The Grammys
Were unwatchable for many years because they were so far behind the times. Under the leadership of Harvey Mason Jr., since 2021, they are now so much better, though they still manage to blow it on some important things. Masdon, as a songwriter-producer, for the likes of Aretha, Stevie, Whitney, Elton, Michael Jackson, he has been on the inside for years and is well respected. He gave a great speech, to the sounds of a string quartet composed of musicians of Israeli, Palestinian and Arab descent.
But with something as important as honoring those who passed in the last year, why do they keep mishandling it? Half the time the TV audience hasn’t enough time to read what’s on the screen, sometimes two sets of names/credits/photos, and half the time it isn’t large enough. These were large personalities. They had three live performances going on during it, sometimes an upbeat number. Should we be tapping our feet, or be for at least a few moments contemplative? I know they’re new at this, only 66 years, so maybe next year they can get it right.
Of course, Joni Mitchell’s appearance and performance were incredibly moving, as she sat ensconced in a large, regal chair, smiling and tapping her cane. If she never wrote another song after "Both Sides Now," she would still be a legend, and it is particularly poignant to hear her sing it now. Her voice got stronger as she went along, with hand gestures and the old jazz vocalist coming out. What a courageous woman, who has always been a courageous songwriter. Her friend Brandi Carlile, credited with getting Joni out in public again after her brain aneurysm 10 years ago, gave her a perfect introduction. Including noting that this is the third time in her life that she has had to learn to walk (childhood polio). For the roses, for the ages.
Highly Recommended
Hot Tuna acoustic – Who would figure that the acid-drenched Volunteers — Somebody to Love — White Rabbit San Fran rockers Jefferson Airplane had hiding in their fold an absolutely terrific, authentic blues duo? But as soon as Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady released their first album in 1970, the die was cast, and now they have outlasted the Airplane by half a century. Consider yourself very lucky if you can get to see them this weekend, right here in Santa Monica. Sat 7. 9 p.m. McCabe’s.
Hot Club of Los Angeles – Did you go to our Ruskin Group Theatre at Santa Monica Airport last Saturday to see them in a concert setting? I sure hope so. They tore it up, playing two sets of not just I Got Rhythm (he and violinist partner Stephane Grappelli were simply exquisite, every note) they are known for, but also selections from their new release Nova, (originals, French chanson, two-step, bossa nova, waltz), showing that while they don’t veer too far from that milieu pioneered so brilliantly by the three-fingered (caravan fire) Belgian Roma jazz guitarist who became world famous, they have a copacetic versatility to related styles (no hip hop attempts at relevance) that serve both them and the music well. If you missed the Ruskin concert, which was sold out and as packed as I’ve ever seen the place, you can go to the Cinema Bar any Monday. 9 - 11:30. They should have copies of Nova there for sale. Mon 9 p.m., Cinema Bar, Culver City, no cover.
Recommended
It's Only A Show – this one-man show has been extended, another five weekends, and it’s at the Ruskin, telling you all you need to know. Fri 5 p.m., Ruskin Group Theatre, SMO, $20-30.
An Extraordinary Ordinary Man – this one-man show has been extended, and it’s at the Ruskin, telling you all you need to know. Fri 8 p.m., Ruskin Group Theatre, SMO, $20-30.
Library Girl and Punk Hostage Press present, A Nail Won’t fix a Broken Heart. This one is so popular even founder Susan Hayden’s mother may not get in. It is a star-studded lineup of readers, plus Zander Schloss providing music, and the taco truck included in the price of admission. Plus dessert, and free parking. It’s a party! Celebrating 12 years of Punk Hostage Press. You should try calling for a ticket, there are usually some cancellations. Sun 7 p.m., taco truck at 6, Ruskin Group Theatre, SMO, $20.
Toledo Diamond – Unique, riveting, first class act. There’s nothing like it, it is high performance art and great decadent fun. Degeneracy is rarely so well disciplined. And the band is smokin’! EM performed stunning shows every Tuesday for a couple of years at Harvelle’s, every week in this column, I highly recommended her and urged you to go – and now she’s gone. Don’t. Miss. Toledo Diamond. Sun 9:30 p.m., Harvelle’s, Santa Monica, $12.
Next Thurs: Government Mule – How can I recommend this band when I have never seen them live? Two reasons. They have had a rabid following, for years, and some time ago when I got to see their rhythm section play with other musicians, I thought Holy Moley, how good are these guys as a full band? Next Thurs p.m., Wiltern Theatre, LA, $57-1,111.
Coming Attractions: Government Mule, Wiltern, 2/15; An Extraordinary Ordinary Man, Ruskin Theatre, 2/17, 24; It's Only A Show, Ruskin Theatre, 2/17, 24, 3/9, 16, 23; Toledo Diamond, Harvelle’s, 2/18, 25; Hot Club of Los Angeles, Cinema Bar, 2/19, 26; Schubert, Beethoven, LA Phil, Disney Hall, 2/15, 16, 17, 18; Malkki Conducts Brahms, Disney Hall, 2/23, 24, 25; Prickly Pair, Jeff Plankenhorn, Mccabe’s, 2/23; Taj Mahal, Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 2/23; Shawn Phillips, Mccabe’s, 2/24; Highway 1, USA/The Dwarf, LA Opera, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 2/24, 3/3, 6, 9, 14, 17; Judy Collins, Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 3/2; Robert Fripp, David Singleton, An Evening of Conversation, Questions, Insights, Mccabe’s, 3/3; Dianne Reeves, Disney Hall, 3/3; Terry Reid, Mccabe’s, 3/8; Christone Kingfish Ingram, Fonda Theatre, 3/9; Southside Slim, Harvelle’s, 3/15; Philip Glass, Complete Etudes, Disney Hall, 3/20; Esa-pekka Salonen, San Francisco Symphony, 3/22; Los Straightjackets, Mccabe’s, 3/24; Sleater-kinney, Wiltern, 3/28, Belasco, 3/29; Yo Yo Ma, Kathryn Scott, Disney Hall, 4/3; Springsteen, Kia Forum, 4/4, 7; La Traviata, La Opera, 4/6, 14, 18, 21, 24, 27; Saint-Saens, Organ Symphony, LA Phil, Disney Hall, 4/12, 13, 14; Herbie Hancock, Disney Hall, 4/20; Academy of St. Martin in The Fields, The Soraya, 4/21; Rhiannon Giddens, Theatre at Ace Hotel, 4/25; Mozart, Strauss, Dudamel, LA Phil, Disney Hall, 5/2, 3, 4, 5; Dvorak, Ortiz, Dudamel, LA Phil, Disney Hall, 5/9, 10, 11, 12; Turandot, LA Opera, 5/18, 26, 30, 6/2, 5, 8; Kraftwerk, Disney Hall, 5/21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30; Chris Stapleton, Hollywood Bowl, 6/26, 27; Rolling Stones, SoFi Stadium, 7/10, 13.
Charles Andrews has listened to a lot of music of all kinds and over 3,000 live shows.
