The Grammy Awards

For you newbies to Jerry's World, let me start by saying, I am a fan of Pop.  I like songs with structure, hooks and melodies.  Got it?  Don't look for Tom Waits praise here.  I get it.  I recognize it as art.  But it ain't my thang.  Cool?

Alright.  Here we go.  As a television show, let me tell you what I liked seeing and who I thought pulled it off: Alicia Keys (with and without Sinatra).  Keys is a true musician - a breath of fresh air.  She's turned into a much better vocalist than she was when she started and while some of her song writing seems simplistic and formulaic (Fallin', No One), it's damn catchy.  I prefer her tunes like If I Ain't Got You, You Don't Know My Name, and Like You'll Never See Me.  They are genius and worthy of praise.  I've seen a full concert at the Bowl and was bowled away.  (See that cute play on words?)  So, I know she's the real deal.

I liked seeing Beyonce - (probably because I feel like its been actually 3 months since we've heard from her remarkably).  I loved the names of the Divas she dropped in her intro - especially Nancy Wilson.  (Nice to give Miss Nancy some props!)  Anyway, let's rewind to CHER doing the introduction!?  She never lets us down, does she?  The crazy dress, the Apricot-Stripped hair (her description on "ET"), and just the way she carries herself.  It's as if she has this "I'm Cher Damnit!" thing to her but all-the-while laughing at herself.  Okay, flash-forward: Tina Turner.  Gone too long and sorely missed.  Yes, along with Barbra, Bette, & Cher, she has become a 'charactiture' of herself but if you loved her in 1988, she sure as hell hasn't changed - at 68!  And I'd pay top dollar to see her in concert over almost anyone on the Hot 100 today.

I was a bit taken aback by Beyonce's intro of Tina as "The Queen."  We all know Aretha's the Queen of Soul, Mary J is the Queen of Hip Hop, Rufus Wainwright is the Queen of ruining Judy Garland's legend, Elton's the Queen, well, A Queen.  Anyway, I'm not surprised a bitter-sounding Aretha issued this: "I am not sure whose toes I may have stepped on or whose ego I may have bruised between the Grammy writers and Beyonce, however I dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy."  Ouch.  I look to Beyonce.  You know better than that B, so please explain.

I loved seeing Bebe Winans on national television.  Following he and Cece's IDOL finale appearance, I'm glad to see them get their due.  (Sidebar: Aretha, yellow is so slimming on you!?)

Seeing The Time was fun (tho' they were kind of a 1-hit-wonder) - but the topper was Miss Rihanna coming out for a medley.  I am a reluctant fan of Rihanna.  She's yet to show REAL personality but is one of the best non-singers making records.  She stole that title from the disappeared, Ashanti.  If RiRi ups the personality, I'll proudly name her the next Janet Jackson.  Because, like the Janet of pre-2003, she puts on a damn good show and knows how to pick a memorable piece of ear-candy.

Feist = Paula Cole.  'Nuff said.

Amy Winehouse = Macy Gray.  But let me continue.  Remember Macy being praised for writing great songs - a new sound - with a undeniable recognizable voice?  Sound familiar?  I just feel, Amy made a good album, worthy of it's accolades but let's not crown her the second coming of Alanis Morrisette.  Yup, there's another one.  

Now, let me expand on her winning.  Natalie Cole has stated "I think it sends the wrong message that even in the midst of her stupor of drugs she can get nominated for all of these awards.  It's a slap in the face to musicians and artists who work very hard that they turn around and give it to someone who really obviously doesn't have a grasp of what she has."

On one had, I fully agree. On the other, would I say that about Janis Joplin in-the-day?  Probably not.

Okay, lemme wrap this up: I love Josh Groban. So I loved seeing him. Same for Carrie!  I love Fergie (and I'm very proud of her).  I would have chosen a better cut from the record to sing.  And she not only should have won Pop Female but she should have had more than her 1 nomination.  Maroon 5 won.  I love them.  But would have rather seen Daughtry get it.  (Partly because I met him the night before and he was so very nice & personable.) Rihanna should have won Dance over Justin.  And I was happy Michael Buble finally won.  BTW, looking at the nominations again, I noticed Fantasia (who everyone thinks isn't a successful Idol) was up for Album, Song, and Vocal in the R&B category.  She didn't win.  But she's delivering in the R&B world -- and rumors are popping that Oprah will do a feature version of Color Purple with 'Tasia in the lead.  So back off of TayTay!

The Herbie Hancock win = the Steely Dan win.

And I would have hated to have been fielding (or dodging) the calls in Neil Portnow's office the next day.

Alright - off to watch IDOL.  Hollywood week is finally here.  The only time I start watching.  Think I'll blog about it?  Who, me?