Master Index of Archived Threads


I Didn't Just Hear That

Edgy DC Feb 11 2007 08:13 PM

"... and Target, the best sponsor I ever worked for in my life." --- Tony Bennett, giving out his thank-yous through tearful eyes as he accepts the first Grammy of the evening.

cooby Feb 11 2007 08:16 PM

Not that I was watching (I'd rather walk barefoot through hot coals) but what is wrong with Target?

TheOldMole Feb 11 2007 08:19 PM

Tony Bennett can say anything.

Edgy DC Feb 11 2007 08:21 PM

cooby wrote: Not that I was watching (I'd rather walk barefoot through hot coals) but what is wrong with Target? Nothing. I'm sure they very kindly told him to get his money off the dresser and leave.

Johnny Dickshot Feb 11 2007 08:47 PM

Have the Cops arrived? Just tooned in...

Johnny Dickshot Feb 11 2007 08:51 PM

The preceeding post was Magical 6986 and nothing spectacular happened. Stevie Wonder intro-ing "3 talented individuals" and thought for sure, but no. The Grammys have been a joke for as long as I've lived.

Edgy DC Feb 11 2007 08:58 PM

The Police opened, shocking all mankind by performing "Roxanne." I tried to stick with it. I did. Two lifetime achievement awards were given to acts that weren't even invited to ascend the stage, much less perform. When did that extra level of nonsense start? As much as I can't stand the Grammies, I really can't stand R&B and that's what they're forcefeeding.

Frayed Knot Feb 11 2007 09:00 PM

Who started the rumor that Justin Timberlake is talented?

Frayed Knot Feb 11 2007 09:07 PM

Hey, check it out, Shakira's got an outfit with a bare midriff and is doing a hip-shaking dance! Whoda thunk it?

Carnac the Metnificent Feb 11 2007 10:09 PM

A: The Threee Stooges Q: Who is the only group NOT to receive a 'Lifetime' Grammy honor tonight?

Johnny Dickshot Feb 11 2007 10:37 PM

]"Roxanne." Were they any good? I'm a dream mark for these bands reunited scams. You might recall I almost paid money to see Paul Rodgers + Queen; same with The New Cars and their NYC shows were cancelled. Oh, and I've gone completely gay for Billy Squier all over again. Note how the tight while sweatpants and pink T-shirts weren't limited only to historically regrettable moments.

Frayed Knot Feb 11 2007 11:41 PM

]Were they any good? They were fine. They stylized it up a bit but, really, it's a fairly simple song and pretty tough to mess up. What I'm not quite sure of is why they were there. They've got no new material to support and were up and gone barely 3 minutes into the show, never to be heard from again. Considering that there were various reports that their rehersal sessions were so frosty that 'Don't Stand so Close to Me' should have been a theme song, I wonder what it was all worth to them. I generally never watch awards shows, but had this one on as background while I did other stuff and wound up seeing most of it even as I was paying only scant attention ... and now I remember why I don't watch. The whole thing seemed to be a directionless mess and it became pretty obvious that the winners - as well as which awards were presented live - were dependant on who was in attendance. The guest presenters (those outside the biz itself) tended to either those w/CBS TV shows or those on the politically correct side of the scale. Al Gore hanging with the Red Hot Chili Peppers boggles the brain cells. The Dixie Chicks walked away with (I believe) 7,653 trophies, leaving the remaining handful for Mary J. Blige.

Gwreck Feb 11 2007 11:51 PM

The Police started off strong, but then Sting started this improv bit where he messed with the tempo and started singing it slower. Then he got his electric shock from Miles (or whoever their manager is these days) reminding him that people want to hear the songs the same as on the record, rather than in new arrangements, and they returned to playing the "standard" version again. They're going to be the Fenway concerts this year. Don't know where in NYC yet though. Fingers crossed that it's not Giants.

Edgy DC Feb 12 2007 07:34 AM

It's not so much respecting the record, but the jazzy improvisations are tedious rather than swinging. Their great shows were filled with reggae improvs back in the day and peeps loved that. The reason they were there was no doubt to keep the buzz going until the launching of the limited engagement stadium tour Verizon presents The Police at $200 a pop. Copeland seems to have gotten with the program. Hamming it up like a rock star on verse one, he indulged Sting on verse two, whereas in the past he would have driven the tempo ahead harder to stop the Stinger), and by verse three everyone was happy. They were solid and cleaner than they were at the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, but, as said, it's a straightforward enough song, and it remains to be seen whether Sting still has the chops for, say, "Demolition Man."

sharpie Feb 12 2007 08:50 AM

The Police got like three minutes. Meanwhile, the "Tribute to Don Henley" lasted about an hour-and-a-half and those two John guys and the other girl also were on for like forever. Plus, two appearances by Justin Timberlake. Ridiculous show, but it has always been that way.

Edgy DC Feb 12 2007 09:11 AM

I kept trying to tune back in, I'd see ten seconds of something like Rascal Flats performing "Hotel California," and not only rush to turn it off, but searching desperately for a button that would erase it from my mind.

Willets Point Feb 12 2007 11:58 AM

Edgy DC wrote: I really can't stand R&B . At last the truth behind why Edgy DC was so dead set against Motown-style vocal groups participating in the BLC. It's his deep-seated hatred of R&B.

Edgy DC Feb 12 2007 12:31 PM

That's soul, though Billboard probably tracked it on the R&B charts. Motown isn't my shop (Stax is) but let's not confuse our subject here. The stuff that's on the R&B charts these days blows my mind. They're not songs so much as launching pads for the use and abuse of melismas (melismae?) I think this goes back to around 1991 when Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey scored big on Saturday Night Live with performances featuring liberal doses of melisma that would seem downright restrained today. The new standard became how much of that you could force into a vocal perforrmance and the actual song became beside the point. Watching such exhibitions is embarrassing to me. Like a species set loose in a new environment, its overbreeding has bolluxed up the whole music ecosystem, but its become dangerous for various reasons to criticize (1) something with roots in religion, (2) music that an ethnic group might identify as self-defining, and (3) something generating a lot of money --- but criticism is finally coming, long overdue. Here's NPR gingerly going at the subject. None of this is any criticism on the talent of these singers, but it's sad, because a whole generation of listeners and would-be performers has grown up thinking this is what a good vocal performance sounds like.

Johnny Dickshot Feb 12 2007 12:37 PM

I think it was Whitney, with the Star-Spangled Banner, at Superbowl XXVI.

Willets Point Feb 12 2007 01:07 PM

Jose Lima is known to sing with a Melissa.

Edgy DC Feb 12 2007 03:03 PM

That didn't take long. Reunited Police to start world tour in May February 12, 2007 Police to begin world tour in May in Vancouver, B.C. LOS ANGELES, California (Reuters) -- Reunited rock trio the Police said Monday they would launch a world tour in May, more than 20 years after frontman Sting angered his bandmates by leaving for a solo career. The group whetted fans' appetite for the expected trek on Sunday night, when they performed their breakthrough hit "Roxanne" at the opening of the Grammy Awards ceremony. Sting, 55, guitarist Andy Summers, 64, and drummer Stewart Copeland, 54, will kick off the tour May 28 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dates have so far been set for North America only; the band will play Europe in the autumn, and shows in Mexico, South America, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are also anticipated. Details were to be announced at a news conference at the famed Whisky A Go Go nightclub in West Hollywood where the Police will play a few songs. The Police ended their seven-year run following their 1984 world tour for the album "Synchronicity," which included the Grammy-winning song of the year "Every Breath You Take." Sting, the group's primary songwriter, who once described the Police as "a marriage of convenience," wanted more creative freedom. Summers and Copeland felt that the band should carry on, even though intra-band tension often led to fights. The Police played a handful of U.S. dates on the Amnesty International Conspiracy of Hope tour in 1986, and also played at Sting's wedding in 1992, and at their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2003. This year is shaping up as the year of rock reunions. Phil Collins has returned to British art-rock combo Genesis for a monthlong summer tour of Europe, while mercurial singer David Lee Roth is back with rock band Van Halen after a two-decade estrangement. Additionally, the Australian-New Zealand band Crowded House plans to end a 10-year hiatus once a replacement is found for late drummer Paul Hester.

Johnny Dickshot Feb 12 2007 03:10 PM

What is my reaction? What should it be?

Edgy DC Feb 12 2007 03:18 PM

Confronted by high-price Synchronicity.

seawolf17 Feb 12 2007 04:16 PM

Johnny Dickshot wrote: What is my reaction? What should it be? Probably astonishment that Sting is only 55, yet Andy Summers is 64. For what it's worth, they sounded good last night. I thought most of the performances sounded pretty good, actually, but I guess I'm in the minority.

Frayed Knot Feb 12 2007 04:55 PM

I didn't have a lot of problems with the quality of the performances - it's just that the whole thing seemed like a jumbled mess. - they make a big deal about the reunification of 'The Police' then have them appear for 3 minutes in the very beginning and then nothing ... and seemingly for no other reason than to jump-start their new world-wide 'We're in it for the Money' tour. - So after giving the Police 3 minutes, the trio of Mayer, Rae & Legend get about 10 - Several 'Lifetime Acheivement' awards were given out with no music accompanying them, no mention of why, and no word on whether the tributees were even in the building. - A musical tribute was given to the Eagles (again ... why them and why now?) and here there was a musical tribute, all for the one group that can still play for themselves So even if one liked the performances there just didn't seem to be a rhyme or reason to it all Oh, and btw, Dylan & Springsteen won awards but, because they weren't there to play or accept, those awards went both unpresented and unmentioned except for the occasional crawl underneath. But hey, at least we got 3 seperate appearances by Timberlake and his 'American Idol' like sing-off.

sharpie Feb 12 2007 05:38 PM

Dylan's Grammies: Best Contemporary Folk/Americana album for "Modern Times" (ridiculous category in general and truly ridiculous for this album, not a folk album at all) Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance for "Someday Baby" -- not one of the stronger tracks from "Modern Times" in my opinion (and his vocal in that song is nothing to speak of) Springsteen's Grammies: Best Traditional Folk Album for "The Seegar Sessions" -- OK, I guess. Unfamiliar with the competition. Best Long Form Music Video for "Wings For Wheels" documenting the UK "Born to Run" show (a 30 year old performance). Now, they generally wouldn't televise folk album categories nor music video categories. That left the Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance as one they might televise. But of course -- they are forbidden from knowing who won so maybe one of the other nominees would take it (though that didn't prevent them from televising the spoken-word category the year "It Takes a Village" won so that Hillary Clinton could go up there in primetime).

seawolf17 Feb 12 2007 07:48 PM

But hey, Wolfmother took home the Hard Rock award. I'm down with that. I agree 100% with your assessment, FK.

Gwreck Feb 12 2007 08:52 PM

Johnny Dickshot wrote: What is my reaction? What should it be? I used to have this theory, that every great band was entitled to one reunion tour, where they just go out and tour. No new record -- just shows, because they were once a great band. Put kids through college, build a financial legacy for your grandchildren, whatever. Some bands abuse the privilege: see: Who, The and Eagles, The.* So really, I have no problem with the Police reuniting just for the cash. I think the $225 top ticket price is absurd, but I'll probably buy a $90 ticket and see them at the Garden. I like the concerts-at-Fenway thing, and toyed with the idea of going there but there's not going to be a seat there I want to sit in or pay for, so MSG sounds like the winner. Will it be fun? Yes, I think so. Great? Maybe not, but I think this has the potential to be one of the better reunion tours in a while. Plus -- and this is the big one -- I never saw them live in the first place. * I don't mean to imply that the Eagles were ever "great." And even if they were, Henley, Frey, and Irving Azoff can still rot in hell.

Edgy DC Feb 12 2007 09:12 PM

I saw them live in the first place, and with no new material.... Still, I want to take Ms. Edgy who grew up in a classical only household with no interest in rock until she stumbled upon the Police and bought their whole catalog as a teenager about ten seconds after they stopped touring. She never saw them. Problem is, following them closely in the interim, she's come to think of them (at least Copeland and Stink) as world-class wankers.

Willets Point Feb 12 2007 09:45 PM

Gwreck wrote: * I don't mean to imply that the Eagles were ever "great." And even if they were, Henley, Frey, and Irving Azoff can still rot in hell. Best. Footnote. Ever.

Johnny Dickshot Feb 12 2007 09:54 PM

I saw the Cops Ghost in the Machine tour with the GoGos at MSG in 82? Had a good view of Stewart Copeland who had a whole cylander of drumsticks affixed to the side of his kit. He broke a stick in almost every song. Other than that I have to say it wasn't that memorable a show. The Gogos sounded terrible, I remember that. And the Cops did a long raggae jam during Bed's too Big IIRC.

Edgy DC Feb 12 2007 10:19 PM

Stewart spent the tour teaching the Go-Gos how to play. Go-Gos, 1981:

sharpie Feb 12 2007 10:42 PM

I saw them at the Amnesty International show with U2 and a buncha other bands at the Meadowlands. Not the best conditions to see anyone but this way I don't feel like I have to see this tour. I met Sting a couple of years ago when he was doing a rally-the-troops thing for his book. He shook my hand, we exchanged pleasantries.

Farmer Ted Feb 13 2007 03:13 PM

Saw the Police at the carrier Dome for Synchronicity. So-so show in that big place. Much rather see them at a smaller venue. I don't know a Dixie Chicks song from Rascall Flats. I know the hoopla about being a politically charged "vote". Are the grammys like the Oscars where industry insider decide who gets the award? Wouldn't it make sense to simply calculate records sold with a combination of tickets sold for concerts...or is that waht Billboard does?

Edgy DC Feb 13 2007 03:24 PM

My boss was celebrating their victory as a fuck-you to Bush at our staff meeting. I couldn't hold it in any longer. "Doesn't... mean... they don't... suck." "Did you say something, Edgy?" * * * * Am I the only one here who saw The Police at Shea where they should be seen? Joan Jett and the Blackhearts plus REM, yo.

HahnSolo Feb 13 2007 04:13 PM

] A musical tribute was given to the Eagles (again ... why them and why now?) and here there was a musical tribute, all for the one group that can still play for themselves As the resident Eagles apologist, I have two thoughts: - Yes, they can still play for themselves, but only when there's a big paycheck involved. Hell Freezes Over and other tours notwithstanding, I don't believe for a second that Henley and Frey, particularly Frey, can stand to be in each other's company. The only thing they seem to agree on is a somewhat irrational hatred for Don Felder. Timothy B. Schmit, however, will pick up on the first ring. - I thought the tribute was supposed to be a nod to their "country rock" roots. Then why have Rascal Flatts and Carrie Underwood (didn't notice this before, but, Schwing!) singing Life in the Fast Lane, poorly, I might add.

Edgy DC Feb 14 2007 12:56 PM

Ms Edgy: "The cheapest tickets at Fenway are $200?!?! No way I'm paying those bastards $200 to listen to them fuck up their music."