Grammy nominations

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 7 Dec 2015 4:34 pm

http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/ar ... -85248905/

Not knowing 99% of the artists on this year's list of Grammy nominees officially qualifies me as a Geezer.
Not caring puts me in the Hall of Fame..!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 7 Dec 2015 7:18 pm

I'm excited because of one my favorite artists in my lifetime is nominated for several Grammys, including Record of the Year and R&B Album and Song, after many years of struggles and a long, difficult path back. I've followed this guy since 1989 and think he is amazing: D'Angelo. Here was his performance of his nominated song on Saturday Night Live back in February: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEph_2Qx-7Q

I'm very happy to see John Scofield's name several times. He is one of my favorite guitarists and I used to follow him all over NYC. And Bill Frisell is nominated, too. Another guitarist I used to follow around when he first came to NY.

I'm also pleased that Haitus Kaiyote are nominated for R&B Song of the Year. They are an incredible band that I think you might appreciate in some way, with complex rhythms and harmonies, yet still earthy. Give this a shot:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQUkgKeqW3c

Also, I think Kendrick Lamar's record is one of the best I've heard in years, and he is going to win album of the year, no doubt in my mind.

I see Lalah Hathaway is nominated for her father Donny's song, Little Ghetto Boy.

Have you heard the Milk Carton Kids? They are very, very good. Check this out if you have a minute--just give the first 5 minutes a try.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL8eBrhVTJ4

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 8 Dec 2015 2:54 am

The Milk Karton Kids, they're good! Thanks for the link!

Rick Campbell · Post by **Rick Campbell** » 8 Dec 2015 5:14 am

Joachim Kettner wrote:The Milk Karton Kids, they're good! Thanks for the link!

Why does that guy have that rag tied around the neck of his guitar?

RC

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 8 Dec 2015 6:33 am

It's to avoid the vibration of the strings behind the capo which are sometimes audible, like odd harmonics or buzzing.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 9 Dec 2015 6:36 am

Rick Campbell wrote: Why does that guy have that rag tied around the neck of his guitar?

Maybe his neck is cold?

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 9 Dec 2015 9:55 am

I've seen a few fussy players put dampers of some kind on the strings behind the nut for years. Seems like there is an element of 'show binness' attached to this rag, since it's appearance is constant throughout their videos and website. Now I haven't seen a logo-bearing neck-napkin show up in their store yet, but I'm waiting...

Chris Walke · Post by **Chris Walke** » 5 Jan 2016 12:52 pm

Milk Carton Kids bug me in a way...I've long been a fan of Gillian Welch & David Rawlings. Watch Rawlings play...The MCK lead player moves JUST like him. Welch & Rawlings always have a small box with drawers on the stage next to them. MCK has a satchel. Same close harmonies....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FM8ui2ByUI

Then again, good sounds are good sounds, and Welch/Rawlings got their sounds from the past as well. So I guess it doesn't matter.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 13 Jan 2016 6:51 pm

i think both duos appear fairly natural and honest.
and i'm the first person to be affected by anything that seems phony to me.
i think they're both good!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 15 Feb 2016 9:04 am

I still think this might be a decent show. Looking at the list of performers, my wife will love the John Legend/Meghan Trainor duet, and you might, too--look at the number of views this video has had--175,000,000. It is a simple, pure Pop tune that could have been from any generation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-MBfn8XjIU

I took my wife to see John Legend a few years ago in Atlantic City, and we had really close seats. He was a fantastic performer, impeccable voice, with a really solid band of extremely serious young musicians. Unfortunately, his music is too sappy these days.

For me, the story is D'Angelo, an artist who has really struggled personally but has such great talents that to see him re-emerge in the way he did is something that people all over the world are rejoicing about. His music is not very mainstream, and it lacks gloss, but has such deep soul.

Will Houston · Post by **Will Houston** » 15 Feb 2016 9:29 am

I heard Gaga is doing a Bowie tribute, that might be good, she has a strong powerful voice. Don't know if I will bother to watch tho.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 15 Feb 2016 9:36 am

I'll be honest, I'm extremely disappointed that she is doing the tribute. She's OK, but he deserved bigger, better. My choice would be the Maria Schneider Orchestra to arrange a great medley, with guest guitarist Pat Metheny playing This Is Not America, with vocalist Iggy Pop, and maybe Gaga singing one little part of the medley.

Like that would ever happen!

Roger Rettig · Post by **Roger Rettig** » 16 Feb 2016 5:39 am

I've just listened to the Milk Karton Kids (rather S&G in their vocal quality, I thought) and Meghan Trainor.

How can anyone suggest that there's no good music any more?

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 16 Feb 2016 9:18 am

How can anyone suggest that there's no good music any more?

It's the apparent lack of interest that bothers me.. $:\$

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 16 Feb 2016 9:43 am

I heard Gaga is doing a Bowie tribute, that might be good, she has a strong powerful voice.

I'll be honest, I'm extremely disappointed that she is doing the tribute. She's OK, but he deserved bigger, better.

Seems as though Bowie's son would agree with you...
http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/musi ... /80448424/

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 16 Feb 2016 12:08 pm

Lady Gaga has got nothing on these guys:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsNblAI-pcE

Graham · Post by **Graham** » 16 Feb 2016 4:17 pm

Somebody who really rated a tribute was 9 time Grammy winner Natalie Cole!!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 16 Feb 2016 4:52 pm

John Scofield won his first Grammy! Hard to believe it was his first, but no one deserves it more than him.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 16 Feb 2016 5:57 pm

Somebody who really rated a tribute was 9 time Grammy winner Natalie Cole!!

You know it, Graham. Nine wins and twenty one nominations. Downright shameful.
http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-new ... te-w164481

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 17 Feb 2016 4:59 am

They also didn't show Cynthia Robinson, an iconic black female trumpet player from Sly & the Family Stone, or Lew Soloff, one of the greatest and most recorded trumpet players ever, in the In Memoriam segment. A huge oversight.

Graham · Post by **Graham** » 17 Feb 2016 5:45 am

Back-up musicians aren't normally considered in memorial situations in shows like the Grammys. If they were, an even bigger oversight was Buddy Emmons!!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 17 Feb 2016 7:44 am

Graham wrote:Back-up musicians aren't normally considered in memorial situations in shows like the Grammys. If they were, an even bigger oversight was Buddy Emmons!!

No, they definitely had a picture of Buddy and very often put up pics of musicians. Cynthia was more than a back-up musician, though. "All the squares go home!"--Cynthia Robinson

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 17 Feb 2016 8:15 am

They also left out Wayne Carson,who wrote"Always On My Mind","Slide Off Your Satin Sheets","The Letter","She's Actin'Single","Drinking Thing",and too many more to mention.

Geoff Noble · Post by **Geoff Noble** » 17 Feb 2016 9:46 am

+1 For The Milky Karton Kids.

Very nice indeed.