In a word: Yawn. Here are some quick thoughts on this year’s Grammy awards.
The Police: It was great to see the Police but I really wish that they wore their outfits from the Synchronicity II video.
Dixie Chicks: A great song and a passionate live performance. And Twangville sends a hearty shout out to “Not Ready to Make Nice” co-writer Dan Wilson, of Semisonic fame, for his first Grammy.
Gnarls Barkley: “Crazy” is more a riff than a song but sometimes that is enough. The band’s performance was entertaining enough and a testament to how this song can be re-worked. If the Grammys awarded song of the year based on the number of artists who cover a song, Gnarls Barkley would be guaranteed a victory. Ray LaMontagne, Butch Walker, Shawn Colvin, the Raconteurs and the Twilight Singers are just a few of the artists who performed the song over the past year.
Booker T & the MGs: We have to suffer through an extended medley of Eagles tunes but get no Booker T & the MGs tribute performance? In addition to finding success with their own “Green Onions,” these guys were the backbone of the Stax soul sound performing with Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, the Staples Singers and Wilson Pickett to name just a few.
Ornette Coleman: I’m never been a jazz aficianado, but it would have been a treat to see Ornette Coleman perform live. Even the Red Hot Chili Peppers appeared to agree. Heck, I even would have settled for Ornette playing an Eagles tune…
James Brown: Classy touch draping Brown’s cape over a microphone as a tribute to the legend, but overall a disappointment that the Academy didn’t pay greater homage to a true pioneer. Remember the Joe Strummer tribute from 2003? We got Bruce Springsteen, Little Steven, Dave Grohl and Elvis Costello blazing on Strummer’s “London Calling.” What did we get this year? Christina Aguilera and some guy tap dancing.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.