In past recent years I have avoided watching The Grammys and the other music award telecasts. All of them are distinguished by rudeness and the 'artists' and music nominated are highly questionable as far as artistic merit is concerned.
This aging baby boomer obviously feels out of the loop and i'm sure the younger generations couldn't care less how my generation feels. Gone are the days when great music talent such as Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and many others graced The Grammys of old and were nominated or won awards.
And now we have the internet to entertain us with a ubiquitous display of venom and nasty digs such as Cardi B's expletive laden 'after the awards show' rant. This from a person who won a major award. I saw no joy in her have received the honor, it's as if it never happened. What an ugly time we live in ,a dumbing down of art and culture in seemingly every facet of American life.
3
Why do current female musicians need to dress and move like strippers? Eagle spreading Cardi B, booty shaking J-Lo, and heck, even St. Vincent wearing a leotard with knee high boots? Let alone all the plunging necklines (with no relief from host Alicia Keys). I'm not a prude, but the championing of "vulgar" could use a little dampening. If not for the sake of the youth, but for a simple push toward being "classy".
5
Brandi Carlisle was awesome.
I don't get the appeal of Cardi B...and aren't we done with the oversexualized female dancing? Really? It's insulting to girls and women.
Blake and Kendrick Lamar are head and shoulders above everyone....and they just happen to be male
3
Diana Ross..What more to say. No crotch touching, no swearing, no politics. An entertainer who entertains. Thank you Diana.
1
Alicia Keys stole the show even though she seemed happy and relaxed enough as to be fully ganjafied. She came off as down to earth, a true music lover, and a natural host. Of course she has lots of music career still in front of her but if she ever wants to branch out I imagine she would excel as host her own TV variety or talk show. A real charmer.
Musically the show was a mixed bag. Performance standouts were Brandi Carlisle, Cardi B, and Travis Scott. Kacey Musgraves' voice is so angelic and pure it was surprising to see her succeed with the Grammy crowd who normally admire muscular attitude over substance.
As Caramanca suggested, the JLo tribute to Motown was a giant strike out. Although Janelle Monae is typically an incandescent performer and her big number was very good-looking, it came across as a lazy way to re-purpose part of her touring show. Appearances by Dolly Parton and Diana Ross were both so unremarkable and over-long one has to imagine the decisions to feature them were cases of "this is our last chance to exploit them in because they might check out next week". And trotting out those seriously played-out Red Hot Chili Peppers yet again--really!?
The show was my first exposure to young H.E.R., whoever that is, and I was favorably impressed. I'd say she pushed the Prince vibe a little too hard but I liked her sound and I will be watching for more from her.
8
Having been a part of the music industry for many years (still a musician, just not involved in the business of music any longer and I live overseas), I find it amusing that I am now that person I used to laugh at and have contempt for. I read this article and the word that I repeated out loud to myself over and over again was: "Who?" It appears ignorance is bliss.
17
Alicia really did a beautiful job, embodying the power of popular music to unite and help us appreciate one another. Sure, it didn't cover opera or jazz or more esoteric music, but there was so much beauty there. It really played to my heart.
10
All the moaning about 'music isn't the same as when as I was young!'. Is it supposed to be? Anybody who's clutching their Sinatra records should know that, back in the day, Sinatra made the 'establishment' sweat too.
The Grammys are rarely about what's currently happening in popular music. It makes me laugh to see that the Grammys (and a lot of commenters here) have yet to come to terms with hip-hop even though hip-hop has been around since the 70s. And never forget that the first heavy metal Grammy went to....Jethro Tull!!
The Grammys are about the music BUSINESS. Jennifer Lopez wasn't in the Motown tribute because she's the first name that springs to mind when someone says 'Motown'. It was a business decision and someone, somewhere made money.
Speaking of Motown, Diana Ross was NEVER known as one of the great voices of Motown. Ms. Ross wore clothes well. And she was Berry Gordy's girlfriend.
It was just announced that the Rolling Stones added a Canadian tour to their current tour. Seventy-five year old geezers will prance around, playing music they swiped from African-American rhythm and blues musicians, claiming that they STILL can't get no satisfaction. And some folks will call that music. It's BUSINESS.
6
I feel like I grew up with the best of the best — real musicians, great singers , great songs — The Beatles , Bob Dylan , the Stones , Joni Mitchell ,The Beach Boys , Crosby Stills Nash and Young , The Who , Queen , U2, all of Motown , James Taylor , The Eagles and on and on .
This is a bunch of classless , unmusical , garbage most of it . I’m sorry .
I was going to say I guess I’m too old , but do you know who is on my 24 year old’s Apple Music playlist ? Miles Davis , Jobim , Red Garland and ALL of the above ( ok , maybe not Joni Mitchell , ok fine ) so I know it’s not that I’m too old , I just have taste . Like a lot of other people too . And my mother liked the Beatles — because they had
talent !
8
There's a lot of love for Gaga in this part of the world, ok? From Poker face/meat dress to Gagav2.0 of the Joanne era, we've been following it all. She's talented, musically gifted, a boundary-pusher. But, she's also very astute. Shallow@Grammys2019 was...shrug-worthy. Watching her on stage, felt like she'd had a confab with Ronson and co. and they were like “ok, so Bradley isn’t here, we’ve got Feb24 coming up anyway, let’s just do…whatever..something unexpected because the Oscars will be the real deal.” This performance felt unnecessary.
CardiB is gorgeous and an amazing performer, but pray tell, do people really find her (musically) talented?
Alicia Keys is immensely talented, but as a host she looked confused. More washed-out, less earth mother. And with her husband almost forcing the audience/viewers to acknowledge his wife’s hosting, and with Ross’ grandson etc., they were like this little self-congratulating cohort, making viewers feel excluded.
not sure if it's a broadcast sound problem (was aired on VH1 in India) but could only see Travis Scott writhing, in and out of cage, couldn't really hear anything.
This whole “sister” thing and ‘women being recognized’ just seemed a bit OTT (I’m a woman btw). Almost felt like the men were kept out. Shouldn’t feel like it’s a competition between the sexes right?I cringed every time Keyssaid "sister". Can't we just acknowledge 'personhood'?
do they intentionally make the grammys bad? Like every single time...
5
I don't know what's more preposterous: that "God's Plan" won an award or that it took six people to "compose" that "song".
8
the Grammys are a royal bore, long ago losing the energy & whatever cool it once had ....
5
Based on this article, I watched the Drake music video "God's Plan" for the first time.
It seemed like a lot of Drake hand-outs; no capacity building.
Besides, the most divine form of giving is anonymous.
This is such a sad era of terrible pop music, it seems silly to have a night celebrating it. What is the point of Sean Mendes exactly?
The one exception is Miley Cyrus, who has a reverence for what came before her in a way that is respectful and fun. She should just do and sing everything.
1
The Grammys are a lot like the NFL. It's a cabal that simply uses the talent to further their own greedy, selfish ends. Prince was right on the money.
5
The NYT jazz critics get it. The NYT classical music critics get it. They focus on high standards and quality music. They see music as a quest for art and not a quest for money and glory. I'm waiting for the day when some of the NYT pop music critics actually focus on music rather than glitter and gossip. Any mention of the dozens of other Grammy awards that went to a wide variety of artists? Hardly. How about a demand that those talented people get some of the television spot light? Why settle for this Super Bowl halftime fluff? Raise your standards. Demand quality. Don't settle.
4
Cardi B the new Queen of Hip Hop stole the torch from Nicki Minaj.
Carlile's performance was impressive, and brought me to tears - that rarely happens. She's been on my radar since her debut album.
7
Jennifer Lopez's Motown Review was insulting. H.E.R, Janelle Monae, or Alicia Keys could had done a fantastic tribute, but no the Grammys was trying for rating. I guess if I want to see a great Motown tribute I'll wait for the BET Awards.
6
Roberta Flack was one o f many people to sing "KIllig me Softly" but not sure how it qualifies as "her" song. She was neither the first to sing it(Lori Lieberman, who also helped write the song) nor the best(Lauren Hill form the Fugees) version.
1
I coulda used a little bit of David Bowie (singing Heroes).
4
I loved the Havana opening. Awesome dancing and staging. Great song. But from their it went downhill. I hung on for as long as I could handle it.
It seemed to be much more about woman and minorities than music.
3
One of the best performances was in the pre show by Angela Aguilar, Aida Cuevas, and Natalia LaFourcade -- singing the traditional “La Llorona.” It’s 3 generations of talented women with their artistry on a hauntingly poetic Mexican legend. They should have been on the main show.
3
4 women- Alicia, Brandi, Janelle and Michelle just took my breath away. The rest were passe
8
none of the singers with Dolly were prepared; they were awful.
none of them could reach the melody nor harmonize. They were embarrassing to watch.
11
Best vocal performances - The duo of Dan and Shay,
Brandi Carlile and Yolanda Adams. Travis Scott didn't sing anything amazing but it was spot on which is more than can be said for most of the vocal performances.
Worst vocal performances - Lady Gaga and Anthony Kiedis were absolutely horrible. Andra day
Most mundane or mediocre vocal performances - H.E.R. ,
Diana Ross...actually, it bordered on bad but I have to blame that on her never ending sense of Diva narcissism. Most of the rest of the performances fell under blah, nothing to hear here.
1
Much better than I expected.
Alicia Keys was an excellent host.
I like Jennifer Lopez, but that alleged Motown tribute was a Las Vegas review, not Motown - wrong, all wrong.
And was Katy Perry going for in her vocals for the Dolly Parton tribute? Was she trying to be funny or what? Strange.
6
The Grammy's - were on? When?
Uh oh - if a news-junkie-sponge addict like me missed the announcement - not a good sign. And I like lots of the artists who were nominated and performed. Maybe they should reduce it to a podcast, a YouTube clip or a Spotify collection b'cuz whatever they're doing now sure ain't working.
3
I fast-forwarded through most of the show. It just wasn't that good.
8
J-Lo an "underrated actress"? Only if you're expecting that she'll call out "line" every ten seconds during any given performance.
8
I was confused by Jada Smith’s appearance?
There’s a reason I don’t turn on the radio anymore. Good music is a distant memory. I had crooners, my children have Cardi B.
20
Although I can't say I'm a fan of her music, I always love watching Miley Cyrus perform. She is one of the very few entertainers who seems to love performing for the sheer enjoyment of it. There is always so much joy in her soul.
32
I love the "go big or go home" entertainers:Celine, Beyonce, Gaga. They own their greatness, constantly pushing themselves. Entertainment is their purpose and Destiny. I also will add JLo into this group. I loved-loved her Motown tribute. The live audience did too. There was nothing poor about her performance. She is at the top of her game!
5
Somebody said that art is the barometer of a culture. Combine the Grammys with the Tonys and the inescapable conclusion must be that our culture is in deep trouble.
23
@Ed L.
When was the last time an American born citizen won the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition? 1997.
3
@Ed L. There are non mass culture of musicians I follow who are superb, many are "world music", often classically trained. I did not even recognize most of the names in the article yet I spend on music, concerts, and travel to festivals. I introduce younger friends to some I know and they go wild for the alt music. Wouldn't hurt to have more coverage by the media. This Grammy stuff is actually boring and repetitive by comparison.
5
Thank you Jon Caramanica and team for (of course) the most comprehensive review and critique of the 2019 Grammy Awards. Not only did you sum the show up beautifully, you chose to highlight/celebrate the artists who were there as opposed to leading with those who weren’t. Starting with Brandi Carlile no less. It’s why I love reading the Times.
18
I wept when the stadium roared when Michelle Obama came on stage. The cheer was not for a celebrity...it felt like a huge cry of relief, gratitude, nostalgia for a golden time.
For that brief moment, it seemed the terrible tumble America has taken came into focus.
105
@Sara
The response, I'm guessing, was born out of the Democrats' inability to get past their loss in 2016 -- a kind of impotent revenge fantasy made real for one shiny, glitzy, phony moment.
4
@Ed L.
You guess wrong. Polls show she is the most admired woman in the world.
11
@Ed L. The Democrats got past their loss in 2018.
7
Keys "perched on a stool between two grand pianos"playing one with each hand was more than just "a demonstration of technical badassery," it was a very obvious nod to Hazel Scott.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HdnjTCMzpg
24
Alicia expressly mentioned Hazel Scott during her tribute! She gave Ms. Hazelproper props!
7
@The Artist FKA Bakes
Yes, Alicia Keys was a great host. Her "technical badassery" was nothing new to Hazel Scott fans. One note: it would have been too controversial during Hazel Scott's life time to wear pants and sit at the piano split-eagle with her legs open facing the audience, which is what Alicia Keys did .... but this is what Tori Amos did more than 25 years ago and has done ever since. I am sure many millions of Tori fans had the same thought.
3
Not sure how the show ran over-time. Versus music acts, there were far less awards given out on screen, The cutting off of significant award winner speeches was unjustified. Some yes, but more often not.
7
The Grammy, well there were a few notable moments. Diana Ross' Grandson, articulate and self-asured, Lady Gaga was in control, but her out fit was awful, and Michelle Obama's look was not appelling, but I enjoyed her words. Alicia Keys, appeared confused, and her appearance, the scarf was not attractive, the opening number was lively, colorful and hopeful, but as the show progressed things seemed to fall apart. So, I turned off the show and picked up a book and read.
6
I stopped watching the Grammy's when they cut off Frank Sinatra in the middle of his lifetime achievement award speech. I mean it's Frank Sinatra. At the signature event of the recorded music industry. That is unforgivable.
13
Critics are not musicians and as a consequence don’t know Jack.
JLo was fantastic.
Kasey Musgrave has no business being in the building let alone deserve to be recognized as the record of the year.
Pop music these days is derivative and a by product of marketing and social media drivel.
I have a Masters in Music and know more about harmony, music and the recording process than any critic.
The Grammys are a jive affair and as long as it’s a spectacle we should all just ignore their righteous drivel......
13
@Draw Man
Wow! JLo was fantastic? You really need to go back to school. Or open your ears.
24
@Draw Man I was v. confused that KM was so hyped.
2
@Draw Man Thank you SOOOO much for your shattering insights. There are a lot of people with masters degrees in music (two of my children come to mind) whose opinions about musical entertainment are no more valid then mine. I, for one, love Kacey Musgraves. And the very talented Jennifer Lopez was not, sorry to say, up to the poorly-chosen medley of Motown tunes. Just another opinion, mind you. Another non-musician critic as it were. Appreciate, however, you humbly pointing out your expertise to the ignorant masses.
1
Yes it produces billions, but what passes for music: the headache-causing rap, the endless imitative Whitney Houston/Aretha Franklin yodeling, the utterly forgettable melodies, the pitiful lyrics, the hysterical porno antics of the bad boy/girl rockers, the smoke-filled spectacles with screaming fans, the overall mediocrity of it all, is amazing to behold. What’s happened to the great tradition of American popular song? Who could sing one line from some current pop song? It’s cultural atomization & an adulation of, again, overwhelming mediocracy, so apparent in these ‘endtime’ times.
49
I agree, desertgirl. I could only watch little bits of it at a time and had to keep turning the channel, but I still ended up feeling like I had binged on really bad junk food. I do think Alicia Keys is quite talented though, and her refined decorum was refreshing.
26
@desertgirl
Would you prefer a group of males (white) who only know three chords? That's mediocrity. The next generation stepped up. It's called life.
5
Wow—well said!
I don't know, maybe it's my age , but it seems as though most of the "musicians" , if they needed a career change, could work in the porn industry.
There is soooo much emphasis on looks/dance moves/wardrobe that the "music" is really secondary.
It seems as though the actual musicians - you know, guitar, piano, bass, drums, are all automated now, or at least sound like it. It's the same beat for nearly every song.
One thing I do know, is 50 years later, people still hear the Beatles, Marvin Gaye, The Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, The Supremes., etc.etc.
I wonder , in 50 years, if anyone will remember any of these current "artists"?
85
@Mark
In 50 years time we'll be discovering all the great artists who got lost in the initial information overload explosion......
5
@Mark
Your comments were spot-on!
While I loved the opening statements about music, as you wrote, "music," was secondary.
Alicia Keys was wonderful throughout the show!
@Mark Yes they will says the 65 year old.
1
Loved the way the review was structured. I did not watch the Grammys, but the article made me feel like I was there. The alternation of pictures and text worked well.
22
I caught the Americana Music Awards on Austin City Limits on PBS last night before switching over to the Grammy's, which I'd recorded so I could fast forward through all the commercials and dreck. The latter just struck me as so much artifice and self-congratulation/adulation after what I'd previously watched. (And I'd already gotten to see Brandi Carlile give an amazing performance of "The Joke" there, so I feel I missed nothing.)
10
Chloe x Halle were excellent.
11
Watching the Grammy's of 2019, is further proof, that besides our political leadership, The Gutter Has Come To Power in our culture!!!
32
I really have to say that ,besides, the obvious miscasting, Jenifer Lopez's constant insistence on shaking her booty at the camera was an insult to the great Motown singers and musicians that I grew up listening to. No one associated with Motown did that. No one had the need to do that.
86
I’m glad I didn’t waste my time watching this… New music isn’t for me
15
Alicia Keys: the best host of a awards ceremony in recent memory.
There was something for everyone, musically, an if you didn't like this production, then you... just... don't... like... music.
The opening dance number was outstanding too.
16
I was surprised, and saddened by the In Memorium portion leaving out Reggie Lucas and Keely Smith. The response, as it always is, that they had a difficult time bringing the number down to the air time allowed rings hollow for me. For those two not to be included makes me think they were overlooked. And that is even a sadder comment.
7
Keely Smith died in 2017.
5
@Scott
Vinnie Paul too
I didn't watch the show, but I really enjoyed this article and thought some of your descriptions were more fun to read and imagine than the performance would have been to watch.
8
Yes, I happen to be one of those parents that wish Alicia Keys, and certainly many others, who feel it would be nice if she would wear clothes that didn't show her bare breasts. Like I want my young kids to see that. Pitiful.
26
@Me Too:Give Keys props for not wearing any make-up and making natural hip & gorgeous!
23
I thought Alicia looked fantastic, she needed very little makeup, and I loved her clothes. Her voice was so soothing and she made the night wonderful.
4
@Me Too I thought Alicia Keyes was goddess-like. She is so very talented. And warm. And sincere. Her presentation left me feeling very hopeful.
6
My Review:
Diana Ross was amazing.
Travis Scott was terrible.
Brandi was amazing.
GAGA fell flat and ruined the song with all the over dramatic movement...just sing...we know you can sing...just sing. Katie Perry was out of her league with Dolly and it showed.
Janelle Monae was beautiful.
Hard pass on Miley Cyrus.
Yolanda Adams was amazing in the tribute to Aretha...she should have been solo.
H.E.R....amazing.
So happy Chidish won.
Cardi B...Just don't get it.
Kacey Musgrave...seriously amazing.
Dolly is QUEEN.
I don't understand why they keep shoving JLO down our throats.
Alicia Keys was the hit of the night...her piano playing and singing was the best...now we know why she has 14 grammys!!! What a delight and what a treat!!!
86
@JHL
I though Alicia looked awful and sounded worst!
1
Good job with your assessment! .
7
@JHL
Lopez is stale and overrated.
Utterly forgettable.
I certainly would not waste my time on this, I can't imagine anyone bored enough to do so, but just reading the recap solidifies my decision.
11
Brandi Carlile, to me, was hands down the best vocal performance followed closely by H.E.R.
33
I liked Brandi Carlile’s performance best too.
6
It was a hot mess. There are no "Best and Worst" it was all bad.
9
Was that on last night?
I missed it again.
6
I'm not a world class singer/rapper/performer, but for heavens sake, practice your acceptance speech, time it, and if you win, just get up and make use of the thirty or so seconds you are given. If you ramble, don't know what to say, or just want to stand there looking shocked, do so. But when the already way too long show goes over, expect to have the music play and cut to commercial when you go over.
It seems that only those performers who are the apple of some critic's eye go over is there controversy. I'd cue the music way earlier, or say that next year's awards will give the award, shake hands with the presenters (who will have less cutsie things to say) and publish your thanks after the whole show is over.
I love Bob Newhart, but did we turn any new pages by the give and take over grand mother or great grandmother.... you get the idea. Could have saved 30 seconds right there..
7
Cardi B's "Money" performance, to me, is nothing different from a striptease routine.
Am I too old fashioned or it is just standard these days?
28
@uji10jo
Yes, singers used to use their voices.
18
Ho hum. So many forgettable lightweights. Music used to be about raw authentic self-expression, now it’s about branding and identity politics stunts.
15
@Jay
What was represented as significant, instead was forgettable.
3
I guess you missed Brandi Carlisle. No one can call her performance or her music for that matter "lightweight".
11
@Judith Brady I'll check Brandi Carlisle online. I tried to watch, Alicia Keys was charming but it was so boring. Jennifer Lopez was the final straw. I won't even try to watch next year.
It's about time someone like Brandi Carlile get the attention she and her band deserve. Her live shows are truly moving experiences. Musicians actually playing instruments and singing, what a combination.
47
Yes! I'm such a fan of Brandi Carlile. She’s been solidly churning out great songs for 20 years. She's on President Obama’s best songs of the year for ”By the Way, I forgive you”. I took my kids to see her live and my 9-year-old daughter caught her green guitar pick. She just killed it at the Chris Cornell, ”I am the Highway” tribute concert with Chris Stapleton. Best performance of the night IMHO.
9
Watching this made me realize that women just want to be the new men. Too bad. We already have enough rude showoffs.
9
Thirty-six million Mexicans and Mexican-Americans in the US, and not one in the Grammys.
16
Jennifer Lopez is a Puerto Rico American Latina.. and a very skilled dancer.
Do we think that the #MeToo movement should be offended by CardiB's performance of Money at last night's Grammys?
10
Not the worst Grammys like when Christopher Cross won everything but Ken Ehrlich must be fired or sent packing as producer. He showed little taste in having J-Lo do the Motown medley. And where was Stevie Wonder especially in the year of tribute to Aretha? Glad to see more women awards etc. and absolutely invite Ms.Keys back to host but there are ways to celebrate diversity,old and new artists better than what we get once a year on CBS. Ehrlich is no longer worthy of making it better. You know who could produce it better? Spike Lee!
15
@mark isenberg
Ehrlich must be removed. The NARAS television committee must act.
2
One of the best Grammy's in years! Cardi B., all the ladies uh...stepped it up. LOL.
2
I love Cardi B.
Cardi B. knows how to draw attention to herself.
Cardi B. has no real artistic talent. Her music is not very good.
But it's popular, right?
Is that all there is now?
7
Saddest path of the night: Greta Van Fleet winning Rock Album of the Year.
That a soulless Led Zeppelin cover band can take home a Grammy is testament to how bad it has really gotten. (Everyone should read the Pitchfork review of their album).
They have been horrible in their hip hop nominations for decades, and now they don’t have any idea what a good rock album is either. Who votes on this stuff?
Drake said it best.
14
Simply stated there is NO talent left in music anymore. It is complete unadulterated garbage. After the 80's music sunk faster than the Titanic.
14
@Fed Up*** there's plenty of talent in music, depending where you look .. just not much at the Grammys
8
What a missed opportunity last night during the segment honoring Donny Hathaway.His daughter Lahla, a brilliant vocalist on her own, was sitting right there!! What a celebration of her father we might have heard had she been the performer.
And wasn't Roberta Flack there too?
10
Some of the best performances were at the non-televised part of the Grammys in the afternoon. And nobody’s outfit killed it like Fantastic Negrito’s when he went forward to accept his grammy for best contemporary blues album.
4
Brandi Carlile performance was the best of the evening ! I am now a fan ... her voice is incredible.
27
@Patty i saw her live a couple years ago.. went from not knowing who she is to a fan in about 20 minutes.
12
@Patty She pours her heart into it!
13
Welcome to the club. She’s gifted beyond belief and they’re a joy to hear and see in person.
11
The reviewer seems not to be familiar with music but more focused on appearance. Cardi B's performance was not musical, (maybe a regrettable attempt to promote a new song?) as per the adage the bigger the crowd on stage the weaker the song. Alicia Keys, HER, and Kasey Musgraves had fantastic musical performances, which made the show worth watching for a music fan. I think the Oscars are more of a fashion show if that's what you're looking for.
7
Thought the Camila Cabello should have been underwritten by Microsoft. 'House' w/ 4 colored squares, looked exactly like the Windows logo, proportions, colors & all. Plus, it's not really an awards show- so if you're going to butcher the winners privilege to speak- just make it a concert & scroll the lisst of victors in the middle or at the end.
2
I liked many aspects of the show, although I didn't watch all of it, but one of my favorite standout moments was when Jennifer Lopez briefly covered Teena Marie's "Square Biz."
A great song by an artist from back in the day gone way too soon.
Also, a big shout-out to Dolly Parton et al. for Neil Young's "After the Gold Rush." No words can describe how great that song is. I just wish it could have been Ronstadt and Harris up there with her. No offense meant to the young women who were.
Thank you, Grammys.
6
I didn't see the show and thought I'd check out Brandi Carlile's performance of "The Joke" onlinr later... after reading this summary, I'm wondering if that's a good idea--- if the performance was "vastly superior" to the *magnificent* and breathtaking, soul-shaking "I remember exactly where I was the first time I heard it" album version, I'm afraid my speakers might melt.
4
@Sam - this article and lots of Comments are head-scratchingly ignorant. Jon Caramanica's assessment that Brandi Carlile's tremendous performance at last night's Grammy's was "vastly superior" to the album version negates the impressive work done by the arranger Paul Buckmaster, to whom "By The Way I Forgive You" (her album) is dedicated. My Klipsch speakers, fed by my Harman/Kardon speakers (fueled by this lp on the Technics SL-MK1200) enjoys the heat. Btw - "Canciones de mi Padre", a Grammy performance by Linda Ronstadt is real speaker melter!
5
@Jenny I was trying to avoid saying "head-scratchingly ignorant," but yeah, head-scratchingly ignorant. The audio production, the arrangement, the vocal...the *everything* on the album is sublime. And I used to run an acoustics lab, so h/t to your equipment. My beloved vintage ADS /Nakamichi setup loves her album and treats it lovingly, too. Thanks for your comment!
3
So instead of listening to music, let's listen to diversity.
23
@RR what does that even mean?
5
@R. R.
The diversity was always there. This was just acknowledging it while listening to the music. One side has had the microphone for say 60 years, let the others get a chance for 4-5 years, it won't kill anyone. It will only make it more honest.
6
@R. R.
Your quip might explain the Grammys' ratings plunge over the past few years. According to the Hollywood Reporter: The 2019 Grammy Awards show had slightly more viewers than it did in 2018 but it fell to a new low among adults 18-49. The CBS broadcast drew 19.9 million viewers, up about 100,000 viewers from the 19.8 million who watched in 2018.
1
A nit to pick: Caryn Gantz notes the songs that Alicia Keyes said she wished that she'd written herself. Killing Me softly was the first: but, while Roberta Flack's version is the best known, she did not write the lyrics.
The lyrics are officially authored by Norman Gimble, either based on collaboration with singer Lori Lieberman( who did the original recording of the song) or not (there was a dispute), and the music composed by Charles Fox.
16
Bravo!
1
@cheryl
Historical accuracy is a nit that must always be picked, every single time!
I fell in love with the Roberta Flack version as a rebellious girl sereptiously listening to a blue Japanese-made pocket radio kept under my pillow while revolting against my strict evangelical upbringing. And I still have the groovy little radio!
I found Drake's little speech more affirming of the worth of non-award winners than a "put down" of the Grammy system.
Were I a performer, those words would inspire me to keep making music.
46
I found myself wondering if he was able to complete his thoughts "live" for the audience -- and what they were.
7
Forgettable and garish! I simply don’t relate to most of this music and only watched snippets from You Tube. Although I appreciate many genres, I’m still stuck in the 80’s and 90’s and early 2000’s I guess. Diana Ross immersed in red meringue along with Dolly Parton performing Jolene for the thousandth time was too much. Sadly, some of Dolly’s most notable and beautiful recordings are almost forgotten.
11
Looked at the clip of Cardi b. out of curiosity, because I'd read a part of an interview somewhere else. She is barely literate. Her performance was embarrassing. If this is what we are celebrating as music and art, along with a Kardashian, it's a cultural low. Listen Cardi, with all that money, maybe you should learn how to speak your native language, take some elocution lessons.
75
@thewriterstuff - That woman is one of the smartest, most poweful people in pop culture right. You don’t get where she is without a brain in your head.
13
@Michelle - wow my spelling did not aid in making my point....”powerful” and “right now.”
She writes her songs, so I think she is super literate!!
2
@thewriterstuff, with all due respect, I think you are "barely literate" in understanding the vibrant different cultures that make up today's urban landscape.
4
Entirely nonsensical, arbitrary, and not even entertaining. What keeps people tuning into - and quite frankly reporting on - this utterly trivial nonsense? It enriches no one’s life other than the highly paid “artists” and their self-important gatekeepers. Culture does not come from the Grammys or Oscars, etc and it’s due time we start ignoring these self-congratulatory cluster-like back-slapping.
28
@Dan
I agree. Whatever happened to just sitting like civilized people, singing and playing the Pianoforte!
7
@Suppan
If only these artists had 1/100 the talent of Schubert.
4
Alicia Keys was a revelation. Her love affair with music is reverential. My jaw dropped with her dazzling twin piano blaze . . . and with such ease! Loved the Grammys continuing the theme of Year of the Woman that was ushered in with the recent balancing of the House on the distaff side. Finally! Roar, sisters! We have been silent too long. Let the pendulum swing wildly until it rights itself to the middle where it should have been all along. This comes from someone whose mother told her men don't like smart, funny women. My advice to myself and others like me: Wait.
36
There good performances but the music which they performed mostly stank.
15
Bravo Alicia. You've proven that a host doesn't need to crack snide jokes and smirk at the audience. Your talent and warmth were the highlight of an otherwise so so show.
96
How can you vote for something like "best song" unless you've heard all the songs?
2
I thought Jennifer Lopez' performance was awesome, just my opinion...
7
I thought Gaga was brilliant.
10
The best part was Diana Ross soulful voice. This kind of music is still hummable, stays in memory, lifts your soul, and oh her voice is gold! None of the new stars make it up to her yet. why cant they make music like this anymore?
8
By far, the worst thing was Mac Miller not being awarded the Grammy for Best Rap Album. By far..
2
I have a wholly age-inappropriate crush on Janelle Monae.
13
@bruce
Me,too,Bruce,me too.
1
The biggest Grammys, like the biggest Oscars, are so heavily filtered for everything but the music that it's not worth attention.
The music is a passing reference. So it's a popularity contest...prom queen, with political overtones.
I think I'll clean the bathroom instead.
10
Re: Childish Gambino's collaborators and"none of them showed up" - perhaps the NYT would do well to do some research. 21 Savage in particular couldn't show up because he was detained by ICE. A major shortcoming of the Grammys was their apparent silence on an artist nominated in multiple songs/categories who was wrongly imprisoned by the American government.
27
Hit and miss ... why not get a Detroit singer to do the Motown piece, without 50 bad dancers. The Gaga song wasn't good, she has better material than that, very uninspiring. The dude singing in the cage with people climbing it? Huh? Thankfully, such a bad song (if one can call it a song) that it will be forgotten tomorrow. I liked Keys as a host and seeing Smokey Robinson and Diana Ross was great ... thought Leon Bridges should've won best R & B.
16
Diana Ross, as usual, was perfection.
18
Perhaps you can bother to clarify sometime: Who exactly is this "Nashville establishment" you speak of--repeatedly? (And please identify the L.A. and NY establishment while you're at it.)
4
Clearly I'm not woke enough to appreciate the diversity parade pretending to be an awards show. Yes, Alicia Keys is the real deal and Lady Gaga (and others) are deeply talented. But nearly four hours of self-congratulatory excess spotlighting a stream of performers most Americans have never heard of? No wonder the ratings go down year after year. And the bizarre over-the-top reaction to Michelle Obama -- you would have thought Elvis had walked on stage and proved to all that he really was alive all these years. Poor Diana Ross (a star for 50 years in a room full of people who will be forgotten in five) is left to wish herself "Happy birthday." Stop, in the name of ... something.
46
Never heard the music? FM Radio used to be the way most artists got "airplay". I bet most younger people get their music from streaming sites. Download their favorite tracks and listen.
I don't know most of them either, listen to music on my laptop with Grado headphones.
2
Watching Janelle Monáe's performance, all I could think about was Robert Palmer's 1986 video of "Addicted to Love" I guess I am dating myself.
34
@Esther then that's a good date because I immediately thought of that video.
3
It seems both out-of-touch and inaccurate to say that 21 Savage didn't bother to show up, when he's actually been detained by ICE for an alleged visa violation.
41
@lsolo
Isn’t he the guy who stayed in the U.S. years beyond when he was supposed to leave -and lied in his teeth for years about where he was born and grew up, leaving people with the idea that he was an Atlanta native? If so, no sympathy for him here. Do many respondents here think the hosts should have referred to him as a liar and a cheat? Silence was merciful.
3
@Lenore
Yes, it's the guy his parents brought to the States when he was a kid and who then grew up in Atlanta. Formative years, I guess, making him feel as 'American' as everyone. Most people in this situation would not feel the urge to implicate themselves because it is known what can happen. The Times ran stories about people brought as little kids by their parents, graduating from school and living 'as Americans' for decades (not even knowing that the parents bungled the 'paperwork') who were then deported to their 'home country' where they couldn't even understand the language and had no connections whatsoever. Who wants that?
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/02/us/adam-crapser-deportation-south-korea.html
1
I have always found these shows long and boring, filled with long speeches and long advertisements, interspersed with some great songs, now and then, some which you could not allow your children to watch, or listen to.
A book and a bath is truly better.
7
@Katie
Yes, Kartie, I agree with you. I did not take a bath but I most certainly picked up a book and read and read!!!!
1
I could watch Alicia Keyes endlessly; relaxed, talented, reassuring.
Best performance: St. Vincent and Dua Lipa
I'm a Boomer; I've seen the old stuff. I want to see the new stuff!
47
@Gaylon Arnold Definitely the sexiest performance of the night. Loved it.
1
Turned it on just to see Alicia Keys, and ended up watching the whole thing. They should sign Ms. Keys as permanent host, she is truly amazing. One thing - your article left out the Lauryn Hill and Nat King Cole parts of her 2 piano tour, on the 20th anniversary of "The Miseducation of..."!
32
@Andrew
You can't be serious! She appeared, "confused' and was a totally disappointment. And her appearance, well it was not appealing.
Say what you will about it being a tribute to business and record sales, it was still a smorgasbord of incredible voices and talent. I thoroughly enjoyed the show.
I thought JLo was awesome in the Motown tribute. I didn't notice she was lip syncing and I even wondered while watching it, who else could pull that off with so much energy and enthusiasm?
Yes, Miley! Grown to love her. She *should* host the show.
Alicia was wonderful too. I've grown to re-love her. Her stint on The Voice kind of turned me off for a bit. I loved the bit with the songs she wished she'd written; as an artist, I appreciate the feeling of finally creating something that is the thing you wished you made - and you did.
Unfortunately, I missed the opening. Fortunately, we have YouTube...
15
Likes: Ricky Martin, Dolly and Miley singing Jolene, Dua Lipa and St Vincent’s duet—sizzling. Strong dislike: Jennifer Lopez representing Motown—the worst thing I’ve ever seen.
8
I am now an elderly gentleman, and I don't follow the new singers. Dylan forever! I found this Grammy show very watchable, the usual misshapen awards show, and the women especially almost all wonderful. I'm listening to "Grammy Nominees" right now on Apple Music. One reserve: I listened to Brandi Carlisle in the show, and the TV sound mix was horrible. I could not understand the lyrics at all. It all sounded over amped but distant, like its placement in the tracks was wrong. But listening to the mix later, it was brilliant and heartbreaking. Now a fan.
44
The Grammy Awards should be about music. Sadly, it has succumbed to the "big" acts of the hour, with an abundance of dancers, props, gyrations, and, sadly, little live singing that is not pitchy or vulgar. Jennifer Lopez paying homage to Motown? The worst brilliant idea, ever. The Aretha Franklin tribute was appropriately regal, classic and concise. Alicia Keys and her constant squinting was disconcerting. Overall, a lot of on-stage movement and colour; some production problems with bizarre camera angles and on-stage confusion; little live singing that was not pitchy. Diana Ross and the Aretha Franklin tribute were the best parts, by far, of course.
13
I felt like that must be what it's like at the Keys/Beats house - just Alicia on her piano rolling through a few classics - KILLING EACH ONE. NEW YORK...
36
Disappointing. As with everything else in modern America image is king, to the detriment of talent. If you can’t actually sing without electronic help or a 20- dancer prop, you shouldn’t be performing.
55
Totally agree about Jennifer Lopez. Terrible decision to let her perform. She must have a good agent/publicist that's trying to keep her relevant.
39
Brandi Carlile was amazing, and "The Joke" is a great song.
I think it's sad that such fabulous talents as Janelle Monae, Lady Gaga and St. Vincent bury their MUSICAL talents in 'tricks.'
Hope that H.E.R. has a career worthy of her talent -- which, 'on guitar' would be unique (but for St. Vincent).
Re J LO: I don't think her singing remind anyone of … e.g. … David Ruffin, this or that Isley Brother, Martha Reeves or Gladys Knight.
Are the "best rock" song and album awards next?
21
This was a painful show to watch. I made it thought about an hour and that was more than enough.
It's nice to see women getting respect for their artistry, but I think women's contribution to music has long been appreciated. It's not like we're at war with the sexes, or are we?
Also I don't understand why people would want to watch some of these award shows at all. Everyone thanks their managers, their producers, God, etc. It's business, and why should we care?
20
@Peter Lobel
So why do you watch? Was there a gun to your head?
6
@KGray
tnx for the knee-jerk retort. he said he just made it thru an hour.
6
It was ladies' night all the way - former first lady Michelle, Dolly, Diana and no matter what you think of the combo of JLo and Motown - she gave it her all. Just like the Oscars (Glenn Close), mature women are having their day - and it is both bright and beautiful - BRAVA!
20
I see tremendous advantage to the employment of a lot of creative people. I am not at all reassured about what they created. An awful lot of noise in the celebration of ... employment?
7
I read Lady Gaga's performance as a return to the Fame Monster to remind us that the sweet, easily romanticized song that is "Shallow" is really in the context of the terrible harm that fame can do to a person. It's been a running theme through her whole career, and her hard-guitared, twitchy performance reminded me that "A Star is Born" is no different.
14
@TO I wonder if she is scheduled to sing “Shallow” again at the Oscars, and if so, what dimension will that performance take? I was never a fan of her work until I saw her performance in “ASIB”, but the performance at the Grammys reminded me why.
3
@TO Her after party attire says it all!
I loved the show. Alicia Key was superb, smooth and confident. It was a pleasure to watch. The opening number was an important message to embrace diversity because when we do America has so much flavor. Well done !!
52
@Jackie
Jackie, the opening performance was indeed special. However, in my opinion after that, The Grammy went down hill as Alicia looked terrible, sounded worst, was unfocused and appeared confused. All amd all the show was very poorly organized and a waste of time, so I turned it off an picked up a book!!!