Official 2008 GRAMMY Awards Show Discussion Thread

[djwayne]

I had a dog that had ticks one time, it was pretty gross.

[Audio Hombre]

i've always thought kanye was the biggest jackass i've ever seen in music and without fail, he didn't let me down reaffirming his arrogance and insecurity last night. not an ounce of class.seeing that i'm totally out of the loop in hip hop, could someone direct me to at least one rapper that isn't a self absorbed creep?

[Greg Curtis]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

And what are we left with? American Idol winners, Foo Fighters and Kanye West? Foo Fighters? And who was that dick introducing the bogus play-with-the-foo-fighters contest. And what did the winner get to do? Embarrassingly lame. As if John Paul Jones waving the baton meant anything.

The (very young) members of the that Foo-Fighters orchestra were not paid, btw.

Greg

.

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by Audio Hombre

i've always thought kanye was the biggest jackass i've ever seen in music and without fail, he didn't let me down reaffirming his arrogance and insecurity last night. not an ounce of class.seeing that i'm totally out of the loop in hip hop, could someone direct me to at least one rapper that isn't a self absorbed creep?

I was just listening to Immortal Technique's "Leaving the Past", Here's a sample. Pretty deep, interesting and poetic.

They told me I would never make it, I would never achieve it
Reality is nurishment, but people don't believe it
I guess its hard to stomach the truth like a bulimick
its a dirty game and nobody is willing to clean it
But this is for the paralygics, people dreamin' of runnin'
ladies married to men who dont please 'em, dreamin' of comin'
urbanly murderous like David Berkowitz when I'm gunnin'
Some cowards on the internet didn't think I would sell
scared to talk shit in person, cuz they stuck in a shell
and couldn't understand the pain of being stuck in a cell
Hell is not a place you go, if you not a christian
it's the failure of your lifes greatest ambition
It's a bad decision to blindly follow any religion
I don't see the difference in between the raw and the wrong
Soldiers emptyin' the clips at little kids and they moms
I'm just like a desperate mother****er strapped to a bomb
Humanity is gone, smoked up in a gravity bong
by a democrat republican Cheech and Chong

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by Greg Curtis

The (very young) members of the that Foo-Fighters orchestra were not paid, btw.

Greg

.

Why not?

-R

[blondmix]

We actually watched the whole thing, and honestly, I am starting to see why the industry is in the midst of getting upended. It had the feeling of a country club where all the old farts were just patting each other on the back. I'm not young, but I'm not old either (34), but I really can't believe alot of what happened. I love ya Herbie, but best album? OK, let's honor the man in black for best video ahead of some more deserving nominees (Mute Math anyone?). And then the performances.....arrrggghhh. Am I the only one thinking that the Feist performance was WEAKER than expected? The first thirty seconds of Carrie Underwood was cool, but then she went into her eternal squatting position... Foo has been better. I actually liked Kanye's performance (not so keen on the ego, though), and Brad Paisley might have been the best of the night (did I REALLY just utter those words?). Maybe my taste in music is just too skewed (I would've LOVED to see Muse or Radiohead get some love/performance slot), but I'm feeling a bit dejected about the whole thing.....

[colinmiller]

I think the problem isn't that there is good music, I think people are just mistakenly trying to find it in the mainstream media.

[Simpleton]

Originally Posted by colinmiller

I think the problem isn't that there is good music, I think people are just mistakenly trying to find it in the mainstream media.

You say it so much better than I can. I generally piss people off when I try to say this! Thank you.

[Jeff Juliano]

Originally Posted by 88fingerz

Kanyay South? The world is in severe trouble.

I couln't agree more about this one. That guy is such a tool.

[phillysoulman]

Alicia Keys sings flat and I think that Amy Winehouse sucks and is terribly over rated.
She has as much soul as a wet pavement!@#$%^&

Fergie surprised me with her performance.

All of the so called rappers are a bunch of egotistical morons with as much shelf life as week old cheese.

KUDOS to Herbie Hancock for winning album of the year.

Oh yeah..Brad Paisley plays his ass off!!

[blim]

Originally Posted by colinmiller

I think the problem isn't that there is good music, I think people are just mistakenly trying to find it in the mainstream media.

[colinmiller]

Originally Posted by Simpleton

You say it so much better than I can. I generally piss people off when I try to say this! Thank you.

No I usually catch flack for saying that as well.

[hanuman]

Kadeemusic and DJWayne.
Amy was refused a VISA. Drug use was mentioned here in the press. Then they suddenly allowed her, but she refused.
I agree that you do not let evildoers in, but an award winning musician. What would happen if we'd say: Sorry Snoop (orso), you are not allowed to come....

[GearBit]

Originally Posted by hanuman

Kadeemusic and DJWayne.
Amy was refused a VISA. Drug use was mentioned here in the press. Then they suddenly allowed her, but she refused.
I agree that you do not let evildoers in, but an award winning musician. What would happen if we'd say: Sorry Snoop (orso), you are not allowed to come....

Actually snoop was denied a visa here for the same reason.
I don't think drug takers are "evildoers" but I DO think celebrities should be held to the same laws as ordinary folks.
We covered alot of this in the poli sco section but here are some points.
If you have a criminal record then visa hassles are just one of those things that comes with that and I don't think stars should be able to get around it because they can sing or dance or whatever.
I am of the mind that if you **** up ya gotta deal with those consequences. Rich or poor. Talented or not. If joe blow can't get into america because he has a criminal record then I see no reason for amy winehouse or keith richards to get a free celebrity pass. To do so would be grossly unjust.

[colinmiller]

Originally Posted by hanuman

Kadeemusic and DJWayne.
Amy was refused a VISA. Drug use was mentioned here in the press. Then they suddenly allowed her, but she refused.
I agree that you do not let evildoers in, but an award winning musician. What would happen if we'd say: Sorry Snoop (orso), you are not allowed to come....

She was denied because it would have been illegal according to immigration rules. However she appealed and it was reversed. Unfortunately even with a rapid appeal process it only left 48 hours to get here, thus not enough time to make it.

[djwayne]

Actually, I think Amy made a wise choice by staying in London, avoiding possible drug problems here. The L. A. cops may have been waiting for her at the airport.

Hopefully she'll get her act together and show up next year.

[dan p]

Its not even worth watching.All corporate b.s. and Kanye sucks too.I wont even listen.
There is still great music around,it just is not being promoted up in your face.



P

[philosi]

The ratings for the show were the lowest they have been since 1992. That is the 3rd lowest viewership since Nielsen began electronic monitoring.

[ProducerBoy]

Originally Posted by Sigma

thanks... your opinion of my views and myself is of utmost importance..you complete me

if you never saw the above mentioned acts perfornm then your loss

and i am too fat now to have poise..but i have por poise

and to be really opinionated ..if ya don't get it ..YOU are part of the problem

back to your Wii

Nothing has ever been perfect, especially anything with the word "industry" attached to it. I guess some prefer to grouse on their way out as opposed to seeking to pursue a more proactive approach (if there is one). All the best to you, I never meant any disrespect. (Oh, and I love the Homer Avatar)

[AMIEL]

Originally Posted by Plush

My thoughts:

the first half was terrible and necrophillic, second half with Feist, UK Winehouse Rehab segment and Little Richard was great! Ringo was cool and classy. Kanye West is a dope and was zeroed out here.

Cirque du Soleil portion was meaningless and a time waster.

Kanye West in his segment about his mother was pitiful and off pitch. He can't sing, he's an egotistical dope and a cry baby. What an insult to Chicago.

Vince Gill's acceptance speech with Ringo was great.

Amy Winehouse segment was monumentally great and sound from London was much better than any other segment. Hope she can get it together to be more than a one hit wonder.

In my area, classical, the awards were Amero-centric and ignored the best work. Lang Lang's histrionics at the keyboard were vulgar. What an egotist. He's not needed in the industry in my opinion.

A chaotic show with FAR too much emphasis on RAPPPPPPPPPPP. Rap, what a piece of crap.

Neil Portnow caters to the rap community---for shame!

Yep...we are tired of the same Rap!!
For me the new Rap killed the amazing Groove of Black Music..and Neil Portnoy and the Grammys should encourage about preserving the best music...IS NOT THAT THE GRAMMYS ARE NOT BASED ON RECORD SALES???????? ARE YOU SURE????????????

I have no idea what is all this deal with Kanye..I really do not see anything cool about this dude....

[AMIEL]

Originally Posted by Plush

My thoughts:

the first half was terrible and necrophillic, second half with Feist, UK Winehouse Rehab segment and Little Richard was great! Ringo was cool and classy. Kanye West is a dope and was zeroed out here.

Cirque du Soleil portion was meaningless and a time waster.

Kanye West in his segment about his mother was pitiful and off pitch. He can't sing, he's an egotistical dope and a cry baby. What an insult to Chicago.

Vince Gill's acceptance speech with Ringo was great.

Amy Winehouse segment was monumentally great and sound from London was much better than any other segment. Hope she can get it together to be more than a one hit wonder.

In my area, classical, the awards were Amero-centric and ignored the best work. Lang Lang's histrionics at the keyboard were vulgar. What an egotist. He's not needed in the industry in my opinion.

A chaotic show with FAR too much emphasis on RAPPPPPPPPPPP. Rap, what a piece of crap.

Neil Portnow caters to the rap community---for shame!

Yep...we are tired of the same Rap!!
For me the new Rap killed the amazing Groove of Black Music..and Neil Portnoy and the Grammys should encourage about preserving the best music...IS NOT THAT THE GRAMMYS ARE NOT BASED ON RECORD SALES???????? ARE YOU SURE????????????

I have no idea what is all this deal with Kanye..I really do not see anything cool about this dude....

Plush what is your opinion about the Orchestra arragement for the Foo Fighters song?
..for me was lame, paptetic, boring and totally out of context with the song!

[cramseur]

Whole show reminded me of the movie industry. There are "movie stars" and there are "Actors and Actresses" not necessarily the same thing.

At the Grammys the discinction between "musicians" and "pop stars" was made clear.

Musicians:
Hancock and Ling Ling, the Rhapsody in Blue Orchestra, Andreas Bocelli,
Little Richard, John Mayer, the guy who played Oscar Peterson

Pop Stars:
Kanye, Rihanna, Alicia Keys, Fergie, Groban, Will.I.Am, yawn...etc.

If you don't get the two confused, there's nothing wrong with the music industry. But I really dislike most of the Pop Star industry.
Ii'm 47 years old...I hope I live to see the return of the musicians to pop culture.

C'est la vie. C'est la mort.

[Bob Olhsson]

Originally Posted by Plush

You're exactly right. The orchestral micing was hack like and the mix could not be saved because everything was miked so closely. Sound supervisors from NARAS ought to be shot. Pitiful.

In their defense, it wasn't exactly an appropriate place to listen to or record an orchestra.

[deuc647]

Well with all the negativity, congrats to fellow gearslutz Mike Dean for bringing home a grammy and being a great contributor to the forum, keep doin ya thang man!

[BrianT]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

It seemed very Vegas, which may be where music is all heading anyway.
-R

Well, since American Idol has been responsible for launching several of the most successful recent artists.......................

Draw your own conclusion.

[Sigma]

Originally Posted by ProducerBoy

Nothing has ever been perfect, especially anything with the word "industry" attached to it. I guess some prefer to grouse on their way out as opposed to seeking to pursue a more proactive approach (if there is one). All the best to you, I never meant any disrespect. (Oh, and I love the Homer Avatar)

dude it's all good i never take myself or my bloated responses too seriously

it's just I LOVE MUSIC...I LOOOVE MUSIC..it is in every fiber of my soul and i'd rather beat it for being less than it could be than caress it for being half azzed

just me dude...

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by BrianT

Well, since American Idol has been responsible for launching several of the most successful recent artists.......................

Draw your own conclusion.

We'll see. I'm not convinced they'll be able to force-feed us Jordin Sparks. There may yet be hope.

-R

[BrianT]

"Stronger" is pretty much what a hit record is supposed to be. If you were 15, you'd be all over it.

Kanye sure seems like a major jerk, but like him or not, a hit's a hit.

[colinmiller]

Who let the dogs out was a hit too.

[BrianT]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

We'll see. I'm not convinced they'll be able to force-feed us Jordin Sparks. There may yet be hope.

-R

Nice thought, but I'm afraid American Idol is like the Borg. Resistance is futile.

Sure, we won a couple of minor skirmishes. We shot down Reuben and Taylor.

But Kelly and Carrie are going to more than make up for it.

What most people, including the majority in this thread don't seem to understand is that while some people out there in the real world really do love music, most are just looking for entertainment. Failing to understand that delineation leads to no end of grief.

The enemy of the music business is not downloading. That will get sorted out. The enemy of the music business is video games. Because the majority of kids find them more entertaining than music. Video game industry grew 43% last year, at $50 per title, while the music biz shrunk. THAT's the problem.