While this is scarely news at this point, it is no less historical. Jazz great Herbie Hancock took the Grammy award for album of the year for “River: The Joni Letters.” I watched the Grammy Awards in its entirety last night, the first time in many years because previously it was lackluster and not worth the time of day. I must admit the performances for the most part were good and I was glad to see Tina Turner belt out her hits, along with “Proud Mary,” with Beyonce who did pretty good. Did you guys see the stare she gave Rihanna when she pulled Jay-Z on stage? I wonder what that’s all about? Rumor has it that there was a fling involved. I don’t know and really don’t care, but I did notice the look on Beyonce’s face.
So Fox News managed to totally bury Herbie Hancock’s historic album of the year win in favor of drug-head Amy Winehouse. The irony in this is that she was really singing about herself in both songs. Though she went to rehab eventually, my guess is that was not her first choice. Okay, the songs may be catchy and infused with R&B, but come on, Herbie Hancock deserves more credit for what he has managed to achieve. Reports have said that this is a straight jazz album, not exactly your typical radio-friendly multiplatinum hit. In the history of the Grammys, only one pure jazz album, Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto’s 1964 “Getz/Gilberto” won album of the year. This is historical for Hancock as we celebrate Black History Month. He is a musical giant who has made a difference in the world of jazz music.
Hancock says “River: The Joni Letters” came about because of a suggestion from Verve executive Dahlia Ambach Caplin, who asked what Hancock was going to do for his next jazz record following 2006’s somewhat pop recording, “Possibilities.” Knowing about Hancock’s friendship with Mitchell, the idea came up of doing an album of Mitchell songs, many of which have jazz underpinnings.
So, hats off to Herbie Hancock on a job well done. I hope Amy Winehouse will get some real help and not a bandaid solution to her drug problems. I don’t believe in giving up on anyone and you must admit, the girl can sing.
Filed under: Amy Winehouse, Fox News, Grammy Awards, Herbie Hancock, Jazz
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