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News, Reviews & Commentary on Gay and Bisexual Men in Entertainment and the Media

IMHO "The Grammys": A little bit rock-and-roll, a little bit country, a lotta bit lame

Okay, did anyone aside from me suffer through the 7 1/2 hours of awfulness that were the Grammys last night? Seriously. Granted, the awards have been obsolete for about 15 years now and each year the telecast draws a resounding "What, those things are still on?" from just about everyone, but last night they still somehow managed to happen.

Of course, there was absolutely nothing whatsoever gay about anything that went on, because no self-respecting gay man would find himself within 50 yards of so much bad music, bad fashion or Coldplay.

But there were a few hot moments worth discussing, nonetheless...

 

MIA's baby: Okay, this girl is officially hardcore. Is it just me or did all the boy rappers on stage with her avoid standing directly downstage in the event that her water broke during the chorus? They were terrified!

 

Jennifer Hudson's lobster bib: Seriously, girlfriend looked gorgeous but what the EFF was she wearing? At least she didn't get any hot butter on it.

Radiohead: Their performance with the Sean Cody Marching Band was pretty amazing, I gotta say. 

 

Coldplay: They somehow managed to make the Sgt. Pepper outfits even gayer, but unfortunately did not make themselves any less annoying in the process.

Best WTF Winner of the Night: Kathy Griffin may have lost to a dead guy in her category (George Carlin), but at least Tia Carrere won for Best Hawaiian Album. I'm thinking it's just payback for her criminally overlooked cover of "Ballroom Blitz" from Wayne's World 2.

Any other thoughts?

Dennis Ayers's picture

I can't believe you didn't mention Whitney!

After all the buildup - "Whitney makes her comeback" "A whole new Whitney" etc., I was sort of shocked with her shuffling, absentminded turn as a presenter. Lord bless her, but the woman is as whacked out as ever. She looks better though.
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AbqGWM's picture

She did look good, but I

She did look good, but I think she has spent the last few months in seclusion taking online courses in the William Shatner's College of Public Speaking.  What was with the pause every second word?  I was laughing so hard.
Joseph's picture

Viva La Vida

I'm just curious, what happens when Joe Satriani proves in court that Coldplay ripped off the melody of "Viva La Vida" from his song "I Just Wanna Fly" (if you've heard both songs, it's quite obvious)? Will the Grammys have to retroactively give Satriani a Grammy as well for Song of the Year? Or will they retract the award and give it to the second place finisher, or nobody?
Dave's picture

Passing over Satriani...

As was reported on NPR this morning:

 Looks like the Grammy may have to pass over Satriani and go to the original source of the tune: Enanitos Verdes.

Joseph's picture

Thanks, I did not know that...

...but, does that now give Enanitos Verdes the opening to sue BOTH Satriani and Coldplay?
RJ's picture

Doubt Satriani will win the lawsuit...

I found this interesting post in the comments on the Huffington Post:

If Coldplay is sued by Satriani for plagiariazing Viva La Vida, then Satriani might be sued by Enanitos Verdes over If I Could Fly. Ultimately, it all goes back to Cat Stevens:

1. Coldplay:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvgZkm1xWPE

2. Satriani:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMcjXo8ZuqE (0:48)

3. Enanitos Verdes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G57CgtX-BsI (0:34)

4. NKOTB:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXmCOXQcmVE (0:42)

5. Marty Balin:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTp0P5xMHog

6. Babik Reinhardt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cgy8TBr_dk

7. Gunther:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XnhFR73wOs

8. Cat Stevens
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUXda-RTE_c (3:14)

Bottom line: it is inevitable that vocal melodies and instrumental phrasings over similar chord progressions will often overlap.

With the internet and YouTube these days, it's a different world than the time when George Harrison was sued successfully for My Sweet Lord.

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seanb's picture

George Harrison

I thought George Harrison got screwed when he lost that lawsuit.  The refrain "My Sweet Lord" was so generic and almost obvious in a way, that just because it has some similarities to "She's So Fine" it seemed specious to assume one was plagiarized from the other.

Here's an interesting short take on the issue, mentioning both Coldplay and Harrison (and Bob Dylan).  Here's the best line:  "The absolutely original artist is an extremely rare and possibly imaginary creature, living in some isolated habitat where no previous works or traditions have left any impression. " 

http://blogs.geniocity.com/friedman/?tag=shes-so-fine

seanb's picture

Plagiarism

It's far from a sure thing that Satriani will prevail.  I haven't heard Satriani's song yet, though after work today I'll pull it up on YouTube (we don't have access to YouTube at work).  But Charles Cronin, manager of the Music Copyright Infringement Project at UCLA, doesn't think they're similar enough to support a lawsuit.

The whole issue is really tricky.  We all grow up hearing all sorts of music, and many of us continue to be obsessive about music through our lives.  Of course, melodies and soundscapes get buried in our subconscious.  And I would think any new melody is based on all the music you've heard in your life.  Add to that the fact that there are only 12 notes in the chromatic scale and you can see how similar songs could be created without any intent whatever.

Regarding Coldplay's and Satriani's songs, Cronin said:  "They're really improvisatory soundscapes that are conceived in terms of sound, not in terms of notes."

David in Houston's picture

Too funny!

"Coldplay somehow managed to make the Sgt. Pepper outfits even gayer."

Thanks for the morning laugh. So four straight guys are wearing those outfits. Yeah, riiiiight.

RJ's picture

Only gay men are allowed to wear ridiculous outfits?

Considering the Sgt Pepper connection, are you suggesting the Beatles are (were) gay too?
David in Houston's picture

Yes...

...that is EXACTLY what I'm suggesting. All of the Beatles were gay. The sooner you accept this simple fact, the better off we'll be ;-)

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Chuckles's picture

The Ninth Circle of Hell

You know an award show is whack when the most exciting news is about someone who didn't even show up (I'm looking at you Chris and Rhianna)!  I will say though the most exciting performance was Katy Perry and she can't sing!  Other than that I was extremely appalled to see that the Grammy's have become Soft Rock Radio and Obscure Artists that I have no interest in (Robert Plant Record of the Year??) Awards.

Yet, perhaps the most disappointing part of my night was wasting all the effort and commitment to jump between The Grammys, The BAFTAs, Desperate Housewives, and Brothers & Sisters.  What does a gay boy have to do to get some good T.V. time!?!

Hopefully Fashion Police will have a two hour special to dish on both awards shows...

JC's picture

Grammy's

I watched the whole show for the first time in 10 years only because one of my favorite singers (Neil Diamond) was going to perform. I'm in the 50+ category and my musical tastes are pretty varied. I like Coldplay, Adelle, Duffy, Sugarland and some of Justin Timberlakes stuff. That being said I'm no fan of rap and still can't understand half of what they say... thats not music to me thats mumbling.

U2's performance was not one of the best, really don't like the new song at all. I thought the best performances of the night were Hudsons, Adelle and Sugarlands, Diamonds (ok as I said I'm biased but how often have you seen the whole damn audiance participate in a song ).

I'd heard of the Plant/Krause album but not heard it. Got to say I was impressed with the songs I heard. I'm going to download it later and listen to it.

Overall I think the grammys do a good job of showcasing all types of music which I believe is a good thing. Just because you don't like a type of music does not mean others won't. I get tired of having the conversation with some younger people who won't even listen to much less acknowledge the artist who's not under 30.

 

seanb's picture

I often run into both sides

I often run into both sides of the divide you're talking about.  It's frustrating when younger people have no interest in music history, or the great music from before their birth.  But it's also frustrating when older people don't like any music created AFTER their youth.  "I only listen to 80s stuff."  Or 70s stuff, or 60s stuff.  People like that generally say that good music quit being made after their youth, and they say it with no sense of irony.  Great music is being made all the time, in all decades.  If everyone opened their ears and their hearts to it they'd discover some truly amazing music.

I previously hated rap, and didn't understand it much.  But then my best friend got into it.  One day he had a DVD of NWA on, including "Straight Outta Compton".  Wow!  Awesome stuff.  Then I got into Outkast and Eminem and what not.  A lot of it still leaves me cold, but there is some exhilariting stuff out there.

Charles's picture

Last Night's Ceremony

Last night's ceremony was a complete disappointment. There was too much focus on performances and mashing up acts that don't belong together(Adele and Sugarland? Seriously?) and too little focus on handing out trophies to represent the broad spectrum of music that's celebrated by the Grammys. It's nice to see rap, R&B, pop, rock and country but why not throw in some awards for reggae, gospel, motion picture music, world music and folk music during the prime time telecast?

But with that being said, there were some parts about this year's Grammys I did enjoy. Unfortunately, most were wins that happened before the CBS telecast. I did love Radiohead's performance and was happy to see them win their third trophy for Best Alternative Music Album. I was also hoping that Radiohead would pull off a huge upset in Album of the Year but of course that did not happen. I was also very happy that Adele won Best New Artist. In addition to having amazing vocal chops she made sure the Jonas Brothers won nothing, which makes me very happy.

I was also ecstatic that Peter Gabriel took home 2 more Grammys for his collection for the work he did on the movie Wall-E. He won Best Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media for "Down to Earth" and he took Best Instrumental Arrangement for the piece "Define Dancing". Hopefully Gabriel will be collecting his first Academy Award in two weeks for the same efforts.

Jory's picture

Leave the Girl Alone!

I have to say in Jennifer Hudson's defense: it took a LOT for her to come out, make her speech in acceptance and then do that performance. Frankly, she could have come wearing a burlap sack and nobody would have room to say anything simply b/c she was there! So, let her wear whatever she wants and when you go through a tragedy like that and then have it constantly all over the news, let's see how good you look! You go Girl!!
AddisonDewitt's picture

Performance outfit

Her performance outfit was better. She makes an attempt at something daring and the flap was striking until she turned to the side which gave it a bib accent. Did anyone feel the Judy Garland in A Star Is Born "I'm Mrs. Norman Main" moment like I did during the performance?
Matty's picture

M.I.A. <3

M.I.A. was fierce! I never watched the show though, just the clip of her online. So crazy that yesterday was her due date.
MHCMarty's picture

Coldplay?!

I didn't know I was supposed to find Coldplay "annoying."  I like them!  My favorite song being "Clocks" from their record "A Rush Of Blood To The Head."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9j_RZDqYc4
TheFabulousThomasJ's picture

I Watched Just Long Enough. . .

. . . to see Girlfriend (Jennifer Hudson) perform and win her Grammy (Best R&B Album) and make sure Adele yanked the Best New Artist Grammy (thank you, God!) away from Donny Osmond's nephews (the Jonas Brothers). . .

AddisonDewitt's picture

Awful!

This year really was bad wasn't it? Jennifer Hudson winning and performing as well as the set with Sugarland and Adele were the only good parts. Had anyone heard of the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss song before Grammy night? I listened to the album later and it really sounded very mellow and sleep inducing. And I am sorry for those who liked the MIA/Rap act but I just wanted it over. And why are the Jonas Brothers not arrested for singing so badly along with Taylor Swift?