A Backlash Against Herbie?
Over the past couple of day, since Herbie Hancock pulled out a surprise win for Album of the Year during this year’s Grammys, I have noticed a bit of a backlash against the Grammy people. Of course, this is nothing new. Every year, there are dozens of people who claim to be music experts who say that the Grammys got something wrong. Let us not forget the year, so many years ago now, when they gave out their first Heavy Metal award to Jethro Tull.
The most interesting complain I heard at one time, however, was that the award this year was wrong becuase “jazz is not popular.” For me, this is wrong-headed thinking. For me, these industry awards should be for the quality of the piece, not necessarily an award or reward just for being popular. Lord, if such a thing were to spread “Meet the Spartans” could end up winning an Academy Award.
Of course, I am a bit biased. I happen to love Herbie Hancock. Man, just listen to him play on those Miles Davis records and then listen to him today. You can even skip over his pop hit “Rock It” from the 80s. The man is a true jazz giant and he doesn’t even play the horn, and you know I dig the horn players.
For me, this was just an acknowledgement of a quality album. Perhaps the other votes got split amongst the various pop artists. At the same time, why shouldn’t Herbie Hancock win? Just because he plays jazz? That hardly seems fair.
I, for one, as you might imagine, was thrilled to hear he had won. Sure, the albums is jazz variation on Joni Mitchell tunes, but he learned that from Miles. One of my favorite late-life Miles tunes was his jazz take on Cindy Lauper’s “Time After Time” of all things. Jazz musicians have been doing jazz variations on popular tunes all along. Take a listen to John Coltrane’s “Greensleeves” and then get back to me.
I haven’t really had a chance to check the other “beats” covered and written about on the b5media blogs. I am not sure if any of those writers and bloggers were outraged. As for me, I felt like the home team had finally scored one and it thrilled me.
It’s about awarding quality, I think, not what’s popular.
1 Comment
I have a theory about this: people who think that Grammys and such recognitions are for popularity and that jazz as a genre is not popular are the people who have no clue why they like a particular genre of music. I find hordes of people who just impose a liking for music to themselves because others are doing it. Its more like if a particular track is being played on radio very often and if people are saying good things about a trak, they pomptly ride on the bandwagon and declare its the music they like too. Unfortunately, they dont realise that you don’t have to be a musical connoisseur (?) to start appreciating music, all you need is a fresh mind and an open heart to start appreciating the nuances of great music played by legends like Herbie. I waqs actually so glad that he won that Grammy. Another award that warmed me was Chaka Khan’s new album. I haven’t heard it as yet, but since I like her music, can’t ait to get my hands on this recent album of hers.
Perhaps thats why electronica music – meant for morons and brainless robotic bimbos – is becoming so popular. Mark my wards, these spinning DJs are threatening to become “rockstars” of tomorrow.
I have heard Herbie play live in Mumbai once. Still get goose bumps thinking about it. He and Buddy Guy are two of the best live performances I have seen. Others include Dizzy Guillespie, Stan Getz, Bela Fleck, Jose Felliciano, to name just a few…