Archive | February, 2012

My thoughts on the GRAMMYs

13 Feb

Ah the GRAMMYs, for one night to have all that talent in one room.  I have to say, I did like LL Cool J hosting the awards show, he brought a nice touch to them and did a nice job paying respect to Whitney Houston (as did everyone else).  But as much as I love seeing the performances, I have to ask, what happened to all the awards?  I feel like there were maybe 10 awards presented on TV and every time someone was introduced it was like “with two new GRAMMYs tonight….,” okay but what did they win for? Want the full list, click here.

Also I have to say I was not a fan of so many musicians getting multiple performances at the awards.  I get it, they crossover to different genres but there are plenty of musicians who made an impact in the last year of music who could have also had the grand stage to perform.

Enough rant, on to the performances.

  • Bruce Springsteen – “We Take Care of Our Own” – loved the string section, and The Boss looked super calmed, relaxed and what a great way to start off the GRAMMYs.  I really do love this song, it sounds like the gold old. Springsteen.   Loved seeing Paul McCartney and Chris Martin singing along too.
  • Touching tribute to start the GRAMMYs by LL Cool J
  • Bruno Mars – Huge fan of his music and his appearance on the big stage confirmed it once again, he’s an electric personality and helping to bring back a style of music that has been missing from the mainstream attention.  You couldn’t not be tapping your foot or clapping your hands during this performance.
  •  Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt – “Sunday Kind of Love” I could have listened to that for days, amazing voices.
  •  Chris Brown – The stage setup reminded me of Qbert, he keeps pushing to overtake Usher.
  •  Man, Kanye wins a GRAMMY and not present, go figure! Well we got once less random rant
  •  Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson – If country is your thing…..
  •  Foo Fighters – As expected, a rocking performance.
  •  Coldplay and Rihanna – I thought Rihanna did a great job and I loved the way the Staples Center looked during “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall.”  I use to only like the remixed versions of that song and now I just love the original.
  •  Maroon5, Foster The People, Beach Boys – Who doesn’t love the Beach Boys?  But I don’t know if it was just me but I was underwhelmed with this performance.  I guess I was just expecting more and to be blown away. Plus all I kept thinking when I look at Mark Foster was commercial jingles.
  • Paul McCartney, Diana Krall, Joe Walsh – One word, Beautiful.
  • The Civil Wars – So proud they got to perform at the GRAMMYs just wish they gave them more air time. At least two GRAMMY wins substantiates why they deserve this.
  • Taylor Swift – Great job.  My favorite thing about Taylor Swift is she gets so amazed at the crowd reception of her performances. Crazy to think we have basically watched her grow up through these award shows.  I can’t wait for ten years from now and what she’s singing about.
  • Katy Perry – um no
  • Adele – She makes it look so easy and effortless.  I love the confidence she showed on that stage and if you weren’t a believer before, you sure must be now. And wow what a reception from the crowd.
  • Derek Trucks sighting!
  • Glen Campbell, The Band Perry and Blake Shelton – who doesn’t like Rhinestone Cowboy! As a non knowing Country music person, I wonder if The Band Perry are going to be the next big thing.
  • Nicki Minaj – next please
  • David Guetta, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne + Foo Fighters and Deadmau5 – I was really disappointed in how this appeared on TV, personally I think it was not as big, flashy and what it could have been on the biggest stage to date for EDM.
  • Tony Bennett and Carrie Underwood – just another day at the office for the legend.
  • Jennifer Hudson – For real?  That was incredible.
  • Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, Joe Walsh, Dave Grohl– how can you not love seeing these legends just jamming to close out the awards.

R.I.P.

11 Feb

Trying to guess the Bonnaroo 2012 lineup (well at least some of the artists)

11 Feb

Naturally my excitement is hitting a peak in anticipation of the lineup for Bonnaroo XI being announced next week.

I keep debating, who, who are they going to book since Bonnaroo tends to differ from the other festival line-ups.  So here’s my best guess at some.

Let’s start with the headliners: At first I was thinking Red Hot Chili Peppers were an option but now that they are headlining the Hangout Festival I doubt this will happen but you never know.  It may be time to bring DMB back but again, they are also headlining Hangout and I just don’t see it happening.  Radiohead seems to be an obvious consideration and maybe I’m the only one but another I just don’t see happening.  More realistic at this point would be a Phish, the Police or Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Jay-Z and Kanye (I know, the Kanye late late show….).

Some artists that have been quasi radio silent who could be good fits as top billing acts: Phoenix, Jack Johnson and dare I even try to imagine the return of Outkast, The Killers.

More thoughts:  Mumford & Sons (again), Dispatch, The Eagles, Lenny Kravitz, The Roots, Drake, Lupe Fiasco, Zac Brown Band, Allen Stone, Clement Marfo & The Frontline, The Avett Brothers, John Butler Trio, The Civil Wars, GROUPLOVE, Little Hurricane, Alabama Shakes, Ryan Adams, Donavon Frankenreiter, Middle Brother, Paul Simon, Jimmy, Cliff, Steve Winwood, Young The Giant, Foster The People, Frank Turner, U.S. Royalty, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Raphael Saadiq, Mariachi El Bronx, Of Monsters & Men, Lana Del Rey, Bon Iver, Bruno Mars, Dawes, Diamond Rugs, GIVERS, OK Go, Graffiti6, Robert Randolph, Mac Miller, Cage The Elephant, Gary Clark Jr., Walk The Moon, The Belle Brigade, We Are Augustines, AraabMuzik, Bahamas, Gardens & Villas, Here We Go Magic, White Denim, White Lies, Ruby Coast, Tennis, Ingrid Michaelson, Two Door Cinema Club, Galactic, Trombone Shorty, Matt & Kim, Christina Perri, fun., Eric Hutchinson, The Gaslight Anthem, Brett Dennen, Delta Spirit, ALO, The Big Pink, Laura Marling, WU LYF, Wolf Gang, James Morrison, Chali2na, Vintage Trouble, Noah and the Whale, The Vaccines, Tallahassee, IAMDYNAMITE, Janelle Monae, The Lumineers , Avalanche City, Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Blackalicious, Blitzen Trapper, honeyhoney, Kaiser Chiefs, The War on Drugs, Kids These Days, Girls

DJs/Electro(nic): Justice, M83, Miike Snow, Steve Aoki, Madeon, RAC, Rye Rye, Super Mash Brothers

Bonnaroo Clues Solved (from the message board): Fruit Bats, tUnE yArDs, Battles, Mogwai

Chances are I’m not even close but it would be nice to see a bunch of the above at Bonnaroo.  Excited to let the countdown begin!  Get ready!

My Thoughts on the Hangout Music Festival Line-up

10 Feb

Pretty powerful line-up at the Hangout Music Festival, May 18-20, on Alabama’s Gulf Shores.

Jack White, Dave Matthews Band and Red Hot Chili Peppers are a solid trio of headliners that highlight three days of solid music.

A look at some of the other initial acts announced:

Wilco – will be rocking in support of their new album

String Cheese Incident – never met a SCI show I didn’t like

The Flaming Lips – performing Pink Flyod’s Dark Side of the Moon

Chris Cornell – solid choice

Dispatch – ah a year back together and in comes the festivals again! So exciting!

Steve Winwood – now this will be a fun performance

Allen Stone – everybody needs a little Allen Stone in their lives

Alabama Shakes – what more can I say, they are on FIRE!

Gary Clark Jr. – if you haven’t listened to this man, best do so now

G. Love – c’mon y’all know this is a must see

Michael Franti & Spearhead – YES!!

Young The Giant – energetic live performances

Cage the Elephant – look online for video from Lollapalooza 2011

Dawes – amazing live show

M.Ward – another not to miss

Also included in the first announcement of artists Skrillex, Randy Newman, STS9, Coheed and Cambria, Flogging Molly, Dr. Dog, Gogol Bordello, Mavis Staples, Big Freedia, Shpongle, Zeds Dead, Paul Oakenfold, Yelawolf, Mac Miller, Hey Rosetta!, Paper Diamond, and Sleeper Agent.

More artists are expected to be announced soon.

NEWS: Maroon 5 and Foster The People to Perform with The Beach Boys at the GRAMMY Awards

9 Feb

Check out THIS story from Paste Magazine about the Beach Boys upcoming performance at the GRAMMY Awards on February 12 with Maroon 5 and Foster The People.

I don’t anticipate it being quite like The Avett Brothers and Mumford & Sons with Bob Dylan last year but it should be pretty cool nonetheless.  Looking forward to it for sure.

Also looking forward to performances by Maceo Parker, The Civil Wars and Joe Walsh.

Video: Alabama Shakes on Conan

8 Feb

Oh yes, do your best to “Hold On” and watch the Alabama Shakes take it to network television last night on Conan.

Video: Big Easy Express Trailer

7 Feb

I remember when I first read about the Railroad Revival Tour last year, I kept wishing I could attend one of the shows and just how much loved the concept of Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros and Old Crow Medicine Show traversing the west coast by train.  Even cooler was learning the whole journey was being filmed for a documentary which bring us to the below.  Enjoy!

 

Big Easy Express Official Trailer from S2BN Films on Vimeo.

News: Walk The Moon to release Anna Sun EP next week

2 Feb

In anticipation of their upcoming release on RCA Records, I got very excited when I found out Walk The Moon will be releasing a three song Anna Sun EP next Tuesday, February 7.  The EP will feature the hit song, “Anna Sun,” off their independently released i want i want, “Next in Line” and Tightrope” which quite frankly I believe is their best song (and it’s hard not to love “Anna Sun”).

The quartet are mighty talented, bring a ton of energy to the stage every night and there’s a reason they were tabbed as one of MTVs Artists to Watch in 2012.  I’ve been fortunate to have seen the guys perform at Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza and in Las Vegas as well as interview them and all I can say is you are sorely missing out if you are not listening to Walk The Moon.

Another thing to look forward to besides their upcoming tours with Young The Giant and some dates with the Kaiser Chiefs, is their first-ever live performance on late night television April 5 on Late Night wth Jimmy Fallon. Oh man I can’t wait to see if ?uestlove is going to rock the face paint with the fellas.