Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Bits and Pieces of a Musical Nature

I know the Grammy's were Sunday, but I just can't stop thinking about some of my favorite performances.  Any performance that has you still thinking about them days later is, in my opinion, a winner.  In no particular order here are my favorites from the Grammys.

Mumford and Sons, The Avett Brothers and Bob Dylan.  I know these guys all lean towards the folk side of the spectrum, but I thought they ROCKED.  I'll admit I'm not a huge Dylan fan, but they guys all looked like they were having a blast performing with him. UPDATE:  I've heard this video isn't working, here's an alternate if you are really interested.


Keith Urban, Norah Jones and John Mayer performing Dolly Parton's "Jolene."  Proof that great musicians just need their voices and a guitar or two to make beautiful music.


Miranda Lambert's "The House That Built Me."  I don't care how many times I hear this one it always makes me teary.


Muse's "Uprising."  Seeing this one after watching the events in Egypt over the past couple of weeks was awe inspiring.


While Katy Perry didn't make my list of favorite Grammy performances, I feel like I need to give her a shout out here.  A couple of weeks ago I (kind of) dissed her in a post at i-Studio, when I used her song  "California Girls" as an example of the type of song I didn't want my niece to claim as her favorite.  But then last week I heard Katy's song "Firework" performed on Glee and now I find I need to eat a little crow.  The message of this particular song is lovely and just the type of thing I'd like to hear Miss M singing.


Did you have a favorite performance at the Grammy's?  Does anyone else think Lady Gaga is looking/sounding more and more liked Madonna 2.0? Pin It

27 comments:

Kitty said...

I didn't get to watch the grammys this year. I was hoping that Florence and the MAchine would win best artist, but no go. Oh, well. Love the version of Jolene!

Caroline said...

Loved the Grammy's...I missed a bit here and there... I didn't like Katy too much (but I do love her song Firework...have you seen the video? Amazing...I will put a link below for you.). Surprisingly, I liked Mick Jagger! And I am probably the only person in the world that does not like the Rolling Stones!! But I love that song (because it reminds me of the Blues Brothers when Jake and Elwood sang it on stage). And yes, Lady Gaga reminds me a bit of Madonna...I think Madonna broke so many rules and barriers, it's tough to shock anyone anymore!

Link to firework video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJuMBdaqIw

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

I didn't see the Grammy's. I couldn't see all of the videos that you posted but the Jolene version was great. Love Norah Jones. Thought she sounded a lot like Dolly and her hair and dress were so cute!

Maegan Beishline said...

I love that I can always count on you to fill me in on current music! I just don't know what's going on in this music world by listening to princess songs all day long! Thanks for these!

Anna said...

Hard to believe, but no tv watching at our house. Thanks for the tunes. Really liked the Jolene version.

Lisa Gordon said...

I really enjoyed this year's show. Sometimes i think award shows are way too drawn out, and not very interesting.

My amazement this year was Gwyneth Paltrow. i did not know she sang, and thought she did a fantastic job!

Can't "do" Lady Gaga at all. Just way too over the top for me. :-) Definitely Madonna, minus a whole lotta class!

Great post Jamie!

Courtney said...

I didn't catch the first half of the show but I did love "Jolene". I loved that song as a kid and it brought back memories of me begging my grandmother to play it "just one more time". I thought it was awesome. And yes, I think Lady Gaga's latest song sounds VERY much like Madonna.

Ms. Becky said...

I'm a sucker for awards shows and I love the Grammy's because of all the collaborations. These performances blew me away - (full disclosure: I'm a baby-boomer) Dylan and the young ones, the Jolene tune, Katy Perry (I loved seeing Nicole Kidman grooving and singing along) and Mick Jagger. I don't understand how Lady Gaga avoids getting sued by Madonna.

Annemarie said...

I love Miranda's 'House That Built Me' too. It brought me to tears the first time I heard it. And I also love this post! Fantastic choices!

Hugs xoxo

R Montalban said...

I didn't watch the grammy's and couldn't see all your videos, but I did like Norah Jones, she does have a lovely voice.

4 Lettre Words said...

LOVE Norah and Miranda. Such amazing voices!

Justine said...

I didn't watch them. I saw a really awful picture of lady gaga in the paper yesterday with some weirds things on her face, not my favourite person.

blue china studio happy said...

My favorite was Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers. I only watched the Grammy's this year because my sister was visiting and she wanted to, I'm so out of it when it comes to music. But I'll definitely be listening to more of these two bands.

And I did think there was a Madonna element to Lady Gaga.

Erin Wallace said...

LOVE Dylan, but I'm a folksie gal. And I have to say that I love Katy Perry, too, and Firework is amazing. Totally agree with you about Lady Gaga, but can there ever be another Madonna?

IVYALLOVER said...

haha love that I cam pop over here an you can update me with what's up in music. uhm so dare I admit it? I missed the Grammy's but glad to come here for the update! thanks Jaime another well thought out post ♥

Karen M. Peterson said...

I feel like I'm the only person on the planet who is unaware of Mumford and Son. I'll be looking them up on iTunes tonight...

Marcie said...

I so enjoy your playlists. This one is no exception. Terrific!

Ashley Sisk said...

I couldn't agree more on the Mumford Sons and Avett Brothers....they were incredible.

blue elephant photography said...

awesome videos, especially that i didn't get to see the grammys lol...i actually do think that madonna and lady gaga has some similarity. i both like dancing around like crazy and singing out loud to their songs lol

urban muser said...

i didn't see the grammys, but i know i can always rely on you for a little musical direction!

mosey (kim) said...

Didn't see the Grammys either, but thank you for this recap!

And although it makes me feel old and crotchety to say this -- I just don't get Lady Gaga. sigh....

krissilugbill said...

I have been away for a bit and i have missed your blog! love the new look. I too enjoyed the mumford and sons/avett brothers/dylan segment, BRAVO!

Clare B said...

Norah and John Mayer - two of my favourites (is that a confession?) Didn't get to see the Grammy's but would have also enjoyed seeing Mumford and Sons I think.

k said...

I cannot for the life of me catch that mumford act!! Every video says it was removed, I"m thinking I'll never see my two faves (avett and mumford) perform! ah!

Cindy said...

mumford & sons + avett brothers because i like both bands and thought they were so enthusiastic! fun!

tattytiara said...

I didn't watch the Grammys per say, but you can't escape the highlights on the internet. I've heard other people raving about Dylan, but yeah - it does sound like Gaga's falling a bit short of expectations with her new single.

Amanda said...

Loved the Avett, Mumford, Dylan performance. Those boys looked like they were in disbelief that they were performing with a legend. Grins from ear to ear...

And, Norah gets me every time she sings! :)

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