Saturday, January 30, 2010
Movie of Your Life
Snow Day!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Grammy Awards
Bob Dylan was in top form during the 1998 Grammy Awards. His most recent studio album, Time Out of Mind, had earned rave reviews and multiple Grammy nominations, including "Album of the Year" (which it would win later that night). The legendary singer took the stage to perform "Love Sick," a dark and haunting song about — wait, does that say 'SOY BOMB?'
What was to be Dylan's comeback performance suddenly turned ridiculous when a shirtless man jumped on stage and writhed around with the phrase 'Soy Bomb' scrawled across his scrawny chest. What did it mean? Why did he do it? Was it a plea for a more tofu-friendly diet? What was going on?
Dylan glanced over at his impromptu stage partner with a worried, "Woah, where did that come from?" look, slowly inching away as he kept playing. Soy Bomb (a.k.a. New York City-based performance artist Michael Portnoy, who pulled the stunt...well, it's a rather long explanation) lasted the better part of a minute before being whisked away by security.
5. The Unveiling of the Glove
Michael Jackson won a record eight Grammys in February 1984. Rightly so, as Thriller is one of the biggest-selling, most popular albums ever. Jacko put in quite a performance that night, however, unveiling his now-iconic single sequined glove and showing up with Elizabeth Taylor (and no, 25 years later, we still don't understand) as his date. Nowadays, it's almost quaint to watch Michael try to please "the girls in the back." Sure, Michael.
6. MY FAVORITE - Dixie Chicks Make Nice
The Dixie Chicks sang "Not Ready to Make Nice," but the Grammy Awards were certainly ready to make them winners, honoring the trio with five awards in 2007. The Chicks, who ignited controversy in 2004 when lead singer Natalie Maines criticized President Bush on the eve of the Iraq war, won all five of the awards for which they were nominated, including the big three: album of the year (for "Taking the Long Way"), song of the year and record of the year (both for "Not Ready to Make Nice"). Bringing the total Grammys for this talented trio to a staggering 13.
Now some may laugh that this is my favorite Grammy award moment, but there is a reason. The performance. That night those girls took to the stage to put a lid on all of their haters. For the past four years before this they had taken a public relations beating when they used their freedom of speech to criticize our then President Bush. How they responded to this controversy was by taking the high road, sticking to what they know, and putting out what was the Record of the Year. Their performance of their hit "Not Ready To Make Nice", had me standing up cheering on my couch.
If you need another reason, fast forward to minute 2:50 to see a brave brave performance! Way to go Girls!
Jazzfest.....
Thursday, January 28, 2010
The Shout Out Louds
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
I'd Do It All Again....
Hard Times Come Again No More...
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Jennifer Hudson
Jesse Spanno Moment
Song of the Day
Friday, January 22, 2010
Ain't No Sunshine
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Redemption Song
Erich Segal
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
MISSING
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
RIP Kate McGarrigle
Kate McGarrigle, the outstanding singer and songwriter whose gentleness was an enduring feature of her folk music for over three decades, lost her longtime battle with cancer, she was 63.
Known for her partnership with her younger sister Anna, they were noteworthy for their melancholy songs and tender harmonies. Although they may have viewed themselves as "accidental" recording artists, it was clear from the start that the pair were unique talents. They were raised in Quebec's Mountains and they were originally introduced to French cabaret songs, folk music and jazzy standards as children, their family very frequently had cozy group sing-along’s around the piano. Kate and Anna honed their own piano skills at the elbows of nuns; later, they would make a career out of performing a fresh variation on the homey, honest music of their youth in folk clubs and on recordings. Becoming unlikely stars in the mid 70s, and despite their infrequent tours (due to raising families), their popularity never wavered.
Recently, Kate's fame has been that of a mother to major stars Rufus and Martha Wainwright, her children with the singer Loudon Wainwright III. Kate took great pride in the success of both Rufus and Martha, regularly joining them both on stage. She accompanied Rufus on piano in his two Judy Garland tribute shows at New York's Carnegie Hall in 2006.
She was diagnosed with clear cell sarcoma in 2007, and founded the Kate McGarrigle Fund cancer charity in 2008. She remained characteristically warm, funny and resolute to the end.
Please enjoy Kate and Anna McGarrigle performance of "Gentle Annie". RIP Anna.