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February 12, 2007
49th Grammy Awards a Disappointment
Two years ago I blogged about the 2005 Grammy Awards in radiant terms. It was a stellar production with riveting live performances.
Last year, for some reason, I didn't get a chance to watch the spectacle at all. So when I realized I had the house to myself on Grammy night this year, I was excited by the prospect of another entertaining night in front of the small screen.
A short time later, I was wishing I had those few hours of my life back.
For starters, the production job that CBS did was deplorable. An peculiar-looking set, awkward transitions between award presentations, voice overs and segues that stumbled over a chorus line of left feet.
Granted, it's a huge undertaking. But this is the big time, folks. So much for the superiority of network television.
There were musical highlights that nearly saved the sinking ship. Mary J. Blige and her inspired performances (both solo and with Ludacris). The threesome of Corinne Bailey Rae, John Legend and John Mayer was first-rate. But most of the rest were flat and flavorless.
Even the performance by "My Grammy Moment" winner Robyn Troup and Justin Timberlake outshined most of the other star-dudded appearances.
(Note: I sadly missed the opening number with the Police reunion. That very well could be another highlight, but unless someone posts it on YouTube, I may never know.)
The encouraging thing about this awe-uninspiring telecast: It continues to prove that major labels and major media outlets do NOT have a monopoly on delivering quality experiences that make a difference.
Not Ready to Make Sense
Then there was the Dixie Chicks. When they first performed "Not Ready to Make Nice," I felt like applauding. The song is a powerful personal statement, and I was glad to see the Chicks not backing down from expressing their opinions.
It's always bugged me that they had to grovel and apologize for their off-the-cuff anti-Bush stage banter a few years ago. Time has proved them to be more accurate than inappropriate.
But my applause for the Dixie Chicks turned to disappointment every time they approached the mic to accept another award. Their rambling, nonsensical fumbling of words have to go down as some of the worst acceptance speeches in Grammy history.
I know, it's the music that matters most. And I'm doing my best to remind myself of that. But for Jehovah's sake, when given the opportunity to reach millions with a message about you and your music, you'd better be prepared to have something to say. I feel they wasted a real opportunity to communicate something meaningful.
That's my two cents. Feel free to add yours.
-Bob
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Last year, for some reason, I didn't get a chance to watch the spectacle at all. So when I realized I had the house to myself on Grammy night this year, I was excited by the prospect of another entertaining night in front of the small screen.
A short time later, I was wishing I had those few hours of my life back.
For starters, the production job that CBS did was deplorable. An peculiar-looking set, awkward transitions between award presentations, voice overs and segues that stumbled over a chorus line of left feet.
Granted, it's a huge undertaking. But this is the big time, folks. So much for the superiority of network television.
There were musical highlights that nearly saved the sinking ship. Mary J. Blige and her inspired performances (both solo and with Ludacris). The threesome of Corinne Bailey Rae, John Legend and John Mayer was first-rate. But most of the rest were flat and flavorless.
Even the performance by "My Grammy Moment" winner Robyn Troup and Justin Timberlake outshined most of the other star-dudded appearances.
(Note: I sadly missed the opening number with the Police reunion. That very well could be another highlight, but unless someone posts it on YouTube, I may never know.)
The encouraging thing about this awe-uninspiring telecast: It continues to prove that major labels and major media outlets do NOT have a monopoly on delivering quality experiences that make a difference.
Not Ready to Make Sense
Then there was the Dixie Chicks. When they first performed "Not Ready to Make Nice," I felt like applauding. The song is a powerful personal statement, and I was glad to see the Chicks not backing down from expressing their opinions.
It's always bugged me that they had to grovel and apologize for their off-the-cuff anti-Bush stage banter a few years ago. Time has proved them to be more accurate than inappropriate.
But my applause for the Dixie Chicks turned to disappointment every time they approached the mic to accept another award. Their rambling, nonsensical fumbling of words have to go down as some of the worst acceptance speeches in Grammy history.
I know, it's the music that matters most. And I'm doing my best to remind myself of that. But for Jehovah's sake, when given the opportunity to reach millions with a message about you and your music, you'd better be prepared to have something to say. I feel they wasted a real opportunity to communicate something meaningful.
That's my two cents. Feel free to add yours.
-Bob
Get more tips like these when you subscribe to my free Buzz Factor ezine — the longest running music career tips email newsletter on the planet. Since 1995. Learn more about the free subscription here.Your email address will not be shared. Unsubscribe at any time.
Connect with Bob on Google+
posted by Bob Baker @ 9:24 AM
5 comments
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Bob Baker is an author, speaker, teacher, indie musician and former music magazine editor dedicated to showing musicians of all kinds how to get exposure, connect with fans, sell more music, and increase their incomes.
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I recently learned of the Grammy Award process. Very disappointing to say the least. The money/connections/political process permeates everhwhere it seems....so sad.
I have to agree with Bob and with "anonymous." I watched the entire thing from beginning to end and was not impressed with a lot of things. I like the Dixie Chicks and appreciate their bold political and musical statements, but I felt it was redundant for them to win both album and record of the year (what's the difference between those catigories anyway!) and twice for the same song (I forgot the other two catigories). I can understand not expecting to win the first one, but once they got the idea, they could have been more thoughtful and articulate in their comments. Mary J is always inspiring and deserves every blessing coming her way these days, but I had to wonder about the voting process and who votes because it seemed that in many catigories, certain people tend to win over and over again while other unique and deserving veterian (india.arie)and new (Corine Balley Rae) voices go neglected. That's my $0.01, for whatever it's worth.
The Police looked great! Sting is sounding better than he did back in the day with The Police. It was great to see them together. Check the vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIIOwONgmJY
Don't you think the Dixie Chicks have been saying "meaningful" things for a long time now? They are not known for being "silent" on issues and that has made them unpopular with some people. Why use an award ceremony to express more of the same? They would only have to apologize again. The Grammy awards were as if the Prodigal daughters were welcome back home. I don't think they wanted to F it up.
this year i decided to watch the grammy's as long as i could stand it. it was one blunder after another. i was just amazed at how many veteran performers were up for awards. Lionle Richie, Stevie Wonder? wow
anyway to comment on what Bob was saying about the Dixie Chix. i think that they said what they needed to say way back when.
Grammy night was coming home and being accepted again among their peers. I mean they never were outlaws right?