Analog-Theater 2.0

So, here is the deal. Anyone else see the Grammies? Yeah, those awards that only seem to matter if you have a contract with a major label, and are in the top 20. That isn’t my issue, but it is an issue for me. I listen to some bands that not only try to convey a meaningful message, but express it in a musical fashion that makes it enjoyable to listen to, will they ever be at the awards so? No, they aren’t signed by a major label, they are with a smaller label that isn’t involved in legal action against their fan base.

But, what has me here posting on the site (I know twice in two days, the world is ending, get ready for all that Revelations stuff) is that I can not stand how they just disrespected the artists who built the industry.

Now, you may not agree with me on this, and that is your right, but at least hear me out. First, we had Frank Sinatra performing live with Alicia Keys. Oh, but wait, Frank Sinatra passed away almost 10 years ago. So how did he do it? Well you see, the industry just used a video of him and well, he has now performed with Ms. Keys. Why do I have an issue with this? Well, I have an issue with this simply because I have no idea if he would have chosen to perform with her, or even liked her. And without the use of some people in questionable professions I can’t ask him. So first, we can’t say “Hey, Frank, you want to perform live at the Grammies with Alicia Keys?” But, you see the people who own the rights to both that video and song can make that decision without asking, and they could also license the use of it, and with the use of modern technology change it, to sell Coke, Pepsi, or telling us that he only uses Old Spice. Now, to add to this, in another few years and as technology progresses we could use these old videos to make a three dimensional rendering of him, and then sample his voice, and well, Frank could be doing new movies. All of this, well, because now someone owns him. And the honest truth is that who he was, and I have no idea about that, no longer matters, what matters is how can we use his image. And this could be done using anybody. Preferably who is dead so they don’t get on the 6 o’clock news and complain that they didn’t provide permission, nor do they approve of the use of their likeness in this matter.

My second big issue is when people take music and just mash their own rap and lyrics into the middle, such as at the end of the entire show when Will-i-am decided to pay tribute to 50 years of major label music by mashing a variety of classic songs into one 2 minute long rap that told us how great he was. Seriously, listen to it, he’ll tell you. My view is that if you want to pay tribute to Simone Else’s music, hold to the original spirit of the song. That doesn’t include adding verses to inform the listener that you are an amazing rapper. If you, the listener will already know, and doesn’t really need to be informed of such.

On an interesting side note, I have to give credit to Ludacris, he wins the Artist-dressed-in-a-fashion-his-mother
-would-have-approved-of award for actually appearing in a suit. This was fairly unique in that many artists present wore clothing that A. Appeared to have been slept in, or B. lite up, you know, with lights. I’m not saying that a person can’t show some artistic flair, Prince always dresses his own way, but always looks like he made an effort to be well groomed. I just don’t understand the people at the other end of the spectrum, this is an event broadcast world wide, pictures of which will be reviewed for weeks on television, in magazines, and of course the Intertubes, who show up looking like Christmas trees (Mr. West) or like they just fell out of bed (Foo fighters), or high (No surprises there Ms. Winehouse)

Well, that is out of the way and I feel better now