On the Grammys Fergie sang while John Legend played. What was the digital piano he was playing.

Yamaha GT2

Thank you.

I remember when Henry Kissinger won the Nobel Peace Prize. I decided the prize not only had no meaning, it had negative value. I think Sartre had long concluded the same regarding the literature prize.

Along more shallow lines, I decided last night, once and for all, that the Grammy's have no meaning. Since when do we hold up, as an example for our young people to admire, a pathetic drunk, drug addict and loud-mouthed moron? When did it become acceptable for a person to be released from "rehab" -- prematurely, it would seem -- to appear on televsion, between cuts of her bleating and bellowing, as a musical artist worthy of any recognition? What a pathetic piece of trash.

I once thought the music industry was fatally corrupt and unworthy of even the slightest respect. I have since learned, it does not deserve such a flattering description.

I think it's a tragedy that someone so young and talented has fallen to such levels of depravity, therefore, I find it difficult to speak of her with such venom and hatred, I feel we should be praying she gets the help she needs to begin to live again and be accepted back into society.

Obviously...someone has accepted her into society...I'll second J. Mark's comments, what a farce. I personally was hoping for Tony Bennett was going to sing...

J. Mark, I too believe it is a great shame that popular music lacks the positive role models of previous generations (Curtis Mayfield, James Brown etc.).

Yet, while I am hardly an enormous fan of her music, I do find the situation that Miss. Winehouse is in rather unfortunate. She is clearly an extremely talented artist, with much to contribute to the music industry - I wish her a swift recovery.

On a separate note, it is perhaps worth highlighting the fact that Mark Ronson received the 'Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical' award, thanks, no doubt, to his close connection with Winehouse, and strong regard for the rather excellent 1960's soul revivalists 'The Dap-Kings', whom provide the warm, nostalgic backing to many of her hit records.

Furthermore, there were some deserved winners at this year's awards ceremony, including Herbie Hancock and previously an honourable mention for Earl Wild.

Now, where did I put that light switch...

Kind regards,
James
x

Since Elvis? (Or Mozart?)

I suppose that goes double for the recent award to Al (I invented the internet) Gore.

Exactly. If it is found that global warming is just in fact a normal change of temps, will he have to give it back?

:)

One of the great Orwellian strokes of history! Actually, Kissinger was awarded the prize jointly with his North Vietnamese counterpart,Lê Ðức Thọ, who refused it (and presumably the prize money as well). Thọ didn't feel right accepting it when his country was still at war.


I only paid attention to the classical winners (who may or may not fit the descriptions mentioned above). Garrick Ohlsson's recording of the Beethoven Sonatas, Vol. 3 was winner under Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (Without Orchestra). I have not heard this particular recording, but the previous volumes are outstanding.

I was also extremely happy that violinist James Ehnes won the Best Instrumental Soloist (With Orchestra) catergory for his Barber/Korngold/Walton: Violin Concertos CD. I own this fabulous recording, and, in my opinion, this prize is very well deserved. The Barber, in particular, is absolutely breathtaking.

The big winner was the Nashville Symphony's (with Leonard Slatkin conducting) recording of Tower's Made in America CD, which won in three categories: Best Classical Album, Best Orchestral Performance, and Best Composition.

The complete list of classical winners can be found here.

I like Amy W, there's a lot of natural talent there - even when she's too stoned to remember the lyrics she croaks and croons on pitch.

Alicia "One Key Wonder" Keyes, on the other hand... heh, was it last year that she opened her set with Fur Elise?

To be fair, they followed it up with more talented pianists... as if to say "even Josh Groban plays the piano better than you! here's random young prodigy playing better than you! here's old dude playing better than you! here's asian dude playing better than you! here's two guys playing a duet - each better than you!"

(Yeah, I know those were acclaimed pianists, but you get my drift.)