Born in December 1943, Keith Richards had no idea the levels he would reach. As a founding member of The Rolling Stones and with fourteen songs listed by Rolling Stone magazine among the 500 greatest songs of all time, Richards has really gotten the ball rolling…or perhaps a stone would be more appropriate (it’s a corny joke…deal with it). Keith Richards began with his first electric guitar: a hollow-body Hofner cutaway. Over time, and many drugs later, Keith has become one of the most respected guitarists around. Inspired by Chuck Berry, Richards developed a style that interweaved lead and rhythm guitar. Although Richards has done amazing things with the electric guitar, he has always favored the acoustic, claiming you “lose that touch” with an electric. He has also dappled in bass playing, drumming, and keyboard playing, which have been heard on Rolling Stones studio recordings. Due to his amazing song writing, creativity, and emotionally proficient guitar playing, Keith Richards finds himself at #25 on this list. Check out this video…with Keith Richards doing his thing…I probably would have sympathy for the Devil.
Who else found it absolutely hilarious that the end of the Oscars was so clearly rushed. Tom Hanks practically ran to the microphone to announce the winner of the award for best picture. This was not Hanks being quirky. The show was running out of time. The nightly news and documentation of the after party had to be salvaged. I felt like I was watching Ryan Seacrest attempt to end American Idol on time.
Yeah, kind of like this
But, it was the Oscars. It was the annual award ceremony that means so much to so many. “The Hurt Locker,” a film that profiles Staff Sgt. William James and his dangerous military job of bomb defusing, took home the best picture prize. Hanks didn’t even have time to read the 10 movie nominee list.
But, here at the Music Court, we were only focused on two awards. Who would win best original score and best original song? I had my pre-show favorites written down and, wouldn’t you know it, I was correct on both of my predictions.
Original Score
Winner: “Up” by Michael Giacchino
My Thoughts: Great choice. The nominees for this year’s award were strong but this was the clear choice. Giacchino’s score narrates the animated film. “Up” is a beautiful tale that lives by a touching moral. At times when it seems that all hope is lost, a plump and adventurous child can take you out of your comfort zone and show you what it means to love again. And, the music that takes us on a soaring, balloon assisted journey is proof of this moral. “Married Life,” the third track on the “Up” soundtrack, acts like a good story. There is no dialogue in the scene it is played over. We only get the moving, cartoon image of a couple growing old together. This ends in the wife’s death. The score provides us with a single hook that is played at different speeds throughout the piece. This acts as a powerful narration. The song is inspiring and emotional. It is perfect for this movie and is one of the main reasons why Michael Giacchino won the Oscar for best original score.
Winner: “The Weary Kind” by Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett from the movie “Crazy Heart”
Congrats to Jeff Bridges for finally winning an Oscar (BTW)
My Thoughts:
The obvious choice. The country tune is tender and real. A plucked acoustic guitar acts as a rhythm background to light strings and a heavy bass and drum. Ryan Bingham’s voice screams Springsteen in a tender and genuine way. The song feels like a Springsteen tune. But, Bingham puts his own spin on the song to separate himself from others. The lyric is truthful and the song is warm and cozy like a Zebra Snuggie. Yeah, I couldn’t help myself. I needed to make some odd comparison. But, in all seriousness, the song deserved the honor and I am glad that it won.
