Ho Hum, Another Grammys Show-But There`s Jeff Beck`s Nessun Dorma!

The Grammys are coming up Sunday night. Ho hum! I`m indifferent to the event, but I will record it anyway. Maybe I`ll be surprised? I recorded the Super Bowl and have not played back any part of it, not even the commercials. The Black Eyed Peas did nothing for me. The sound mix was plagued with problems. I do see where producer T Bone Burnett will be honored at the Grammys. I can identify with that.

I looked over the categories and nominees this morning. Boy, lots of artists I`ve never even heard of. The only artist and song I could muster up much enthusiasm for, was Jeff Beck in the category of Best Pop Instrumental Performance. That would be for Nessun Dorma from his last album, Emotion & Commotion. The song is an instrumental version of Puccini`s famous tenor opera aria (Turandot).  *(If I fall asleep, at least I`ll have it recorded.)

Have the Grammys ever been a reflection of our times?

Well the Grammy Awards are coming up on Sunday. Big Deal! But I will still watch them anyway to see who wins. I just found this great piece by Jim DeRogatis that was just published in the Chicago Sun Times-Predicable Grammys reward star power. The Grammys have always taken a conservative (or reactionary) bent, going all the way back to their inception in 1958. Please read Jim`s piece, but he argues that the music awards were created by old stalwarts, like Frank Sinatra and Mitch Miller, to counter the surge of a new phenomenon, ROCK `N` ROLL.

Now that`s a bit of information that`s of some use to me. Hopefully, I will be able to trade out my old cable box on Saturday, for a newer box with the Digital Video Recorder feature. I`ve needed it badly for some time. Then I will be able to record the Grammys and capture Lady Gaga, who no doubt will be pulling a rabbit outta some crazy hat (literally) of hers.

Not that I`ll take the winners too seriously, but for Album of the Year I want the Dave Matthews Band to win (Big Whiskey & the Groogrux King). This year the Grammys can be reduced to three pop divas: Taylor Swift, Beyonce and Lady Gaga. Who do you love? I think it`s poppycock that only the ‘music elite’ looks down on the Grammys as passe!