[Dixielandjazz] RAY CHARLES

[Steve barbone]

Just 2 snips from the NY Times. Brings up a question of where the hell the
music world is going?

Cheers,
Steve Barbone

#1 GOOD NEWS

February 14, 2005 - NY TIMES - By JEFF LEEDS

Grammy Awards Pay Posthumous Tribute to Ray Charles

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 13 - Ray Charles, the blind visionary who revolutionized
American music with fusions of soul, rock, jazz and country, broke the mold
once more tonight at the 47th annual Grammy Awards, posthumously dominating
the telecast with wins in eight categories.

Mr. Charles's wins of eight diverse awards, including the marquee categories
of best album for his final new release, "Genius Loves Company" and best
record for his duet on that album with Norah Jones, reflected his easy
shifts among genres. It also capped a salutation of Mr. Charles's life and
music that had been under way since he died at 73 in June, first with the
release of the duets CD and then the arrival of his film biography,
"Ray."... 

Mr. Charles, who received a Grammy for lifetime achievement in 1987, was
also the subject of a string of tributes here tonight, beginning with a duet
of "Georgia on My Mind" by Jamie Foxx, who portrayed Mr. Charles in the
film, and Alicia Keys. Also on tap was a tribute by Bonnie Raitt, who joined
Mr. Charles for a rendition of "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" on the duets
album, and the gospel singer and pianist Billy Preston.

The outpouring of votes for Mr. Charles also underscored the influence of
R&B music - and the power of nostalgia - among members of the National
Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which sponsors the Grammys. . .

Rapper Kannye West said. "If you have the opportunity to play this game of
life, you need to appreciate every moment. A lot of people don't appreciate
the moment until it's passed."

For Mr. Charles, the win for album of the year was the first such posthumous
award since John Lennon won in 1982 for "Double Fantasy."

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#2 BAD NEWS

February 15, 2005 - NY TIMES - THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Filed at 7:58 a.m. EST

Grammy Awards Get Lowest Rating Since '95

NEW YORK (AP) -- From J.Lo to James Brown, Usher to U2, the Grammys had it
all this year -- except a lot of interested viewers. An estimated 18.8
million people watched Ray Charles' swan song clean up with eight awards
Sunday night, a startling 28 percent drop from the 2004 Grammys.

After two years on an upswing, Grammy ratings sunk to their lowest level
since 1995, according to Nielsen Media Research. . .

"This was the show to beat in terms of how it was produced," said Shari Anne
Brill, a television analyst for Carat USA. "It was just great. It wasn't
about someone handing out awards. It was about performances. Viewers who
didn't tune in missed a treat."

"I think this is the best Grammys we've ever seen," U2 lead singer Bono said
as the group accepted an award toward the show's end.

It was a continuation of a recent Grammy trend of minimizing awards
presentations and maximizing live performances. . .

CBS spokesman Chris Ender noted last year's show benefited from Janet
Jackson's Super Bowl fallout. Controversy sells. Brill agreed: "Don't you
think if Michael Jackson did a duet with someone with his trial going on,
more viewers would have come?"

Charles' big win could have been a hindrance, too. While a music legend, his
best work may have been a mystery to many young viewers. Since he died last
June, viewers were denied heartwarming scenes of him basking in the glory.

It continues a trend of less-than-stellar ratings for awards shows.