Beautiful In My Eyes

Because you’re Beautiful
This poem’s addressed to you
Because you’re Beautiful
In all that you do

Because you’re Beautiful
A blossom blooms and holds it's scent
Because you’re Beautiful
Songs sung from your heart are meant

Because you’re Beautiful
Reflections shine and glint
Because you’re Beautiful
Poems are written Heaven sent

It was during Taylor Hicks' Official Homecoming Party on May the 12th, that we first heard the announcement from Governor Riley, that Randy Jackson had chosen "You Are So Beautiful" as the Judge's pick for Taylor to sing the Final 3 Night.

Today's blog is a tribute to Taylor's performances from AI and Rehearsals.com of "You Are So Beautful", as well as a look back at Taylor's wonderful hero's homecoming!

FROM ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY
"You Are So Beautiful", was about as restrained and sensual a performance as I've ever seen on Idol.

He's got a gorgeous tone to his voice that's instantly recognizable.

Is there anyone else on the radio today who could be confused with Taylor Hicks?

Is there any Idol finalist from this season (or any other) who'd have held back on the big notes, the better to seduce his audience?

In my mind, those attributes make Taylor Hicks a worthy winner.


If you have your audio on, you are listening to just how sensually Taylor Hicks sang to us that night, how he wooed us and melted our hearts and left us wanting more!

We were blessed to be able to hear him sing "You Are So Beautiful" again when it was taped for Rehearsals.com.

Below is a video I did as a tribute to the Rehearsals.com version with a storyline that I envisioned.
(just click on the audio player in the sidebar to pause while video viewing)



Well now that we are sufficentally melted into puddles,
it's time to look back to where it all began!



Taylor returned home to Alabama with a made-for-TV visit, that included a parade, a visit with the governor, and the key to the City.

Thousands lined a downtown street and fanned out at a park for a ceremony where Taylor performed and received a key to the city from Mayor Bernard Kincaid.

Workers hanging out of City Hall windows screamed and waved as HE arrived.

Taylor also treated fans to a performance at Alabama's largest shopping mall, which drew a crowd of more than 12,000.


For me, every day is Taylor Hicks Day,
but it's official date as proclaimed
by Alabama Governor Bob Riley, is May 16th.



Office of the Governor
BOB RILEY
Governor

Taylor Hicks Day, May 16, 2006
By the Governor of the State of Alabama
A Proclamation
May 12, 2006

WHEREAS, Taylor Hicks was born October 6, 1976 in Birmingham, Alabama; and

WHEREAS, out of over 100,000 people who auditioned, he was chosen to be a contestant on the fifth season of the popular Fox Network television show, American Idol; and

WHEREAS, Taylor Hicks began singing as soon as he could talk and has been singing since he could crawl; and

WHEREAS, his voice has earned him a top spot on American Idol, but his other musical talents include, playing guitar and a "blues" harmonica; and

WHEREAS, his excellent performances on American Idol have won the hearts of millions of viewers across the nation and earned him a spot as one of the final three contending for a recording contract; and

WHEREAS, Taylor Hicks has expressed his love for the great State of Alabama and Birmingham, Alabama, where he grew up and still lives:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Bob Riley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim May 16, 2006 as Taylor Hicks Day in the State of Alabama and encourage all citizens to support and watch Taylor Hicks on American Idol and vote for him after his live performance.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 12th day of May 2006.

Governor Bob Riley



"You Are So Beautiful" was written by Billy Preston, Dennis Wilson and Bruce Fisher.
It was first recorded by Billy Preston and later became popular in a version by Joe Cocker.

I am in awe of the great Billy Preston and a tribute to "You Are So Beautiful" wouldn't be complete without Sam Moore's video tribute to Billy and "You Are So Beautiful" -- you can watch it on Amazon Entertainment here -
http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/m3KJ8FXAOJJK0:m23XECXUCVG3K9

Below is the audio only of the above video:



Before Billy fell ill he participated in the recording of this version of his great Billy Preston authored composition, "You Are So Beautiful", with his dear friend Sam Moore for Sam's 2006 album 'Sam Moore Overnight Sensational'.

His sudden coma moved Sam, Joyce(Billy's manager) and the album's producer Randy Jackson to find a way to complete the track as a loving and respectful tribute to their Billy P that includes vocals from both Preston and Moore and the rarely recorded second verse of the song. (The verse Joe Cocker never tracked).

Eric Clapton, another dear friend of Billy's was devistated by Billy's sudden critical medical condition and added a passionate and emotional guitar solo to the recording.

Robert Randolph and Zucchero also lent support and love to Billy on the track that Billy heard and reacted with tears welling in his eyes while he was fighting to regain full consciousness in the hospital before he passed.

Sam and Billy likely are the only two artists to ever have performed the song's 2nd verse that so poignantly fits the mood and the moment ...

"such joy and happiness you bring, such joy and happiness you bring, just like a dream, my guiding light, my shining star, I'm going to love you where ever you are ... you are so beautiful to me"




This whole page brings tears to my eyes, but what a wonderful walk down memory lane it was.
I hope you have enjoyed revisting these wonderful moments as much as I have.
Your comments are always welcome and appreciated.
Bloom