I listened to the cd 3 times yesterday, had chosen a favorite, listened again, chose a different favorite, then yet another.

Wherever I Lay My Hat is the best song on the cd. Even though the song is about a man leaving a woman, Taylor sounds like his heart is breaking yet he is living the life he needs to live. It is soulful,has beautiful vocals and moved me to tears. Simply stunning.

The Right Place, written by Bryan Adams for Ray Charles, has the sound of an instant classic. It has the feel of Ray Charles and Randy Newman, a bluesy,gospel feel that warms the soul.

Just To Feel That Way shows off Taylor's beautiful vocals and should be a big hit on the adult contemporary list.

The Runaround is the song many people will have most likely heard now during Taylor's promo tv performances. If you can sit still to this upbeat,motown groove song, you have absolutely no rythym whatsoever.

The Deal and Soul Thing are songs penned by Taylor and have a nice blusey feel to them.

Taylor has the versatility in this cd to make me smile like a drunken monkey and dance barefoot across my kitchen floor one moment with songs like Runaround, and leave me weeping like a motherless child after listening to Wherever I Lay My Hat.

Kudos to Taylor for giving us an outstanding first offering and I truly believe this young man is destined to become a first class entertainer for a very long time.

This is my first review. I have bought over 2000 cd's and I should be reviewing them. My wife told me about this artist. I do not watch american idol, but she does. I bought this cd and we love it. We have a jam every 2 weeks and this cd was played at one of our last jams and it went very well. Mr. Hicks wrote a couple of these songs and he proved himself a very gifted songwriter. Check this cd out. I have been in music all of my life and when I tell you that you will love this cd, Well just see for yourself. Kenny..

Like many, I was the more worried about Taylor Hicks's CD than any other Idol CD. Why? Because Taylor has a sound that's different than what you hear on mainstream radio. Would they make him fit in like they did with Bo Bice? Fortunately, the answer is no. While fairly commercial, Taylor's CD definitely allows his blue-eyed soul personality to shine. The opener, "The Runaround," might be a song that Simon would pan - but I think it's a good song that will get you dancing in no time. Taylor's voice gives it its needed thrust. The next song, "Dream Myself Awake," is more of a pop/rock effort, but the verses allow Taylor to be expressive, and the song comes out pretty well. This song might get him some new fans. "Gonna Move" and "Wherever I Lay My Hat" are mid-tempo old-style R&B types that match Taylor perfectly. "Give Me Tonight" sounds forced and is a dud, but "Just To Feel This Way" is a gorgeous ballad that rivals another fave of mine - Bryan Adams's "The Right Place." "Places I've Been" is a Diane Warren ballad that's somewhat flat, but "Soul Thing" picks things up again. "Soul Thing" is like a signature song for Taylor. The CD ends with the before-mentioned "The Right Place," which allows Taylor to show his range. Should convince even some doubters. So, to sum up, this is one of the best Idol CDs - and I hope it does well, as Taylor has carved his own niche.

Most of the songs on this CD are about falling in and out of love, and that is okay with me. I just hope Taylor will include more of his personal experiences in his music in the future though. Having said that, I think this is a very good debut. The drum beat and the trumpet playing sound really good on this first track The Runaround. It is a very fun track to start off the CD. Soul Thing is another fun uplifting track here. The Right Place is another highlight here. This track shows Taylor's romantic soulful side. The piano playing on this track is beautiful. Dream Myself Awake is another nice track. The electric guitar playing gives this song a nice pop rock edge. Give Me Tonight is a groovy sounding track. This is a good song to play at parties and dance to. Places I've Been is a very touching song about how a special individual can change another person's life. This is a very enjoyable debut CD by Taylor Hicks.

I was skeptical at first, not sure if the real Taylor Hicks soul would emerge in his first album. Lives up to all expectations and should do very well! Takes me back to the days of Joe Cocker, Marvin Gaye, with a little Ray Charles thrown in for good measure.