Ok, I’m finally ready to talk about Elliott Yamin. I know some of you probably have no idea who that is, but you should. He was the third runner up on Season Five of American Idol, which I find totally offensive because he was way better than both Katherine McPhee and Taylor Hicks. Taylor Hicks was the worst Idol winner ever. That season was the beginning of the end of Idol, in my opinion. It totally discredited the competition. Think about it. Prior to then all the winners were worthy of winning. Kelly, Reuben, Fantasia, Carrie….then came Taylor Hicks and it went down hill from there. I was so irritated during the Idol gives back show and another show the week before when Elliott Yamin was sitting in the audience instead of singing. He’s got such a great voice, why wouldn’t they utilize that. I think it’s a shame he doesn’t get more play. He’s had two good CDs, but for some reason he still isn’t that popular. I know he’s not a heartthrob, but he did get some new teeth. Doesn’t that count for something? I could go on and on about him because I’m such a fan, but I’ll keep it short. In case you’re interested in downloading some of his stuff, the highlights on his first self-titled CD are “Moving On”, “Wait For You”, “One Word” and Donny Hathaway’s “A Song For You”. The best song on his second CD is the title track “Fight For Love”. There are too many good songs on that CD to name them all. I want you guys to give him a try. I think you’ll like him. Click here to hear him singing “You Say”.
Thank you for posting a great blog about Elliott! I have loved him since Day 1.
ReplyDeleteI love him too. I more than love him - he is the best ever.
ReplyDeleteWhy the Taylor Hicks hate? Do you know your boy Elliott was invited to sing on Taylor's latest album, The Distance? They sang Bobby Womack's, Woman's Gotta Have It - one of the best songs on the album. Have you heard it? Did you see all the videos of Taylor and Elliott dueting at the clubs during the Idol tour?
ReplyDeleteEven if you're still resentful that Elliott didn't win, there's no need to discredit the talent of Taylor. He's one of the greatest blues and soul singers that come off that Idol stage and people responded by choosing him winner - deservedly so. He was the best entertainer - you know that and everyone knew that.
Get over the hate, dude. They're pretty tight buds.
Ridiculous. I predicted that AI could go down hill after Season 5 because they would never be able to replace Taylor. He brought more excitement to that show than anyone ever had. And the rest of the contestants that year were fun to watch and talented also. Do you know that the last show that year when it was just Taylor and Katherine was one of the two highest rated tv shows ever. ANd the highest rated was the finale. Kat and Taylors finale. Biggest summer tour ever and believe me they didn't all come to watch Elliot. I love Elliot, and hes talented but he doesn't light up a stage like Taylor. And the main reason AI went downhill is because of their non support of their winners. Many quit watching for that reason alone
ReplyDeleteYou don’t have to sell me on Elliott. I have his first CD and am looking forward to listening to the second. Elliott may be a little laid back but his talent is undeniable. Taylor was fun on American Idol but as far as I’ve seen he hasn’t been packing them in on the local circuits.
ReplyDelete@soulthing - Dude, I don't hate Taylor Hicks, I'm just saying he shouldn't have won. Taylor may have been a good performer,but he was not the best singer.I listened to the song you suggested and have not changed my mind. My next post will delve into the topic a little deeper. Taylor is definitely not the best soul singer to come out of idol.
ReplyDelete@Anonymous-I don't think you can expect people to support a winner simply because they won. They have to put out a good project worth purchasing. The American public got it wrong when they voted Taylor the winner and they realized that when he put out his CD and responded by not buying it.
Thank you for such a wonderful blog about Elliott Yamin. While he is on some people's radar he just doesn't get the play he so rightly deserves. It may be because people can't pidgeonhole his music. It really is as good or better than anything out there. While I like Fight 4 Love some of his best music is the bonus tracks that come with the purchase at various sites. Give the CD Fight for Love a chance and you will definately not be disappointed. It is that voice! I for one would recognize it anywhere, anytime.
ReplyDeleteL.A.H. - Taylor is a platinum recording artist! I don't "think" Elliott has a platinum album, eh? Just sayin....
ReplyDeleteAnd just as reference, Taylor's headlining tour after Idol pulled in 4 MILLION DOLLARS and just recently sold out the 1900 seat Beau Rivage Casino in New Orleans - that's during the run of Grease.
And as far as no packing them in on the local concert circuit 'now', didn't Elliott have to cancel his small club date tour a few months ago for low ticket sales? I know he canceled all his CA dates.
As far as the best soul singer? It's truly subjective, but all I know is that Taylor won Season 5. Base that on singing, charisma, entertainment or whatever you want.
Whatever - enjoy you boy Elliott!
Nothing against Taylor Hicks, but Elliott has my vote. Not only do I think he is a better singer than Taylor, I think he a better singer than 99.9% of all male singers.
ReplyDeleteA friend drug me to one of his concerts a couple years ago and I was blown away with his pitch perfect tone. I didn't see his season of American Idol, but whatever he lacked in stage presence he must have made up for it quickly because he put on one hell of a live show.
@ Soulthing (aka Taylor's cousin)- Here is an article Billboard did recently on how former Idol contestants are performing based on record sales, downloads and radio play. My boy Elliott is #15 and your cousin Taylor is #19. Check it out if you don't believe me.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.billboard.com/#/features/top-24-american-idols-of-all-time-1004088662.story?tag=hpflash5
So what Elliott had to cancel some shows. Everyone cancels shows when they are under the weather. It's better not to perform if you can't perform to your fullest potential...unlike Taylor who just goes out there with those mediocre vocals like its acceptable.
@Shelia - I agree. The bonus songs are very good. I actually like every song on the CD. I can let the entire thing play without pushing skip...and you can't say that about many CDs.
@Crystal - I completely agree. Not only is he way better than Taylor, he is better than most male vocalists out there right now. Too bad every one hasn't had the chance to experience the voice live. It's even better than the recordings.
L.A.H.--I follow Elliott on Twitter and the shows were cancelled because of low ticket sales. He said it himself. It was not because of illness. AND if you will look again at the Billboard numbers Taylor outsold Elliott on Album sales. Elliott was ahead on Track sales, this was mainly because he had a ton more radio play which drives the track downloads. Elliott is struggling with radio play this time around. He talked about it a few months ago that he was having a hard time touring and getting any radio play this time around. I hope it turns around for him. He is one great vocalist. Who knows why some make it and others don't. Willie Nelson doesn't sing as well as Elliott either but he has a unique voice, talent and charisma. So, It's ok if Taylor isn't your cup of tea but let's not go comparing voices when it's much more than just about the voice.
ReplyDeleteL.A.H. YOU COULD HAVE FOOLED ME ON THE NO TAYLOR HICKS HATE. LOVE MY BOY ELLIOT BUT DUDE WHY ALL THE TAYLOR HATE.
ReplyDelete