The Grammy Bastardization – The Modern Music Conundrum

3 Dec

More Like the Overly Conventional Yawn Awards

Excuse my horrendous photo editing, but, I believe it gets the point across quite nicely. The 53rd Grammy Awards will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 13, 2011, and I could not be less excited. Seriously, over the last few years we have seen the Grammys honor bad musicians with awards they did not deserve. And, there has been no other category that has been more debased, defiled and debilitated, than the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. The scariest part is this bastardization has just been over the last couple of years.

Last year, this once prestigious award was given to Taylor Swift for her album “Fearless,” which is washed down, mainstream garbage. To take a page out of Kanye West’s “get drunk and make a fool out of yourself” playbook, Swift’s album was child-like and not as good as several other options. I don’t beat around the bush Kanye. I just say it. The album sucked.

I'm sorry for interrupting you, but, you and Taylor Swift both play to the same manipulated audience of young kids who do not know good music from bad. And, sorry, but you are both bad

So, with a chance to redeem themselves, the Grammy Nomination Committee, which I presume looks something like this:

The Grammy Committee put together a nominations list that includes albums by Eminem, Lady Antebellum, Lady Gaga and Kady Perry. So, we all cross our fingers and hold out hope for the last choice The Suburbs by Arcade Fire to pull off a win. It’s always terrible when you have to hold out hope for the talent to win. That’s when you know there is an issue. So, why, Grammy Committee, why? There was so much more talent out there. This morning, I delved into the depths of my mind to think of what has happened here. Before I get into my correct nominations for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year, I want to talk a little about a burgeoning issue that is sprouting in our ever-changing music world. How about a little side-by-side comparison

In 1968, this is who won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year:

In 2010, this is an artist who is nominated for the same award:

It is almost nonsensical. The reason it is so funny is because any comparison made would be so out of place and utterly wrong. The fact that I am even including both of these songs in the same post upsets me terribly. So, what the heck has happened? Is it that the Grammy Awards are simply screwing up, or is the music just that bad. I think it is both.

I have noticed a rising trend, especially in the award nominations this year.

Here is some official nominations from the Albums of the Year award.

Katy Perry
Snoop Dogg, featured artist; Ammo, Benny Blanco, Dr. Luke, Kuk Harrell, Max Martin, Stargate, C. “Tricky” Stewart, Sandy Vee & Greg Wells, producers; Steve Churchyard, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Serban Ghenea, John Hanes, Sam Holland, Jaycen-Joshua, Damien Lewis, Chris O’Ryan, Carlos Oyanedel, Paris, Phil Tan, Brain Thomas, Lewis Tozour, Miles Walker, Emily Wright & Andrew Wuepper
And, from Lady Gaga’s “The Fame Monster:”
Lady Gaga
Beyoncé, featured artist; Ron Fair, Fernando Garibay, Tal Herzberg, Rodney Jerkins, Lady Gaga, RedOne, Teddy Riley & Space Cowboy, producers; Eelco Bakker, Christian Delano, Mike Donaldson, Paul Foley, Tal Herzberg, Rodney Jenkins, Hisashi Mizoguchi, Robert Orton, Dan Parry, Jack Joseph Puig, RedOne, Teddy Riley, Dave Russel, Johnny Severin, Space Cowboy, Mark Stent, Jonas Wetling & Frank Wolff
Trust me, it is the same with Eminem.

This is how Lady Gaga or Kady Perry's album should look...All of the supporting musicians should get a spot

And, while it may look like the Beatles have a lot of people on their famous album cover, it is just other famous people. Their nomination went like this:
The Beatles (Producer George Martin). And, that’s it.

And this is why they sold 2 million songs in one week on iTunes

The rising trend of hundreds of featured musicians has completely destroyed the concept of bands. The term itself has been played with. Simon and Garfunkel won a Grammy for Album of the Year in 1971 with “Bridge of Troubled Water.” It was just them. They were the band. No featured musicians. No supporting cast. What has happened to bands. Well, they still do exist, but just not in the spotlight of most media attention. The majority of today’s music is solo artists with a marketable name who barely even create their music at all. The supporting cast of around 100 musicians act almost as those people you read in movie credits. You will never know their name but they are behind the scenes making it all go. So, next time you listen to Kady Perry, just keep in mind that there are a lot of people creating that music…not just her. So, shouldn’t the Album of the Year go to bands or musicians that put in work and actually deserve the title? I would think so. But, why does the Grammy selection committee refuse to give credit to these exceptional bands that release very good albums? Well, it is a product of mainstream musics takeover of the industry. Now, I understand. Music is struggling. Live acts like Lady Gaga produce so much revenue that you must immerse the populace with their name so you can produce cash. But, at what cost. Are you not jeopardizing those who make good music? The question is purely rhetorical. I don’t know the answer. Any which way, he would be my list of Albums of the Year. I do not include Arcade Fire because they were nominated by the Grammy committee. Bolded is my choice for album of the year.
 

    – Josh Ritter: So Runs the World Away
     

    – Blitzen Trapper: Destroyer of the Void

     

    The Tallest Man on Earth: The Wild Hunt

     

    Band of Horses: Infinite Arms


    Mumford & Sons: Sigh No More

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Hanukkah…And All That Jazz

1 Dec

Why? Because it is incredibly cute. This is what Hanukkah is all about.

 

I’m Jewish. Perhaps the most consistent question I am asked in regards to Hannukah is: How the heck do you spell it?

Hanukkah. Spell it like that. The Chanukah spelling is the Romanized version. Or, better yet, just spell it like this:

The Festival of Lights.

See how much clearer and English that is. Yes, most people’s knowledge of Hanukkah is limited to Adam Sandler‘s Hanukkah description. “Instead of one day of presents, we get eight crazy nights.”

And, that’s about it. Just kidding. Hanukkah celebrates the exceptional burning of candles for eight night. That’s right, the candles burned for eight days. What many people do not know is that Hanukkah has some serious historical undertones. Well, religious history. Here is the very, very, very condensed, one sentence version.

Jews outlawed, fight and than re-dedicate temple (Hanukkah comes from the Hebrew verb to dedicate). Do you want something a little more detailed? Check this out: http://www.theholidayspot.com/hanukkah/history.htm

Now, what do people generally think of when you say Hanukkah. Dreidels come up, or, that spinning top thing with the weird letters on each side. Or, this:

This is just too funny

And, what’s better than some jazzy swingin’ dreidel.

Kenny Ellis is a jazz/big-band performer who makes Hanukkah songs, like the one above. This Philadelphia native makes some pretty awesome Hanukkah hits, and while you light the first candle, eat some latkas and spin the dreidel tonight…enjoy this unconventional dreidel song. And, if you are not Jewish, you still have a little time until Christmas or Kwanzaa, so celebrate with us!

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A New Look to the Classic Court Links

30 Nov

I like revamping old-school blog entries just for the sake of wanting change. Today, I sat a row closer to the front of my English classroom just for a change and most of those who usually sit around me, followed me and adjusted to my change. Those who generally sit next to me in the fourth row sat with me in the third row. And, those who sit a row in front of me in row three sat in row two. Seriously, people are creature’s of habit and are susceptible to being tricked. So, hopefully this slight change to court links won’t freak you out so much. Don’t worry, I am not going to trick you. Court Links will be split into three sections tonight (Random Video, What Did You Say and Awesome Link)

We start with:

What Did You Say?:

Headline: Abba star loses bankruptcy dispute with Buddhist Monk

Link: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/sweden/8162864/Abba-star-loses-bankruptcy-dispute-with-Buddhist-monk.html

Well, I guess I won’t be taking a chance on her. Here is what I have been able to gather from this odd story. Former Abba-er Anni-Frid Reuss brought a bankruptcy order, which is an order issued by the court as a result of a petition for bankruptcy by either a creditor or a debtor in order to declare an individual bankrupt, against her former Buddhist teacher. Alright, so we are clear. No. Well, trust me I shook my head also. Well her, and her boyfriend Henry Smith, lost the dispute. But, have no fear, the lifestyle of this particular member of the rich and famous is not changing anytime soon. The 4.5 million euros she lost is mere pocket change. She is worth somewhere around 100 million euros. Moral of the story. Don’t sue monks. They have super powers. (Disclaimer…In no way does the Music Court support the claim that monks actually have super powers).

Random Video

We are going to stick with Abba, because, why not? Here is a really nice acoustic instrumental of “Dancing Queen.” Just because you know enough words to sing along does not make you a loser!

Awesome Link

Rolling Stone Magazine has been running this amazing playlist special where they ask famous musicians to pick their personal top 10. May I present to you Art Garfunkel‘s Top 10

http://rollingstoneextras.com/playlists/view/art-garfunkel

“Killer Joe” by the Rocky Fellers. Wow, that is an obscure early 60s rock band made up of children. Yes, they were all kids. This was one of those bands that will never be remembered because they were overtaken by the British invasion. They were talented. “Killer Joe,” by Bert Russell and Bob Elgin, reached #16 on the charts in 1963. This band of Filipino brothers also possess a very interesting fun fact.

Did you know that in 1963, the Fellers recorded “Santa, Santa,” a Christmas song written by a 22-year-old, unknown Neil Diamond.

Here is “Killer Joe”

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Heading Back Up To Binghamton – Going Up The Country

28 Nov

Oh do I love the 4-hour drive to Binghamton…and the 2-hour round-trip to Cornell and back to Binghamton. No, seriously, I really do not mind it. While some would scoff at the long drive and complain, I welcome it. It is not hard to put my foot on the gas for an extended period of time, especially when I have good company and an iPod jam-packed with music on shuffle. Now, it is not my favorite thing in the world. But, it’s not too bad.

In what has become a semi-tradition here at the Music Court, I always preface my trip up north with Canned Heat‘s “Going Up the Country,” which unofficially became the anthem of Woodstock and has now become good luck for my ride up to school.

Did you know that multi-instrumentalist Jim Horn played a large flute part in the song? Horn played flute and saxophone on The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds and solo albums by three members of the Beatles.

Enjoy!

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What to Expect During Macy’ Thanksgiving Day Parade (in 9 hours)

25 Nov

There is nothing quite like kicking off a day of joyous gluttony by watching oversized balloons and elaborate floats carefully navigate their way through the streets of New York City. Yes, you clumsily fall out of bed at around 10 a.m. and turn on the television to see that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, practically unchanged since when you were younger, is well into its broadcast. It is still basically the same concept. That is some of the joy of Thanksgiving. While family does change, every year you get together with them to share…well…food. But, we are a culture of eating. It’s natural. The meaning of Thanksgiving is far simpler than the deep message of unity. It is a good excuse to eat a lot of food with people you love and celebrate eating a lot of food with the people you love. Ah, what a great holiday.

Oh, yeah. There is also the pilgrims and natives. But, there is no need to delve into puritanism. Let’s just eat.

Before the feast, families often eat some breakfast while the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade provides a proper background of performances and musical acts. So, what music can you expect tomorrow while you watch the parade (9 a.m.-12 p.m.).

There will be performances by Kanye West, Jessica Simpson. You know what? Forget about the long list of names. Here are some musicians that you will see that are worth turning up the volume to listen to.

Gladys Knight should be fun. Arlo Guthrie will be performing and Thanksgiving would really be empty without 17 minutes of the broadcast devoted to him singing about Alice’s Restaurant. Okay, while that is not going to happen, Alice’s Restaurant is Thanksgiving. Eric Hutchinson will play. His “Rock n’ Roll” and “Okay, It’s Alright With Me” are great. Yeah, that’s about it. There are a lot of other performers, but, out of the stock of musicians these three are my highlights.

Since I am sure you will be bored tomorrow waiting for the feast to commence, here is Arlo Guthrie. Enjoy this masterpiece of story telling and humor. It all started on Thanksgiving.

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