You're So Vain - Foo Fighters

Since all I have seen is this youtube video, I don't understand the context of Foo Fighters playing a Carly Simon cover on a Grammy nominations show. Was everyone performing asked to do a cover? All I know is this was a pleasant surprise to watch over morning coffee. This past June I got obsessed with that song for the second time in my life. I like the combination of Carly Simon and Mick Jagger's vocals on it and the lyrics are classic. So on a flight from Salt Lake City to London, I put it on a playlist I've been playing quite a bit.

Dave's growl adds a certain menacing quality to the song. It's more like "You're so vain and I'm gonna make sure you don't live anymore because of it". Hahaha --J

50th Grammys- K's POV

It was the 50th anniversary, so the show was all about celebrating the classic with the contemporary; thus, you had a duet with Alicia Keys and Frank Sinatra to open the show. Cher introduced Tina Turner and Beyonce (who just needs to stop- I'm sorry I'm just not into her jerky movements) performing Proud Mary. Kid Rock and Keely Smith performed That Old Black Magic. They were very playful and somehow it worked.

Jason Bateman referred to a cello as a violin with thyroid trouble, LOL. He also mentioned John Paul Jones playing with Foo and said "as in Led Zeppelin, for all the morons out there". I really miss Arrested Development.

Dave Grohl dedicated the record of the year award to his daughter- he got slightly choked up.

Cirque du Soleil performed a bit of their beatles themed show with song A Day in the Life, which is one of my favorites.

Kanye gave an emotional performance clearly dedicated to his mother after "Stronger". It was moving.

Amy, my god- I don't know what to say. She looked and sounded terrific. That girl sang her heart out last night.

The big surprise was that Herbie Hancock won album of the year. Even Quincy Jones, who gave away the award, was shocked.

All in all, it was not boring, which is all we can ask for! -K

Separating the Artist from their Music

Ugh, sounds like the Grammy broadcast might have been worth watching this year. Everything I have read says that Amy did a fine job at 4 a.m. from London, but maybe that’s the UK press playing favorites. I’m looking online for a clip of the performance so I can judge for myself. Looking at the list of winners, I had some thoughts, and a lot of them relate to my ability (or inability) to separate the artist from their work.

1. Amy Winehouse – If the focus was back on her music, then bravo. I am glad to see her record be honored this year. The UK press here has made it difficult to remember that it should be about the music.

2. Foo Fighters – In spite of being smitten with all things Dave Grohl, I’m not crazy about this album. There, I said it, trying desperately to separate the artist from the work. I do, however, think The Pretender is a great single.

3. Kanye West – The man has had an extremely difficult year, so I am going to go gently, but usually when I see him win or not win an award, all I can think about is what a sore loser he is. Is it just me or is it also difficult for us rock fans to tell how really talented a hip hop star is? I mean so much is production, isn’t it?

4. Alicia Keys – I dig the instrumentation on No One, but her voice on that song. The word “caterwaul” comes to mind. Since it seems like she is always photographed with the powerful Clive Davis, I always wonder if she would dominate the airwaves in true payola fashion even if people didn’t like her.

As Dennis Miller would say, “of course that’s just my opinion, I could be wrong”. --J

J's Random Thoughts

So no Grammy viewing for me! They are broadcast here tomorrow, but on a satellite channel. It bothers me but really it shouldn’t since every year I just bitch about how lame the show is. But this year my boyfriend Dave takes the center stage with some unknown musician playing with the Foo Fighters, so I guess I’ll have to youtube that tomorrow.

For the past few weeks I have been listening to a lot of Led Zeppelin and I can’t really explain why. When I was in the fourth grade, I was talking to some boys in my class and to seem cooler, I told them that I liked Led Zeppelin, which is what my brothers were into at the time. Forget the fact that my two favorite LPs at the time were The Knack’s Get The Knack and the soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever. Later in life I specifically remember having a conversation with my husband H about how much I disliked Led Zeppelin and how I would never like them. I’m not quite sure what’s happened, but I’m totally into them now. Since H is a fan, all of their records were already loaded on my iPod as if my iPod was anticipating my future requests.

New stuff is just not moving me right now. For example, this band Vampire Weekend that every music magazine is covering, in my opinion is just unnecessary. So here I go, regressing to the fourth grade and meaning it this time. Led Zeppelin at the moment is my favorite. --J

In My Humble Opinion

As you can see we finally got some snow in the Lou.

Okay, I half-watched the Grammys as I worked Sunday night. I just went to their website to look over the list of winners. I must make a few comments.

The Dixie Chicks won too many awards and Gnarls Barkley didn’t win enough. Don't take that as Chick-bashing, the album was okay.

I am surprised that Dani California won an award.

I love that Wolfmother won in the Hard Rock category.

I was moved by Mary J. Blige’s performance. It was truly her night.

Both Christina Aguilera and Beyonce’s performances were unnecessary.

Glad to see The Police on stage all smiles, ready to announce the world tour. --J