Showing posts with label Leon Russell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leon Russell. Show all posts

Monday, February 1, 2010

Grammy Bombast

The Grammys used to have poise and grace. It was about rewarding the
best in music for a year. But last night's show was just bombastic.

I see the point of having more performers than awards given out. It's
now like a celebration of the year in music -- where there are
sing-alongs and big showstoppers. But last night was too much -- too,
too much. Lady Gaga looked ridiculous. Stevie Nicks came out of
nowhere to duet with Taylor Swift -- but forgot how to harmonize.

Leon Russell? Roberta Flack? I love them, and I love nostalgia, and I
love veteran artists. But they added nothing to an already bloated
show.

Even DMB needed to add a choir and strings. That actually ended up
sounding nice -- making a bad song tolerable -- but it seems like the
Grammys are now more about filling a stage than respecting music.

As for the winners? Swift -- as much as her songs are catchy -- did
not produce the year's best album. I think DMB did -- but Gaga's
record had a bigger impact that Taylor's. I also was surprised to see
Gaga get shut out of the top awards.

I was actually excited by this year's Grammys. The nominees were
eclectic and fresh. But the show? It was kind of like a headache
having a hart attack.

Your thoughts?