Even when Taylor Hicks was on American Idol it was never clear if there was a record-buying audience for his brand of blue-eyed soul, so when they didn't manifest in large numbers for his major-label post-Idol debut in 2006, it wasn't too much of a surprise when 19 Entertainment dropped him afterward. For some AmIdol finalists, this abandonment would be the kiss of death, but Hicks was a journeyman before Idol and he was a journeyman after it...the only difference is, he has a national audience and the budget to hire Eric ...
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Even when Taylor Hicks was on American Idol it was never clear if there was a record-buying audience for his brand of blue-eyed soul, so when they didn't manifest in large numbers for his major-label post-Idol debut in 2006, it wasn't too much of a surprise when 19 Entertainment dropped him afterward. For some AmIdol finalists, this abandonment would be the kiss of death, but Hicks was a journeyman before Idol and he was a journeyman after it...the only difference is, he has a national audience and the budget to hire Eric Clapton's latter-day collaborator Simon Climie as a producer for his second album, The Distance. Climie also produced Michael McDonald's two Motown albums, so it follows that The Distance is somewhere between Clapton's well-tailored blues-rock and McDonald's soulful soft rock -- which also means it's not too far removed from Taylor Hicks, it just lacks the crossover inclination that led to such wannabe hits as "The Runaround." It's also true that The Distance lacks the need for a crossover hit: this album is pitched solely to the faithful, to those who are already paying attention, to those who will silently thrill at fellow Idol soulman Elliott Yamin's duet on Bobby Womack's "Woman's Got to Have It," to those who will chuckle at Hicks' hamfisted jabs at Paris, Britney, and OJ on "Keeping It Real." Considering the limited ambitions of The Distance, it may boast too fancy of a production -- it's akin to slapping high-thread count sheets onto a bed at the Super 8 -- but Climie's clean approximation of Southern R&B does make for a more consistent album than Taylor Hicks. True, Taylor's brand of soul is suited for the House of Blues, not a roadhouse dive, but Hicks is never in denial that he's a ham, milking those cornball jokes, shedding a tear for the teenage Iraqi war soldier on "Nineteen," wondering why we can't all just get along on the title track, sailing along on a supperclub cha-cha beat on "Once Upon a Lover," and stealing a bride on her wedding day. Hicks doesn't show great sensitivity as an interpreter -- he barrels through Nick Lowe's "I Live on a Battlefield," not doing it much harm -- but as an entertainer he pulls out all the stops, determined to get every last person in the joint to crack a smile. It's a trait that served him well in those small clubs and on television, and it still serves him well here. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
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Add this copy of The Distance to cart. $3.98, very good condition, Sold by Movie Surplus rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Mobile, AL, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Modern Whomp Records.
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Carrack/Lowe; Carter/Cooke/Womack; Christian/Hicks; Climie/Hicks/Morgan; Climie/Morgan; Greenberg/Hicks/Nic;... Very Good. Used-Very Good Condition. Case and disc(s) is in great condition with no significant scratches or marks. Includes original artwork and liner notes when applicable.
Add this copy of The Distance to cart. $3.98, poor condition, Sold by Movie Surplus rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Mobile, AL, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Modern Whomp Records.
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Carrack/Lowe; Carter/Cooke/Womack; Christian/Hicks; Climie/Hicks/Morgan; Climie/Morgan; Greenberg/Hicks/Nic;... Poor. Used-Acceptable, withdrawn library disc(s) with liner notes. Disc(s) should play great without any playback issues. Disc(s) & liner notes may contain typical library markings like stickers, protective label covers, & writing. Discs may be repackaged in library style casing. Back artwork & any other promo material not included.
Add this copy of Distance to cart. $5.00, like new condition, Sold by ARI Garage Sales rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Orlando, FL, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Rocket Science.
Add this copy of Distance to cart. $9.49, new condition, Sold by Music Fiendz rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Rocket Science.
Add this copy of The Distance to cart. $9.82, new condition, Sold by Music Fiendz rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES, published by CD.
Add this copy of Distance to cart. $9.99, good condition, Sold by Friends of the Phoenix Library rated 3.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Phoenix, AZ, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Rocket Science.
Add this copy of The Distance (+1 Bonus Track) to cart. $10.49, new condition, Sold by Music Fiendz rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Modern Whomp Records.
Add this copy of The Distance to cart. $10.49, new condition, Sold by Music Fiendz rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Modern Whomp Records.
Add this copy of The Distance to cart. $10.49, very good condition, Sold by Music Fiendz rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES.
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Very Good. Size: 0x0x0; All orders professionally packed and shipped from the USA within 24 hours. Multilingual, friendly, and intelligent customer service!
Add this copy of The Distance to cart. $17.39, new condition, Sold by insomniacsonline rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2009 by Modern Whomp.
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New. Size: 5x0x4; Buy from insomniacs! We dont sleep until your order is shipped! Professional packaging, same day shipping on most orders. View our feedback and buy with confidence.
