The biggest surprise of the night at the Grammy's was the 'Album of the Year' award going to Herbie Hancock. Hancock, a great musician who specializes in jazz music, has won many Grammy's but none this big. But there's a bigger story here besides Herbie and that's the artist who supplied all the music and lyrics for the album, an artist who I've always been partial to - Joni Mitchell. "River: The Joni Letters" is a collection of Joni Mitchell's music and lyrics, featuring among others, Norah Jones, Tina Turner, Corinne Bailey Rae and Leonard Cohen. Not only does Hancock get the artists interpretation of the music, he also dissects the lyrics. Esoteric? You bet. But what a brilliant concept: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y8kZeJRvjM ...
Grammy Awards are a strange animal. The criteria for the awards is not based on sales but artistic value and excellence in music in the judgement of those of the Recording Academy who do the voting. It's as much a judgement call as fair or foul, safe or out, ball or strike. For 50 years Grammy Awards have been questioned and unless they change the gound rules, they'll be questioned for 50 more. If you win, it was the right call. If you lose, you got it - it's wrong...
This is a case where we all win. An album I was barely familiar with will now be the first new one I buy...
10 Timeline Memories:
- 1960] I kid you not: Jack Paar walks off "The Tonight Show" over network censorship when they cut a joke about a 'water closet' claiming it was in poor taste. Paar storms off the set in tears and won't return for a month: http://youtube.com/watch?v=K7hckyYvNYE ...
- 1965] Wedding Bells: Ringo Starr and Maureen Cox rock down the aisle. The Beatle and Beatle-ette will divorce in 1975...
- 1968] Adding MSG: The new Madison Square Garden officially opens. The 4th Garden holds nearly 20,000 and celebrates its 40th anniversary today...
- 1979] Ayatollyahso: Followers of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini seize power in Iran 9 days after the religious leader returns after 15 years of exile...
- 1982] It's blowin' in the Winds: ABC-TVs presentation of "The Winds of War" concludes. The 18-hour miniseries cost $40 million to produce but is the most watched TV program in history at the time and here's the show open: http://youtube.com/watch?v=oxYy3RyhQPA ...
- 1990] Free at last: South African activist Nelson Mandela is freed after 27 years in prison...
- 1990] Busted: James "Buster" Douglas beats the unbeatable Mike Tyson by a KO to win the heavyweight crown in a shocker in Tokyo. Here's the 10th round: http://youtube.com/watch?v=LyELOj00xIg ...
- 2002] Not Nyet: Canadian pairs couple, David Pelletier and Jamie Sale are robbed of a gold medal when a French judge tries to fix the event in favor of the Russian team at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. The judge is overturned and gold is awarded to the now married Canadians...
- 2006] Did you forget to duck?: VP Dick Cheney accidentally shoots and wounds a companion during a weekend quail-hunting trip to Texas. Here's a recreation of the shooting: http://youtube.com/watch?v=pR7CH9zvD6s ...
- 2007] Grammy Gold: The Dixie Chicks dominate the 2007 Grammy's by winning 5 awards including 'Record' and 'Song' of the year. Mary J. Blige and Carrie Underwood are also winners...
Music Memories:
- 1964] A Fab Four-um: The Beatles play their 1st U.S. concert at the Washington (DC) Coliseum. Opening are The Chiffons and Tommy Roe with 8,600 screaming their brains out...
- 1966] Recorded on this date: "Bang Bang" - Cher...
Commentary:
I'm listening to the new rhythm station in New York as we speak even though the FM dial starts at 88 on all my radios. It's 'The New Pulse 87' on 87.7 FM. It is all urban rhythm and direct competition to all the urbans here. According to David Hinckley of the New York Daily News, Joel Salkowitz is involved in the programming. Joel comes from a background of previously programming so-called 'rhythm' stations in New York... A couple of sad notes to mention. For 20 years, he provided entertainment at Shea Stadium with his signs. The former commercial artist was a fixture at Mets games with his signature derby and signs such as "Jose, Can you See?", "It's Alive" and "Amazing" but his best sign was the one he held up when the Mets won the World Series in 1969: "There Are No Words." Karl Ehrhardt a.k.a. "The Sign Man", passed away at 83 over the weekend after having recent surgery..."Happy Trails" to Karl and also to veteran actor, Roy Scheider who will forever be known for his role in "Jaws". Scheider, who had a history of multiple myeloma, died yesterday at 75...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Kelly Rowland (27), Brandy (Norwood) (29), Jennifer Aniston (39), Sheryl Crow (46) seen here with Kid Rock on 'Picture': http://youtube.com/watch?v=7kskFvErnVQ , Jeb Bush (55), Gerry Goffin (69), Burt Reynolds (72), Tina Louise (74): http://youtube.com/watch?v=ROjOQBL8B6k&feature=related , Larry Merchant (77) and Leslie Nielsen (82)...
Timeline Countdown: 3 days until pitchers & catchers report voluntarily, 39 days until spring begins and 44 days until opening day...
