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Post by jhar26 on Feb 16, 2016 11:03:35 GMT -5
Quote by jhar26: Nobody. But I wouldn't have taken it any more seriously if Beyoncé had been nominated and had won. Truth be told, I don't think she's all that great. I think that Beyonce is "better" - at the very least in terms of potential, than Taylor Swift. The same is true of Rihanna imo. But the mere suggestion that either one of them should get an album of the year award is laughable. But I was of course only kidding with my remark about a nomination for Beyonce. It would have made it more entertaining to see the reaction of West when Taylor won. And the entertainment factor is the only one worth considering in these things since the awards themselves are a complete joke. I don't understand why they don't give Toni Bennett 10 best traditional pop album awards in one go. He gets that one each year anyway because he's the only name on the list of nominees that voters recognize and they don't bother checking out the others. And the same thing is true for lots of other categories. Now that the always automatically nominated BB King is no more many probably had problems casting a vote in the blues category. In short - the grammys are a farce where the suits that run the industry give each other a pat on the back for a job well done from a business perspective. We see something similar when it comes to the Oscars. You hear people/movie makers talk about "campaigning." "We've made a great movie, but we don't have the budget to campaign effectively." What a joke! Were you the best actor/actress/director/whatever, or weren't you? If you were you should get that damned statue, and if you weren't you shouldn't. It's as simple as that. You can't "campaign" to be the best (in so much that the best even exists in the arts) - you either are or you ain't. If it is necessary to campaign - and I don't doubt for a mitute that it is, the entire thing has zero credibility.
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Post by jhar26 on Feb 16, 2016 9:37:44 GMT -5
A pity that Beyonce wasn't nominated as well. That might have added a bit of spice to the thing. But seriously. Thousands of albums were released during 2015. "And you know who made the best one of the lot? Taylor Swift!" Who can possibly take such a thing seriously?
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Post by jhar26 on Feb 16, 2016 3:01:21 GMT -5
You have to be kidding.
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Post by jhar26 on Feb 10, 2016 2:10:51 GMT -5
Lady Gagas version was one of the best but l would have to give it to Whitney as the best. She set the standard for the Anthem. Beyonce is overrated . She is gorgeous but her music is truly boring and she has basically one dance move she repeats over and over while she is whipping her hair around. Hope she doesnt get whiplash Well, if you compare their "product" with their popularity than ALL of these contemporary pop and r&b stars/queen of pop contenders are overrated. Rolling Stone magazine, which insanely still has the status of the equivalent of a rock'n'roll bible and a rag for whatever there remains of a counter culture has completely sold it's soul though. They give four and five star reviews to Beyonce and Rihanna albums these days. I'm not a snob, so a new album from these women shouldn't automatically result in a zero or one star review as far as 'm concerned. But four, or even five stars? Are they serious? As for the Star Spangled Banner - I also liked the Dixie Chicks version. I hate all those twenty notes for every syllable versions where the singer is so eager to impress but only ends up butchering the tune.
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Post by jhar26 on Feb 9, 2016 11:36:26 GMT -5
Quote by robertaxel: Yes, I too have to chuckle at all the backlash Beyoncé is getting for her Black Lives Matter-inspired performance. But what I find most weird is that Linda herself has had a lot of great things to say about her--and what it is Linda sees in Beyoncé, I guess I don't see. Well, if Linda likes her and the right DOESN'T like her she deserves three cheers, I'd say. Seriously though, I think she's ok-ish, sorta, kinda. Definitely a step up from most other "queen of pop" contenders we have at the moment. Descent entertainer, charismatic, a few hits that I like ("Crazy in Love" is really a killer record imo). It hardly makes her a Linda, Dusty, Janis, Aretha or Joni, but she's not a Britney or Miley either. Well her wardrobe (or more often the lack of one) might put her in that latter group, but she has more potential/talent than them imo. Rihanna is also someone who could be better than she is considering her potential. Unfortunately, even those among today's pop-ettes that have some talent seem to be more interested in being a celebrity than artistic excellence. Lady GaGa is an even better example. She could be VERY good. But hey, we're just a bunch of old farts that perhaps just "don't get it."
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Post by jhar26 on Feb 8, 2016 19:03:37 GMT -5
This was good. After hearing this tune 50.000 times already I'm a bit bored with it though. But I'm sure that they enjoyed it in Syria. But to end on a positive note - strange as it may sound, Lady GaGa is better than her music.
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Post by jhar26 on Feb 8, 2016 18:56:29 GMT -5
and speaking of what did everybody think about the 1/2 time show. Beyonce, Bruno Mars and Coldplay. I thought it was pretty boring .I like Bruno Mars but part of the problem is many of these artists dance around the stage as if they're Michael Jackson and nobody can move the way Michael could. it isn't physically possible for most.. Coldplay - I'm not a fan, but I don't mind them either. This setting was much too kitschy for a band like Coldplay though. It's like putting Dylan on stage with a clown's red nose. Bruno Mars - Agreed, this was a poor man's Michael Jackson. Beyonce - A poor women's Janet Jackson I suppose, at least in this performence. In general I like Beyonce more than most other contemporary pop-ettes, but this didn't do anything for me. Michael and Janet Jackson took choreographed dancing in pop/dance concerts as far as it could go. Everything since is inevitably just a poor copy. Bring back spontaneity where not every milisecond is carefully planned.
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Post by jhar26 on Feb 4, 2016 19:16:17 GMT -5
Man, has this turned out to be a really rough year for the music business. Earth, Wind, and Fire were one of the really great groups of a time, the 1970s, where there were so many, and they had such a great batch of hits, including "That's The Way Of The World", "Get Away", "Fantasy", "After The Love Has Gone", and tons more. I really cannot believe how many great people are falling away from us in 2016--David Bowie; Glenn Frey; Paul Kantner (Jefferson Airplane); and now Maurice White. It is absolutely scary (IMHO). To say the least. And than there was also that Signe Anderson lady from the Jefferson Airplane and that drummer of Mott The Hoople. And Natalie Cole.
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Post by jhar26 on Jan 28, 2016 12:24:33 GMT -5
I'm glad Linda didn't get the Sandy part. She would forever be defined by that role in a not even very good movie (imo). It would have cost her in terms of credibility too.
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Post by jhar26 on Jan 25, 2016 13:36:49 GMT -5
The famous Canon from baroque composer Pachelbel. Hiromi even puts metal blades on the strings of her piano to make it sound more baroque (because harpsichord) like.Until she starts improvising and jazzing it up.
Gershwin's "I"ve got rhythm."
"Rhapsody in Blue" like you've never heard (or seen) it before.
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Post by jhar26 on Jan 25, 2016 3:18:06 GMT -5
And that's the thing. The biggest obstacle that Elvis had was the manager he had had since 1955, one who wouldn't let him do much of anything on his own (and nothing after Steve Binder and Chips Moman gainsaid him and helped Elvis to his biggest triumphs). Any other manager would have been more than content to at least have Elvis talk to David Bowie, or to Linda, about a project--and hopefully also allow Elvis to get help for his own health problems. But not the Colonel. Parker caused most of Elvis's problems with his artistic goals, but I also feel Elvis also contributed some of his problems. He was too insecure, too afraid to stand up for what he wanted. Then there were others around Elvis, who took credit for Elvis having recorded this song or that song, as if Elvis never would've heard the songs without them. True, some of the people around Elvis were in the music business: Red West was a musician-songwriter as well as actor and who supplied Elvis with many songs. Marty Lacker worked for local Memphis recording and publishing companies and provided Elvis with songs. Lamar Fike worked for Elvis's various music publishing companies and brought in quite a few songs, including "Kentucky Rain." Others around Elvis claimed to have brought songs to Elvis, including Priscilla, who claimed she was the one who was responsible for Elvis hearing "An American Trilogy." Marty Lacker and the late singer-songwriter Mickey Newbury disputed Priscilla's claim, saying it was Elvis's producer (and Newbury's producer) Felton Jarvis, who took the song to Elvis. Priscilla apparently aspired to have a Yoko Ono-like influence in Elvis's musical life and yet, in her book, she recalled Elvis's reaction when she tried to get Elvis to listen to and record some of her new musical favorites. He went off on her, telling her he was getting advice from everyone on what he should record and it was driving him crazy. Priscilla even wanted to go to the recording studio and chip in her opinion on the songs, much like Yoko was doing with negative effect in the Beatles' recording session. Only difference was John wanted Yoko at the sessions. Elvis did not want Priscilla at his sessions. Elvis had also written some songs with Red in the early 60s and Priscilla weighed in on his efforts, calling them no good. It was said Elvis lost interest in trying to write songs after that. I believe Elvis would've been willing to have listened to Linda and maybe even Bowie, as they were artists as well. Still, I'm also mindful of the fact that Elvis was growing weary of his movies by the early 60s and yet, when actress Stella Stevens tried to enlist his aid in revolting against their movie studio for better roles, Presley refused, saying the movies were making money and one shouldn't rock the boat. The two also had another problem: they disliked each other, despite both being from Memphis and both born in the same year. Elvis was unhappy with the movies he was making, including the one with Stevens and yet it was another instance of Elvis not liking anyone else telling him what he should do. Stevens likewise was bored with the movies she was being put in and wanted something better. She initially refused to do the Elvis movie but had to back down after she was threatened with suspension. Between Linda and Bowie though, my money would've been on Linda because of the similarities in their musical tastes, although I still think Linda would've demurred to Elvis or possibly have been too afraid to say much of anything. And who could possibly rule out Linda being smitten with Elvis and being part of his world and him being a part of her world and vice versa? Elvis shouldn't have needed a Bowie, Ronstadt, Yoko or Priscilla for quality control. Surely he recognized himself that most of his 60's movie stuff was crap - both the movies and the songs associated with them. As talented as he was, I think that Elvis lacked self-respect. If, say, Sinatra had been presented with such poor material he would have ran them out of the country. But Elvis would just record anything that was given to him. Of course it didn't help matters any that his fans would buy anything and go see anything with Elvis in it. So it was easy money I guess. But legacy wise Elvis spend too many years playing the matinee idol, and this coincided with the exact same time when rock'n'roll/popular music was going into the opposite direction. Yet he could have done it differently. His first album after he got out of the army (not that he should have enlisted to begin with) "Elvis is Back" is the path he should have continued to walk on.
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Post by jhar26 on Jan 16, 2016 7:15:15 GMT -5
it would be wonderful for her to attend this ceremony ... I really hope she does If they dedicate a section of the show to her, and she's present it would be wonderful. But if they are just going to make a short announcement before they move on to the nominations for "best rap vocal by a female" (or whatever) it's not worth the hassle of her traveling imo. Still cool that she gets the award though.
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Post by jhar26 on Jan 11, 2016 2:55:59 GMT -5
His career went through many phases. He was sort of a chameleon, both in terms of the actual music and in the way he presented himself. Arguably his most important contribution imo is the fact that he brought the avant garde into the mainstream and made it attractive for a mass audience. He was one of the greats, no doubt about it. ...And so another one bites the dust. We're getting old folks.
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Post by jhar26 on Jan 11, 2016 2:38:11 GMT -5
And he released a new album just a few days ago, which makes this even more shocking.
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Post by jhar26 on Jan 11, 2016 2:27:22 GMT -5
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 31, 2015 13:05:03 GMT -5
A bit mediocre imo. Not truly bad, but it lacks character. What a good artist needs is something that sets him or her apart from all others. That's what lacking here. This could have been anyone that can carry a tune.
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 31, 2015 9:55:15 GMT -5
Quote by jhar26: No, but then, who does? (LOL) Hmm, don't know. Jane Fonda perhaps? She seems to look a few years younger everytime I see her. Five years from now she'll be in her twenties again.
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 31, 2015 7:30:44 GMT -5
Linda's ex? George Lucas Was that George Lucas? Man, he doesn't get any younger either.
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 31, 2015 5:26:02 GMT -5
Wonderful rick. Aretha was fantastic and the tribute beyond words. Maybe someday a similar broadway tribute for Linda. She too has an amazing and inspiring story with all she has accomplished and those she has helped. Nice to see Linda's ex sitting next to Carole.Linda's ex?
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 31, 2015 4:05:10 GMT -5
Comment about Taylor Swift - "Her voice perfectly matches her songs." Indeed. That's part of the problem. And her songs perfectly match her voice as well.
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 30, 2015 18:15:46 GMT -5
Well, that was simply incredible Aretha. Every man, woman or child with an honest bone in their body must surely admit that you are the queen of soul - stunning!
And keep in mind folks - this woman is nearly 74 years old!
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 30, 2015 12:37:09 GMT -5
Just to complete my pr job for Helen Merrill.... .......still not convinced? Than I must urge you to listen to these albums on spotify. I suppose that everyone here has spotify, right? Well, I challenge anyone to listen to these and not to rank them with the most beautiful singing he's/she's ever heard.
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 30, 2015 11:21:11 GMT -5
20 that should definitely make the list imo. Random order. Mind you, there are others that I like just as much because of other aspects of their artistry or because of the total package, so to speak. This list only includes those that I consider great SINGERS. And there are no doubt a few that skip my mind right now.
-Linda Ronstadt -Dusty Springfield -Peggy Lee -Helen Merrill (Everyone should check her out. By far the most underrated of the greats imo. Truly incredible singer) -Billie Holday -Alison Krauss -Aretha Franklin -Billie Holiday -Eva Cassidy -Doris Day -Patsy Cline -Etta James -Ella Fitzgerald -Sarah Vaughan -Gladys Knight -June Christy -Anita O'Day -Sandy Denny -Amy Whinehouse -Whitney Houston (Included more because of her potential and talent, which was huge imo, than for her recorded output which was mostly dreadful)
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 30, 2015 11:01:13 GMT -5
Quote by fabtastique: Well, as Rick rightly said, it is another meaningless poll, though I would also argue it does get people talking, which is probably the whole point. I, of course, agree, just on a basic level, that putting T-Swift and Katy Perry ahead of Linda is really nuts. But I would also point out that we may have been so spoiled by the high quality of Linda and her peers, who placed songs and vocal projection first, that we would probably never have "gotten" these current starlets of the pop scene (just as our parents or [gasp!!] our grandparents didn't get Elvis or the Beatles). They clearly have to rely on a lot of flash and fireworks, like Katy Perry does, or the kind of production tinkering and processing that T-Swift still does. And in terms of T-Swift, none of that tinkering hides the fact that she is still a very sub-par singer. Well, I sorta get the thing about Beyonce. Of course she doesn't belong anywhere on a list of "greatest singers" but she's ok imo. Good entertainer and a pretty decent singer as well. The thing about her fellow "queen of pop" contenders I don't get. Someone calls Myley Cyrus a genius in his/her comment. What?
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 30, 2015 10:52:32 GMT -5
Quote by jhar26: I am not so sure about that. There's no doubt that Jackson's career was astonishing, and for that reason Neverland could be turned into a money-making enterprise. On the other hand, however, you have to count on the media once again raising all the allegations of what may have gone on there during the Nineties, and the accusations of child molestation and sexual misconduct with minors. And the fact of the matter is that, by trying to buy off the accusers instead of forcing them to prove those accusations in a criminal trial, Jackson made some very catastrophic PR mistakes that, in my opinion. would taint any ability to make Neverland a West Coast Graceland before it could even be started. Well, they tried to prove those accusations in a trial and they ended up with their pants down at their ankles. And with good reason if you know what went on in that courtroom. Not that it makes much of a difference because if a jury comes back with a "not guilty" verdict most will argue that he got away with it because of his celebrity and his money. And that's exactly what happened. The thing about MJ though is, and he's probably unique in this - is that the more wacko Jacko stories there are the more fanatic his fanbase gets in their defense of him. And so I think that the loyalty of his fanbase would have pretty much ensured the success of turning Neverland into another Graceland. Even those that don't like him would be curious enough to come take a look at this supposed epi-centre of weirdness imo.
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 30, 2015 3:49:12 GMT -5
It's somewhat surprising that the Jackson family didn't hold on to it. Apparently opinions were split among the Jackson clan. Some wanted indeed to turn it into a museum, have MJ buried there and have other Jacksons giving a performance there every now and then - I presume on his birthdays and the day he died. That's what I've heard anyway, but of course stories about the Jackson clan are a dime a dozen. It could have been a never ending money making machine for them though, that's for sure.
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 29, 2015 12:52:34 GMT -5
Quote by jhar26: This is probably closer to the truth than you might realize. The H.L. Mencken rule applies: " Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public." I don't think that the situation is much better in other places, Erik.
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 29, 2015 12:39:58 GMT -5
Yeah, I voted for Linda too. She's #6 now but these type of polls are completely meaningless to me since 95% of the voters simply haven't got a clue. The're 14 year olds who refer to a record that was in the charts six months ago as an oldie. Upon hearing the name of Dusty Springfield they probably think she's Bruce Springsteen's mum, they think that Louis Armstrong was the first man on the moon and that Peggy Lee was great at kung fu.
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 29, 2015 3:03:30 GMT -5
Funny. Most of those that are now in "the top 10 of all time" will five years from now not even be in the top 1000. People's ignorance is mindboggling.
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Post by jhar26 on Dec 28, 2015 5:20:04 GMT -5
Does anyone know the title to the intro song Don Everly is singing here before he and Linda duet?I am guessing it is in the Irish tradition as Waly Waly or One Morning In May. Yes, that song is called "Annie Laurie" an early 19th century Scottish song written by one Lady J.Scott based on a poem by William Douglas. Here's a version by legendary operatic soprano Kiri Te Kanawa........
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