The Reb (it IS HIS portion of the blogosphere, after all, in which I have squatted!) and I were talking the other day. Between the recent passing of Debbie Friedman, the most influential Jewish singer/songwriter WITHIN the Jewish community in a very long time (and was I the only one who, even though we KNEW she wouldn't be there, watched the "In Memoriam" at the Grammy's desperately hoping to be proven wrong?), and the BEP sharing a "Mazel Tov" with the world at halftime of Super Bowl (tm) XLV, it has been a VERY high profile stretch for Jews in musical pop culture!
But even bigger was the phenomenon of a Yeshiva University a cappella group last Chanukkah. Called "The Maccabeats," these talented young men created an Internet sensation by creating a Chanukkah parody for the ages. They were hardly the first to do something like this, and maybe not even the best. They weren't the first to use "You Tube" and the new media of the internet age to spread their "Gospel" (sorry!). BUT, they struck a chord (again?!), and in eight nights (!) had a MILLION hits on their video. If, somehow, you missed it, check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSJCSR4MuhU
But now, in rapid succession, because success leads to imitation, come (at least) two more efforts. I will be curious to hear what others have to say in comparing these two to each other, and to those that came before. I have some very clear thoughts, but want to get a clean response.
So, check out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMfWRyVtsG0&feature=related
and
http://bit.ly/fEZElq
and let me know what you think :)
LP Traxx
And, btw -- did Cee-Lo REALLY wear the peacock outfit as a subtle protest of the Comcast takeover of NBC???
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Tweetin' the Grammy's (TM)
Okay -- first, off the ledge. I have NOT actually gone over to the dark side of twitter. Promise.
But this year's Grammy's cried out for constant response. For example (and let's make this in the form of a multiple choice quiz!)
1. Biggest sign of the impending apocalypse:
A. I actually found myself ENJOYING and appreciating the artistry of Marshall Mathers
B. The number of cast members from Glee who were on the show -- especially considering the broadcast was NOT on Fox! -- one of whom referred to the director of the Academy as "my friend"
C. Mick Jagger made his Grammy onstage DEBUT (!??)
D. The cast of Glee was actually nominated for an award that was presented ON the broadcast
2. Wardrobe nightmare of the evening:
A. Cee-Lo Green's effort to resurrect Elton John's retired wardrobe cabinet
B. Katy Perry's stockings
C. Lady Gaga's whatever the frick that was (and were those faux HORNS on her forehead when she accepted her award?)
D. Gwynneth Paltrow's platform stillettos
3. Best growling:
A. Mick Jagger (doing a Blues Brothers' hit? Really?)
B. Bob Dylan (in a performance that was both intelligible and star-making for those of us who had no idea who Mumford and Sons or the Avett Brothers really were!)
C. Christina Aguilera (a most interesting choice to help pay respect to Aretha)
D. Kris Kristofferson
4. Best performance by a Jew on the show?
A. Barbra Streisand
B. Bobby Zimmerman (aka Bob Dylan)
C. Rapper Drake (aka Aubrey Graham, formerly of DeGrassi)
D. Don Kirschner (in memoriam)
5. Biggest anti-climax:
A. Lady Antebellum winning (and winning, and winning)
B. Eminem winning (does this qualify in the apocalyptical signs category as well?)
C. Miranda Lambert winning
D. The lack of reaction to Arcade Fire's stunning and otherwise inexplicable victory for Album of the Year
6. Cleverest introduction/act pairing
A. Blake Shelton introducing Miranda Lambert
B. Doogie Howser (aka Neil Patrick Harris) introducing Katy Perry
C. Kris Kristofferson introducing Barbra
D. The intro of the opening number -- showing "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" to Aretha
7. Most laughable moment from a single song performance:
A. That the song is known as "Otherwise known as 'Forget You'" -- as so eloquently lampooned in the intro by Jamie Foxx
B. Cee-Lo's obvious B&E against Elton John's dressing room
C. Gwynneth Paltrow's platform stilletoes
D. Gwynneth turning sidewise and (I swear it actually happened!) disappearing from view
E. Utilizing Muppets, but NOT bringing in Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem Band (can you just picture the ending with ANIMAL destroying his drum set? :)
8. Most painful moment from a single song performance:
A. The bicycles during Arcade Fire - huh?
B. The lighting during Arcade Fire - I hope there were no seizures induced in the Staples Center
C. The screeching that passed for the music of Arcade Fire - who "arranged" that performance?
D. The realization that Arcade Fire was up for Album of the year - (How?)
E. The WTF moment when Arcade Fire was announced as the winner for Album of the Year -- and you suddenly realized that even Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Eminem, or (OMG, not again) Lady A was a so much better choice!
9. Breakout Performance
A. Mumford and Sons
B. Avett Brothers
C. Eminem
D. Arcade Fire
10. Best explanation for the Album of the Year winner:
A. Barbra, to calm her notorious stage fright after her performance, had a drag of some of whatever Kris was smoking, and did her best imitation of Hosni Mubarak and "called an audible" because she, like the rest of America, was suffering from Lady A fatigue.
B. See above, but it was an accident, and Babs turned Arcade Fire into Marisa Tomei for a new generation.
C. Academy voters forgot for a moment that they were NOT voting for American Idol and got confused, voting for the act they wanted to get off the island, immediately.
D. See C. above, but it was a deliberate Idol-like conspiracy to give the statuette to the lamest of the bunch
E. It is the f'n Grammy's -- it isn't supposed to make sense!!
F. WTF??!!
See what I mean? But -- they DID end the show 1 minute early! Overall, it was an excellent show -- until the ending. I will be curious to see if that ending sank the whole show!
But this year's Grammy's cried out for constant response. For example (and let's make this in the form of a multiple choice quiz!)
1. Biggest sign of the impending apocalypse:
A. I actually found myself ENJOYING and appreciating the artistry of Marshall Mathers
B. The number of cast members from Glee who were on the show -- especially considering the broadcast was NOT on Fox! -- one of whom referred to the director of the Academy as "my friend"
C. Mick Jagger made his Grammy onstage DEBUT (!??)
D. The cast of Glee was actually nominated for an award that was presented ON the broadcast
2. Wardrobe nightmare of the evening:
A. Cee-Lo Green's effort to resurrect Elton John's retired wardrobe cabinet
B. Katy Perry's stockings
C. Lady Gaga's whatever the frick that was (and were those faux HORNS on her forehead when she accepted her award?)
D. Gwynneth Paltrow's platform stillettos
3. Best growling:
A. Mick Jagger (doing a Blues Brothers' hit? Really?)
B. Bob Dylan (in a performance that was both intelligible and star-making for those of us who had no idea who Mumford and Sons or the Avett Brothers really were!)
C. Christina Aguilera (a most interesting choice to help pay respect to Aretha)
D. Kris Kristofferson
4. Best performance by a Jew on the show?
A. Barbra Streisand
B. Bobby Zimmerman (aka Bob Dylan)
C. Rapper Drake (aka Aubrey Graham, formerly of DeGrassi)
D. Don Kirschner (in memoriam)
5. Biggest anti-climax:
A. Lady Antebellum winning (and winning, and winning)
B. Eminem winning (does this qualify in the apocalyptical signs category as well?)
C. Miranda Lambert winning
D. The lack of reaction to Arcade Fire's stunning and otherwise inexplicable victory for Album of the Year
6. Cleverest introduction/act pairing
A. Blake Shelton introducing Miranda Lambert
B. Doogie Howser (aka Neil Patrick Harris) introducing Katy Perry
C. Kris Kristofferson introducing Barbra
D. The intro of the opening number -- showing "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" to Aretha
7. Most laughable moment from a single song performance:
A. That the song is known as "Otherwise known as 'Forget You'" -- as so eloquently lampooned in the intro by Jamie Foxx
B. Cee-Lo's obvious B&E against Elton John's dressing room
C. Gwynneth Paltrow's platform stilletoes
D. Gwynneth turning sidewise and (I swear it actually happened!) disappearing from view
E. Utilizing Muppets, but NOT bringing in Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem Band (can you just picture the ending with ANIMAL destroying his drum set? :)
8. Most painful moment from a single song performance:
A. The bicycles during Arcade Fire - huh?
B. The lighting during Arcade Fire - I hope there were no seizures induced in the Staples Center
C. The screeching that passed for the music of Arcade Fire - who "arranged" that performance?
D. The realization that Arcade Fire was up for Album of the year - (How?)
E. The WTF moment when Arcade Fire was announced as the winner for Album of the Year -- and you suddenly realized that even Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Eminem, or (OMG, not again) Lady A was a so much better choice!
9. Breakout Performance
A. Mumford and Sons
B. Avett Brothers
C. Eminem
D. Arcade Fire
10. Best explanation for the Album of the Year winner:
A. Barbra, to calm her notorious stage fright after her performance, had a drag of some of whatever Kris was smoking, and did her best imitation of Hosni Mubarak and "called an audible" because she, like the rest of America, was suffering from Lady A fatigue.
B. See above, but it was an accident, and Babs turned Arcade Fire into Marisa Tomei for a new generation.
C. Academy voters forgot for a moment that they were NOT voting for American Idol and got confused, voting for the act they wanted to get off the island, immediately.
D. See C. above, but it was a deliberate Idol-like conspiracy to give the statuette to the lamest of the bunch
E. It is the f'n Grammy's -- it isn't supposed to make sense!!
F. WTF??!!
See what I mean? But -- they DID end the show 1 minute early! Overall, it was an excellent show -- until the ending. I will be curious to see if that ending sank the whole show!
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Where it All Comes Together
Ol' Jims might not be jazzed about the Soup Bowl, but the Weis Man and I totally are. Not even for the commercials -- I will leave that for others to analyze.
No, I am talking about the half time show (tm) -- the most absurd abomination of ALL the absurd abominations that make up the spectacle that is the Super Bowl (tm). A show large enough that the time it requires to set up, perform, and break down forces the players to wait a FULL HOUR between the end of the first half of the game and the start of the second half (at least in recent years)!!! Hey Jim -- can you say "integrity of the game"?
I hafta admit - I was all set to talk about how the BEP are NOT my kind of music. How it was grossly unfair that the network (Fox) that has YET to be cleared of complicity in the "wardrobe malfunction" fiasco that led to half time shows becoming lifetime achievement awards for the safe and white bread of the music world (sorry, Sir Paul, even my 17 year old thinks you rocked!), got to be the network that benefitted from last year's meltdown by the frighteningly sadly over-the-hill (to the point of being embarrassing) remaining members of The Who (Fox exec's could be heard humming "We won't get fooled again"!).
I was expecting to spend most of the column (I DO hafta pay off to the Man for letting me have this space, after all!) talking about the fact that more people just heard the phrase "Mazel Tov!" at one time than EVER before in Jewish (or human!) history -- which actually IS a really big deal!
But, truth be told, what I just witnessed was, by far, the BEST half-time entertainment. EVER! The surprise appearance of Slash and Usher were not merely jaw-dropping for their surprise factor, but actually added significantly to the music and entertainment value of the show. The use of the scene that the BEPs choreographed, with the multiple stage elements, with the lighted costumes of the seemingly thousands of extras, and the choreography that so expertly exploited the effect (c'mon, the first MEANINGFUL use of the wave in a football stadium since it was originated!), even the use of the testament-to-Jerry-Jones'-massive-ego truly JumboTron, was outstanding. The seamless musical transitions, and the interweaving not just of different numbers, but especially musical styles, was excellent as well.
And they managed to get on and off and back to football in a little more than half an hour. Even got an inspirational message from Will.I.Am thrown in to boot.
My only carp -- besides the fact that the audio was much slower to hit its stride technically than the Peas were themselves -- was please, please, please, don't ever make me listen to Fergie attempting to rap again! Please leave that to the guys who know what they are doing, sweetie!
But, at least you made us all forget the F- disaster that was Christina mangling (and not just the words!) the national anthem! And thanks, Fox, for forcing a Glee promo down our throats in the form of "America the Beautiful" immediately before the botch job on the anthem. Did we REALLY need them both for any OTHER reason?
No, I am talking about the half time show (tm) -- the most absurd abomination of ALL the absurd abominations that make up the spectacle that is the Super Bowl (tm). A show large enough that the time it requires to set up, perform, and break down forces the players to wait a FULL HOUR between the end of the first half of the game and the start of the second half (at least in recent years)!!! Hey Jim -- can you say "integrity of the game"?
I hafta admit - I was all set to talk about how the BEP are NOT my kind of music. How it was grossly unfair that the network (Fox) that has YET to be cleared of complicity in the "wardrobe malfunction" fiasco that led to half time shows becoming lifetime achievement awards for the safe and white bread of the music world (sorry, Sir Paul, even my 17 year old thinks you rocked!), got to be the network that benefitted from last year's meltdown by the frighteningly sadly over-the-hill (to the point of being embarrassing) remaining members of The Who (Fox exec's could be heard humming "We won't get fooled again"!).
I was expecting to spend most of the column (I DO hafta pay off to the Man for letting me have this space, after all!) talking about the fact that more people just heard the phrase "Mazel Tov!" at one time than EVER before in Jewish (or human!) history -- which actually IS a really big deal!
But, truth be told, what I just witnessed was, by far, the BEST half-time entertainment. EVER! The surprise appearance of Slash and Usher were not merely jaw-dropping for their surprise factor, but actually added significantly to the music and entertainment value of the show. The use of the scene that the BEPs choreographed, with the multiple stage elements, with the lighted costumes of the seemingly thousands of extras, and the choreography that so expertly exploited the effect (c'mon, the first MEANINGFUL use of the wave in a football stadium since it was originated!), even the use of the testament-to-Jerry-Jones'-massive-ego truly JumboTron, was outstanding. The seamless musical transitions, and the interweaving not just of different numbers, but especially musical styles, was excellent as well.
And they managed to get on and off and back to football in a little more than half an hour. Even got an inspirational message from Will.I.Am thrown in to boot.
My only carp -- besides the fact that the audio was much slower to hit its stride technically than the Peas were themselves -- was please, please, please, don't ever make me listen to Fergie attempting to rap again! Please leave that to the guys who know what they are doing, sweetie!
But, at least you made us all forget the F- disaster that was Christina mangling (and not just the words!) the national anthem! And thanks, Fox, for forcing a Glee promo down our throats in the form of "America the Beautiful" immediately before the botch job on the anthem. Did we REALLY need them both for any OTHER reason?
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