Junos 2012, an April Fool's Joke

I have been looking forward to the Junos for months. As a huge music fan, there is always something special about celebrating home grown talent. Well I should not be surprised that an awards show taking place on April fool’s day would be a huge joke.

So, what were the organizers thinking asking 81 year old, has-been, William Shatner to host this year’s Junos? What, was Preston Manning busy? Let’s face it the jokes weren’t funny. I guess on one level it doesn’t really matter that Shatner isn’t a musician, but he didn’t have to fully illustrate his musical ineptness.

Nickelback is one of my favs in the Canadian Music Industry. Though the young crowd appeared to love their opening performance, and it was tight, for me, it was on the noisy side. To be honest, I am not sure if it was a sound or band issue. Either way I didn’t care for it. I will give the band the benefit of the doubt, not to mention that I wasn’t there to feel the whole vibe.

Now that I’ve dissed the Junos, itself, I will hardly stop there. That would be no fun at all. While Michael Bublé’s Christmas Album was magical, it was not worthy of receiving “best album of the year”. Though I didn’t like Nickleback’s opening, they are an amazing band. I find it difficult to believe that they didn’t receive even one juno. After all, they were nominated in four categories.

It is no secret that artists have tumultuous schedules and spend a great deal of time touring. That said, the date of the Junos 2012 were announced in July 2011. From the amount of notable artists missing in action, such as Michael Bublé and Justin Bieber, perhaps more notice might be an order. If more notice was given, I wonder if that would have made a difference; or are the Juno’s not important enough for artists to book the event into their schedules?  If not, that it is too bad. If more artists showed, who knows it might have been a better show. Naa, William Shatner was still the host. From Shatner’s appointment as host, the Juno’s 2012 were doomed to go down in history as a joke.

Canada's Got Talent, I saw it and I liked it

Having viewed just the first episode of Canada's Got Talent I was more than impressed. Canadian directed and produced shows are now on a world standard if this is any indication. Queued by the amazing host Dina Pugliese, Canada's Got Talent, easily show cases what Canada has to offer and yes, even what it doesn’t. The Chemistry between Dina and the three judges, Martin Short, Measha Brueggergosman and Stephan Moccio is both instinctive and spontaneous. CGT's editing is both seamless and fast paced. All of this gives the recipe for a fun and entertaining show. Of the show that I viewed, I was kept on the edge of my seat the entire hour. For me, the show didn't drag at all. After growing tired of the Idol shows, I was ready for something completely different.

CGT is something completely different. The judges are often in agreement with each other in determining if an act is going to move forward to the next round. A reasonable argument exists that the amiability of the judges is boring. There is another side. Talent is talent. So the fact that the judges often agree just helps instill a sense of confidence in that collectively they are able to recognize good talent. Hence, it is an awesome show, with an awesome host and with an awesome team of judges.

Ok, so you get it. I love the show. I struggled with this post for a bit as I couldn't think of really anything critically to write and I found it a refreshing change from the idols. In writing this paragraph, I am still analyzing the show in my mind. The show itself was fun, exciting and flowed seamlessly from one act to the next. In my opinion, the show is world class and deserves to be on center stage in Canada and available to any canadian who choses to view the program at the initial viewing time. As the show is on City TV, here in Eastern Canada, City TV is only available in a speciality package. On the flip side, the show is available, within twenty-four hours, of the airing time. While my criticism has little to do with the show, CGT brings to the forefront new and original talent from across the country and it would be nice to have the program more accessible to more canadians.

Delayed condolences go out to the family of Davy Jones

Davy Jones dead at just 66. Though he had a solo music career as well as an acting career, he was best known for being the hilarious “heart throb” front man of the Monkees. The Monkees were formed to star in the TV show of the same name. The show lasted just 2 seasons, 1966 through 1968, though the group, itself, lasted for several years, but not continuously. By many, The Monkees were the American equivalent of the Beatles. In reality, however, Davy Jones was himself, British. He is survived by his wife Jessica and four daughters Talia, Sarah, Jessica and Annabel from his two previous marriages.

It is with sadness that Musically Connected says good bye to Davy Jones and at such a young age. To many around the world, he will certainly be missed, especially by the baby boomer generation. He was a great performer. To his family, he was a brother, a father and a husband. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family during this time.

LL Cool J Rocks

LL Cool J is alright in my books. He took no time in demonstrating that he was the best person to MC this year’s Grammys. Starting with a heartfelt prayer, he quickly brought the audience and viewers alike into a solemn attitude. Right on cue, memorable video footage was shown of Whitney. From that moment on, little time was wasted between acts and awards. The entire evening was a time of remembering and celebrating. Not just remembering Whitney, but also remembering other artists who passed on this past year such as Etta James and Amy Winehouse.

The Grammys of 2012 is going to stand out for many years to come. This is not only because it occurred within 2 days of the death of Whitney Houston, but because of the quality of performances. In recent times, I cannot remember a time when the artists preformed so well during the Grammys. Of course there were exceptions, but generally it was a well organized and entertaining show.

Like I said, on the whole, the show was well organized. For me, there was one glaring organizational flow. I was blown out of the water with Jennifer Hudson’s performance and tribute to Whitney. This performance should have been, however, near the beginning of the show. I know that many people missed seeing her live as it was nearer to the end. In addition most of the tributes to Houston came at the beginning. Unless there is something that I am missing, I see no reason for her performance not to have been placed near the beginning and to have been more connected with the other memorials.

Although this is not an original thought, the Grammys could not have happened at a better time. So many lives were touched by Whitney’s life. Many of those in attendance, at the Grammys, either knew Whitney personally or were inspired by her. It could have been “the day the music died” all over again. The gem here is that people came together during the Grammys, supported each other and kept the music alive despite Whitney’s death. This is what Whitney would have wanted.

Whitney Houston Dies at 48

It is with sadness and disbelief that my first blog is regarding the death of Whitney Houston. A musical icon, in her own right, Houston has passed away at just 48: thus joining the eerie distinctions of Richie Valens, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson of leaving us much too early. Houston, who gave us great songs as “I Will Always Love You” and “Greatest Love of All”, passed away February 11, 2012, from not yet determined or disclosed causes.

While it is true that Houston was living a fast and destructive life style, of late, now is not the time to focus on that. She was an incredible musician whose voice will live on. Her voice was powerful and clear Her passion was evident in every note. She lived for music. Ironically Houston was found dead in her hotel room hours before the traditional pre-Grammys dinner hosted by veteran host Clive Davis. Davis is the producer who discovered and developed Houston.

This is a dark day for music. Yet another artist dies way before their time. It may even be probable that she died due to a drug over dose. Writers, including, myself are being very careful not to speculate on the cause of death. We do not know for sure, at this point, and we should not allow these rumours to take away from the great talent that we have lost this weekend. There will be plenty of time to search for the truth. Today let’s celebrate her life as we look forward to the Grammys tonight.

Houston’s passing is going to have a dampening effect on the Grammy’s scheduled for this evening, but in true form they will continue as Houston would have wanted. Jennifer Hudson is going to do a tribute as well as other respectful additions will be included in the program. Neil Portnow, president of The Recording Academy, the organization that runs the Grammy’s said, “We will do something appropriate tomorrow, and nothing could be more appropriate than having Jennifer Hudson sing on stage for Whitney”. Although Portnow, couldn’t elaborate further, we do know that Houston’s contribution to music will be a highlight in tonight’s Grammys. The show will go on, but Whitney Houston will never be forgotten.