Grammy'd

Grammy'd

Feb 11, 2008

Writing about the idiocy known as the Grammy Awards Show just isn't that much fun anymore. I used to take great glee is slicing and dicing them but they’ve been so dumb for so long that, to quote Mr. King (as in B.B.): the thrill is gone. That said, I now look at it as live comedy, of the squirm in your seat variety. It's always mildly amusing to see the U.S/U.K. music business make an ass of itself for the entire world to see. In no particular order here's a few Grammy 2007 observations.

On one of those occasions when the camera whirled down and across the crowd, I saw Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, looking very adult-like, and his wife sitting in a coveted aisle seat. He's come up in the world. His band's <I>Sky Blue Sky</I> was nominated for Best Rock Album but lost out to the Foo Fighters.

Sinatra and Keys? A tragic mistake for her. Showed how limited her talent is, but then anyone would come up short against Frank. That little sound/image synch problem did not help. A bad idea gone wrong.

Tina and Beyonce. Tina looked spectacular at 69 and sounded even better. She is a wonder of nature. And plastic surgery. Beyonce? Damn, the woman has dancer thighs doesn't she? She looked and sounded very nervous. Of course again, she was matched, not to her advantage, with a masterful singer. Maybe the whole young/old thing needs a rethink.

Liked the commercials for Garth Brooks Greatest Hits records.

The Jerry Lee Lewis/Little Richard/John Fogerty segment was fairly amazing. The Killer, who has been rumored to be on death's door for at least the last decade, looked jowly as hell but was still having fun. Little Richard, on the other hand, was oddly waxen looking (yes, more than normal) and was downright grim when he played. It did occur to me that that performance could well be Jerry Lee's final television appearance, the last glimpse America will ever get, of one of the more unforgettable creators of rock ‘n ‘roll.

Thank God Michael Jackson <I>didn’t</I> show up to pay tribute to <I>Thriller</I>. The freak quotient was off the map to begin with.

Seeing and hearing Keely Smith was great. Kid Rock however is the same untalented dope he's always been. His only redeeming quality is his respect for rock's elders, which still ain't enough to make me say anything but: why does this man have a music career?

Loved the look on people's faces when Doris Day’s name was mentioned. Ooohh was that a LONG time ago.

Andy Williams looked like Andy Williams if he were one hundred and ten years old. It’s testament to what performing in Branson, Mo. ad nauseum will do to ya. And poor squinting Tony Bennett did not a whole lot better.

Great choice on Herbie Hancock. Blew everyone's mind. In a good way.

Tubes and a newby question

Forums
The Entry Level
Submitted by JIMV on

I just bought a new integrated amp. The unit is one that converts from push-pull to triode with a button. I have used push pull before and found the tubes take a good number of hours to break in a smooth out. I have never had a triode amp. Now my question...the push pull mode seems to have smoothed out pretty quickly but the triode operation is still a bit off. As these are the same tubes, is this normal? Ie; do the different modes break in at a different rate?

Speakers most important component/Shahinian

Forums
The Entry Level
Submitted by BillB on

Set up my sister's stereo this wknd after a move. Listened for a while, and it sounded great. She has older stuff, but the Shahinian speakers still sound wonderful. Don't know the model - they're not Diapason or the pyramidal top models, and there's no label. Her yamaha cd and Nakamichi receiver are fine, but not really high end. Made me think that indeed the speakers are much more critical to sound quality. I think that IF her cd and amp were high-end, but but the speakers were more modest, that the sound would have suffered. Agree or not? Discuss...

cd player and cable advice please

Forums
The Entry Level
Submitted by wiredbean on

I am trying to put together a budget system.
So far I have an Arcam a75 integrated amp and Audio Physic Spark Speakers. Years ago I had auditioned this set up with an Arcam cd92 so this is the way I am leaning. but a friend is also recommending the Naim 5 cd. I've read it can be fussy so I am concerned about how to audition before I buy since I have older equipment. I am looking at all budget cd players under $1,000. Also need to invest in some good cables.
I listen to Jazz, classical and some rock/pop in that order.
Any advice or thoughts?
Thanks!

HiFi Science.

Forums
General Rants 'n' Raves
Submitted by Benonymous on

There has been a new type of religious science invented. It is a doctrine adhered to by a faithful minority of human beings. It is the faith based 'HiFi Science'. It's followers need no evidence or fact, they need only their ears to find the truth. Interestingly, science and scientific discovery forms a large part of the vernacular of HiFi Science.

Would this work?

Forums
Loudspeakers
Submitted by gus6464 on

I currently have a pair of Epos ELS-3 on my 2ch system with the ST35 stands. I found a pair of M12.2 for a killer price and want to upgrade. But I am unsure if the would work with my current placement. I dont have much space between my ELS-3 and the back wall where there is a curtain (2-3in max). The M12.2 would go in this exact place where the ELS-3 are right now. I have been told to put some acoustic panels behind the curtain right behind the speaker. If I did would that help my acquisition of the M12.2 or would they not work at all in my current setup?

Listener version 0.1

Forums
The Entry Level
Submitted by Pigpen on

Hello everybody!

I'm very fresh to the world of hi-fi (do you guys really spend 700 EUR for a cable?!?!?!).

Anyway, I got a bit lost with all brands and models and i realized i should decide a budget first.

Let's say:

- my budget is 2000/2500 EUR and

- i listen to a good variety of music, but I especially need good performance with classical music CDs (i cannot stand the cellos getting suffocated!)

any suggestion for this lost new-comer?

Thank you!

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