Grammys 2012
Some good stuff last night and some crap, like the first-time outdoor dance/ electronica portion. I wonder what the people inside Staples did when it was on. At least it was outside, but it’s just a matter of time before it’s main stage, encroaching on rock, and hopefully rap, which there seems to be less of in recent years.
When Dave Grohl accepted the Rock Performance Grammy he talked about making the Foo Fighters’ new album in his garage, saying, “To me this award means a lot because it shows that the human element of making music is what’s most important. Singing into a microphone, learning to play an instrument and learning to do your craft, that’s the most important thing for people to do. It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about sounding absolutely correct. It’s not about what goes on in a computer. It’s about what goes on in here (your heart) and what goes on here (your head). To me this award means a lot because it shows that the human element of making music is what’s most important.” I agree. But then his band is part of that electro-computerized-dance party and he’s seen admiring the DJ with the big mouse head.
So commercial rock is so hard up for bands that the Grammys use Foo Fighters twice? Both numbers, forgettable loud and noisy. With three guitarists you’d think we’d get a couple nice guitar licks, but it was mostly over driven power chords and Grohl’s shouting. Except for a couple riffs by Coldplay’s guitarist, there was no electric lead work until McCartney’s 6-way jam at the end of his Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End program finale. There was Joe Walsh’s acoustic work on Paul’s new boring Valentine song, the only thing that saved it from complete drivel.
I really liked the Beach Boys/Foster/Maroon segment. Brian and Love’s lead vocals sounded good. Hard to tell about the original BBs’ harmonies as there were so many voices on stage. Saw a few of Brian’s players, including Jeff Foskett. Wonder how big their touring band will be. Cool to see David Marks as part of the band and Walsh and his wife doing some jitterbugging beside McCartney and his latest wife singing along.
75 year old Glen Campbell was having a good time, walking the stage, miking the near-stage group and saying “I’ve got a choir” a few times during Rhinestone Cowboy. He was sure chatty, asking “where do I go now?” and “I guess I’ll go… and shut up”. He was without guitar. I hope he does do some picking on his “farewell tour”. The Band Perry and Blake Shelton were superb with Gentle On My Mind and Southern Nights.
Bruno Mars swinging song and ensemble dancing was as fun as Springsteen’s opening performance and new song We Help Our Own, was gripping. What else? Adele was fab. The devotion to Whitney Houston was about right. Lady Gaga — the net a fisherman cut loose with her as by-catch was still stuck to her face. Bobby Brown is quite a gymnast. Alicia Keys with Bonnie Raitt were so-so. Katie Perry was dazzling. Taylor Swift and Coldplay were both very good, but why play the same songs they did at other awards shows. Yeah, Minaj’s thing was a real wtf’r? Was rooting for the local Fleet Foxes and The Decemberist’s for best Rock Song and Performance. Nope, but they were there. Best new artist – Bon Iver? Haven’t heard their albums but have seen them on TV and couldn’t decipher a word they sang. Nope, twenty years from now no one will be singing along with the Grammy singers on stage.