TJR's 2010 Grammy Roundup

Time for my annual Grammy Awards rundown.

If you’ve never read my annual round up before, please remember that I only talk about the performances. I never talk about the winners. and losers,.....becuase I don’t care.

Also remember that I don’t pay much attention to mainstream radio anymore so Grammy Performances are sometimes the first time I hear some of the mainstreams newer artists.

Ok, lets go.

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Lady Gaga

I have never heard Lady Gaga before  although I have heard of her ( Yeah I know, that’s hard to believe but really don’t pay that much attention to the mainstream)

First impression: Marilyn Manson in Drag

2nd impression: Her outfit reminds me of 70’s David Bowie

She appears to be singing live but her chorus sounds like it’s pre - recorded. I am going to assume the band is pre- recorded too since they are no where in sight. What is in sight is the pre requisite 50 dancers that everyone seems to need nowadays.

I am enjoying the theatrics and the part where she gets thrown down into the reject bin when I hit pause and say to Kathy “It won’t be long till Elton John does a duet with this woman”

....Then to my surprise the stage opens and she is doing a duet with.......Elton John. They are both sitting at dueling pianos and playing and singing live and now we see the band. I enjoy this 2nd half of the performances better than the first half.

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Broadway cast of “American Idiot” and Green Day.

American Idiot is now a broadway musical? .......Wow!

It took Broadway 20 years to catch up to the Who and realize that Tommy would make a good stage production. Good to see that they didn’t wait as long to adapt Green Day.

I am already pumped to see this stage show.

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Beyonce.

I only ever hear Beyonce on these TV broadcasts. She is always an amazing vocal talent, but I am just not that interested in the music she records. But I have heard this song once before. A friend of mine asked me to watch the music video for this song, so that I could appreciate another video that was a parody of it.

This live performance is different in that it feature a live rock band and an orchestra. The band and the orchestra a great. Then suddenly she breaks into Alanis Morrisette's “You Oughta know” Artistically it’s a great choice for her.

I don’t know why she has Ninja turtles on stage with her though,. They really didn’t do anything, but march on the stage with her and fist the audience.

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Pink

I only ever hear Pink on these TV broadcasts too. I have never heard this song before, but it feels like I would really like it more with repeated listens.

Then suddenly she disrobes wearing a sheer body suit that simulates nudity and the audience starts applauding. I can’t figure why.  Are they applauding simulated nudity? or simulated stripping?

I have nothing against nudity. I think we Americans are need to develop a healthier attitude about it.

Then she joins some additional nude simulated dancers in a Cirque du Soliel style performance.

It’s a really beautiful and lyrical performance. Then Pink hangs from a rope, gets dumped in water and hangs over the audience spinning as water flies off of her. It is then that I realize that the vocals we are hearing at this point have to be prerecorded since it seems unlikely that her microphone could function with that much water on it (besides it would have probably electrocuted her too).

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Black Eyed Peas

I don’t listen to mainstream radio but I have already heard “Tonight's going to be a good night” on to many commercials. .

this song has always sounds like something that would be on some 80’s Disney kids show to me.

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Lady Antebellum

Finally the show is about music and we see a band give a great solid live performance with out 50 dancers standing in front of them. This the first time I have heard this band too. I am not sure that their music my kind of thing, but this is a REALLY good band.

And for that reason I might go check out this album.

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Jamie Fox  and T-Pain

I can’t understand why Jamie Fox uses so much obvious auto tune, when he really can sing. Then Slash joins them onstage and he’s playing the guitar solo from November Rain. This whole performance feels like something I would have dreamed about after eating to many green chili burritos and a lot of ice cream.

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Zac Brown Band and Leon Russell

Suddenly it’s about the band again. I am not getting into the Zac Brown bands song and then suddenly they break into this amazing explosive ending and the lead singer breaks into an amazing guitar solo.

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Taylor Swift and Stevie Nicks

I only ever hear Taylor on these TV shows too, I am not into her music and I am not that into her opening song, but she is authentic and I am so glad that young girls  now have someone authentic like Taylor Swift to look up to as a musical artist rather then Brittany Spears or her latest knock off clone.

Stevie joins her halfway for Rhiannon. The two have a little trouble harmonizing in a few spots, but Stevie has such a different kind of voice that it’s probably hard to harmonize with her

Stevie’s regular guitarist is there too and does a great job on the guitar solo.

Then they go back into a different Swift song which I enjoy a whole lot more than the first one.

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A Whole Bunch of People Sing A Michael Jackson Song

Celine Dion, Usher, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, & Smokey Robinson to be exact.

At first I thought I wasn’t going to like this song, but maybe that’s just because Celine Dion was the first one onstage. But by the ending I was reminded that Michael Jackson can sometimes write truly great riffs and groves. By the songs end I was won over and wanted to hear it again.

I think that including a 3D video during the performance was kinda pointless since most of the TV audience isn’t going to have 3D glasses.

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Bon Jovi

I almost hate having to be honest when it comes to this band.

They are all underrated musicians, Jon Bon Jovi is a good vocalist and they seem like decent enough guys, but I have just never gotten into their songs. I can only think of one or two of their songs that I actually enjoy.

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Andrea Bocceli and Mary J Blige

My mother loves Andrea.  :)

I don’t have to be into him to recognize that he is an amazing vocalist. and I think that most vocalists would be afraid to be on the same stage with him. Mary does a good job holding her own with him.

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Dave Matthew's Band

Another great band that I am just not that into.......and yet, for the first time I found myself getting into one of their songs. This was very spirited and heartfelt performances. Maybe I need to give one their albums another chance.

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Maxwell and Roberta Flack

Maxwell is really good, watching this performance makes me think that he is the modern day answer to Marvin Gaye....Yeah, he’s that good.

Then Robert Flack joins him onstage for “Where is the love”.

most of today's pop singers keep the mic right up to mouths. I notice that Robert Flack keeps her mic very far away from her and yet, we can still hear her really well. Which tells me that she still has a really strong voice.

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Jeff Beck and Imelda May pay tribute to Les Paul

COOL! Very cool!

I want an audio copy of this performance.

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Dr Dre, Eminiem and Lil Wayne  (w’ Blink 182’s drummer)

Never really listened to Lil Wayne, but I like a lot of Eminem’s stuff and I really liked the first half with Wayne and Eminem but the second half had to many audio drop outs (because of all the curse words) and it just ruins the continuity.

I still don’t understand why so many of these guys have to wear their pants down to their but cracks though, it always makes me want to pants them.

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Looking back at this years performances, I see the repeating theme of recording artists who’s music I am just not that into. This wasn’t the worst night of Grammy performances that I have ever seen, but it wasn’t one of the best ones either (and there have been some awesome ones in the past). This year kinda sits in the middle for me. For me the highlights where Maxwell with Roberta Flax and Jeff Beck with Imelda May.

I think that this years live performances don’t rate as high with me because too many of them where about the theatrics rather than the musical performance. This is supposed to be music’s biggest night after all.

Those are my feelings, please feel free to share yours and let me know just how on the money or off the mark you think I am.

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Grammy 2009 Town Hall

While I don't attend the Grammy Awards in person (can't afford it) I do attend the yearly Grammy Town Hall meeting. Advocacy has become a cornerstone of The Grammy's current administration. This year we had 3 Senators on the panel ( Marsha Blackburn R-TN, John Conyers Jr. D-MI & Darrell Issa R-CA), a Supreme (Mary Wilson), and artist manager Simon Renshaw.

The topic of this town hall meeting?  Legislation that will require radio to pay recording artists a royalty when they play their songs..........Waitaminnute! Don't all artists get a royalty every time a song is played on the radio?

Most people think so.  But the real truth of the matter is "no they don't".

Songwriters receive a royalty (and thank goodness since they don't get much per sale). But artists receive zero royalties from radio when their songs are played on the radio.  Every other developed nation on earth pays a royalty to its artists for radio play.  The United States is the only developed nation that does not.

But gee whiz, those artists are all rich, they don't need more money, and radio provides them with free promotion....right?

Artist provide radio station with free content that the radio industry make billions with. It is the content that drives listeners, which drives advertising, which drive their business. Without the content they have no business.....And the vast majority of artists whose songs are on the radio are not rich.

Radio station argue that they are providing free advertising then they play an artists song that turns into record sales, but during the evening it was Mary Wilson who said it best when she pointed out that for many older and now retired artists , that this is now the only income stream they have. Being a recording artist does not come with a retirement plan and many are physically unable to make a living performing anymore.  Dave Navarro of Lowen and Navarro hammered the point home even further, when he mention that his first couple of albums where released and owned by a record label  that will not re-release them and for this reason the radio play will not equal sales. He then added that his musical partner is suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease and that royalties from radio airplay is needed since his sickness will make them unable to perform.

2009 Grammy Wrap Up

My comments on the 2009 Grammy Awards are in regards to the live performances ONLY!!!!

U2:

The show starts with a bang with U2 performing their new song "Get on Your boots".  Lyrics flash on a big screen behind the band....LYRICS!..... Remember lyrics? It's a great live performance, and then to my surprise Bono introduces Whitney Houston to present the first award. Haven't seen Whitney Houston in years.

 Al Green, with Keith Urban, Boys II Men, and Justin Timberlake: 

 From the first note, this performance is pure awesomeness! Its teams up like this that make the Grammy's stand out. You can't see this anywhere else. I have never listened to a Justin Timberlake album but he sure can kick pretty much anyone's but in the vocals dept. Keith Urban proves what a tasteful guitarist he is and that he can play beyond Country and B2M provide some of the strongest backup vocals ever.

 Coldplay 

I have yet to really get into Coldplay, but it's a solid and professional performance

Carrie Underwood

The last time I heard Carrie Underwood was at the Grammy awards. This is now the second time I have listened to her. The only thing country about the song she is doing is the twang in her voice. This is a Rock song. It's good to see the band get coverage too. Her lead guitarist is awesome and she gets a lot of coverage. I hope it's because she's good, and not because she is pretty.

I think a lot of the guys in the pit where torn between looking at the cameran and looking up Carrie Underwood's skirt. 

Kid Rock: 

Wow! I wasn't expecting this. I mean, I've enjoyed Kid Rock in the past, I haven't heard his new album yet, but now I want to. He did a medley of 3 songs from his latest album. I think I'm going online to buy this one before the evening is over. Even John Mayer was knocked out.  Kid Rock, ROCKED!

Taylor Swift and Miley Cyruss

I am naturally pre-disposed to hate this kind of music. Taylor has a warm folksy voice and Miley has a bad Stevie Nicks thing going on. They are both teen idols. But the difference is that Taylor is the real deal. Taylor is 19 and they are singing a song that she wrote about being 15. If Miley had recorded this song it would have been written for her by a guy in his 30's or 40's.

Jennifer Hudson

Poor girl, She has been through so much lately. I am not into this song, but she is an absolutely OUTSTANDING vocal talent (One of the best). 

The Jonas Brothers and Stevie Wonder

This is the first time I have heard the Jonas Brothers. It's good to see a boy band that is a real band and can actually play instruments You can't go wrong playing "Superstition" (one of the hottest grooves ever)! During the performance one of the brothers choked on his opening line. I can just hear internet talkbackers giving hate over this, But he just swallowed wrong. It happens to everyone. He had the grace and professionalism to keep going. 

Katie Perry

This is the first time I have heard Katie Perry. At first I was hating this. I was thinking "She really can't sing". She falls off key a lot. But then I realized that unlike most pop singers of her genre (who run around and dance a lot through their overkill stage show), that at least it was a real live performance and wasn't relaying on pre-recorded tracks (unlike a lot of pop singers in her genre).  So let me see, here......I am saying that she is off key, but giving her props for not lip synching.....I don't know if it's a good or bad thing.

Kanye West and Estele 

The two of them rap and sing to pre-recorded musical tracks and pre-recorded background vocals. I don't know whose song this is. but I like the song. 

Kenny Chesney

I don't listen to Kenny Chesney. I don't know much about him except that he's a big name in Modern Country music......I don't know, I might like this song if I heard it a few more times. It's well performed. It's more Country than what Carrie Underwood performed. 

Mia

Mia comes out pregnant wearing a shear outfit. I don't know if she is trying to be funny and ironic or not...She also has a lot of big name rappers joining her..But I don't get this. This did nothing for me. 

Paul McCartney (with Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters on drums) 

It's fun watching Dave Grohl head banging while he backs McCartney. I love this song of course. Paul's lead guitarist Rusty does a killer solo on this song.

I hope I can rock as well as Paul when I get to be his age.  

Sugarland &  Adelle

Now this sounds Country (Sugarland that is). I might like this song if I heard it a few more times. They're really good. 

I heard a song by Adelle the other day that I liked (But it wasn't this one). I haven't heard much from Sugarland. Maybe I need to check out both of them in more detail in the future

Seeing a new artist like Adelle performing on the Grammy's gives me hope that the modern music industry will start caring more about talent, and less about super model figures.

Radiohead and the USC Marching Band 

Awesome! 

Justin Timberlake & TI

Like I said, I have no desire to buy a Justin Timberlake album, but he never ceases to impress me with his vocal prowess. I don't know who TI is.

I don't know whose song they did, I think it's a medley of songs they both recorded. They had an orchestra and I think the rest of the musicians are from Justin's regular band. He has a great live band.

Jamie Fox, Neo, Smokey Robinson, and Duke Fakir pay tribute to the Four Tops. 

Three stars team up with the last remaining member of the Four Tops to help pay tribute. Another real high point of the evening. Paul McCartney was wowed by this performance and so was I. 

Neil Diamond 

It's always harder for the older guys to vocally sound as on top of it as the younger guys, but you don't hear his age too much. You can close your eyes and still recognize him.

John Mayer, BB King, Keith Urban, Buddy Guy Pay tribute to Bo Diddley

This was so understatedly cool. Four great guitarists sing as much with their guitars as they do with their voices. Pure awesomeness! 

Lil Wayne, Robin Thicke, Allen Toussaint

This is one of the better Raps and Pop mash ups. I have never heard Lil Wayne or Robin Thicke (I have only heard of them). I liked Lil Wayne's rap. Robin Thicke seems to me like a cross between George Michael and Justin Timberlake. Then Allen Toussaint starts cranking on the piano and the musicians take center stage. This was a really cool performance, everyone was really good. 

Robert Plant and Alison Krauss 

I have this album, I like this album. This was a good solid performance of some good solid material. I wouldn't have been surprised to see more, I would've been surprised to see less.  

FINAL WORD

To me this was a very strong Grammy Awards telecasts for live performances. There where a lot of strong performances (and only a few weak moments) and this years show was clearly about the live performances and that's what I watch this for. If you missed this show, try to catch some of these on the internet.

Singing with Justin Timberlake

Not long ago I got an email telling me about a great opportunity for unsigned artists from the Grammy's. The email goes on to tell me that this year the Grammy's will select 1 unsigned artist to perform with Justin Timberlake at this years Grammy awards telecast. It then goes on to tell me that in order enter into this contest I need to send a video of myself singing from a (provided) list of previous Grammy winning songs.

Most all of them are R&B songs. I showed this email to Kathy (whom I write songs with). She read it and said "Basically they want an R&B singer to perform with Justin Timberlake". Then she added: "Basically this is Grammy Idol".

It's not surprising that the Grammy's are going to attempt their own version of A.I. since American Idol keeps beating the Grammy's in the ratings each year. Now there's nothing wrong with finding an unknown R&B singer to perform with Justin, but wouldn't it have been awesome if they had found an unknown artist instead. Someone who is a great songwriter, a great musician, a great performer, and just let them showcase their talent to the world? Imagine if they had decided to discover and present us with what could potentially be the next Bruce Springsteen, or U2, or Beck?

But that would be to innovative. Of course now the real kicker to all of this is that the real news about this years Grammy's is not going to be about an unknown singer performing with Justin. Instead it's (the recently revealed) fact that The Police are re-uniting and will be performing at this years Grammy telecast! I have long since stopped caring who wins these things but the live performances have always knocked me out year after year. But this year......This year The Police are getting back together! Nuff said.