you recognize (or not) the song.
The familiar Eat to the Beat concert series sign that’s on the stage.
Please leave me a comment and tell me if you were there what you thought of the concert or what your memories are of Taylor or of previous concerts. I love to get comments.
Finally, be one of the first people to hear when my newest blogs go live on AllEars.net by joining “DisneyMike’s World” Facebook group.
Well, that’s all for now. As my good friend says, “See ya real soon””¦.DizneyMike
Here ya go…just keep watching. This was a joke performance…a shout-out to his online fans who know he NEVER sings “Do I Make You Proud” in concert. Prior to this tour, he once jokingly said in an online video that his tour was going to be “an Abba Tribute”. This was the last show of the Spring tour…and he brought his delightful sense of humor to this show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8a29JCYrG4
Anyway…I’m another Taylor fan, who having loved music all my life…has never been a card carrying member of any “fanclub” until Taylor Hicks came along. His “hardcore” fans have yet to really identify exactly what it is that hooks us…or what it is that seems to polarize people about him and his music. It seems like most either love him or hate him. Trust me…I understand we’re not going to change your mind about him. If I could do that, I’d work on my husband before anyone else. OK…Carry on…
DizneyMike replies: Kim, thanks for the great comments and the link to his version of Dancing Queen…..Mike
As a card carrying member of the Soul Patrol I thank you very much for the great pics from Epcot! The world would be a boring place if everyone had the same tastes. Thanks for giving Taylor a mention in your blog. It will be interesting to read your others.
DizneyMike replies: Liz, yes, you’re right about this being a boring place if everyone had the same tastes. For all those who love Taylor Hicks, I hope his career continues to skyrocket so you can enjoy him for many more years! For me, I will keep playing my ABBA CD’s. -:) Thanks for the great comments….Mike
Love me some Taylor Hicks. Thanks for the great pictures of Tay. I too have been to several live shows and have all of Taylor’s CD’s. The live shows are just so great. I think Taylor is so well liked due to his live performance factor and also the fact that he is just a really nice guy.
I agree that not everyone loves everybody, I think Carrie Underwood is a beautiful girl and I voted for her on Idol, but I just don’t like her singing as it all sounds the same. I bought Carnival Ride and gave it away because it gave me a headache. I do love country though, Kenny Chesney is a favorite of mine.
Thanks again for the great pics.
DizneyMike replies: Chery, glad I could bring a little bit of Taylor to you! Thanks for the nice comments….Mike
I only got to see 11/2 was so impressed, kept on getting back in line again, and again. I also hope Taylor returns every November; like the swallows in California. OPA! Thanks for the great pictures.
DizneyMike replies: Barbie, thanks for the comment. For the sake of all those who love Taylor, let’s hope that Disney does bring him back….Mike
I’m quite the Taylor Hicks fan myself and have seen him in concert numerous times (though I didn’t make it to the Epcot show). However, I appreciate that diversity makes the world go round and that different ears hear different things. Thanks for writing up an honest but respectful review even if he wasn’t your cup of tea.
And, thanks for sharing the great pictures — especially love the harmonica shot and the photo of John Kulinich (lead guitarist).
I’d be interested to know what other performers you’ve seen at Epcot that you enjoyed.
DizneyMike replies: Linda, thank you for the great feedback! You know when you write a blog, as I do, you’re writing about your impressions. I know that everyone won’t agree, but it’s important that I give my honest opinion but do it in a respectful way.
To see all the blogs I’ve written on other concerts, go to the AllEars.net home page. Under the “2009 Food and Wine” heading you’ll see a link to “Eat to the Beat Concerts” Click on that link and it will bring you to all my blogs; just keep scrolling down to see them all. I’ve written them on Big Bad VooDoo Daddy, Starship, Richard Marx, Jon Secada, Taylor Dayne, Kool & the Gang and Sister Hazel…Mike
Are you sure we were at the same show? I’ve been to many concerts in my long life and Taylor Hicks is the best entertainer I’ve ever seen. Taylor did do some cover songs. You didn’t recognize the Beatle song? My son, who was not a Taylor fan, knew a lot of the jazz songs and he came away a Taylor fan. And I am more of a fan now than I was before. I’m still enjoying the wonderful memories of those 2 nights.
And thanks for the wonderful pictures.
DizneyMike replies: Carole, I’m glad that you enjoyed the concert and liked the pictures I took…Mike
I have to be completely honest here. I’m a huge music geek and have had the good fortune to see many big-name, arena-filling single artists and bands perform live. Most of them were fabulous.
But the one performer, meaning, musician/singer/songwriter/arranger who keeps me begging for more is Taylor Hicks. Never has an artist touched me with his music as Taylor has. I have lost count of the times I have seen him in concert, and I hope to see him live until I quit this earth. His music and spirit lift my heart like no other.
If the owner of this blog and his wife prefer to be familiar with musical selections, may I strongly suggest they pick up copies of Taylor Hicks’ Early Works CD (90% of the songs are his originals) as well as The Distance, produced by Clapton/BB King/Faith Hill producer Simon Climie. I believe in my heart they’ll fall in love with the songs and will enjoy them for many years to come.
DizneyMike replies: Kathleen, I respect the fact that there are many people out there who think Taylor Hicks is wonderful. I’m just not one of them. In my opinion he’s just and average performer; forget whether he sings songs I know or not. I have seen many, many better performers. It’s OK to have different opinions; that’s what makes the world go round….Mike
Taylor Hicks is one of the most dynamic performers on the planet as far as I’m concerned. I’ve seen him a few times in concert since he won Idol. My husband and I thought he was absolutely fantastic at Epcot. In fact, I bought his new album based on a few songs here and it’s great! Been playing it ever since.
He gives 150% everytime on the stage and I’d challenge you to find someone else who works the stage as effectively and entertainly as Mr. Hicks.
DizneyMike replies: The important thing is that you love Taylor Hicks and that you loved his performance. So, I am glad that you and your husband got to see the show….Mike
If you can only be impressed by a singer if you know the songs, thats a shame. He puts on amazing shows. I was there for all six shows and they got hotter and hotter as the weekend wore on, I think he and his band blew the roof off the place on the final set. Wow what energy!!! Taylor Hicks is amazing live!!!
DizneyMike replies: Valerie, I’m really glad that you enjoyed his concert. There’s no doubt that Taylor had his share of fans who loved his performance. Unfortunately I wasn’t one of them. I guess I’ve seen too many other, much better (in my opinion) performers over the years….Mike
I remember Taylor Hicks very well. Love his music and style.
Thanks for all the photos.