Grammy commentary

[petrus61]

Adele had a bad night. She was consistently flat and had trouble hitting notes at all. I didn't like the song much and thought it was very technically difficult. Not a good choice.

I was amazed that Gaga wasn't totally out of breath at the end of her medley. I liked the set.

This is what happens when performers like Adele are placed on this Neo-queen of soul pedestal. Under pressure, it's either great or a wet fart. Gaga on the other hand is a true performer and I can't say I've ever seen her fail to deliver. All Adele has to do is sing her best. Gaga sings her best and brings much more to the table performance wise. It's no wonder they trust her with the better material. I'm not knocking Adele, she's a great singer, just not quite as multi faceted as Gaga. Vocal timbre is debatable.

 

[Humbled]

I only watched what my daughter backed up and made me watch...

Nile Rodgers knocked it out of the park, as usual, and I'm super-happy that's the first thing my 14 yo daughter wanted me to see and hear...

Smart kid.

I thought Adele was pitchy.

 

[petrus61]

Speaking of the Alabama Shakes, I was pretty unimpressed.

They're tight. I caught them last summer and was left with the impression that they didn't suck. If they can manage to stay off the highly polished fluff that comes with that level of success, they'll only mature and get better which is exactly what they've done so far, IMO.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

Nile Rodgers might have been nailing it, but it sounded like he was playing from inside a garbage pail.

 

[JMacBass65]

They're tight. I caught them last summer and was left with the impression that they didn't suck. If they can manage to stay off the highly polished fluff that comes with that level of success, they'll only mature and get better which is exactly what they've done so far, IMO.

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks they are good. Considering the calculated, focus group tested, prefab crap that much of the popular music is these days, I find them refreshing. First saw them on Later with Jules Holland about a year and a half ago.

Have not watched the rest of the Grammys yet.

 

[Humbled]

Nile Rodgers might have been nailing it, but it sounded like he was playing from inside a garbage pail.

I was listening to it on a flat-screen, after an evening of singing baritone in the barn.

Maybe I didn't have a proper perspective for "suck"...

 

[Steve59]

No Mention of Louis Johnson or Wilton Felder in the
memorial was very disappointing. Both are artist (and grammy winners) that deserves credit for thier contribution.
Edit:
They also didn't acknowledge Cynthia Robinson of Sly & the Family Stone.

 

[48thStreetCustom]

Her talent is being so drop dead beautiful. She's almost perfection.

I like women with curves.

 

[fhm555]

Alabama Shakes are best enjoyed live. I was less than impressed when i heard their first album, but then i saw them live and it was much better. I'm not sure if i like them better than Saint Paul & the Broken Bones, but it's nice to see a couple bands from my home state enjoying some attention from the world outside Abalama.

 

[Rocker949]

I guess I'll just continue to be in the minority when it comes to the Alabama Shakes.

 

[Immigrant]

Why does Taylor Swift make that "I'm so surprised" face when she wins? Her entire career has been about hiring the right songwriters, producers, managers, PR team, marketing people and record executives to win Grammys. That's like a Wall Street bank acting surprised when they get a bailout. She got her first Madison Avenue manager when she was 9yo. Her "I'm a sweet small town girl" persona is fabricated. She ain't Dolly Parton, she's the Monkees.

Spot on.

Her talent is being so drop dead beautiful. She's almost perfection.
If I could somehow transplant Katy Perry's chest onto Taylor, I would have made the perfect woman.
Oh wait, someone would have to teach her how to play bass too, and that would be me!@

Gross.


About Adele- I just saw a short story on the "news" and she is blaming her pitchiness on a mic falling into the piano so everything sounded out of tune. What?!?!?

 

[Thornton Davis]

I wouldn't be surprised if Don Henley asks Jackson Browne to join The Eagles as Glenn Frey's replacement. If he doesn't The Eagles are done, and I'm sure Henley would like to keep the money train going for as long as possible.

TD

 

[Rocker949]

I wouldn't be surprised if Don Henley asks Jackson Browne to join The Eagles as Glenn Frey's replacement. If he doesn't The Eagles are done, and I'm sure Henley would like to keep the money train going for as long as possible.

TD

Interesting observation.

 

[jmlee]

Back to bass...Nathan East was tremendous and clearly live in the Lionel Richie segment.

 

[mrpackerguy]

I guess I'll just continue to be in the minority when it comes to the Alabama Shakes.

I enjoyed the performance. The song had a lot of repetition both vocally and musically, but I thought the performance was solid. O the sound thing, really would have liked to have heard the Hammond B3 better - sound mixing again I think.

On Gaga, I was never a fan until I heard her belt out "The Sound of Music" at last year's Oscars. Wow. And since then have incidentally seen her sing with Tony Bennett and the National Anthem at the Superbowl. I've become a fan of her voice. I'm not into the Brittany Spearish pop dance thing that pays her bills, but I can appreciate her vocal talent. And I thought she pulled off the Bowie thing great - that was one helluva tough medley - varied, diverse and for cripe's sake she even threw a little of "Fame" in there. So IMO well done. Entertaining. The musicians were great behind her - don't forget them.

 

[JMacBass65]

Spot on.



Gross.


About Adele- I just saw a short story on the "news" and she is blaming her pitchiness on a mic falling into the piano so everything sounded out of tune. What?!?!?

You know, about midway through the song, an additional instrument came in and my wife turned to me and said "what's that, a guitar?" I listened and said it sounded like a real tinny guitar, and sounded completely out of place. It was weird. A bit later it was gone - they dumped it.

I'm guessing that's what she is referring to. I can see how it might distract someone.

 

[Immigrant]

I only saw one performance- Kendrick Lamar- and it blew my mind.

I would've been ashamed to admit that a dozen years ago, but my shame function broke.

 

[basspedaler]

overall, better than expected. seemed like a better balance of genres and players too. there were, sadly, a couple great bassist left out of the memoriam-Louis Johnson, and Wilton already mentioned, plus Mike Porcaro. Mike is in a grammy winning family, come on.. the mix was off a bit in a couple spots, but I had no trouble hearing everything through 5 good speakers.

It was great to see a bunch of session players on stage killing it. The 'real bands' with instruments did a good job. enjoyed the tribute to Glenn, and the BB thing w/Gary and then Bonnie who sounded very good. Gaga was very entertaining. Adele had some probs (a piano mic on a string, I hear), but the public won't care. Lionel deserved some of his older peers being up there; those youngsters just don't get it, and Luke Bryan is so overrated. The Beiber thing was a mess too. as was the hollywood vampires! I like those guys, but that was just too busy and sloppy. It was cool seeing who stood up after the 12 year jazz phenom played that steinway like chick corea.

 

[Immigrant]

^ That kid has an interesting story. Self taught, picked it up immediately when his dad got him an electronic keyboard. Amazing.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

The Corea chick has been playing for 12 years?