The Grammys 2012

   Let's review - Adele cleaned up at the 2012 Grammys. Why? Perhaps best put by Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters - the music needs to come from your heart and your head. Adele - no glitz, no glammer, no fire and flaspots, no strings hanging from the ceiling, no weird and wild costumes, no humping by scantily clad gyrating dancers - just melodic thoughtful lyrics sung with feeling and a genuinely gifted voice - heart and head. Not only is she talented, but she is genuine - the real deal. She accepts her award for Best Album and announces to millions of viewers that she has some snot coming out of her nose. I am so delighted that she won, not just because of her music, but because of her honesty. She hasn't been diverted by the junk fame piles onto musicians. She was in love, got her heart broken and sang the story - without all the eye candy diversions.
   Some of the other winners that never even made it to the telecast were: Jazz Instrumental Album: “Forever,” Corea, Clark & White, Improvised Jazz Solo: “500 Miles High,” Chick Corea. You would think one performance by Chick Corea rather than two dancing skits by Chris Brown. If jazz was too complicated for the average listener perhaps these winners would have offered a little more variety to the stage: Reggae Album: “Revelation Pt. 1: The Root of Life,” Stephen Marley, or Pop Instrumental Album: “The Road From Memphis,” Booker T. Jones, or Blues Album: “Revelator,” Tedeschi Trucks Band. It would seem the fans, who obviously bought a boat load of albums by Adele, are more sophisticated in their appreciation of the art of music than the producers of the television event. Hopefully, the Grammy producers of the 2013 event will demand that all artists perform live - even if they have to dance a lot. Rihanna, Chris Brown used to date -  perhaps they also shared a lip-syncing coach. But the best lip-syncing goes to Taylor Swift who sings a sing where she complains nobody sings live anymore - not too swift if you ask me. Adele made it about the music again - not the red carpet poses in gowns missing material; not the outfits no escort would be caught in a motel lounge in; not the Crayola colored hair; but the MUSIC!
   I thought Bruno Mars showed that he is loaded with talent and is up and coming even though he is already there. He would have made James Brown proud. The harmonies of The Civil Wars (strange name) were spot on and should have lasted longer than the look-at-me performance offered by Swift. Jennifer Hudson's tribute to Whitney Houston was masterful, emotional and a true compliment to popular hit by Houston. Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson were good vocally, but lacked chemistry, as did Tony Bennet and Carrie Underwood. Sir Paul McCartney showed he can still write great love songs and can still rock the house with the closing performance. His choice of Joe Walsh on acoustic gutiar was smart, given Eric Clapton performs on the record. Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt were first rate, both showing thier vocal talent and feel for a good song. Katy Perry seemed to want to show she could be a welter-weight, lip-syncing Lady Gaga. The Beach Boys' harmonies were fabulous, but I thibk there were quite a few more singers than original members, and Brian Wilson dropped the end of a verse early - but they have been around so long most of the Staples Center crowd wasn't born when they had their first hit.
   Nicki Minaj - what can I say? - a failed attempt at theatrics and anti-catholic exorcist crap with no end game. I was confused by The Boss' opening song "We Take Care of Our Own." It was, I thought, a sequal to "Born in the USA" but I didn't get it. Now that I have looked at the lyrics, I see that he was not talking about government coming to the aid of those in need - the reference to the flag is what threw me - but I see he was referring to people taking care of one another. Now I can't wait for some politico to adopt the song as their theme at their rallies. Break out the lawyers, Bruce.
   That's about all I call recall from the 2012 Grammys. Perhaps next year I'll have wine instead of Buffalo wings - lots of wine.
  RIP Whitney Houston, Etta James and the myriad talent lost, but not forgotten!



Peace - Ho'oponopono . . .