The Grammys have long had a (deserved) reputation as the worst of all awards shows. Since inception its been a mishmash of overlong speeches, too many boring performances, too many bad nominations and awards ("and the winner is...Jethro Tull!!") all wrapped up in a package with no direction or pacing.
During the past three years though, the show has gotten a major overhaul. A new production team and new leadership at NARAS has given the show an MTV Awards/Rock and Roll Hall and Fame/Oscars makeover. The result is a show that focuses on performances, performances, performances. Give people the stars they wanna see and make it a real SHOW.
(One reason this has gotten easier in recent years is directly because of the decline in record sales. Used to be you couldn't get Michael Jackson, Springsteen or Prince to perform because agents, record companies, etc wouldn't allow it. Such acts were too big to give away a free performance on an awards show. Now? Nobody's too big. Recording artists need all the free PR they can get no matter if your name is Mariah, Kanye, Madonna, or Sir Paul McCartney.)
There were really only two low points to last nights show, one shockingly involving Alicia Keys and Stevie Wonder. While presenting an award, the usually classy Keys started babbling aimlessly and then pushed Stevie into a singalong at the podium. C'mon girl, Stevie's tired! He's done the Grammys, the Superbowl pre-show, and Coretta Scott King's funeral in a week long period! Give him a break!
The other was predictable: Kanye West's overblown marching band performance. (He and Jamie Foxx are now officially attached at the hip a la GHWB and Bubba). It was bad, but I will admit at least it was laughably bad, instead of just switch-the-channel-Im-bored-to-tears bad.
The only other bad thing was what DIDN't happen: A David Bowie tribute. They handed out what seems like a dozen lifetime achievement awards and Bowie was one of them. But he, like everyone else just got a quick 60-second acknowledgement. Admittedly, endless tributes are what killed the show in the past, but c'mon -- it's Bowie!!!
The rest of the show was GOLD:
* Sly Stone!! Sly M----------N STONE!! They found him!!!
and...and...he looks like one of the Plasmatics!!! Unbelievable. The whole arena literally lit up. This is why God made VCRS.
* Jay-Z, Linkin Park and....Paul McCartney singing "Yesterday"???? This was "Oh Shit" moment #2 of the night.
*U2 and Mary J Blige together.
*Herbie Hancock and Cristina Aguilera. Cristina also shone on the show two years ago.
*Bruce Springsteen and John Legend, separately, performing in simple, unadorned unaccompanied numbers.
*Madonna and the Gorillaz. You expect a big dance number from Madge and you got it.
*Tribute finale to New Orleans music. This was a DUH move if there ever was one. In case you were wondering why U2's Edge was there, he has been actively helping revive some of the music venues in the Quarter. "
Great show if you're a music enthusiast. Unfortunately they probably got beat in the ratings by American Idol. Also unfortunately, the really BEST music of the year is relegated to the fringe categories if at all. No, you're never going to see Belle and Sebastian or Dizzee Rascal at the show. Its a mainstream show, get over it. The good news is they've finally discovered how to do mainstream RIGHT.