LC Sighting at Grammy fest

[dick]

From the Canadian Press OnLine
02/08/08

Canadians toast Grammy winners past and present on eve of 50th anniversary

LOS ANGELES - Swiftly pulling out a pad of paper and a black marker, 20-time Grammy nominee Walter Ostanek is clearly fan-struck as he manoeuvres through a Grammy party to position himself in the path of legendary songwriter Leonard Cohen.

"Hello, I'm Walter Ostanek," the jovial polka king from St. Catharines, Ont., announces when he finally finds himself standing next to Cohen.
Before Cohen can reply, Ostanek cuts him off with an excited, "Oh, I know who you are!" and extends the wad in his hand toward the 73-year-old poet, who graciously obliges an autograph.

This was one of the weirder musical collisions that took place earlier this week as past and present Canadian nominees mingled poolside at the official residence of the Canadian consul general, where homegrown luminaries were celebrated for their part in shaping 50 years of the Grammy Awards.
And Canada's role in the music industry's most prestigious bash has been far from slight, with the very first live Grammy telecast masterminded by Quebec-born television producer Pierre Cossette.

The acclaimed TV guru ran the show for 35 years starting in 1971, ushering the industry gala from a series of taped specials called "The Best on Record" in the '60s, to the star-packed extravaganza it eventually became.

Now 84, Cossette says it was a struggle to convince people to air that first show, which saw Simon and Garfunkel take record, album and song of the year ("Bridge Over Troubled Water") and The Carpenters be crowned best new artist.

"I had a hard time selling the show after I got it because the networks didn't want a show that had to do with Haight-Ashbury and guys with hair down to their ankles and lipstick and all of that whole scene," recalls Cossette, born in Valleyfield, Que.
"Rock 'n' roll hadn't even entered the picture then. Rock 'n' roll in those days was Jackson 5, so that slowly evolved. We kept adding new things and the next thing you know, it's where it is today."

The early shows largely focused on U.S. acts, but gradually grew more diverse, and in particular, embraced a lot of Canadian nominees, notes Grammy publicist Richard Mann, whose company Alfred Haber, Inc., helps distribute the show globally.

"Musically, Canada is recognized a lot more for Grammy Awards nowadays and certainly over the last decade than it used to be," says Mann, pausing to chat between frequent BlackBerry breaks concerning last-minute show developments.

Over the past nine years, Canadians have received an average of 18 Grammy nominations a year, with an average of one in four taking home trophies, according to Grammy statistics.

Over the past 50 years, the nation's biggest winners have included Vancouver producer David Foster with 14 trophies, Ottawa-bred singer-songwriter Alanis Morissette with seven, Quebec powerhouse Celine Dion with five, and Timmins, Ont., country star Shania Twain, also with five.
This year, 15 Canadians stand to win trophies when the celebration gets underway Sunday.

Leading the pack is indie darling Feist, who snagged four nominations, including for the coveted best new artist title and best pop vocal album.
Jazz crooner Michael Buble and pop star Nelly Furtado each have two nominations, while Arcade Fire, Rush, Nickelback, and Emerson Drive each have one. Veterans Joni Mitchell, Howard Shore, Loreena McKennitt, Ostanek and John Gora are also up for one trophy each.

Cohen, who appears on this year's Grammy-nominated disc by Herbie Hancock, "River: The Joni Letters," says he's watched with pride as Canadian artists have grown in stature internationally over the years.

"Canadians have always had a very significant place in popular music," says Cohen, who stopped by the party with partner Anjani Thomas on his arm, navigating through a crowd that included musicians Carole Pope, actor Alan Thicke and CanWest media bosses David and Gail Asper.

"There's always been very great shining lights and it continues from generation to generation. There's good wine in every generation."

Canadian-American roots group the Band are to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award on Saturday, but the occasion won't include a reunion among the surviving members, says keyboardist Garth Hudson and his wife Maude.

The pair expected to see songwriter Robbie Robertson at the non-televised awards show, but said that Arkansas-born drummer and singer Levon Helm is sticking close to home in Woodstock, N.Y., to host his regular musical jamboree, the Midnight Ramble. On Sunday the show will be renamed the "Gramble Ramble," in honour of the Grammys, said Maude Hudson.

Garth Hudson, who said he was working on various projects including new recordings and production work, said he was overwhelmed by the Grammy honour and looked forward to the event.

"There's nothing like it, I've never felt this way before," said the bearded Hudson, his face obscured by a wide-brimmed black hat.

"I feel somehow a part of L.A. and a part of Canada all at once."

[dick]

Short video of the sighting
http://www.paherald.sk.ca/index.cfm?mai ... 87&cpvid=1

[dick]

from Vancouver Sun
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news ... 060ae6630d

Canadian talent shines at Grammy Awards
Jim Holt, For Canwest News Service
Published: Saturday, February 09, 2008

LOS ANGELES -- Leonard Cohen was the star of a Grammy Awards pre-party at the Canadian Consulate here on Thursday, as one of the 20 Canadians nominated in a precedent-setting year.

More Canadians than ever before are nominated for Grammy Awards this year.

Cohen was one of a group of people, including Herbie Hancock and Norah Jones, nominated for album of the year for River: The Joni Letters.
"It is a notable year of Grammy accolades for our Canadian music industry, with 20 Canadian nominations ... another four nominations featuring Canadian talent and a lifetime achievement award for The Band," said Consul General Alain Dudoit.

More than 200 guests clustered around the pool in the backyard of the consul general's residence.

"Our most nominated artist this year, Feist, who has received four nominations, will be performing live on the Grammy broadcast," Dudoit said.
Feist is nominated for best new artist, best pop vocal album for The Reminder, best female pop vocal performance for 1234 (familiar to many after it was featured on the commercial for the iPod Nano) and best short form music video, also for 1234.

"On this occasion of the 50th Grammy Awards, it's an appropriate time to celebrate the unique and deep relationship between Canadians and Americans in all fields of creativity and innovation," Dudoit said.

Topping the list of proud facts touted by consul staffers at the party was that Canada now ranks third on the list of largest exporters of music, up from fourth behind the U.K.

The 50th Annual Grammy Awards takes place Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

[Paula]

It really warms my heart that Leonard is having such a good year. I wonder if he truly realises how many people love his work.

I love his air kissing

[Yankovic]

Don't forget to watch the Grammys tonight on CBS and online.
The Pre-Show, Red Carpet entrance at 5:30 - The show starts at 8:00 PM
Maybe Leonard Cohen will be there. We'll see him walk in. Maybe he's a presenter. Maybe he'll perform Jungle Line with Herbie Hancock. Herbie Hancock's tribute album to Joni Mitchell is nominated. I don't know if any one song from the album is nominated as well.

http://www.cbs.com/specials/50grammys/

[jarkko]

Marie found this video:
http://www.paherald.sk.ca/index.cfm?mai ... 87&cpvid=1
(Leonard joins after 1:00)

[kokenpere]

Hi Yankovic -

I think "River" is the nominated song from Herbie Hancock.

kokenpere

[mnkyface]

The air kiss: LOL! What the heck? I have seen this cultural phenomenon before but never at such an absurd distance. At one point it almost seems like the woman is holding him back with some force. (Is she nuts?)

Yes I am one of those pathetic fans who does a frame-by-frame analysis of a video like this. lol

LC looks great and I wil be watching Grammys just in case there is an appearance. Surely there are lots surprises in store for the 50th anniversary.

[lizzytysh]

Thanks for the link, Yankovic! I went to it, but now I'll go to the link Marie provided, and then back to it. Saw Ringo Starr interviewed.

Here's some news on the Grammys from Barack Obama's site:

Quoted Text
Barack Wins a Grammy
By Sam Graham-Felsen - Feb 10th, 2008 at 5:19 pm EST


Barack just won a Grammy for the audio version of his book The Audacity of Hope... This is his second Grammy award; he also won for the audio version of his first book, Dreams from My Father.

Now, here's hoping I catch a glimpse of Leonard there, too... I wonder if they'll play a segment of his performance from the album.

I agree, Mnkyface... just watched it. It was an air somethin-or-other, but sure not a kiss! Perhaps, she didn't want her face blocked from the cameras by Leonard. Going by the expression on her face, she certainly appears to like him. Might as well kiss the air kiss goodbye, though, if that's all it's going to amount to .


~ Lizzy

[Yankovic]

Those of you living in North America check CBS at 8 on TV

Right now check E! on TV for the Red Carpet Pre-Show

[lizzytysh]

Hi Yankovic ~

I don't have TV, so I was hoping to watch it on the Internet. However, I get some commercial and then the screen goes black blank and no sound. Nothing to click to get it going, either. So, that little bit of red carpet stuff may be all I see tonite. I'm trying alternate links, but nothing's happening there, either .

Anyway, the rest of you, enjoy...


~ Lizzy

[Kush]

Herbie rocks!! LC too...Album of the Year and Contemporary Jazz Album

other favorites:
Jazz Instrumental Solo: "Anagram," Michael Brecker, soloist [from 'Pilgrimage']

Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group: "Pilgrimage," Michael Brecker

Rock Song: "Radio Nowhere," Bruce Springsteen, songwriter (Bruce Springsteen)

Solo Rock Vocal Performance: "Radio Nowhere," Bruce Springsteen.

Rock Instrumental Performance: "Once Upon a Time in The West," Bruce Springsteen

[Yankovic]

Herbie Hancock won album of the year. It was the last award of the night. Leonard Cohen's name showed on the screen and Herbie mentioned him, but no sign of Leonard anywhere on the red carpet or the audience. I'm guessing everyone who worked on the album gets a grammy. Why else would they run all their names on the screen. Herbie Hancock was a nervous wreck, dropping his speech on the ground while pulling it out of his jacket pocket and not noticing. An aging Quincy Jones reaches down between Hancock's legs to pick it up. It just seemed so embarassing. I guess they are all human after all.

[lizzytysh]

YaY to Herbie Hancock for winning the Grammy and invoking "Yes We Can!" in his acceptance speech; and for Barack Obama's Best Spoken Word Album victory with "The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream" winning over rival [in more ways than one ] Bill Clinton's "Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World"; and for Leonard's being a part of Hancock's victory with his powerful rendering of "Jungle Line."

Bless Herbie Hancock in his humanness... what a night for him!!! I hope to see the footage somewhere. Sorry to hear the cameras didn't find Leonard if he was there. It seems they surely would have.


~ Lizzy

[Joney]

I saw the Grammys last night, it was great fun, highlights on ITV2 but no mention of Herbie. Amy Winehouse did a great turn.