Grammys 2004

[daBowsa]

Prince!!!

 

I thought he sounded good - that opening was far superior to the Super Bowl halftime. I know Byonce's performance of the National Anthem was deabted in the NFL thread, but I don't think I've seen her miss or lipsync a single note since she broke out with Destiny's Child. Of the current crop of female singers, she's my pick for #1 all-around.

[n Flux]

But what is the deal with them nominating people from years ago along with all the new songs from this year?!?!?!

how is that fair for artists with newer songs when the older songs win????

 

"There, There" by Radiohead should have won for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal... screw "Disorder In The House" Warren Zevon & Bruce Springsteen, if it wasn't good enough to win the year it came out why should it win decades later???

[RaGe]

Chick Corea disappointed me. What about that motif he kept repeating over and over? I was ready for jazz in there, clusters, bebop lines, you name it ... The performance was cool but not kewl

[Geoff Grace]

Originally posted by n Flux:

"There, There" by Radiohead should have won for Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal... screw "Disorder In The House" Warren Zevon & Bruce Springsteen, if it wasn't good enough to win the year it came out why should it win decades later???

I wouldn't have picked that one either, but it was released last year. Perhaps you missed the TV special that followed Zevon around during the final months of his life and filmed him as he struggled through the recording session of "Disorder In The House." Springsteen walked into the studio and gave Zevon a kiss on his ailing forehead. It was moving stuff, even if the song itself wasn't. Don't get me wrong, I think "Disorder In The House" is a fine song; but I think the award was more in recognition of Zevon's life's work rather than for the song itself.

 

Overall, I enjoyed the Grammy Awards this year more than most. For once, it seemed that the performances were the focal point rather than the awards themselves; and I liked hearing the music speak for itself. It's true than some of the pairings (Chick Corea and Foo Fighters, for example) were rather odd and didn't quite deliver; but at least the Grammy Awards took the kind of risks that one rarely sees the major labels take. Bravo!

 

My disappointments were few. First and foremost was the fact that lifetime achievement winners weren't allowed to walk to the stage and say a few words. However, one can't have it both ways. More talking would have meant less music; and tonight, more music was mostly a good thing.

 

On a personal note, I was very touched to see Richard Marx win Song Of The Year honors as co-writer of Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father." I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Dick Marx (Richard's father) on a number of occasions, and I was very sad when he died in an auto accident a few years ago. Dick was a very kind and talented man, who spoke proudly of his son. "Dance With My Father" is a stirring tribute. I can't help but get choked up every time I hear it. (Of course, the additional fact that Luther Vandross has been struggling to recover from a stroke only increased how moved I was at watching "Dance With My Father" win the award.)

 

Best,

 

Geoff

[Dan O]

Originally posted by Geoff Grace:

On a personal note, I was very touched to see Richard Marx win Song Of The Year honors as co-writer of Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father." I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Dick Marx (Richard's father) on a number of occasions, and I was very sad when he died in an auto accident a few years ago. Dick was a very kind and talented man, who spoke proudly of his son. "Dance With My Father" is a stirring tribute. I can't help but get choked up every time I hear it. (Of course, the additional fact that Luther Vandross has been struggling to recover from a stroke only increased how moved I was at watching "Dance With My Father" win the award.)

 

Best,

 

Geoff[/QB]

Hey Geoff,

 

Thanks for sharing this story. Sorry for your loss . Dan O'

[coyote]

It's easy to forget how amazing a guitarist Prince is. He sounded great, and was possibly the highlight of the show.

[RABid]

It was better than in past years. I had never heard of Robert Randolph but plan to pick up some of his music after seeing him. The funk music thing could have been much better. It was a bit of a mess and the singer from Parliament seems to have lost his voice. I was glad to see Richard Marx get an award because he is one of my favorite writers, and the Carole King lifetime award was warranted. I did get the feeling they are now handing those awards out too fast. How many did they give last night? I think the Academies give one a year. It does not mean as much when 20 people a year get an award. Chick Corea was a disappointment. That was not a good match of talents.

 

And yes, the past few years it seems that the focus has been on old acts receiving awards. I did not think Warren Zevon should have won this year and I did not think Steely Dan should have won a few years ago. Current artists at their peak are being passed over so someone can hand an award to someone that was deserving 20 years ago, but not now.

 

Robert

[RABid]

Oh, the Beatles cover by Sting and company. Was that the worst ever? I thought so.

 

Robert

[coyote]

No, but it certainly was lazy. They did the standard Chuck Berry stuff, instead of nailing the bassline & chords. I've heard it done far worse, but I'd have expected better from this caliber of musicians.

 

Originally posted by Rabid:

Oh, the Beatles cover by Sting and company. Was that the worst ever? I thought so.

Robert

What was bad was Chick Corea's turn with the FooFighters. He seems to have come into it thinking "they're just a rock band, I can do it with no problem" and was unpleasantly surprised to find actual arrangement which needed better than that repeated motif he offered. It sounded like he never once heard the song prior to hitting the stage... if ever there were proof for Lee Flier's conviction that a jazzer can't rock, that was it.

[RaGe]

Jazzmen can do many things in theory.

But I mean, even on the vamps or during his solo Chick sounded really stiff. Like he was totally uncomfortable playing this kind of music ... And yes, I think I spotted the lead singer telling him the changes once.

[Dan O]

What did you think of White Stripes performance ?

 

How many were in that group ? 2 ? Dan O'

[schmoron13]

i taped the last hour of the show (from the funk "medley" on) but I did catch Chick Corea stumble through the Foo Fighters song and I was completely disgusted by the performance. Initially I jumped out of my seat when I heard he was gonna play, but the performance was outright pathetic. It sounded like he was asked that day to play with someone and he hadn't even heard the song. I'm emberassed to call myself a jazz musician after his performance. Honestly, I don't think i've ever been so emberassed for someone of such great stature in a performance setting.

[Reverend Rhythm]

I can't believe I'm going to say this:

 

I was actually somewhat impressed by Justin Timberlake's playing a Rhodes. I didn't believe it at first, but near the end of the song you could see his hands and he looked looked he was playing. It wasn't a hard song but it did have some funk to it, and the part as well as his vocal was right in time.

[RABid]

What made you the most uncomfortable?

 

1. Chick Corea's performance.

2. Justin Timberlake's apology.

3. Justin Timberlake's mother's dress.

 

Robert

[meccajay]

I don't think it's a Jazzmen can't rock thing.. Remember the Jazz-Fusionera? 'School Days' album anyone?

 

I don't think it was even a Chick can't rock thing... I remember Chick being on the cutting edge of the Jazz-fusion era.

 

I think it's just Chick playing one too many solo concert piano gigs, and forgetting a lot of his youth. Namely the ability to adapt.

[steadyb]

Originally posted by Rabid:

What made you the most uncomfortable?

 

1. Chick Corea's performance.

2. Justin Timberlake's apology.

3. Justin Timberlake's mother's dress.

 

Robert

#3

[Steve LeBlanc]

I missed Prince and Beyonce...doh...my wife said they were great and she has good taste.

 

Chick Corea sucked...I don't care who you are Chick, if the gig don't fit recommend someone else...it was almost torture to watch/listen...he made Dave Grohl suck.

 

EWF and PF were good, nice to have some pro-performers on the show.

 

Why didn't Outkast perform with a live band? Were those Marching drummers pretending to hit drums? boring...I do like that song though.

 

That's about all I saw...only caught about a third of the show.

[coyote]

That wasn't quite the point. I know lots of jazzers who can tear it up when playing rock. But perception becomes reality, and for those who believe "jazzers can't rock" there must be some validation in seeing jazz legend Corea turn in such a terrible performance.

 

Originally posted by meccajay:

I don't think it's a Jazzmen can't rock thing.. Remember the Jazz-Fusionera? 'School Days' album anyone?

I don't think it was even a Chick can't rock thing... I remember Chick being on the cutting edge of the Jazz-fusion era.

[Mark Zeger]

Originally posted by steadyb:

Originally posted by Rabid:

What made you the most uncomfortable?

 

1. Chick Corea's performance.

2. Justin Timberlake's apology.

3. Justin Timberlake's mother's dress.

 

Robert

#3

I'm glad she didn't have a wardrobe malfunction.

 

Other uncomfortable moments:

- 50 Cent storming the stage

- Yoko referring to The Beatles as "John and the other three"

- Andy Williams looking like the Ghost of Christmas Past

- Alicia Keys performing a song that was beyond her reach (last night, at least)

- feeling sympathy for Celine Dion

- that first moment when Prince turned his back to the camera, wondering if his suit pants would have the ass missing

- Beyonce's melisma overdose (just because you can doesn't mean you should)

- Jason Alexander with Snoop

[guestuserguestuser.com]

I didn't see Chick Corea, so can't comment - I wish I'd seen it; I've envied his technique and musicianship for so long, it would be a deliciously rare moment to watch him squirm!

 

I did see a replay of Justin Timberlake's comment though. I can't believe people are letting him get away with saying the breast-exposing act was "unintentional", or "accidental" or whatever it was he said, I can't remember exactly. Come on, there's no way in hell that was unintentional.

[RABid]

Originally posted by Guest User:

... I did see a replay of Justin Timberlake's comment though. I can't believe people are letting him getting away with saying the breast-exposing act was "unintentional", or "accidental" or whatever it was he said, I can't remember exactly. Come on, there's no way in hell that was unintentional.

I'm sure that is what CBS told him to say. That is all he could say with any hope of CBS not paying a big fine.

 

But that dress his mother wore. Yes, half of America was worried about another wardrobe malfunction. I kept thinking, "Don't hug her if you win. Something may pop out."

 

Robert

[guestuserguestuser.com]

Originally posted by Rabid:

I'm sure that is what CBS told him to say. That is all he could say with any hope of CBS not paying a big fine.

So, if a giant corporation spreads an obvious lie, doesn't that just make it even more disturbing, more worthy of being challenged?

[RABid]

Originally posted by Guest User:

Originally posted by Rabid:

I'm sure that is what CBS told him to say. That is all he could say with any hope of CBS not paying a big fine.

So, if a giant corporation spreads an obvious lie, doesn't that just make it even more disturbing, more worthy of being challenged?

Yes, but still, he was told that he could not appear on the show unless he apologized for the incident. Do you think the intention was for him to get up there and say "I did it. I ment to do it. I'm happy I did it because it brought me a lot of attention. But now I am sorry because CBS told me that I am sorry."

 

All I am saying is that for a legal and corporate standpoint, he said just what he had to say.

 

Robert

[schmoron13]

Originally posted by Stephen LeBlanc:

 

EWF and PF were good, nice to have some pro-performers on the show.

i know you're not referring to Parliment Funk?!! I had to sit there explaining yo my mom and girlfriend that this isn't what they typically sound like. George Clinton looked to be a foot in the grave. I'm sorry, but he was just horrendous. It was like an acid flashback. Last time I rememberer seeing him (PCU) he seemed "alive." Granted that was a while ago, but it just didn't sit right with me. And the "backup singers" just didn't sound right...and since I'm ranting, Samuel L Jackson was awkward announcing everyone.

[Steve LeBlanc]

the band for Parliament Funkedelic was tight...George Clinton is old, what did you expect from him(?), he's not known for his singing, it was a good performance that couldn't be captured properly on TV anyway...that band was jamming, they were rocking the house.

 

I thought Samuel L. Jackson's funk/vibe introductions were great...didn't seem awkward to me at all.

 

as a side note...ya'll do realize how many legends got on the stage in that funk segment...it was a beautiful thing.

[Jeff Klopmeyer]

All of my pals who attended the show said the P-Funk/EWF jam was the best part of the night.

 

Of course, that's what my pals would say. Your pals may vary.

 

- Jeff

[steadyb]

I agree with Steve and Jeff.

[schmoron13]

as a "viewer," and a hockey fan, I can appreciate the differences between live attendance and televised representation, but since I didn't get to go to the show, I simply remarked on what I saw, and to me, I understand that he's getting old, but that shouldn't be an excuse. I must say, though, that avoiding the musicial chairs aspect of the superbowl (1 verse each) was definitely a welcomed surprise. Of course, P-Funk did a medley, but I assume it was self orchestrated and not imposed upon them.

 

on a different note, I guess my basic issue is with how we excuse funk legends for looking downright silly. I just don't see the point of the ridiculously dated costumes that they wore. Now if someone wants to argue that OutKast, or any other modern act looks ridiculous, I'm all ears, but I realize that it's popular. Seeing George in his getup, looking like a shell of his former self makes me feel sad for him.

 

let the flaming begin!!!

[Steve LeBlanc]

haha...well Doran...reading your post I just have to laugh...I mean Funk was an artistic statement as much as a music style...you can't have P-funk without the costumes...I was wondering where the hell the guy who where's the diaper was...where was that guy?

 

Looking silly was the whole point...'funk' anyone who has something negative to say about it.

 

yeah it always comes off as stupid on television...it's a vibe that can only be felt in person IMO.

 

ah but you are entitled to your opinion too...I'm just saying Funk is all about acting silly, wearing crazy costumes, smoking, drinking, party!! and while that's all going on, some damn fine musicians are playing the dirtiest stanky funk in a way that only those guys can.

 

y'know?

[RABid]

I have to agree with Doron. While not bad, they were disaponting. 500 people on the stage does not make up for a voice that sounds totally worn out. I would prefer to see 12 members of the band perform rather than all those people who just wanted to be on stage with them.

 

And where was the space ship?

 

Robert