I was so excited on Monday afternoon when I got the call from my older brother Billy: He and Stacia were coming to pick me up and take me to see Taylor Hicks for an early birthday treat (My 28th next week!). Mitch came home to be with Cady; it was all arranged. The sweeties!!

The only catch was that I had to promise not to give Stace a hard time about being a Katherine McPhee fan. That would be difficult, I would try to restrain myself. Besides, S had redeemed herself by reporting back from the Grease! musical last week that Taylor was “Awesome!” Billy is still a Daughtry fan, first and foremost, but is cool enough to appreciate all types of music, especially that of the LIVE variety. Is any of this important? No!

You couldn’t have picked a better venue for the type of acoustic show Taylor and his band were going to play. It was the smaller “studio” side of Warehouse Live. Tiny stage, a few couches and chairs, one bar, and standing room for about 300+. If I’d been so inclined, I could have stood close enough to catch drops of Taylor’s sweat; however, there were twenty or so diehard Soul Patrol ladies who beat me to the punch.

We arrived in time to mix and mingle with the crowd a bit. Stacia, that chatterbox, learned that there were fans in attendance from New Orleans and Mississippi. Several had seen Taylor’s sold-out show at Biloxi’s Beau Rivage a few days prior. One woman was seeing Taylor for her 50th time! The age range of fans was quite large, and if the show wouldn’t have been on a Monday night, I bet some kids would have been there. My niece (8) has adored Taylor since American Idol and wanted desperately to come along!

Stacia and I had been forewarned that Taylor was devastatingly handsome in person. I was intrigued. I certainly thought he was nice looking on TV. How much hotter could he have been “in the flesh?” Well, I am here to report that the man has something going on in His Eyes. Taylor possesses a very penetrating gaze, which definitely adds to the intensity of the songs he performs. Not that this has any effect on the music, you understand. But worth mentioning.

Since this was a stripped down set, Taylor would remain seated with his guitar for the duration. He was joined on the stage by Brian Less on keyboards (formerly of Taylor Hicks Band and Little Memphis Blues Orchestra, and the mastermind behind the “Shadow Tour” song selections), John Kulinich on lead guitar, and Jason Parker on bass. The guys sounded great together, and it was clear they enjoyed playing these songs. They seem like they would enjoy playing anywhere.

The mix included songs from Taylor’s March release The Distance, his post-Idol, self-titled release, and covers. Funny story: Until becoming a fan of Taylor’s through the Idol competition, I had never heard of most of the bands he covers. A shame! The only song I knew by Van Morrison was “Brown-Eyed Girl,” and only because Mitch used to dedicate Jimmy Buffett’s version to me at the bars! Billy will probably chime in about his role in my musical education (he is still trying to get me into The Beatles, but I swear he only loves them so much because he’s a hipster wanna-be).

Here is the setlist to the best of my memory, along with a few video clips and highlights:

The Distance
Battlefield
Don’t Let Me Down (Now this is how I like The Beatles– with some SOUL!)

Taylor done SANG this one!

Runaround (My favorite from first album!)
What’s Right Is Right
The Deal (from Taylor’s pre-Idol record, Under the Radar– really worth checking out)
Hey Pocky A-Way (The Meters cover)
Will It Go Round In Circles (Billy Preston cover)

Woo baby! I’d love to see Taylor with horns someday! But who needs horns when you have HARMONICA??

Maybe You Should

This is just a gorgeous ballad. After singing, Taylor mentioned, smiling, that “Someone wants to cut it.” A Nashville star (who? WHO?!) wants to record Tay’s song. Way to go!

Once Upon A Lover
Saint Dominic’s Preview (Van Morrison cover with absolutely phenomenal, mindblowing harp solo. Taylor’s is better than the original, I wish I had a video)
Use Me (Bill Withers cover. Brian Less’ shining moment on keys. Nice guitar solo, too. Taylor wailed. Old dudes next to us were knocked out by the talent)

Nineteen
ENCORE
Gonna Move (Paul Pena cover)

It was an electrifying live music experience. I feel lucky that I was able to see Taylor and Co. in such close quarters. Thank you soooo much Billy and Stacia!! I love you guys.