We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
The Grammys rarely speak my cultural language, mostly rewarding commercial hacks - the Biebers and Rihannas - while ignoring the true artists. Yet, as someone who takes seriously pop culture, I always watch, and I'm occasionally rewarded with a moment or two of genius. If you're watching tonight, join me for some musical banter.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 6:13 PM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
164 Comments:
The festivities start at 8pm on CBS tonight. Here are the nominees in the most important categories:
Song of the Year:
'Beg, Steal or Borrow' -- Ray LaMontagne
'Forget You' -- Cee-Lo
'The House That Built Me' -- Miranda Lambert
'Love the Way You Lie' -- Eminem Feat. Rihanna
'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum
Album of the Year:
'The Suburbs' -- Arcade Fire
'Recovery' -- Eminem
'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum
'The Fame Monster' -- Lady Gaga
'Teenage Dream' -- Katy Perry
Best New Artist:
Justin Bieber
Drake
Florence and the Machine
Mumford and Sons
Esperanza Spalding
Record of the Year:
'Nothing on You' -- B.o.B. Feat. Bruno Mars
'Love the Way You Lie' -- Eminem Feat. Rihanna
'Forget You' -- Cee-Lo
'Empire State of Mind -- Jay-Z Feat. Alicia Keys
'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum
Best Female Pop Vocal Performance:
'King of Anything' -- Sara Bareilles
'Halo (Live)' -- Beyoncé
'Chasing Pirates' -- Norah Jones
'Bad Romance' -- Lady Gaga
'Teenage Dream' -- Katy Perry
Best Male Pop Vocal Performance:
'Haven't Met You Yet' -- Michael Bublé
'This is It' -- Michael Jackson
'Whataya Want from Me' -- Adam Lambert
'Just the Way You Are' -- Bruno Mars
'Half of My Heart' -- John Mayer
Best Female Country Vocal Performance:
'Satisfied' -- Jewel
'The House That Built Me' -- Miranda Lambert
'Swingin'' -- LeAnn Rimes
'Temporary Home' -- Carrie Underwood
'I'd Love to Be Your Last' -- Gretchen Wilson
Best Pop Performance by a Group or Duo with Vocals:
'Don't Stop Believin' (Regionals Version)' -- 'Glee' cast
'The Only Exception' -- Paramore
'Babyfather' -- Sade
'Hey, Soul Sister (Live)' -- Train
Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals:
'Airplanes, Part II' -- B.o.B., Eminem & Hayley Williams
'Imagine' -- Herbie Hancock, Pink, India.Arie, Seal, Konono No 1, Jeff Beck & Oumou Sangare
'If it Wasn't for Bad' -- Elton John & Leon Russell
'Telephone' -- Lady Gaga & Beyoncé
'California Gurls' -- Katy Perry & Snoop Dogg
Best Pop Vocal Album:
'My World 2.0' -- Justin Bieber
'I Dreamed a Dream' -- Susan Boyle
'The Fame Monster' -- Lady Gaga
'Battle Studies' -- John Mayer
'Teenage Dream' -- Katy Perry
Best Country Song:
'The Breath You Take' -- George Strait
'Free' -- Zac Brown Band
'The House That Built Me' -- Miranda Lambert
'I'd Love to Be Your Last' -- Gretchen Wilson
'If I Die Young' -- The Band Perry
'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum
Best Country Album:
'Up on the Ridge' -- Dierks Bentley
'You Get What You Give' -- Zac Brown Band
'The Guitar Song' -- Jamey Johnson
'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum
'Revolution' -- Miranda Lambert
And the rest:
Best Rock Song:
'Angry World' -- Neil Young
'Little Lion Man' -- Mumford & Sons
'Radioactive' -- Kings Of Leon
'Resistance' -- Muse
'Tighten Up' -- The Black Keys
Best Rock Album:
'Emotion & Commotion' -- Jeff Beck
'The Resistance' -- Muse
'Backspacer' -- Pearl Jam
'Mojo' -- Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
'Le Noise' -- Neil Young
Best R&B Song:
'Bittersweet' -- Fantasia
'Finding My Way Back' -- Jaheim
'Second Chance' -- El DeBarge
'Shine' -- John Legend & The Roots
'Why Would You Stay' -- Kem
Best R&B Album:
'The Love & War Masterpeace' -- Raheem DeVaughn
'Back To Me' -- Fantasia
'Another Round' -- Jaheim
'Wake Up!' -- John Legend & The Roots
'Still Standing' -- Monica
Best Contemporary R&B Album:
'Graffiti' -- Chris Brown
'Untitled' -- R. Kelly
'Transition' -- Ryan Leslie
'The ArchAndroid' -- Janelle Monáe
'Raymond V Raymond' -- Usher
Best Rap Song
'Empire State Of Mind -- Jay-Z & Alicia Keys
'Love the Way You Lie' -- Eminem & Rihanna
'Not Afraid -- Eminem
'Nothin' On You' -- B.o.B & Bruno Mars
'On To The Next One' --Jay-Z & Swizz Beatz
Best Rap Album:
'The Adventures of Bobby Ray' -- B.o.B
'Thank Me Later' -- Drake
'Recovery' -- Eminem
'The Blueprint 3' -- Jay-Z
'How I Got Over' -- The Roots
Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media
'Crazy Heart' -- Various Artists
'Glee: The Music, Volume 1' -- 'Glee' Cast
'Treme' -- Various Artists
'True Blood-Volume 2' -- Various Artists
'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' -- Various Artists.
60 Minutes is starting the Grammy party early with a profile of Lady Gaga as their third story tonight, no doubt to be followed by an Andy Rooney piece about how he can't operate "newfangled" staplers.
Okay, here comes Gaga with Mr. AC 360 in tow. Does anyone else find her completely tedious. I reckon that she's studied the Madonna playbook just a wee bit too closely.
I would love to see some surprise wins for the likes of Arcade Fire, The Roots, Ray LaMontagne and Esperanza Spalding tonight but I don't expect them to be able to prevail over the Biebers, Rihannas and Gagas of the world. Perhaps the only favorite I'd like to see win is Cee-Lo Green, although it's ridiculous that he's been nominated under the wrong name - "Forget You" rather than "Fuck You." Who do these idiots think they're kidding?
Here comes the Rooner. Not exactly the ideal lead-in to the Grammys. I'm guessing that he's not conversant with Lady Antebellum, The Black Keys or Swizz Beatz.
I'm planning on staying for the opening number and then I've got to shoot off to my Amnesty International meeting.
Here we go then....
Nice - the opener is a tribute to teh Queen of Soul - Aretha Franklin
Interesting opening act. Reminds me a bit of VH1's "Divas"....
Oh dear - its Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, the Florence singer, Martina McBride - none of whom are fit to share the stage with 'Retha.
Hi Bivalve - that's exactly the vibe. The difference between Aretha and these hacks is that she never had to overemote. She just sang the lyric.
Right - sorry to abandon you for a bit. I'm off to my meeting. Be back shortly. I'll look forward to reading your comments.
I thought that Martina did a very nice job, if it did fall a little flat in the middle. Who's the wailing redhead?
The ensemble rendition of "Sisters are Doin' It For Themselves" was pretty enjoyable until the mass note-fest at the end. Sigh.
I was totally hoping that Xtina would work in a few lyrics from the National Anthem. Evening all.
Train takes the "Best Pop Duo or Group" category with "Hey, Soul Sister (Live)". Yes!
Hi, Gooner! Glad to see you're here.
Absolutely. Start up the band snd exit left for these guys, Lady Gaga awaits,
Lady Gage has definitely drunk the Madonna Kool-Aid. Serious overtones of "Vogue".
Bob, history always belches up someone like Gaga. I'm cool with kids digging her, especially since my radio is welded to whatever NPR station it can bring in. When I was more radio dependent, I suffered more through the Madonna period.
Heya Bets. Do your girls buy the self empowerment message that LGG purports to be peddling?
Hey HP, take a walk on the wild side.
Now that's funny that HP knows that Lou Reed's song is old enough that lots of people won't know the lyrics.
Hmmmmm, did the banality of this show already put you under? Brew up a pot of coffee. We're only 30 minutes in.
They're oblivious to everything about Lady Gage but the outrageous fashion.
I must say, the show has underwhelmed me so far. I thought this was an awards show?
Really? That's interesting. I can see that. I know that I'm not supposed to get LGG because I'm nearly 50. I remember friends of mine that got out the vintage lingerie and silver bangles once they saw Madonna, so it must be a similar phenom.
Muse's performance was underwhelming. Grammy will be deafened by the souncds of clicking remotes if this keeps up
So true!! We're actually still watching because we want to see.... some.... awards....zzz....
I'm back! Doesn't sound like I missed much beyond the Gaga.
So I haven't missed any actual awards? Interesting.
Okay, B.o.B. just put me over the edge. I'm done. Maybe I'll switch back in a bit...
I hear you on LGG, Gooner. I do think that kids should feel free to find any entry point to pop music without old curmudgeons like me spoiling their fun. But her schtick feels particularly contrived and tired.
Nooooo....come back, Bivalve! There's bound to be some Rascal Flatts and co coming up soon.
I have to admit, though, that I've not at all sold on this Bruno Mars geezer. If I'm looking for retro soul, I'm more likely to lean toward the Brit-soul of Mark Ronson's crew. Still waiting for the Amy Winehouse comeback.
Liv likes the rendition of "Grenade", although she prefers the original.
Mars is really mining the Jackie Wilson vibe. Seeing this, I get the hype around the guy. He's a showman.
BD, you're tempting me with Rascall Flatts???? Ugh. ;-) I'm really interested to see how Darrell Scott did, as he was nominated for two, but those were given out "at an earlier time". Methinks I need to do some surfing...
Sorry, the Rascall Flatts bit was tongue in cheek. I know you don't cotton to that commercial Nashville stuff. Speaking of which - it's Zac Brown coming up to the mic.
Best Female Country performance category now....anyone but Tea Party favorite Miranda Lambert for me, please.
You go, Miranda Lambert! I love that girl's spunk.
And of course it is Miranda who picks up the Grammy. Curses....Sarah Palin is smiling somewhere.
Oh no, BD. Say it ain't so. Tea Party? Really?
Uh oh - it's Bieber time coming up next. I'm gonna need a slice of chocolate cake to get through that.
I'm going to need a Vicodin.
Yeah - perhaps it's not her fault but that "Gunpowder and Lead" tune off her last one was an unofficial anthem at many Tea Party events last year. I do think that she stumps for the NRA on conceal carry laws and such.
I have to admit I rolled over to the new brewery in Alexandria and brought home a growler of the Belgian Wit that they do. Bring on the Bieber, I can take it.
Yummmmm....Vicodin!
Speaking of beers, I had a couple of those Southern Tier IPAs on draught last night before the show. Splendid!
He's a bleedin' lyrical genius, that Justin.
That reminds me. The Port City place just started bottling their beers this week with a small bottling line that they purchased from...... Southern Tier. The brewmaster told me that ST is expanding like crazy.
Wow this is like watching Nickelodeon,
This Usher routine is more like an exercise video than anything else. And the strobe is about to induce a seizure.
I'll hand it to the kid. I've seen him on SNL and The John Stewart show and he's participated in a piss-take of him both times with good grace and confidence,
He's less of a cartoon than Usher IMHO
Tell Eric that his generation has a lot of 'splaining to do for the Biebs.
That's true - he was really funny with Tina Fey on SNL.
Best Rock Album then....I'll go Neil on this one.
Nope - it's that Muse bunch of poseurs.
I wish that Joe Strummer was still around to stick a glass in their faces.
Oi, Gooner - did you get all those John Barry tunes that I sent you earlier?
I got the list. What I was asking is if you wanted me to download some to save you time. Holla!
I sent them earlier to you but I think your cache might be full up. Take a peek, eh?
Gaga picks up the Best Vocal Pop album then.
Donnie, you were a Backstreet Boy. Don't go dissing Beiber.
1-0 LGG
Was that the seven-second delay on Gaga?
What's going on with her head? That looked really painful.
I quite like that Letterman gag about Will.I.AM. adding a comma. Really - I ask you!
Bets, I just busted on LGG's fringe. Is it a fringe or are those bangs?
So why these Mumford guys and not Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Decemberists or Iron & Wine?
I think she had some kind of piercings coming out of her head. Ouch!
Okay, I don't mind these guys. There actually playing something resembling music. The best thing I've seen all night to be fair.
I was distracted by the horns poking out of her forehead...
Testify. I would love to see the D'rists or Iron and Wine. I like the Avett Bros though. This is a hell of a song.
Was that Neil Young acting as roadie or just a lookalike. This is obviously the beardy segment of the evening.
Yeah - these blokes aren't bad either. They could improve the set by getting together and giving Usher a kicking, though.
My god, some musicians actually showed up!
Alright, Bob, bring us home with "Maggie's Farm." Yeeeehaw!
Did Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions band sneak on stage? Does no-one have an original idea anymore?
Bob doesn't like to vault a double bass to hit his mark on stage I can tell you that!
This is why I show up for the Grammys every year. Just as I'm starting to overdose on the pop, someone like Sly Stone will pop up out of the blue. Magic!
That was a great look he gave, wasn't it?
Neil liked it. J-Lo - not so much!
J-Lo, not impressed with that chicken plucker
Nice - a Teddy Pendergrass tribute. But Lady Antebellum? I think not.
These two remind me of Gene Wilder and Peter Boyle. I want the Packer to shriek, "putting on the Ritz!!!"
Loved that Teddy moment
There's a definite Christy vibe coming up this band. Me no likey.
And for Lea Michele to pour some hot soup in his lap too, eh?
What is up with the medleys???
It's as if they're catering to low attention spans.
Oh dear - those Lady Antebellum creeps have just won a Grammy. Does their name indicate that they'd prefer to be living in a time before the Civil War?
Jamie Foxx having some fun with the censorious bastards at the Academy. And now it's Cee Lo time - yowsah!!
The best "clean" version he did of this tune was on "Colbert" where Stephen egged him on to replace "Fuck You" with "Fox News."
Who invited Gwyneth to this party?
Gwyneth Paltrow and puppets.... there's something right about that. It's impossible to take either seriously right about now.
Really. Very tired of this triple threat. I missed that Colbert somehow,
Song of the Year - no doubt.
Here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJlOVNPikKA
Okay, Bets. Help me out with the leg decorations that Katy Perry's sporting. What exactly is going on there?
Don't mind this one - California Gurls. Good pop song.
Sorry, that's "Teenage Dream." I guess they sound pretty similar. Nevermind.
Nice - Norah does a nice Dolly Parton. Mr. TMI John Mayer and Keith Urban alongside.
Alright, a shout out to a Lifetime Achievement winner. Why is Captain Jack sparrow wearing the white dinner jacket?
Sorry, BD, didn't notice. I was discussing her vocal quality with Liv.
Song the Year now...gotta be Cee Lo.
You're kidding me. Cee Lo is robbed!
Lady Antebellum cleaning up! Didn't expect that,
I agree, Gooner. I'd prefer to hear some more tributes to the Lifetime Achievement winners, as long as it's not a catastrophe like these creeps doing Teddy Pendergrass.
I fear that it's the Grammys nod to the Confederacy.
I did. No-one releases a song that drops the F-Bomb repeatedly expecting a Grammy. It could have been sung by a comeback Elvis Presley and it would stll, Never. Gonna. Happen.
I've just done a Wikipedia search on LA - it says:
"The name Lady Antebellum comes from when the group were photographing "antebellum" homes. While photographing the houses one of the group said that there's a great band name in there, and they adopted the Lady Antebellum name shortly after."
Not buying that at all.
You're operating from some special knowledge here. Are you suggesting that Lady Antebellum are "Heritage Not Hate" revisionists?
I'm suspicious, yeah. Very much so. I think a lot of country acts do a nod and a wink to the GOP base. And it sells massively.
Uh, no Green Hornet, the man himself is Dre,
zzzzz.....
Have you and Eric caught The Green Hornet yet? Any good?
More coffee, Bivalve?
Any comments on Rihanna's vocal technique?
Eric said GH was a bit underwhelming. I'll NetFlix it.
Eric and I are digging this actually. Sorry.
Here we go. Here comes Dre.
Who's this girl that's not Rhianna?
Rihanna's earpiece must have been turned down, because that was just a hot mess...
Best New Artist then...this has got to be Bieber territory, right?
Not going to happen, but go on Flo!
So isn't winning "Best New Artist" usually the kiss of death?
Holy crap! Esperanza Spalding!!!!!!
Where the hell did that come from? I was surprised that she was nominated. Bieber must be spitting up Skittles over that one.
In your face Beiber, Esperanza Spalding is a winner, I thought she was a bigger outsider than Flo.
Wow - my girl Janeane Garafalo's got a new series. It looks terrible but I'll be watching it. Can only watch "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" so many times.
Esperanza's on the jazz faculty at UC Berkeley. I'll score that as a win for academia.
It's the Grammy's token nod to jazz time. Not quite sure why the plonker from Glee is on the stage.
And Forrest Whittaker may have been the single best cop performance for his season on The Shield.
Boy is this Grammy chairman a tool or what? Dress like a hippie, but as insincere as a used car salesman
Get the hook
Oh - that's a bit sad. The jazz bit has morphed into the obituary section.
Yeah - a John Barry nod!
At least they included Richie Hayward!
Wait - Ronnie James Dio and Teena Marie died? When did that happen? I am getting old. Blimey!
Sweet - a Mick Jagger tribute to Solomon Burke.
And from the obituaries to Mick Jagger. Hmmm....
Not so fast. Mick's gonna bury us all. He's showing the likes of Usher how it's done.
I have to agree with you there, BD.
Dio died about 2 months ago. Deb Thornally put up a memorable post about attending his shows,
I really don't need to see Mick at this age shaking it. He looks half embalmed.
He may need a hip replacement after this routine but I have to hand it to him. It's a fair effort. I should be so limber at his age.
No. Red Riding Hood, the film? That's a new low. Though, Mick Jagger could pass for Grandma
I like how that new "Criminal Minds" spin-off is subtitled "Suspect Behavior." Brings to mind NY Congressman Chris Lee's sexting faux pas from this week.
Bob, just limit your carb intake to Alcohol and you'll be Mick's less hirsute doppelganger.
Well, boys, I'm signing off. Big day tomorrow. This has been fun!!
Cheerio, Bets. See you for the Oscar Night festivities later in the month?
Kris has discovered Botox. Hen he was in "Trouble in Mind" 30 years ago he was more wrinkly.
Actually, he sounds like a recovering stroke victim. Is that right?
Babs is the cue to brush my teeth. Almost bedtime.
I noticed that about Kris. I think he's had a nip and a tuck as well. Botox can only do so much. But I think he's always sounded that grizzled.
Cheerio Bets. I'm outta here the moment after Arcade Fire leave the stage.
I wasn't aware that Babs still performed.
LGG doesn't wear trousers even when she's in the audience. Gotta appreciate the commitment to that look
B.O.B. is Dave Chapelle, right. The resemblance is uncanny
Eminem picks up the Best Rap Album. Ho hum.
Dunno about B.O.B. but I'd like to think that Dave Chapelle is doing his thing albeit incognito rather than sitting at home smoking weed.
Nikki Minaj - the black Gaga?
Record of the year time. Come on Empire State of Mind!
Another chance for Cee-Lo here on Record of the Year. Maybe Jay-Z's turn though. That's a tremendous anthem.
No - it's those bloody Klansmen again. Unbelievable. The song isn't even that interesting.
Wow, Lady Antebellum is crushing all competition.
Finally - some rock n roll - AF!
What song is this?
Beavis and Butthead say "YES!"
"Month of May"
B&B - "This kicks ass!"
Okay - that was worth waiting for.
Hopefully that's a good omen for their winning the big prize of the night.
Alright! As promised, I am outta here. Goodnight Bob. This was fun.
Cheers, mate. I'll be urging on the Cottagers tomorrow afternoon. Have a good week!
Time for AF to smack the white off those rednecks.
WOW! Babs is so surprised by the ARCADE FIRE win that she stumbles over the title - THE SUBURBS!!!!!!
A fitting end to the show. Real music wins out in the end. Worth waiting for. And they're setting up to play another tune. Excellent!
What does it say about the state of American music culture that the winning album tonight is an indictment of urban sprawl?
That's it for me - nighty night all. There's hope for tomorrow.
Post a Comment
<< Home