Grammy Comments

I have to go to work tonight before the Grammys are over, but I thought I'd just make some comments here as they occur.

I wasn't that impessed with the opening, the duet between Gorillaz and Madonna. Basically it was Gorillaz doing their song, a minute or so with Madonna and than her doing her thing. I actually liked the Gorillaz part, not the Madonna part. I'm not that big a Madonna fan. When did dancing become twisting and crawling across the floor?

The first prestentation made me realize what I watch shows like this for. Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder presented the Best Female Performance. They led the auidence into an accapalla version of Wonder's Higher Ground. Just listening to these two sing, using nothing but their voices, this was good. And boy, does Alicia Keys look beautiful. I was kind of surprised by Kelly Clarkson winning this one. She was going against some pretty heavy weighs, Gwen Stefanni, Sheryl Crow, Mariah Carey. From her reaction I don't think she was expecting to win it either.

I have never figured out what the fuss about Coldplay is.

John Legend is an interesting singer. More of an old style R&B singer.

Sugarland is just more proof to me that a lot of country acts are just pop acts with cowboy hats.

Merle Haggard wins a lifetime Grammy and he isn't there to accept it. Who screwed that one up?

Best Country album wen to Alison Kraus who I like, but Faith Hill who I am in love with lost. One day Faith will realize that she is married to the wrong person and leave Tim McGraw and come find me. Truthfully her new album was not her best. The best part of her new cd was the fact that it introduced new listeners to the music of Lori McKenna, who is one of the most deserving singers of a much wider auidence out there.

Speaking of Merle as we were a few lines ago. He sure has changed from being the hippie bashing right winger to now criticizing the President on his new music.

I wonder how many times New Orleans will be mentioned during the show? Alicia Keys started it early with comments about the city. I wonder if there will be any Kayne West type statements? Sometimes I'd like to see some of these musicians veer from the script and say something wild.

U2 is coming up now. How many super groups that have continued for as long as they have kept their original members? R.E.M. was one of the few until Bill Berry left the group. Their new cd was good, but I like All That You Can't Leave Behind better. After Vertigo they went into One, their duet with Mary J Bilge. Not much I can say abou this song, it's one of their best songs in a long line of great songs.

David Bowie won a lifetime award and he wasn't there either. What gives with this?

Best rap album is up now. Not much I can say here, I'm not that familar with rap, but I would be surprised if Kayne West didn't win. And he did.

I just realized that the awards go to best album....but they're not albums anymore. They're cds. Shouldn't the award be best cd of whatever?

I've never been a fan of American Idol. I think it's pretty mean spirited and I'm not talking about Simon. Actually I think he's the most honest one of the show, but this is a different rant for another time. So I really haven't paid much attention to the winners. You can't completely escape them, they're everywhere after they win. But I've never really thought much of them. But I have to admit, Kelly Clarkson is starting to grow on me.

Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day is up with Gwen Stefani to give the Best Rock Album award. Billie Joe, the punk rocker, mentions Les Paul being in the hospital. I just find it kind of strange, that's all. This catergory has some pretty bad choices, but the best won...U2. How did the Rolling Stones get in here except for their past laurels?

Edge didn't mention New Orleans but he was wearing a Music Rising shirt, which is his organization to help the city's musicans to get instruments so they can continue to play.

Paul McCartney is starting to look old. But than again, he is getting old. I can listen to his music anytime, even if it isn't what I would consider his best. He knows how to write a good song almost without fail, maybe just a great one anymore.

Wow, just one I thought I had it pegged, a nice, normal moment from Sir Paul and than he does a second song...Helter Skelter. And a joke for those off us in the audience sligthly older than some, you have to remember the Let It Be sessions and John's qoute at the end of Get Back. The screen behind Sir Paul during this song showed a roller coaster...I wonder how many people know that Helter Skelter is the name of a roller coaster in England.

Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records won the Trustee Award. And no appearance. You'd think for these big awards they would want the person there. Or maybe not, a lot of today's audience probably isn't that familar with these people, so maybe they werent even wanted at the awards.

Best Male R&B performance goes to John Legend. He is nominated for more awards than anyone else tonight, I think tying Norah Jones and Lauryn Hill's list of nominations.

Ok, I gotta go work now, so the rest of the show will have to go on without me.