I don't watch television. Well, almost never. Watching 2/3 of the Grammys last night was more TV than I've seen since Halloween put together. The Grammys are sort of important, though. There's the opportunity to hear popular music that I'm not familiar with - Amy Winehouse, to see how people have aged - Jerry Lee Lewis & Little Richard, to be surprised - Kid Rock being generous and funny, to make fun of corporate pop - the ubiquitous hats and coy sexual double entendres of Nashville Country.
I was particularly interested to hear Amy Winehouse. I've read several articles on her in the music magazines, and she's extremely popular. Looks kind of interesting as well. Her performance was really fun and exciting. An interesting contrast to the other performers on the show. She was on a small stage at a studio in London with her band. The performers on the Grammy show stages had large productions and used the whole space in typical American television extravaganza style. Amy Winehouse stood in front of a mic on a stand, peering out from behind the bangs of an immense hairdo and barely moving as she sang. In contrast, her backup singers were three hyperkinetic guys in Blues Brothers suits who danced their asses off. The overall effect was extremely cool. The songs didn't exactly blow me away, but this is someone I could probably get to like just on the basis of her nerve and independence.
I was disappointed my Feist. I loved her first album when it came out a few years ago. I played the heck out of it and hyped it to my whole family. She broke big with her second album The Remainder in 2007. She was nominated for several awards:
* Best Female Pop Vocal for "1234"
* Best New Artist
* Best Pop Vocal Album for The Reminder
* Best Short Form Music video for "1234"
She performed her current radio hit "1234". I don't think that's the strongest song on that album, and I actually like the previous album Let it Die better. The otehr day I was at the Post Office with a load of shipping, and one of the employees who is also a fan of Feist told me she's going to be playing at a good theater in Detroit (formerly The State Theater, now The Filmore for some reason). I think I'll try to get tickets for that if it's not an arm and a leg.
Nashville Country music always cracks me up. I'm not anti-Country on principle. I have more than a few albums by traditional (Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton) Country artists and nontraditional ones (kd lang, Lyle Lovett, Alison Krauss). There are some really great musicians doing Country these days. It's always been the case that Country artists have on average better instrumental chops for some reason. Take Alison Krauss for instance. Most people consider her a singer. She just made a record with Robert Plant (decent but not outstanding). I became aware of her when I saw her perform live as part of the Smithsonian's Masters of the Folk Violin concert tour around 25 years ago. She had won the Texas Longbow Fiddle competition - a VERY big deal - at the age of I think 14 years old. Also, she's cute, and a very nice person. Anyway, Roy Clark, Glenn Campbell and dozens of marquee Country artists were outstanding instrumentalists.
But the modern Nashville Country guys just crack me up. Cowboy hats belong on the heads of cowboys, who would have the manners to take them off indoors. And the little goatee beards? Did I fall asleep and wake up in 1987? Okay, enough snark.

John Fogerty performed with Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard. I was more interested to see what these guys looked like than sounded like. Little Richard Penniman hasn't changed a bit in decades. It's a little scary. My wife suggested some judicious cosmetic surgery might be keeping his skin smooth, but the dude looks like he did in the '80s. Time has not been as kind to Jerry Lee. I remember not all that long ago he was a wiry, jumpy hell raiser who wrecked pianos with his bare hands and had more energy than one body could contain. last night he barely moved at all. It was the same voice, but without the energy. He might have been enjoying himself, but he wasn't able to express it like he used to. John Fogerty sounds the same as he did when I was buying Creedence records 35 years ago. He looks like what happens to a white dude who's outdoors too much in the sun, and I guess that's OK. I like his brand of roots rock. It's fun and not too complicated.

I'll add more to this later, but the dog wants out...

I was struck by the diversity of Grammy nominees this year... and that I actually own some of them... Lucinda Williams, Feist, Plant and Krauss, Herbie Hancock... I agree that Feist's previous album was the best... "Best new artist"? Howzzat?

I watch about as much TV as you, and might have watched it if I knew it was on...

I missed the Grammy's, but I just watched Amy's performance on youtube.. Looked a little bit like she was still rocked up... but she is still great...

Been a big fan of hers... Love the Motown and blues sounds she is bringing back.. Wished more artists would start bringing back those old sounds.. Maybe another great Rock-a-billy band would be nice too.. :yes:

Herbie Hancock - RIVER - Album of the Year!
Joni Mitchell - fantastic jazz artist
Acknowledgement and tribute to the greatest American Artists of all time - Miles Davis, et al.

DH

The one thing that I noticed about the grammys were Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin. Tina still looks fantastic at her age and Aretha obviously has her own zip code now. Jesus! She REALLY let herself go and then to be wearing all yellow?!! I swear I thought it was the SUN onstage! I defintely don't look like I did 25 years but THAT was ridiculous.:sigh:

The one thing that I noticed about the grammys were Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin. Tina still looks fantastic at her age and Aretha obviously has her own zip code now. Jesus! She REALLY let herself go and then to be wearing all yellow?!! I swear I thought it was the SUN onstage! I defintely don't look like I did 25 years but THAT was ridiculous.:sigh:

Yeah, we noticed Aretha as well. I think "Mutant Daffodil" was my comment.
That's one of the problems with being a Big Star; there's nobody around you with the status to say "Aretha, lets try something in navy blue" or "Elton, the glasses bit is getting old".
Speaking of glasses, maybe it's just me, but it looks wrong to see people on stage in dark glasses. Especially on stage with someone who's not wearing them. I'm not that old and stuffy, but I think it's disrespectful to cover your eyes around other people. Ringo gets a pass on this because he's... well, he's Ringo. But Bono (don't get me started) doesn't, and especially not Kid Rock on stage with Keely. She's a nice older lady and he should show her respect by taking off his shades. I'm allowing the hat because it's part of the Kid Rock costume. And I like Kid Rock, who's a local.

Kid rock did take off his glasses while they sang I thought.

I thought Vince Gill's little poke at Kanye West was the high light of the night

And while I had heard a lot of stuff about Amy Winehouse she didn't do anything for me performance wise. Hard to judge on one song. She certainly seamed a little more effected by her award then some others.

Thought Kanye West should have been told to go sit in the corner how ever you rate his talent he comes off as a jerk.

Beyonce and Tina were quite interesting. That Beyonce got some legs. all 4 feet of them. And I'll bet anyone would be happy to look as hot as Tina Turner at her Age. That gal got it goin on.


YMMV

Agree, Tina is amazing for 68 years old.

But that Beyonce, she has it all right now - looks and talent. She was holding back on Proud Mary out of respect to the slower-moving Tina. That Beyonce is super-talented and I expect she will be very successful for many years to come.

Cheers, Snade

Glad to see a few others take a pass on the Amy Winehouse koolaid. Yeeeez...plug-ugly, can't sing...what's the big deal? Some trendy Brit must've spotted her and went "meal ticket!". I hope she's peaked and will gradually fade into one-hit-wonder status. And, I wish Alicia Keys would just pick a genre and stick with it...gal has real talent. Steer clear of that hip-hop stuff, girl...just sing like ya did last night and it'll be all good. Beyonce's another one who could benefit from cutting just a straight-ahead record showcasing her considerable talent. BTW: Ringo sure looks good...must be the combination of vegetarianism and Barbara Bach.

Glad to see a few others take a pass on the Amy Winehouse koolaid. Yeeeez...plug-ugly, can't sing...what's the big deal? Some trendy Brit must've spotted her and went "meal ticket!". I hope she's peaked and will gradually fade into one-hit-wonder status. And, I wish Alicia Keys would just pick a genre and stick with it...gal has real talent. Steer clear of that hip-hop stuff, girl...just sing like ya did last night and it'll be all good. Beyonce's another one who could benefit from cutting just a straight-ahead record showcasing her considerable talent. BTW: Ringo sure looks good...must be the combination of vegetarianism and Barbara Bach.

I'm not sure about Amy Winehouse. I feel a bit bad for her being 'discovered' when she's so young. The British music press are notoriously fickle. Today's Next Big Thing* will be pissed on from great heights before they can get their second album out. They exist to provide novelty and they're ruthless about making room on the charts for the next discovery.

*Art Brut. Oh wait. That was yesterday.

Beyonce is very talented. I have to wonder what she'd be like without the aura of careerism and self promotion that makes everything she does look like a calculated maneuver. Perhaps musicians no longer have the flexibility to follow their instincts rather than their business managers.

Kanye West doesn't appeal to me, but then I'm a 48 year old white guy who's listening to a Pavement CD* right now. I'll tell you one thing: I'd wear that jacket of his with the illuminated LED animations on the front. That rocks in any genre.

*Terror Twilight

I was surprised that there was a lot of variety in the show. Some years it's looked like the 'Popular Right Now' Grammys show, overloaded with songs and performers who move the most units. Speaking as a guy who hates TV more than you could imagine, this was actually quite entertaining about 35% of the time, as opposed to the typical network formula of 5% entertaining, 22% commercials and 73% idiotic waste of time.

I missed Tina, which bummed me out. Tina Turner has been a hot babe longer than most of last night's performers have been breathing. Also she rocks out most righteously, and not just for a girl.

Oh, yeah. Brad Paisley. Silly hat worn indoors. Little beard that can't decide to be a real beard. Sly comic song about feeling up a girl on the pretext of looking for parasites (Ticks).
This is so retarded it hurts to know that one of my gender wrote it and performs it in public.
Grow up, Brad.:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Everytime you take a sip
in this smoky atmosphere
you press that bottle to your lips
and i wish i was your beer
and in the small there of your back
your jeans are playing peek a boo
I'd like to see the other half
of your butterfly tattoo
Hey that gives me an idea
lets get out of this bar
and drive out into the country
and find a place to park
Cause id like to see you out in the moonlight
I'd like to kiss you way back in the sticks
I'd like to walk you through a field of wildflowers
and I'd like to check you for ticks
I know the perfect little path
out in these woods i used to hunt
dont worry babe ive got your back
and ive also got your front
I'd hate to waste a night like this
I'll keep you safe you wait and see
the only thing allowed to crawl all over you
when we get there is me
You know every guy in here tonight
would like to take you home
but ive got way more class than them
and that aint what i want
Cause id like to see you out in the moonlight
I'd like to kiss you way back in the sticks
I'd like to walk you through a field of wildflowers
and I'd like to check you for ticks
Oooh you never know where one might be
and oooh theres lots of places that are hard to reach
I'd like to see you out in the moonlight
I'd like to kiss you way back in the sticks
I'd like to walk you through a field of wildflowers
and I'd like to check you for ticks
Oh I'd sure like to check you for ticks

Quick thought(s), Didn't catch the whole show
Sorry I missed Little John Richard Lewis

Hey West, it's all about the dues, Have you paid yours yet?
Life Time achievement Awards to Cab Calloway,Burt Bacharach-Dues Paid
Standing ovations for Tina and Aretha-Dues Paid-DOUBLE !!!
(but really, Yellow spaghetti straps)
30 yrs from now,west will still be just another direction

I did agree with his comment about now would be a good time to stop the music, but if that's what he felt his most important message should have been been(to his mom)-better lead with the good stuff

If you like the Amy genre, then check out Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings.
The Kings were Amy's backing band on her latest Here (http://www.myspace.com/sharonjonesandthedapkings)

I missed the whole thing. I'll have to wait for a repeat on pay tv...

Speaking of glasses, maybe it's just me, but it looks wrong to see people on stage in dark glasses. Especially on stage with someone who's not wearing them. I'm not that old and stuffy, but I think it's disrespectful to cover your eyes around other people. Ringo gets a pass on this because he's... well, he's Ringo.

Ringo explained this several years back on Conan O'Brien....his eyes are super-sensitive to bright lights and that's the reason he had to wear those dark glasses.

Glad to see a few others take a pass on the Amy Winehouse koolaid. Yeeeez...plug-ugly, can't sing...what's the big deal? Some trendy Brit must've spotted her and went "meal ticket!". I hope she's peaked and will gradually fade into one-hit-wonder status. And, I wish Alicia Keys would just pick a genre and stick with it...gal has real talent. Steer clear of that hip-hop stuff, girl...just sing like ya did last night and it'll be all good. Beyonce's another one who could benefit from cutting just a straight-ahead record showcasing her considerable talent. BTW: Ringo sure looks good...must be the combination of vegetarianism and Barbara Bach.

Today this article on Winehouse appeared on Slate. It addresses her career, character and the Grammys performance. This makes me thing I'd like to see more of her.

http://www.slate.com/id/2184209/nav/tap3/

I recommend it for prople who are curious and don't know who she is.

I missed the whole thing. I'll have to wait for a repeat on pay tv...

Youtube charges now????? Darn !!!

In my Forty years on this Planet I have never watched this program.

Ringo explained this several years back on Conan O'Brien....his eyes are super-sensitive to bright lights and that's the reason he had to wear those dark glasses.

I'll accept that. They're small, attractive glasses and not that dark anyway.

I wonder if Bono has ever explained his taste in extravagant dark eyewear. It probably boils down to 'I might walk by a mirror and accidentally be blinded by my fantastically enlightened self'.

In my Forty years on this Planet I have never watched this program.

Good for you, I also refuse to take part in Grammyfication, Amy Winehouse is a crackhoe and any other regular jo would have been told to get lost on their visa. In steps the RIAA who applies some pressure and what do you know she appears out of freaking no where like part of some elaborate David Copperfield magic show. Here is what I did during the awards show: :music::smoke::boring: good times.

Good for you, I also refuse to take part in Grammyfication, Amy Winehouse is a crackhoe and any other regular jo would have been told to get lost on their visa. In steps the RIAA who applies some pressure and what do you know she appears out of freaking no where like part of some elaborate David Copperfield magic show. Here is what I did during the awards show: :music::smoke::boring: good times.

You seem well informed for a guy who claims to have ignored the event.

A couple of points:

1) Not a whore as far as anyone knows up to this point. This information appears to be unique to you. The British media would be fascinated.

2) She appeared on a soundstage in London. No magic involved at all. It's a satellite link and it's done all the time when there's an intervening ocean.

It was good to see a jazz record win Record of the Year... Way to go Herbie....

It was good to see a jazz record win Record of the Year... Way to go Herbie....

Jazz has a huge following, but it's not as visible as the pop audience. When our local Detroit Public Radio switched from a music format to talk recently, the one show that was untouchably sacred was the jazz show, which has been on the air for 30 years at least with the same host.
Jazz will never produce huge megahit records like pop and rock, but the market is deep and loyal.
I think diversity was a theme of the award selections and of the Grammy show this year. The cynic in me says maybe it was a weak year for pop hits and if there had been a couple of really huge rock records released those albums, songs and artists would have dominated.

For those who've not yet heard Winehouse "Back to Black" - the vinyl sounds fantastic - every single note.

Do yourself a favor - you'll love it.