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The Spectacle Blog
Here are some thoughts on the 54th Grammys.
As one could imagine Whitney Houston was on the minds of everyone involved in the proceedings. Host LL Cool J read a prayer for her and later in the show Jennifer Hudson sang a stirring rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”
Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt also paid tribute to the recently departed Etta James with their rendition of “A Sunday Kind of Love.”
Taylor Swift gave a well received performance for her song “Mean” but I would have preferred to hear more of The Civil Wars, the country-folk duo who introduced young Ms. Swift.
Tonight was a triumph for the British singer Adele who won six Grammys and made her first public performance since having surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital here in Boston to remove a benign pollop on her vocal cords. She sang her monster hit “Rolling in the Deep” to a warm and rapturous standing ovation.
The Beach Boys reunited with Brian Wilson and were joined by Maroon 5 and Foster the People. Wilson’s vocals seemed off but Mike Love kept it together on “Good Vibrations” and the audience was sharing in them.
I also enjoyed the tribute to Glen Campbell. The Band Perry, a trio with which I was heretofore unfamiliar, performed a wonderful version of “Gentle on My Mind” while Blake Shelton did justice to “Southern Nights” before Campbell sang “Rhinestone Cowboy.” While the effects of his Alzheimers is apparent, the man can still sing and I’m glad he’s going out on his own terms. I will be seeing him in concert when he comes to Boston next week.
Stevie Wonder made a surprise appearance. After paying tribute to Whitney Houston he played a few bars of “Love Me Do” on harmonica before introducing Paul McCartney. The former Beatle sang “My Valentine”, a Cole Porter like tune from his newly released album Kisses on the Bottom. Accompanying Sir Paul was former Eagle Joe Walsh on guitar and Diana Krall on piano.
McCartney returned at the end of the show to perform a portion of the classic Medley from Abbey Road - “Golden Slumbers”, “Carry That Weight” and “The End” with a little guitar help from Walsh, Bruce Springsteen and Dave Grohl of The Foo Fighters.
And in the end I am left with a question. We are still singing Beatles, Beach Boys and Glen Campbell songs nearly half a century after they were first recorded. Will we be still be “Rolling in the Deep” a half century from now?
View all comments (15) | Leave a comment
More Blog Posts by Aaron Goldstein
http://spectator.org/blog/2012/02/13/thoughts-on-the-54th-grammys
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zombyboy | 2.13.12 @ 12:55AM
I didn't watch, but was that supposed to be "Foster the People?" They do the song "Pumped Up Kicks."
Not familiar with Fisher the People.
The Civil Wars are quite good. Generally, none of the music I listen to wins awards (Mark Lanegan's "Blues Funeral" is taking up most of my time right now), so the awards shows don't appeal to me. I'm glad to hear that they gave Glen Campbell a great chance to, as you said, go "out on his own terms."
Aaron Goldstein| 2.13.12 @ 8:15AM
I stand corrected. All fixed up.
rssg| 2.13.12 @ 6:16AM
Aaron - it's not Perry, it's The Band Perry - a young, blonde sister and her two brothers. They are from the south, either Missisippis or Georgia I believe. They have made one album, quite good, a bit "youngish" but heck, they are young.
Aaron Goldstein| 2.13.12 @ 8:17AM
I stand corrected again. All fixed up.
It's what I get for blogging at midnight.
rssg| 2.13.12 @ 6:37AM
Aaron (and everyone). For a taste of The Band Perry, please see this video of their biggest hit song, written by sister Kimberly. Kind of makes a joke of the so called 'brainy elites" in NYC, Boston, Hollywood, etc. A "southern" girl and her two brothers produced this? Classy and thought provoking......
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....ure=relmfu
Aaron Goldstein| 2.13.12 @ 8:26AM
Thank you for sharing that with us. Both the song and its video are full of lyrical imagery.
rssg| 2.13.12 @ 1:51PM
Yes, the song "If I Die Young" and it's companion video are both very well done. The song was written by singer Kimberly Perry.
teflon93| 2.13.12 @ 7:34AM
"And in the end I am left with a question. We are still singing Beatles, Beach Boys and Glen Campbell songs nearly half a century after they were first recorded. Will we be still be "Rolling in the Deep" a half century from now?"
No, because the Baby Boomers were too selfish to have enough children to ensure a subsequent generation of tastemakers.
We are stuck with whomever the Boomers worship until they---or we---are dead.
former Republican| 2.13.12 @ 8:04AM
Always wondered who watches these Grammy shows.
Indy| 2.13.12 @ 8:06AM
I usually never watch the Grammys but this time I did to see how they would pay a tribute to Whitney Houston. Opening with a prayer, what a sight to see with so many entertainers bowing their heads while a rapper said a prayer, it gives me hope for our country.
I also thought Jennifer Hudson did an amazing job, it had to be difficult to get through it. I think she is the only one who could have pulled that off.
The standing O Adele received was deserved, her recovery has been remarkable, I had wondered if her vocal cords would fully recover.
Glen Campbell was inspirational for anyone who has a family member battling Alzheimer's, how cool to see Paul McCartney singing Rhinestone Cowboy along with others in the audience. Glen was having a great time on stage, not bad for 75 years old.
WL| 2.13.12 @ 9:22AM
99% of those people hate us, would spit on us if they had a chance, and serve as useful idiots for the Extreme left.
I don't watch the awards shows where they honor themselves.
It makes me sick.
Bob Grant| 2.13.12 @ 10:06AM
Case in point: While Whitney was assuming room temperature in the bathtub of her hotel room, daughter out of her mind, and the surrounding area roped off like a crime scene, the party she was scheduled to attend four floors below was in full force; music blaring, drinks and food aplenty.
Of course they would tell you Whitney would have wanted it this way and maybe so but is this the way normal, decent people act when one of their own has just passed away, especially in such close vicinity? ......I hope not!!
chuck| 2.13.12 @ 10:51AM
Not surprising, though. To the celebs, everything is about them, and their lives, and their fun, so why let the death of one of their druggie friends ruin the party?
And I mean no disrespect for WH. It is such a waste. The celebrity culture is so destructive.
RIP Whitney
Bill| 2.13.12 @ 2:18PM
I love Adelle, the British Queen ruled. I cried for my baby, Lady Gaga. Katie Perry, Taylor Swift, Lady antebellum, the sexy, talented, beauty, just amazed me.
I ain't like no man.
Paul McGrath| 2.13.12 @ 7:02PM
Aaron: Thank you for identifying the duo who introduced Taylor Swift as the Civil Wars. They were the only interesting musical act of the evening, or at least before I fell asleep. I will look them up!