Hey Team,
My friend texted me excitedly last night with "Omg it's the Grammy's!" I replied with a snarky "I can look up who won after!" Usually I love award shows, but mostly the ones that are for movies and television. Sometimes they get long and you have to pull out Free Fall (the game for Frozen in the app store) to play a few rounds, and then pay attention again.
But if you've been listening to the radio, sometimes I get fed up just trying to find something 1) I can listen to more than 5 times 2) Something I can relate to and connect to. So it's like finding a unicorn. In Linchpin, Seth Godin's book I'm currently listening to, he mentions Bob Dylan, a true artist. Godin mentions an interview with Dylan, where a reporter mentions how he has sold millions of records, and how he did it. Dylan replied with a classic "I'm just as surprised as you are!" I think that is a true artist. Someone who writes almost all of their own work, plays, and tours like a vagabond. Dylan wasn't trying to sell any product or make sure he was wearing the right shoes, he just wrote music, and didn't care about anyone else's opinion.
That's why I think the Grammys in some ways shouldn't exist. Sure, Adele and Norah Jones deserve Grammys because they do their own thing, and I believe earned their awards. But when others just conform to top 40 blah blah blah, I don't feel like their musicianship even exists. It's just something producers think the masses will like. (As I'm writing this, I'm imagining myself chasing kids off my property with a hose, with 20 cats looking on from inside) So maybe my opinion is that of a 85 year old, denture/moo moo loving blue hair, but dang it, I think it's valid.
So here's some musicians that I think should have more Grammys, or be recognized more for their contribution to music.
Rufus Wainwright
A glorious peacock in his own right. He's the perfect mix of show tunes, satire, and downright ballad blues. Now, if you are like me, you love those songs of unrequited love, and my all-time favorite has to be The Art Teacher.
Birdy
I've mentioned this young, fabulous brit in previous posts, but I honestly cannot get enough of her angelic voice. It's just unreal she has that much talent that young. One of my top tracks is Wings. P.S. Birdy is opening for Cristina Perri at the Depot in Salt Lake March 5th. Check officialbirdy.com for details.
Mat Kearney
As most of you know, I'm a Mat fanatic. I've seen him live about 4 times, and I just can't get enough of his music. He just deserves all of the awards that are made for music. End of story. Here's a great video of his song from the famous PS22 Chorus singing Mat's Sooner or Later. I cried the first time I heard it from these amazing kids, but no shocker there.
Frou Frou
Her Album Details is honestly one of the albums start to finish. I've over-listened and had to step back, but I still think it's such an impressive work from her. She did earn a Grammy for Hide and Seek as Imogen Heap, but Hear Me Out has to be my number one.
So that's my list of the unsung nominees for Jana's Grammys 2014.
Here's to wonderful ear candy,
Jana
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