Remaining Beach Boys at the Grammys

Just added: The Beach Boys are performing at the Grammys. The lineup includes surviving members Brian Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine, David Marks and Bruce Johnston. They are scheduled to perform with Foster the People and Maroon 5. Does this make me want to watch the Grammys?

Urban Mayer & Jones

Not a law firm, just a nice collaboration on the Grammys.  Their tribute to Dolly Parton and worth a watch.

Grammy Observations

I wasn't consistent in my viewing of the Grammys last night but here are my various observations:

• U2's opening number was uninteresting and missing a memorable chorus. I expected more from them.
  
• Katy Perry was awkward.
• Justin Timberlake had the biggest smile on his face while singing with Al Green. He truly looked happy to be there. Keith Urban had a little George Benson thing going on during the same song.
• Carrie Underwood's guitarist rocked. Her name is Orianthi. I read she just signed a deal with Geffen.
  
• MIA was about to drop her baby any second. I think it was her due date.
• Alison Krauss does not talk very much
• Jonas Brothers and Stevie Wonder, Huh?
• Coldplay's Viva La Vida won for song of the year. This award goes to the songwriters. Joe Satriani has claimed they stole his song If I Could Fly. Lawyers are talking.
• Charlie Hayden is Jack Black's father-in-law.
  
• The sound mix was sub par.

Grammy Comment

I saw this comment on the Lefsetz Letter and I hope Julie doesn't mind that I'm posting it here. She summed up the telecast so well.......

From: Julie Ann May
Subject: Grammys Golden-Grey

What a great 50-years-ago show! If it had aired in Black & White it
really would have connected with its audience - then again maybe not all
of them back here in the east who were probably asleep by 10...

Who Is The Grammy Audience?

Who do the producers of the Grammys think their audience is? Last night’s performance started off like a Lawrence Welk revue. If you don’t know who he is, this mash up clip from his TV show sums up last night’s Grammys. Lawrence meets the Velvet Underground.

These Grammys could have stood out as a way for the industry to shine, try and bring back music lovers, its former glory, celebrate 50 years of the awards and show that they are not out of touch. No time like the present, right? They missed the mark. I barely watched anything after the first hour, but my perception is it looked like a second rate high school production. How to lose the kids in 30 minutes: Love b/w Across the Universe. Tell them to go online and choose the best violinist to play with the violin orchestra backing the Foo Fighters. Hype Alicia Keys 29 performances during the show.

The most enjoyable moment for me was when Kid Rock sang with Keely Smith who was the first recipient of a Grammy. It was entertaining. She can still sing and exudes cool. Kid Rock was charming and held his own.

I believe John Mayer to be talented. I also believe Sheryl Crow is talented. I’m convinced both will go to the opening of an envelope if asked. What was that mess with Alicia Keys & Mayer? Amy Winehouse, who along with Feist were the minority of young musicians this special was sorely lacking.

Yes indeed, they missed the mark.

From Bob Lefsetz:
If you think this awards show is important, then you must have a
financial interest. It's everything wrong with the music business. It's
something for everybody, whereas we used to specialize in the exact thing
the individual needed right now. Play to the front row, not the upper
deck. Play to those who care. Ubiquity is history, niche is king.
Everybody knows this but NARAS, which probably doesn't even know that you
can use Google to search hard drives, not to steal music, but to get
what you need, to keep you alive. Whereas this show will put you to
sleep.