At the GRAMMYs: Do you Grimace or Grin?

The GRAMMYs are usually not my cup of tea although the 51st award ceremony this past February 8th produced a few noteworthy performances. Robert Plant, former Led Zeppelin frontman, and bluegrass singer, Alison Krauss, took home five GRAMMYs for their collaborative hit album, Raising Sand. (photo to left of Krauss and Plant by John Shearer)

Coldplay also did well, and took home three GRAMMYs -- Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends received the award for Best Rock Album, and the group received Song of the Year and Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocals, both for the title-track.

Despite some good performances, most people I know are not all that interested in the GRAMMYs. This could be because of the ceremony's emphasis on the Red Carpet -- a music ceremony should not be an exclusive press party for the stars to show off their high fashion. Also, voting is limited to members of The Recording Academy, which is limited to the artists who choose to join. Established musicians can request membership, which allows them to enter recordings, vote and participate in the GRAMMYs, and receive other benefits:

"The GRAMMYs are the only peer-presented award to honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position."

What we need to remember is that there are independent artists out there, many who deliberately have chosen to separate themselves from the corrupt music industry, and thus not become Recording Academy members. It is not unlikely that they outnumber those who are signed with major record companies. This is perhaps where the bias lies, and why to many the ceremony appears to be a publicity show for those in key with the industry. Nevertheless, The Recording Academy aims to follow its mission statement:

"To positively impact the lives of musicians, industry members and our society at large."

Despite the lack of artists who are not members of The Recording Academy, the GRAMMYs allow contemporary artists to share and recognize each others' work. Another cool thing is rather than just giving sole credit to the musicians, there are also awards for producers, artists, engineers, and so forth. This is great because it puts faces to the names out there that you might only come across upon a close read of an album’s liner notes. Whereas some people might not realize just how many individuals collaborate to produce a record, industry members are happy to congratulate each other on their achievements.

For example, Radiohead's In Rainbows won for the Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package, but this award isn't another for Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, and band. Rather, it was presented to Radiohead's art directors, Stanley Donwood, Mel Maxwell, and Christiaan Munro. The band members did receive deserved recognition with the Best Alternative Music Album award.

Although the GRAMMYs offer an exceptional ceremony for all involved, it is a shame that artists who have chosen not to be involved with the industry must go unrecognized. What I think would be neat is if we, the listeners, were able to place our votes for our favourite artists in a major award ceremony similar to the GRAMMYs, but free of membership and class restrictions. All artists and bands, new and old, would be eligible, and there would be worldwide categories like Best Song of All Time... could you decide? ;)

Got PS22?

Live from Staten Island, New York, the PS22 Chorus is not your typical 5th grade public elementary school choir. These kids have risen to worldwide fame not only through their teacher, "Mr. B"'s, blog. There have been over 2,450,000 views of PS22 performances on YouTube. You can also catch them on episodes of the latest season of Electric Company, airing on PBS!

I first found out about PS22 from some friends on a Tori Amos forum. Being a huge fan, I was intrigued to learn that a group of young students were performing covers of her complex songs. With the help of Undented, the PS22 of 2007 received a once in a lifetime offer from Sony Music -- to sing with Tori!

The student stars brought piano prodigy, Amos, to tears with their performance of her song Dragon, above, which now has over 152,000 views on YouTube.

"They were so good! Their arrangements -- their sound -- it was so good... It was... disarming. It means so much that they took it and made it their own." - Tori Amos

PS22 have also sung with Judy Torres, and were recipients of a special invitation from Academy Award-winner, Marcia Gay Harden, to perform at her home. Apart from Tori they have covered Regina Spektor, Bjork, Madonna, Keane, and Coldplay, among others.

Since 2000, Gregg Breinberg has been teaching P.S. 22 5th graders vocal techniques that allow them to cover a wide range of contemporary repertoire. He accompanies on piano and guitar to structure covers for the chorus in such a way that projects creative ability, and captures emotion. It is refreshing to know that Mr. B not only understands the importance of arts in education at a regular public school, but has brought his kids to the attention of supporters worldwide. With smiles all around, faces lit up, and their hands on their hearts, it is simple to be swept into their sound.

Perez Hilton certainly agrees for he has featured the PS22 chorus a few times on his celebrity blog. It is exciting to note that the chorus has recently been covered by mainstream news sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian.

P.S. Speaking of gaining momentum, the latest news is that the chorus, pictured above with Coldplay management, has the possibility of being signed for a record deal. I'll be staying tuned, for sure!

Ani for President!

I recently posted about Obama's national cause in support of the Arts. I am sure that many of you are aware that he also is an activist for women's rights.

In the Winter 2009 inaugural issue of Ms. Magazine, feminist folk musician, Ani DiFranco, speaks out to President Obama:

"I have received so many breathless letters myself and now it's role-reversal time. You have reawakened a disillusioned and passive electorate and begun healing racial wounds that have crippled us for centuries." (photo to left by Rhea Anna for Ms. Magazine)

Ani is an example of an artist who gives back to the people. On one hand her music is personal, which makes it accessible. On the other, it is popular because it is political.

Ani`s most recent song, November 4, 2008, is a direct reference to election day. In an interview by Italian blogger, Eleonora Bianchini, Ani declares that her politics are somewhat left of Obama`s, that she`s more radical than him. Nevertheless she rejoices about what she believes he will bring to America.


There has been some controversy within the Ani fan community because the lyrics to November 4 seem not as poetic as what the little folksinger is capable of. What is important, however, is that she has captured a moment with her music. Ani spent the week after election day writing this song. It`s not about how poetic it is, or how popular Obama is. Ani is human and like many, it is great to see that she is in tune with a vision for change. November 4, 2008 is another outlet for the expression of independence and opinion that has given Ani her name in the industry.

To watch additional solo and live versions of November 4th, 2008, step on over to Righteous Babe Records!

The Boss Is Back

Bruce Springsteen's latest album, Working on a Dream, is to be released Tuesday.

According to the Associated Press, Springsteen believes music can influence society:

"He tells Rolling Stone magazine he doesn't think rockers have a whole lot of influence, but can create a vision of the world as it should be."

We live in a society that is highly populated with avid listeners and musicians, so Bruce’s words hit home. The album's title-track is embedded with his revolutionary message. Springsteen’s lyrics are inspiring: “I'm working on a dream / Though sometimes it feels so far away / I'm working on a dream / And I know it will be mine someday.”

The video for Working on a Dream (posted here, courtesy of Yahoo! Music) runs through various aspects of the writing and recording process. It shows Springsteen deep in thought, often with a smile on his face. His lyrics are simple, and true. Aspiration and effort are without a doubt two essential components of a rocker’s mix, and are also integral to personal achievement.

A sneak preview of Life Itself, thanks to the Irish Times, allowed me to further glimpse into Springsteen's 24th album. A catchy piece, and undeniably a love song, Life Itself carries a pounding rhythm that merges with Bruce's strong chorus: "You were life itself, rushing over me..." The drum and guitar beat also leads the verses, which are slowed with sometimes layered vocals. What sounds like slide guitar riffs carries listeners into the heart wrenching bridge: "Why the things that we treasure most slip away in time / 'Til to the music we grow deaf and to god's beauty blind / Why do the things that connect us slowly pull us apart / 'Til we fall away in our own darkness, stranger to our own hearts.”

Here's the track listing:

1. Outlaw Pete
2. My Lucky Date
3. Working on a Dream
4. Queen of the Supermarket
5. What Love Can Do
6. This Life
7. Good Eye
8. Tomorrow Never Knows
9. Life Itself
10. Kingdom of Days
11. Surprise, Surprise
12. The Last Carnival

Plus, there are two bonus tracks in store -- The Wrestler, and A Night with the Jersey Devil.

Can’t wait for Tuesday? Download Life Itself!

Obama: A Sound Movement for America

January 20th’s inauguration of U.S. 44th President, Barack Hussein Obama, marks a memorable day not only in American politics, but in music history. Supporters of the arts across the country have been fighting to bring music and arts back into public schools where such classes have been drastically cut. Obama believes that the arts benefit education:

“Children who learn music actually do better in math and kids whose imaginations are sparked by the arts are more engaged in school” - Barack Obama (The Christian Science Monitor).

Obama’s cause speaks from the heart as he recalls his own education:

"When I was a kid," he told a crowd in Wallingford, Pa., on April 2, "you always had an art teacher and a music teacher. Even in the poorest school districts, everyone had access to music and other arts" (The Christian Science Monitor).

Music and art have always been education staples, at least in my experience. I still have some of the pictures I painted in Kindergarten, and recall rhythms and musical activities I participated in from a young age. Music makes memories, and Obama's plan to implement a presidential arts platform, the first of its kind, is certain to make magic. His three main objectives are to:

• Expand Public / Private Partnerships between Schools and Arts Organizations
• Create an Artists Corps
• Publically Champion the Importance of Arts Education

The arts are integral to an ongoing sense of community, which bellows through in form of an online petition started by producer Quincy Jones. Jones has collected nearly 200,000 signatures in favour of a Secretary of the Arts under Obama’s new presidency.

Obama will also show his support by increasing funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, promoting cultural diplomacy, attracting foreign talent, providing health care to artists, and ensuring artists' tax fairness.

You can help support the arts and make the most of Obama’s call for change when you sign Jones’ petition and download Obama’s motivational compilation, YES WE CAN: Voices of a Grassroots Movement.

From the start of his candidacy, he is a man who has been dedicated to a country of new hope -- I have no doubt that Obama will rock the White House.

Music That Melts...

Well, only in the process that Pasquale Ramunno uses to sculpt his art! Ramunno’s wax figures stand as solid as rock’n’roll’s grounded fan base. From Chuck Berry to The Beatles to Madonna to David Bowie, the local artist has hand-crafted over sixty legends exclusively for Rock Legends Wax Museum in Niagara Falls, Ontario.

Music has had great influence in sparking creativity in Ramunno. His work intricately details the facial expressions and finger positions of Clapton, Hendrix and Page as they rock out on their guitars! These features combined with the contours of the figures’ lifelike bodies remind us that music is a phenomenal art that moves us both physically and emotionally as we listen and play.

According to the Royal London Wax Museum,

“The wax museum must determine the scene and the location within the scene that a new personality will occupy.”

And Rock Legends makes it clear that Ramunno has an interest in the scene -- his art is evidence that he has studied rock’n’roll in-depth from its early influences in rhythm and blues all the way to its effects on punk rock, and rap. Ramunno has certainly developed a widespread audience, drawing music lovers from around the world. His art appeals to Motown and heavy metal fans, to name a few.

Personally, I loved Rock Legends! It was awesome to be so close to Robert Plant, and to stand next to Kurt Cobain. This tourist attraction is a must for anyone interested in rock music and its influences. The wax musicians are showcased by era, alongside tour posters, which takes visitors on an adventure through 20th-century rock history. The museum’s music, dim hallways, and colourful spotlights compare to the atmosphere of a good show. And just when you think it’s over, you enter the Rock Shop, known to sell some extremely hard to find memorabilia -- a must have for every devoted fan!

It is definitely exciting to see the effects that music has had on one man’s creative mind. Music is a unique and personal journey and I will be using Retrograde Music to examine the different ways that the musical realm gains so many followers in the physical world. I will look, for example, at the unique places that music leads us to, and its ongoing effects. I also hope to use it as an outlet for examining artists, albums, and songs, to introduce you, my readers, to music you may or may not have heard of. Enjoy!