I don't believe I have ever sat through an entire Grammy show before, and for the most part I enjoyed it. The recording industry may be stuck in quicksand from which it will not escape alive and unaltered, but the state of MUSIC is as strong as ever. Great music is being made in all corners of the recording universe and people are hearing it.
For whatever reason, the 45th Annual Grammys, held for the first time in five years in NYC (at Madison Square Garden), didn't have an MC. Dustin Hoffman began inauspiciously by mispronouncing Bruce Springsteen's name as something close to "Springstreet" (which Robin Williams, back in manic logorrhea mode, noted later).
Hoffman announced a Lifetime Achievement Award for Simon and Garfunkel, who then performed "Sounds of Silence," their first hit, together with just Simon's guitar as accompaniment. They were endearingly ragged, proving that seamless harmony isn't something that just happens. Their's was the first of 18 live performances, the majority of which made the show worth watching - that and Norah Jones' girlish sweetness.
No Doubt performed a medley with Gwen stalking, strutting and gyrating in a bandaid tube top, stiletto boots, combat shorts and wild white-blonde hair. I like pretty much everything about No Doubt other than the fact that their songs aren't very good. Shortly thereafter, Lou Reed and Dave Grohl announced that No Doubt had won the Pop Duo or Group with Vocal Grammy. Hmmm.
Then Norah Jones appeared with her combo live, performing "Don't Know Why." Jones deserves every bit of praise she has received: a sweet, unpretentious, humble, pretty-without-forced-glamour, immensely talented young woman of 23 performing in a gentle but firm cocktail-country-jazz-pop style of her own device that transcends time and fashion. She was slightly tentative in demeanor but wholly comfortable within her music, and her voice was the same smokey marvel live as it is on record. All due credit to the industry for recognizing what an unlikely savior this young woman is.
Article comments
1 - temple
Well, shit. i'll comment Norah jones music played as the end credit's rolled and that's when I realized that was the perfect placement for the music - The type of music you hear after apcncert as the audience files out.
She doesn't seem tohave ANY character to her voice. Vanessa Carlton seemed to have a far better voice, with character. It reminded me of Tori Amos - another dustbin reject. eh? I think the "affected" you heard was mere nervousness.
I think you're letting Jones' looks and connections override your common sense. Of course, I do say this not really knowing your music likes and dislikes. But she was undeserving, though admittedly sweet. I don't go to music for "sweet."
Overal I was pleasantly suprised. I also have not watched a Grammy's show since about 1998, maybe. I stuck through to the end. As soon as I finish typing it. I'm posting "NOT THE DUCT TAPE GRAMMYS.
I to can't help myself with Eminem. i deplore "Kim." But Lose Yourself isd a driving masterpiece that says a lot about ambition and opportunity. Another killer Grammy performance al al Elton John and Stan.
Hey, I just remembered I watched that. When was that. I know I didn't watch the whole thing though.
2 - Eric Olsen
Whoa, couldn't disagree much more about Norah - she is subtle and if subtlety isn't a high priority value then you won't like her, but as far as having character, her voice is oozing with character. Vanessa sounds to me like just another affected, icky alt-girl. I wouldn't care any less about Norah the artist if she was a total bitch - she's the best new singer in at least 10 years.