Message to The Wise; Tay, heed the Voices...

Separated at birth: Love or loathe him, silver-haired Taylor Hicks has emerged as the most recognizable of the current crop of “American Idol” finalists. The 29-year-old Birmingham, Ala., native stands out for several reasons: He’s the oldest contestant on the show; he’s got Ray Charles soul in his voice; and he’s got some herky jerky moves that recall another Charles-influenced singer, Joe Cocker.
But what we can’t understand is why no one has mentioned what’s glaringly obvious: Hicks not only sounds like ex-Doobie Brother Michael McDonald, he’s two weeks-without-shaving from looking like him, too. Who knows what Simon, Randy and Paula will say if Hicks dares to sing “What A Fool Believes” or “Takin’ It to the Streets,” but we’d sure like to see him try.

LARRY KATZ