So everyone knows I am a huge music fan and thus need to watch the Grammys each year. Not sure what any of this has to do with the optical community or the overall mission of this blog, but it’s fun to take a break and talk about non-biz stuff from time to time, right?
A few things that really stuck with me.
1. Jack White totally rocks. PERIOD. There is no one today making such awesome music so consistently. I urge everyone to go listen to the White Stripes, the Raconteurs, Dead Weather, and Jack White solo. How many people in such a short time span can have 4 projects that are all excellent?? He was robbed not winning whatever category he was nominated for. His ALBUM was the best this past year.
2. I hope the Alabama Shakes can keep it going. For my money they were the best new band (maybe not most popular new band) and I look forward to seeing if my thoughts can come true long term.
3. Alicia Keys should host and headline every awards show, halftime show, and tribute show forever! There is not too much finer than listening to her sit at the piano and play and sing.
courtesy mtv.com
4. I feel old!!! I hadn’t even heard of some of the performers. I have heard most of the songs but had no idea who was behind them. I need to stop watching Phineas and Ferb and Backyardigans and get back into the swing of adult (or at least almost adult) pop culture.
5. At the risk of sounding like an old curmudgeon, I have to admit I watched the Grammys and got more depressed as the show went on. I actually liked most of the music and thought the performances were all really good. What depressed me was that while we seem to have GREAT pop music these days, where are the Bob Marley’s or Carole King’s or Elton John’s of today? Will Miguel, Fun., Frank Ocean, or even the Lumineers be here in 20 years? Who is going to pull together a star studded tribute to the Levon Helm of this generation? I watched as Carrie Underwood paid tribute to Carole King… what are we going to do in 30 years from now? Is someone really going to sing Carrie Underwood songs?? Who is writing/performing the music we will want to honor in 30 years? Elton John was “passing the torch” to Ed Sheeran (who is really good I think) but will Ed Sheeran really pass the torch 10 or 20 or 30 years from now??? Is digital music and the internet killing the album and band-oriented music I love?? Time will tell. But I am not optimistic:).
John Shearer/Invision/AP
Kevin Winter/WireImage.com
Don’t get me wrong — I think pop music is great and has an important place in our lives… but is the music of today going to last the way Elton, Carole, Levon, Bob, Bruce, Mick/Keith, John/Paul, etc. etc. have lasted for so many years??
6. And to finish on a more positive note — I think the Black Keys are really good and I hope the keep making music. They have that raw rock performance reminiscent of the great rock bands. And I really don’t particularly like pop music but I am appreciating it more and more these days. Justin Timberlake is just cool, I admit it :)
Kevin Winter/WireImage.com
And a non-Grammy tip — listen to Gary Clark Jr. This guy’s got game!
And last but not least — WHY DIDN’T PRINCE PERFORM???? We don’t want to see him hand out awards — we want to see him bring the house down — Like Chuck D and LL!!
What did you think – do you think I’m being too critical?
