Wade on Birmingham

Just for Hicks: And now, your moment of 10

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taylor hicks“American Idol” singers provided a 21st-century fix, but the future’s not so bright for our 10 finalists, as performance after performance fell flat. Could Birmingham’s Taylor Hicks avoid trouble?

Recap after the jump …

Updated with multimedia, elimination.

Taylor Hicks

Rockin’ the scarf; gray activist; Taylor’s posse.

Song: "Trouble" by Ray LaMontagne.

Judges say: Randy: “(That song) didn’t let you show off. … It wasn’t the best for me.” Paula: “It’s nice to see you just stand behind the mike and just sing a song.” Simon: “I quite like the song. I thought it was an excellent vocal. The only slight problem … It’s very Clay Aiken.”

We say: Better than last week, but so-so. Points for a bolder song choice and a toned-down delivery.

Taylor says: “I’ll be performing a song that’s never been done on the show before. This is one of my personal favorites, and hopefully I can show a great vocal range.”

Taylor Hicks

‘Trouble been doggin’ my soul since the day I was born …’

Idol thoughts: The judges were downright sour about “song choice, song choice, song choice” — and rightly so. We like the lean, mean fluff-free show: 10 performances in 45 minutes (minus commercials). Tonight’s best (though not great): Mandisa and Paris Bennett.

Voting closes at 10 tonight.

Update: Hear Hicks perform “Trouble” at Rickey.org. Watch it below.

Update: Eliminated on March 29: Lisa Tucker.

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This week’s roundup:

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Read more on Taylor Hicks.

2 Yips for “Just for Hicks: And now, your moment of 10”

  1. SunnylovesSoul
    Tuesday, March 28, 2006, 10:30 pm
    1

    Wrong about best of tonight. Soulman Hicks did a great job, but Elliot saved his keister, and Kat McPhee; please. She blew it OOOOUUUTTT! But Taylor is still my fav pick. He is playing the game and this is perfect for this point in the competition. Run “Dark Horse” Run…
    Groove on Soulman !!!

  2. Ruth
    Wednesday, March 29, 2006, 1:18 pm
    2

    Barry Manilow said Taylor has one of the most amazing voices he’s ever heard. Last night Taylor used it to full effect. Listen to the mp3 and you can get the blast of the incredible full tone of the singing voice. It’s the same way he did ‘Change is Gonna Come’, ‘First Cut is the Deepest’ and ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’. It’s ear candy.

    I wasn’t that impressed with the song. It’s very simplistic but that was a great pick to showcase the singer rather than the song. I listened to Ray LaMontagne’s version and Taylor’s is BETTER. In fact, this is a song that should be released as a full length version. It may turn up on the AI S5 song collection due out in May.

    We know Taylor can perform really well and mimic other great singers, we know he can play a wonderful harmonica, but none of these beats how he can just plain SING. If he keeps on putting on great singing performances, he will be unstoppable to becoming the next American Idol. Even Simon Cowell is predicting Taylor over Chris for #1 (although he couches that in a negative way). Better get used to the idea…

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