I Blog Dead People

I’ll admit it, there’s going to be a slight dead-people feel to this week’s blog. It’s just how things played out.

· What did you say? Cubs legend Ron Santo finally made the MLB Hall of Fame after a long wait and a career that is paralleled by few at his position during his era? That’s fantastic, I bet he was really happy to hear the news that… wait, what’s that? Ron died a year ago?
Admittedly, Santo was a shameless self-promoter when it came to getting into the Hall, but there wasn’t a question that his numbers were good enough or better than other third-basemen in the history of the game. Every time Ronny was on the main ballot, he’d get shot down. Year after year after year. The tradition continued when he got bumped off the main ballot after exhausting his time on there and going onto the Veterans Committee ballot, which was only voted on once every two years. It got to a point where there were cameras present as he’d sit by the phone waiting for the call that would never come. A friend of mine went so far as to suggest that the statue that was erected of Santo outside of Wrigley should be his sitting and staring at a phone.
So, the last time Ronny was eligible for the Hall of Fame was two years ago. Somehow, when Ronny was alive, he wasn’t a good enough legend to be in the HOF. They couldn’t give him the glorious final year of his life that he deserved. And it’s not like this was a shock. Santo’s presence on this Earth the last 3-5 years was not an easy one, and we all knew that the game could be over at any time. Something tells me that the folks on the VC knew as well as we did that he wasn’t long for this world.
Admittedly, they did change the structure of the VC voting rules, and that in a 16 vote field, one of the votes was a teammate of his, but I still don’t get it. What changed? What changed between 2 years ago and now that Ron Santo is suddenly a Hall of Fame caliber talent. The man last played in the 1970s, it’s not like he had a chance to put up some “late career numbers” or anything. He didn’t even have legs! (too soon?) The stats are and were complete, nothing changed. He was either deserving or he wasn’t, period.
Believe me, I’m thrilled that he’s finally going to be enshrined in Cooperstown, as are Cubs fans all over the country. But like them, I wish he was still around to truly enjoy it. And something tells me he may have seen something like this coming. Maybe he wrote a fabulous speech to be read by one of his kids that says “Really? Really?” before going on to thank everyone he’d want to thank. And I do know one other thing: wherever he is, he’s relieved and truly enjoying this.

· So, I see that a whole bunch of people are taking a huge dump all over the posthumous Amy Winehouse release, Lioness: Hidden Treasures. What’s the deal with that? It’s like they’re treating it as if she went into the studio a few months ago and decided to slap together an album out of nowhere. Just like many artists, especially those who passed on too soon, this is a typical “rarities” album. It’s not to be taken as an attempt at cohesion or continuity. It’s presented as if to say “hey, look at the kind of stuff we might have been exposed to had she lived,” even though these songs and versions of previously released tracks likely would never have seen the light of day. The cut that stands out to me is “Tears Dry (Original Version)” which would later become Back To Black’s “Tears Dry On Their Own.” It’s an extremely haunting version, partially due to the tempo and partially due to the fact that a couple of the lyrics seem to take on a new meaning. But, honestly, why give this one star or no stars and call it a complete debacle. This is a very serviceable record with a few gems on it, and I think that her fans will be happy to have it. I’m not saying I’ll be putting this on the ol’ Victrola time after time for the next ever, but I think it’s enjoyable. And if you haven’t picked up the Tony Bennett Duets album with her on it, that track is represented in Lioness. Just sayin’.

How about someone that’s alive, but whose career is likely dead:

· Herman Cain: we hardly knew ye’. Problem is, there might be a few gals who knew you too well. All too well.

As we enter the heart of the holiday season, I just want you all to remember one thing: I love your pants.

And the Grammy Will Go To...

One of my favorite things to do during the holiday season doesn't have anything to do with sleighbells jingling or pepper spraying someone for an XBox (I already have one). It's taking a look at the newly released Grammy Nomination list. I'd be remiss if I didn't share my opinions with you, my reading public. Prognosticating the Grammys is something that, for me, goes back to the early 1980s when I'd sit and handicap the field with my father, who was in the industry. Obviously, when I was that young, he'd kick my butt in the predictions, 'cause he knew how the Academy worked, and I was just a kid who liked a song. However, as I aged, I got better at the whole process, and now I tend to run at about an 85% clip every year. Sure, there's some surprises each year, but the Grammys can easily be dissected in some years. Adele made that very easy in 2011. Let's get to it...

• I saw a great quote earlier this week that said "Adele is going to win anything that isn't nailed down." Sure seems like it, doesn't it? Let's look at her bigger categories...
  Album of the Year: This is almost an absolute mortal lock. You look at the audiences of Bruno Mars, Rhianna, and Lady Gaga, and there's a lot of crossover there, meaning that they're likely to cancel each other out. This leaves only one possible contender to upset Adele, which is the Foo Fighters. I will go on record as saying that this is a puzzling nomination to me, as I wasn't the biggest fan of the album. But, suddenly, they're the "venerable older band" who's never gotten "the big award" in this category, and for that reason, they should be shown some respect when it comes to predicting this category. However, I'm not giving it to them, Adele wins this in a walk. Oh, did I mention I happen to think that "21" is the best album that was released this year, and possibly the last two or three?
  Song of the Year: Signed, sealed, delivered, this is Adele's to lose, once again. It's possible that the only song that didn't get nominated for this category that could beat "Rolling In The Deep" would be her own "Someone Like You." As this is a songwriter's award, and nobody disagrees that Adele can write the living snot out of a song, I can't see her losing this. My personal "other favorite" here is Bon Iver's "Holocene," but I think the nomination is really the win for Bon Iver, here, who is a strong contender for Best New Artist.
  Record of the Year: I'm happy to see the aforementioned "Holocene" here. I'm also happy to see Mumford & Sons' "The Cave" in this category. "Grenade" by Bruno Mars and "Firework" by Katy Perry are also strong nominees. Too bad they're losing to Adele, right? Honestly, I see her sweeping the top 3. Was there, honestly, a bigger hit this year than "Rolling In The Deep?" No, I didn't think so. Maybe a song or two sold more single copies, but they didn't capture the landscape like "RITD" did.
  As for her other categories (Pop Vocal Album, Pop Solo Vocal Performance, Short-Form Video) as places she could be upset by others who the voters want to give a win, but she very well could be a train that just can't be stopped.
  And let's remember one thing... I've been saying this would happen for months. Months, people. If you don't like Adele, make other plans on February 12th.
  
  
• Best New Artist: Likely, Nicki Minaj will win here, but I wouldn't be surprised if Bon Iver won. A LOT of critical acclaim for that album, and since there's nominations in Record/Song that have no shot in hell of winning, this is the possible winning category. More likely for Bon Iver, though, is a win over my personal favorite "The King Of Limbs" by Radiohead.
  
  
• So, Adele gets 6 nominations and the bulk of the buzz, and yet Kanye West has the most nominations. So, why isn't HE getting all the buzz? Well, a couple of reasons:
  1. People are just sick of his shit, to an extent.
  2. His solo album came out a year ago, so the buzz is gone.
  3. He also had an album with Jay-Z.
  So, when you think about it, you average him out at 3.5 nominations per album, and then it just makes Adele look better when she has 6 for 1 album.
  
  
• I'm intrigued by how the Academy has cut down the number of awards. The idea of combining the male and female vocal performances in each genre is a good one. Look, there were 152 awards, it was getting out of control. Even at a healthy 78, you won't get every award televised (especially when we get our 15-minute tribute to Salsa music about 2 hours in). I'm not sure who this helps or hurts, but it will be very interesting to see how all of it plays out this year... unless it's a category in which Adele has set up shop, then it's likely to be less interesting and more "what's she gonna say?"
  
  
• Another lock: in Best Pop Performance by a Duo/Group, Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse are winning for "Body and Soul." The Academy loves, and I mean LOVES Tony Bennett, and they'll look to be reverential to Amy Winehouse in the year of her passing. If you can put money on some categories, go with this one.
  
  
• You know, I'm sort of surprised we don't see Cee-Lo Green's "The Lady Killer" in more categories, but I think it's another example of the album being released too early in the nomination process. And "F*** You" was really the only hit single off of there, and it was almost 18 months ago.
  

I'd love to hear some of your commentary below. What do you think of this year's nominees? Who do you think got screwed? Lemme know. I know I didn't cover everything, but we've got a couple of months before the show, so I'm likely to throw some thoughts into the blog here and there until that time. Thanks for checking in, y'all have a great week.