Do I Make You Proud/ Takin' It To The Streets

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Customer Reviews: Read 372 more reviews...

4 out of 5 stars

A Promising Star June 13, 2006
289 out of 315 found this review helpful

Taylor Hicks is perhaps one of the most unique Idol winners to ever grace the competition. Many have speculated that this Idol will be the toughest of all to market, but my personal opinion is if Taylor makes the right album and doesn't stray away from the style that he showcased on the show (Michael McDonald blue-eyed soul/ retro-soul), then he should be alright. After all, there has been a slight resurgence in the adult contemporary, blue-eyed soul music as of late with McDonald's MOTOWN series just as one example. But back to Taylor as a singer himself.

"Do I Make You Proud" isn't the greatest song ever written, but Taylor vocal interpretation makes the song much better than it is. Anyone watching the finale could tell that "Do I Make You Proud" as a song itself was much better than "My Destiny", unfortunate for McPhee of course. Vocally, Hicks outsung McPhee there as well. Here, Hicks rids of the minor intonation flaws that he had when performing it live and it sounds better and smoother.

"Takin' It To The Streets" has the distinction of perhaps being the best track on the Idol compilation CD. It trumps "Do I Make You Proud" because this type of song and this genre of music seems to be Hicks's confort zone. He makes the Doobie Brothers and Michael McDonald "Proud" on this exceptional remake. It is rare than an artist can pull a cover tune off very well, but Hicks proves that the "soul patrol" is where it is at. Excellent first single Taylor; you make me proud. 4 stars.

5 out of 5 stars

Yes, You Make Us Proud! Woo! Soul Patrol! June 15, 2006
142 out of 159 found this review helpful

Taylor Hicks is the most exciting American Idol to date. Why? Perhaps his sheer energy and charisma that he injected into every performance? Perhaps the obvious love of music he exhibits? Perhaps the power of his true whisky tenor voice that resonated with all age groups? For whatever reason, this Idol has captured the nation's attention through the five-months of the very public contest and does not disappoint fans with his first post-Idol release.

Taylor's signature single "Do I Make You Proud" soars with his unique delivery. He has taken what could have been a corny song and infused it with so much passion that it should become an anthem for the American Dream come true. Can you just hear this being played when the troops come home, when sons and daughters graduate, whenever we want to celebrate the American spirit? I thought it was beautiful when he sang it on Idol, but his heartfelt and even more polished performance on the CD is awesome.

The second cut, Takin' It To The Streets, demonstrates incredibly well how he takes a cover song and gives it his *taylorized* styling. The Doobie Brothers and Michael McDonald would applaud this rendition, I'm sure. The added riffs and soulful flavoring make a great song even greater. This is the Taylor I hope we will see more of when he releases his full-length CD later this year. The Taylor Hicks that can take a familiar song and make it uniquely his own while dazzling the listener with a new interpretation.

Together, a fantastic release, a double shot of Taylor that we Soul Patrollers have known about for a long time. The man is destined for big things and we were there in the beginning. Rock on, Taylor Hicks! Woo!

5 out of 5 stars

An American Icon June 13, 2006
65 out of 73 found this review helpful

I am 54 years old and for several years have laughed at my friends who religiously watched American Idol. I thought they needed to get lives outside the confines of their living rooms.

Taylor Hicks drew me into American Idol and I could not miss an episode. I actually find myself awaiting the DVD release in order to see Simon vote NO on Taylor's going to Hollywood. When this season ended I found myself watching my computer (of all things!) in order to hear Taylor sing "Do I Make You Proud."

This CD is great. Taylor is a singer that Americans can relate to and his success is based on a combination of great talent, boyish charm and incredible stage presence. Taylor Hicks has staying power and appeals to a cross section of America. This CD will be played over and over and that is what music is all about.

5 out of 5 stars

Passion for music lives again! June 28, 2006
43 out of 45 found this review helpful

Taylor Hicks is a representative of all that is right in music. He is a singer, songwriter that is not afraid to show passion and emotion for every performance that he gives. This single is pure Taylor, heart and soul. He has stepped up to answer the critics with a totally charismatic and memorable performance. Taylor shines, and I look forward to more great work in the years and decades to come. Thanks, Taylor, for taking the risk of following your dreams; we are all fortunate for your determination.

5 out of 5 stars

Keeps running through your head over and over again June 28, 2006
42 out of 44 found this review helpful

What's left to say about this single? To echo the sentiments of others, Taylor took something average in "DIMYP" and made it spectacular.

I hear this song on the radio all the time. It's simply a wonderful track and we can expect to hear it again at graduations, weddings and special events from here on out.

Finally, a soulful remake of the classic "Takin' it to the Streets" rounds out the B-side of this single. The only disappointment is that it's the same track as from the Encores album. But the feeling and soulfulness of the track is ever apparent.

Overall a great buy and worth owning to hold you over until the debut album in the fall.

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