More Grammy Thoughts

I guess before I continue to wax philosophical about the Grammys, I should probably disclose that not only am I a voting member of NARAS, but I used to work for them... I did publicity for the Grammys telecast during their 30th Anniversary, when they bulked up in PR staff for that momentous occasion... for Grammy's 40th, I also worked to create very early webcast/streams during rehearsals in my role as VH1's Executive Producer of such programming.

So - yeah, I know a bit about the inner workings of the thing.

But my musical taste has pretty much completely differed from my colleagues.

And if I had my way.....

Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds would win for one of the Best in the Rock category for Dig!!! Lazarus, Dig!!! Its one of the best songs and best albums released this year. For me, of course, Nick Cave can pretty much do no wrong.

Just play the track! Its Nick Cave out John Cale-ing John Cale in Velvet Underground and solo mode. His facile way of telling an outrageous story while the band churns behind him... sorta like the way Cale performed "Pablo Picasso" live

Another winner in the Rock category would have to be Eddy Current Suppression Ring... and it would be rather difficult for me to figure out which band should get the best rock album and which one would be awarded for best rock song...

That doesn't even take into consideration that Radiohead's In Rainbows qualifies for the upcoming Grammys. I like Radiohead just fine... but they don't need this Grammy as much as the public needs to know why either / or Cave or ECSR totally rule the rock n roll roost.

On the female side.... I'm looking at Alicia Keys and Duffy to take home some awards. Duffy for Best New Artist? I love that spirited girl... like Lulu meets Dusty. And Alicia Keys... she's growing on me. Still... she's a bit too slick, but out of the field of possibilities, I'd rather see her get honored than say.... Mariah Carey.

Finally - in order to maximize the opening of the Grammy Museum in LA, the announcements of the Grammy nominees will take place with a live concert, rather than the usual ass-crack-of-dawn press conference that no one attends but some poor musicians (likely still awake from the night before) read the nominees.... now, it'll be a televised event. Primetime in LA - meaning East Coast channels franchises of CBS will have to NOT be on autopilot... and well, that might mean pre-empting or re-scheduling DAVID LETTERMAN.... and believe it or not... I actually enjoyed his one-off hosting stint. He's the kind of stupid I really appreciate....