Grammy analysis
Published February 24, 2003
The only such commentary struck me as ambiguous. The retard from Limp Bizkit made a quick comment wishing that the "war should go away as quickly as possible." I would assume that this was meant to be an anti-war statement, but it really isn't. The quickest way out is through it. You could take it, then, to mean that we should just do it if we're going to and be done with it.
The only other display was Sheryl Crow's "NO WAR" embroidered on her guitar strap. However, that was largely concealed by her hair. I didn't notice it during the broadcast, but only after Drudge pointed it out.
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Politics aside, that duet she did with Kid Rock was godawful. It had to be the worst excuse for a composition of anything all night. I WANT to like Kid Rock, and I even want to be fair to Crow's music, but it was just a big gaping waste of space.
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The only competiton for a worse song would be Faith Hill with her "Cry" song. Actually, in a certain sense it's not that bad a song. The Crow song just plain sucked; there was nothing there. In contrast, Faith Hill's song was competently written; it had a discernable tune, and something of a hook.
Yet it still SUCKS. Maybe partly it's just not to my taste. Partly it's the sappy orchestration. Partly it is that this sappy MOR adult contemporary crap gets a Grammy as "country" music. Most especially though, the whining tone of the basic emotional content leaves me limp.
Which is saying something, considering the sleazy, tawdry appearance she presented. She looked like a $10 whore hanging out behind the bar, or -more pathetic- some desperate slut anxious to just GIVE it away. Criminy, she must have needed a chisel to get the damned makeup off.
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Springsteen's performance of "The Rising" made me want to slap him. Admittedly, Springsteen soured me on him with every single thing about his crappy The Rising album. Even for that, though, he's supposed to be one the all time great live performers in rock.
Yet this performance struck me as wholly contrived, much like other performances he's made in recent years. He's straining away, making this exaggerated body English, flailing away like he's making a Big Statement. I find it difficult to believe that the guy even in his own mind thinks this song is all that. He was less convincing than a whore in a porno movie thrashing and moaning and checking the clock out of the corner of her eye.
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The singer for Coldplay was also writhing away physically during their performance of "Politik" with the New York Philharmonic, but unlike Bruce they pretty much sold me on the song. I haven't really been struck by the band previously, and I have no idea what the lyrics were. However, the melody, the pulse, the dramatic dynamics of this performance came out pretty convincing. Perhaps they merit closer attention.
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They absolutely did do right by giving Eminem the rap Grammy. He would have been a much more interesting choice for album than Norah Jones, but at least this was a good consolation prize. Certainly he dominated ALL the charts, and made the most compelling hip hop record. He had more worthwhile songs, and a far deeper emotional presence in the national conscience than any other musician. Not that he ain't some kind of messed up puppy, but he's an exceptional performer.
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Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters must be enjoying life. They played Saturday Night Live the night before, and they're playing Letterman's show Monday night. In between, they got a big fat Grammy AND he got to play on the Grammy show with Bruce and Elvis.
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They did finally manage to get the REAL artist of the year on the stage. Elvis Costello didn't get any awards, and he didn't even play his own song. However, he played with Springsteen for a Clash tribute to close the show, performing their best song, "London Calling." Sweet. No matter what kind of Burt Bacharach albums he makes, Elvis has that inner punk there ready to rage away.
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Then, naturally, they gave the album award to Norah Jones. Obviously that award belongs to Elvis, but the voters who think the polite Norah Jones album is great aren't even going to nominate the likes of Elvis.
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You can CLICK HERE to get the list of Grammy winners. You can CLICK HERE and HERE to get the considerably better Blogcritics picks.
- Grammy analysis
- Published: February 24, 2003
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- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Culture: Media, Music: Alternative Rock, Music: Classic Rock and Oldies, Music: Country and Americana, Music: News, Music: Pop, Music: Hip-hop, Music: Rap, Music: Rock, Music: Soundtracks, Video: Music, Video: Television
- Writer: Al Barger
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Comments
what the hell happened to Faith Hill? she sounded like she's had the flu or something. i'm not a fan of that kinda stuff be she sounded WAY off.
the Norah Jones choice was at least better than last year's Alicia Keys thing. Norah can actually sing.
and gees, al, you gotta get that Springsteen chip off yer shoulder...it's gonna force an early visit to the physical therapist! ;-)
I entirely agree about Elvis Costello. What a shame to not honor him with *something* last night. He deserves a lifetime achievement award or something. But I have a hard time saying that When I Was Cruel would be deserving of Album of the Year, I'm sorry to say. It's good, but while I enjoy it for what it is, he's done SO much better.
I do, however, have to disagree with you on two points:
Norah Jones - I am not a fan, but that girl has a voice of pure gold, and is a tremendously talented change of pace from the pre-packaged crap we're normally forced to endure.
NSync's "tribute" to the Bee Gees - again, I am not a fan of either, but if that was a tribute then the Bee Gees should be terribly insulted. NSync has no idea what harmonizing means - one of the "singers" was either consistently slightly sharp or flat (or maybe it was more than one at different times). Their harmonization was very average at best, and pretty awful in general. The Bee Gees - THEY can harmonize. NSync can "sing" in the way that most American Idol participants can sing - their voices do something vaguely singing-like, but they're really no more talented than any other average person out there. That is not enough to honor someone like the Bee Gees.
In response to those who blast NSYNC: ha! they certainly proved with last night's tribute to the BEE GEEs they can sing and sing well
yes, at times they were off key, but compared to grammy faves like Faith Hill and John Mayer they certainly pulled it off. and to those who disagree I d like to hear YOU hit that a#!
I agree that Faith Hill (along with Vanessa Carlton, Ashanti, etc.) sucked. And the porn star bleach job only added to my horror. I was under the impression she was a relatively classy chick. Anyway, NSync did shock the hell out of me. I'm no music instructor, but they sounded pretty damn good to me. I think Norah Jones is a bit overrated. She's Ok. Good. Not great. She may get great someday. She's as good a bet as any...
More so than the music, I'm turned on by great lyrics. Provocative, thoughtful, sexy, etc. Where are all the great lyricists? That's why I'm glad John Mayer, Eminem and India.Arie won something. At least they have something on their minds besides "let's dance, let's party, let's do it."
If they can't hit the A# then they shouldn't be doing a tribute to someone who can, should they?
Remember, I am not a fan - but as for Norah Jones, this is a woman who's voice is completely genuine. What you hear is true natural singing talent. She does not have to shout or push her voice to get it to perform, as the majority of today's singers must (Faith Hill being an example last night - she was really pushing the limits of her volume to hit those notes, and it was showing in her ragged performance. I too wondered if maybe she had a cold or something. She's generally a pretty decent singer in her range.) I wouldn't buy Norah's album - it's just too adult-contemp. for me - but she is gifted with a gorgeous voice, something that was a glaring rarity last night, and is rare, period, in today's music.
I tend to agree with most of you. Overall there were some pretty bad performances last night. I guess singing "in pitch" is optional when performing at the Grammys" My favourite was John Mayer followed by James Taylor. Kinda like here's someone who sounds real lame and here's someone who sounds real good. Now just for kicks let's give the award to the guy that sucks!!! Good contrast though. You can certainly appreciated how badly John Mayer is after hearing James Taylor....Norah Jones sounded pretty good and she seems to actually have some talent. Which is quite rare these days. It was better than some goofy reality TV show...but not a whole lot better...
yeah, John Mayer is pretty bad... in my humble opinion...
peace.
I like Norah Jones too!!! I saw her do a duet with Willie Nelson one time and she smoked him!!! She's got a good groove.
Yikes That John Mayer performance was pretty scary though!!! Sorta reminded me of the year this guy just ran up on stage and started showing off a new coat he bought. I sat there kinda in aw wondering what the heck are you doing? Are you not embarassed? My advice to John Mayer would simply be ..Buy yourself a metronome and take some singing lessons...when you come to a guitar you can't play don't slow down and try and play it anyway. Spend some time prior to the performance practicing until you can get it down. Hey it may take some time but in the long run you'll end up looking and sounding a lot better.
Did Nora pay them off??? She is okay, but multiple grammies?? Come on. I find her extremely boring and overrated. The judges must be getting old.
i am really disapointed that Norah Jones won so many awards! she is so overrated i agree with a few of you saying she is boring, because she totally is! i think Avril Lavigne had a pretty crappy performance ( i am not a fan but i was sorta hoping she wud win more since she is canadian and all) i think Norah Jones should definetly not have won like Alicia Keys did last year! there were so many other people nominated that deserved it! I was very impressed with 'NSYNC's performance i think they did a very good job! and the remaining BeeGees looked impressed as well! all of the performances EXCEPT 'NSYNC's tribute were horrible! i also think Eminem's performance was good. i also think he deserved a grammy or two more instead of Norah Jones! If u hadn't noticed already i really don't thing she deserved more than 1!!
- Proud to be Canadian!
finally a real artist get recognition - Norah Jones ..she's so sublime..what a talent!!!! tony bennet said : she isn't great - SHE'S PHENOMENAL... CONGRATULATIONS NORAH!!! GRAMMYS GAIN PRESTIGE AGAIN!
I'm 23 years old which is relatively young. Yet I think that James Taylor made the two singer/songwriters before him look ridiculus. And the highlight of the program for me was Simon and Garfunkel singing "Sounds of Silence." They just don't write songs like they used to. I like the Bob Dylan line, "What do ya mean you can't repeat the past, of course you can!"
Norah Jones is a dream come true! In a world riddled with so much studio enhanced crap! This gal is a breath of fresh air. If you want to appreciate what a sensational voice she has, listen to her album on a really good CD player, with earphones, she immediately has a tantalizing effect on you.
I bought her album, and it's the best investment in music that I have made in a very long time. Thanks Norah!
As for most of the other performers, they sucked! I love Eminem - the real deal. I love the Dixie Chicks, they can sing. N'Sync did very well, to my surprise! Faith Hill, tried too hard, I'm not a fan.
Paul Simon and Garfunkle, they are still so authentic and real, and I love their rendition of "Sound of Silence." Peace Out!
Thanks Odi, we think very much alike, although I thought S&G were pretty ragged.
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Great job Al, Thanks!