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Leave a comment Posted on February 15, 2016February 15, 2016 Musc

The 2016 GRAMMYs: Who’s Won What So Far

There are 83 categories for this year’s GRAMMY Awards. Believe it or not, that’s more than 20 less than they presented in 2011.

While the broadcast of the awards show doesn’t start until 7:00 PM CT on CBS, awards were being handed out nearly 5 hours before the show. To keep you posted on the “Who Wins What”, we’ll continuously update this page with announcements and winners.

Winning the first award of the night is…

Best Pop Vocal Album

Taylor Swift – ‘1989’

Congrats Best Pop Vocal Album @taylorswift13 – '1989' #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/6gqbPR2JmW

— The GRAMMYs (@TheGRAMMYs) February 15, 2016

Best Instrumental Composition

Arturo O’Farril – ‘The Afro Latin Jazz Suite’

Best Arrangement, Instrumental Or A Cappella

Ben Bram, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kristin Taylor and Kevin Olusola – ‘Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy’

Best Arrangement, Instruments And Vocals

Maria Schneider – “Sue (Or In A Season of Crime)”

Best Recording Package

Sarah Dodds, Schauna Dodds and Dick Reeves – ‘Still The King: Celebrating The Music Of Bob Wills And His Texas Playboys’

Best Album Notes

Joni Mitchell – ‘Love Has Many Faces: A Quartet, A Ballet, Waiting To Be Danced’

Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package

Jack White, Susan Archie and Dean Blackwood -‘The Rise & Fall Of Paramount Records, Volume Two (1928-32)’

Best Historical Album

Steve Berkowitz, Jan Haust, Jeff Rosen, Peter J Moore and Mark Wilder – ‘The Basement Tapes Complete: The Bootleg Series Vol. 11’

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical

Shawn Everett and Bob Ludwig – ‘Color and Sound’

Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical

Dave Aude – ‘Uptown Funk’ (Dave Aude Remix)

Best Surround Sound Album

James Guthrie and Joel Plante – ‘Amused To Death’

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album

Real Snarky Puppy and Metropole Orkest – ‘Sylva’

Best New Age Album

Paul Avgerinos – ‘Grace’

Best Improvised Jazz Solo

Christian McBride – ‘Cherokee’

Best Jazz Vocal Album

Cecile Salvant – ‘For One To Love’

Best Jazz Instrumental Album

John Scofield – ‘Past Present’

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album

Maria Schneider Orchestra – ‘The Thompson Fields’

Congrats Best Latin Jazz Album

Eliane Elias – ‘Made In Brazil’

Best Reggae Album

Morgan Heritage – ‘Strictly Roots’

Best World Music Album

Angelique Kidjo – ‘Sings’

Best Children’s Album

Tim Kubart – ‘Home’

Best Spoken Word Album

Jimmy Carter – ‘A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety’

Best Comedy Album

Louis C.K. – Live At Madison Square Garden

Best Latin Pop Album

Ricky Martin – ‘A Quien Quiera Escuchar (Deluxe Edition)’

Best Latin Rock, Urban Or Alternative Album

Natalia Lafourcade – ‘Hasta La Raíz’

and

Pitbull – ‘Dale’ (Tie)

Best Regional Mexican Music Album

Los Tigres Del Norte – ‘Realidades – Deluxe Edition’

Best Tropical Latin Album

Ruben Blades w/ Roberto Delgado – ‘Son De Panamá’

Best American Roots Performance

Mavis Staples – ‘See That My Grave Is Kept Clean’

Best American Roots Song

Jason Isbel – ’24 Frames’

Best Americana Album

Jason Isbel – ‘Something More Than Free’

Best Bluegrass Album

Steel Drivers – ‘The Muscle Shoals Recordings’

Best Blues Album

Buddy Guy – ‘Born To Play Guitar’

Best Folk Album

Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn – ‘Béla Fleck And Abigail Washburn’

Best Regional Roots Music Album

Jon Cleary – ‘Go Go Juice’

Producer Of The Year, Classical

Judith Sherman

Best Opera Recording

Seiji Ozawa, Isabelle Leonard and Dominic Fyfe – ‘Ravel: L’Enfant Et Les Sortilèges; Shéhérazade’

Best Choral Performance

Charles Bruffy, Phoenix Chorale and the Kansas City Chorale – ‘Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil’

Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance

Eighth Blackbird – ‘Filament’

Best Classical Instrumental Solo

Augustin Hadelich and Ludovic Morlot – ‘Dutilleux: Violin Concerto, L’Arbre Des Songes’

Best Classical Solo Vocal Album

Joyce DiDonato & Antonio Pappano – ‘Joyce and Tony – Live From Wigmore Hall’

Best Contemporary Classical Composition

Stephen Paulus – ‘Paulus: Prayers & Remembrances’

Best Classical Solo Vocal Album

Joyce DiDonato & Antonio Pappano – ‘Joyce and Tony – Live From Wigmore Hall’

Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media

Glen Campbell – ‘Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me’

Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media

Antonio Sanchez – ‘Birdman’

Best Song Written For Visual Media

Common, Rhymefest and John Legend – ‘Glory’

Best Music Video

Taylor Swift ft. Kendrick Lamar – ‘Bad Blood’

Best Gospel Performance/Song

Kirk Franklin – ‘Wanna Be Happy?’

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song

Francesca Battistelli – ‘Holy Spirit’

Best Gospel Album

Israel New Breed – ‘Covered: Alive In Asia [Live]’

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

Toby Mac – ‘This Is Not A Test’

Best Roots Gospel Album

The Fairfield Four – ‘Still Rockin’ My Soul’

Best Country Solo Performance

Chris Stapleton – ‘Traveller’

Best Country Duo/Group Performance

Little Big Town – ‘Girl Crush’

Best Country Song

Little Big Town – ‘Girl Crush’

Best Dance Recording

Skrillex, Diplo and Justin Bieber – ‘Where Are Ü Now’

Best Dance/Electronic Album

Skrillex, Diplo and Justin Bieber – ‘Where Are Ü Now’

Best R&B Performance

The Weeknd -‘Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey)’

Best Traditional R&B Performance

Lalah Hathaway – ‘Little Ghetto Boy’

Best R&B Song

D’Angelo – ‘Really Love’

Best Urban Contemporary Album

The Weeknd – ‘Beauty Behind The Madness’

Best R&B Album

D’Angelo – ‘Black Messiah’

Best Metal Performance

Ghost – ‘Cirice’

Best Rock Song

Alabama Shakes – ‘Don’t Wanna Fight’

Best Rock Album

Muse – ‘Drones’

Best Alternative Music Album

The Alabama Shakes – ‘Sound & Color’

Best Rap Performance

Kendrick Lamar – ‘Alright’

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration

Kendrick Lamar ft. Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat – ‘These Walls’

Best Rap Song

Kendrick Lamar – ‘Alright’

Best Pop Solo Performance

Ed Sheeran – ‘Thinking Out Loud’

Best Pop Duo/Group

Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – ‘Uptown Funk’

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

Tony Bennett and Bill Charlap – ‘The Silver Lining: Songs of Jerome Kern’

Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical

Jeff Bhasker

Best Rap Album

Kendrick Lamar – ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’

Best Country Album

Chris Stapleton – ‘Traveller’

Song Of The Year

Ed Sheeran & Amy Wadge – ‘Thinking Out Loud’

Best Musical Theater Album

Hamilton

Best Rock Performance

Alabama Shakes – ‘Don’t Wanna Fight’

Best New Artist

Meghan Trainor

Album Of The Year

Taylor Swift – ‘1989’

Record Of The Year

Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars – ‘Uptown Funk’

Solid night of music. For more follow along on Facebook and Twitter.

Leave a comment Posted on July 20, 2015September 12, 2015 Musc

Michael’s Mixtape: The Fourth

Another week means another playlist.

Plenty of new music released this summer along with some older stuff to cleanse your musical pallet properly. Feel free to recommend anything for next week’s list on either Facebook or Twitter.

1. “Get Better” – Frank Turner

Album: ‘Positive Songs for Negative People’, Coming August 2015

2. “Take It Back” – The Temperance Movement

Album: ‘The Temperance Movement’, 2015

3. “The Less I Know The Better” – Tame Impala

Album: ‘Currents’, 2015

4. “Bang Bang” – Lawrence Taylor

Single, 2015

5. “Random Name Generator” – Wilco

Album: ‘Star Wars’, 2015

6. “Phone in a Pool” – Ben Folds

Album: ‘So There’, Coming September 2015

7. “Boys in the Street” – Greg Holden

Album: ‘Chase The Sun’, 2015

8. “Ex’s & Oh’s” – Elle King

Album: ‘Love Stuff’, 2015

9. “Elevator Operator” – Courtney Barnett

Album: “Sometimes I Sit and Think, And Sometimes I Just Sit”, 2015

10. “Thunderhearts” – Cold War Kids

Album: ‘5 Quick Cuts’, 2015

11. “Secrets” – State Champs

Album: ‘Around The World and Back’, Coming October 2015

12. “You Got Spirit, Kid” – Coheed and Cambria

Album: ‘The Color Before The Sun’, Coming October 2015

13. “Seven” – Sunny Day Real Estate

Album: ‘Diary’, 1994

14. “Elektra” – Refused

Album: ‘Freedom’, 2015

15. “Rouse Yourself” – JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound

Album: ‘Howl’, 2013

16. “Burn in the Night” – Ryan Adams

Single, 2015

17. “Walk on the Wild Side” – Joseph Arthur

Album: ‘Lou’, 2014

18. “Only Love” – Mumford and Sons

Album: ‘Wilder Minds’, 2015

19. “Jackie and Wilson” – Hozier

Album: ‘Hozier”, 2014

20. “Dreams” – Beck

Single, 2015

The Playlist is also available on Spotify with other “Michael’s Mixtape” compilations.

1 Comment Posted on July 6, 2015September 12, 2015 Musc

Michael’s Mixtape: The Third

New music, old music, my music, your music…

The Mixtape is back and here in time to kick your week off. This is what I’m listening to these days, but I’d love to hear what you’re jamming to. Feel free to comment at the bottom or Tweet requests for next week’s Mixtape @Mike_PiFF03.

1. “Mercy” – Muse

Album: ‘Drones’, 2015

2. “Baby Don’t You Lie To Me” – The Fratellis

Album: ‘Eyes Wide, Tongue Tied’, 2015

3. “Hold Back The River” – James Bay

Album: ‘Chaos and the Calm’, 2015

4. “Let Me Down Easy” – Paolo Nutini

Album: ‘Caustic Love’, 2014

5. “Better Man” – Leon Bridges

Album: ‘Coming Home’, 2015

6. “California (Cast Iron Soul” – Jamestown Revival

Album: ‘Utah’, 2014

7. “Laid” – James

Album: ‘Laid’, 1993

8. “Gone” – Bouncing Souls

Album: ‘How I Spent My Summer Vacation’, 2001

9. “Spiderwebs” – No Doubt

Album: ‘Tragic Kingdom’, 1995

10. “Emily” – San Fermin

Album: ‘Jackrabbit’, 2015

11. “Turn it Around” – Lucius

Album: ‘Wildewoman’, 2013

12. “Dance With Me” – Ra Ra Riot

Album: ‘Beta Love’, 2013

13. “The Suburbs” – Father John Misty

Cover of Arcade Fire’s “The Suburbs” (from 2010)

14. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Patti Smith

Album: ‘Twelve’, 2007

15. “Hourglass” – Ewan McGregor

Covering Catfish and the Bottlemen, ‘The Balcony’, 2014

16. “Inside Out” – Spoon

Album: ‘They Want My Soul’, 2014

17. “Seasons (Waiting on You)” – Future Islands

Album: ‘Singles’, 2014

18. “Whisper” – The Dear Hunter

Album: ‘Migrant’, 2013

19. “Elm Street Loverboy” – The Prize Fighter Inferno

Album: ‘Half Measures’, 2012

20. “Everlong” – Foo Fighters

Album: ‘The Colour and the Shape’, 1997

Playlist available on Spotify as “Michael’s Mixtape: The Third”.

1 Comment Posted on June 30, 2015September 12, 2015 Musc, sports

When Sports and Music Collide

Monday morning, the Chicago Cubs announced the “secret” headliner for the fourth annual Hot Stove Cool Music charity concert, July 9th at the Metro. Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder will be performing alongside Cubs President Theo Epstein, Cubs broadcaster Len Kasper, Hall of Fame baseball writer Peter Gammons, 670 The Score sports talk radio host Matt Spiegel, members of Wilco, Cheap Trick, Umphrey’s McGee, Tributosaurus, and more. The concert benefits Cubs Charities and Foundation To Be Named Later, which helps aid disadvantaged youth and adults.

Vedder has a long history with his beloved Cubs, having grown up just north of the city in Evanston, IL. Fans recall multiple renditions of the 7th inning stretch, but he also recorded his own anthem for the Cubs. Pearl Jam and Cubs fans alike were treated to a “double header” in 2013 as the band played before and after a storm at Wrigley Field. The late Ernie Banks even came out to yell, “Let’s Play Two!”

We all have our interests and it’s always cool when we see those interests overlap. The fan in me always seems to geek out especially when music and sports come together. I recently had the pleasure of seeing Niklas Hjalmarsson and the Chicago Blackhawks crash a Mumford and Sons concert at Montrose Beach. I made involuntary noises as Hjalmarrson commanded the band to drink beer from the Stanley Cup…then mention he should’ve told them where the Cup had been beforehand.

Just the other day, JJ Watt played concert security for the Zac Brown Band and squared up on an “intruder”.

Nobody messes with @zacbrownband pic.twitter.com/bS3Rat13xP

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) June 29, 2015

(Might’ve been staged)

Following Hall of Fame basketball player and entertaining broadcaster Bill Walton on the Grateful Dead “Fare Thee Well” Tour has been a treat beyond words.

Part of the allure is seeing our favorite musicians or athletes come back to Earth in a way that we can relate. They are the best at what they do but can be so humbled and excited to be around someone of another profession. They’re fans like we are.

The other part is seeing someone offer you another dynamic that you weren’t aware of. When you hear about a professional athlete releasing an album, you’re interested to hear how it sounds (except for Shaq). When you see an artist or musician signed up to play in a celebrity All-Star game, you want to tune in and see how they fair.

Here are are some examples of worlds colliding in music and sports.

Athletes in Music

Bernie Williams

5-time Yankees All-Star centerfielder, 1998 AL batting title winner, and 4-time World Series champion Bernie Williams is also a Latin Grammy nominated guitarist. Williams recorded 2,336 hits and a .297 batting average in his baseball career, and 2 jazz albums in 2003 and 2009.

Williams also recorded a single with former NBA forward Wayman Tisdale.

Chris Kluwe

Former Vikings punter, gamer and excellent Twitter follow Chris Kluwe also started a band called Tripping Icarus. They have an EP and full length LP to their credit, all spawned from Kluwe’s love for “Guitar Hero”.

Jack McDowell

Former White Sox pitcher and 1993 CY Young winner, Jack “Blackjack” McDowell had a 12 year long baseball career, and a music career that has lasted for much longer. The alternative rocker recorded 6 albums with bands V.I.E.W. and stickfigure, and is still playing in clubs today.

The 1985 Chicago Bears

The ’85 Chicago Bears went 15-1, won a Super Bowl, had 4 players go to the Hall of Fame, and became the first sports team to be nominated for a Grammy. “The Super Bowl Shuffle” was organized by wide receiver Willie Gault, and performed by 24 members of the roster. This year will be the 30th anniversary of its release, a single that went to #41 on the Billboard charts and went Gold for selling half a million copies.

Sorry you had to hear Steve Fuller attempt rapping again.

Rickie Fowler, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson and Ben Crane – Golf Boys

Losing the collared t-shirts and khakis, these golfers decided to have some fun for charity. Producing 2 viral music videos, $1,000 is donated by State Farm per 100,000 views to charity.

It’s no “Super Bowl Shuffle”, but they still deserve a “good job, good effort.”

Musicians in Sports

Alice Cooper

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Alice Cooper is best known for heavy metal and live shows that feature guillotines, boa constrictors, electric chairs and fake blood. He also has a golf handicap of 5.3 and titled his memoirs “Alice Cooper: Golf Monster – A Rock ’n’ Roller’s 12 Steps To Becoming a Golf Addict.”

WE’RE NOT WORTHY!

Bruce Dickinson

Iron Maiden front man Bruce Dickinson is one of the world’s most interesting individuals. He is a military veteran, a licensed commercial pilot, melter of rock and roll faces…and a WORLD CLASS FENCER! At one point he ranked 7th in all the UK. Dickinson also sponsors youth soccer teams.

Garth Brooks

Country superstar Garth Brook has sold over 70 million records in his career, but his dream was to be a Major League baseball player. Brooks made that dream come true when the San Diego Padres signed him to play in Spring training in 1998. He also had Spring training stints with the New York Mets and the Kansas City Royals, ending his baseball “career” with a hit off pitcher Mike Myers in 2004.

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake is one of the best entertainers of our era. Singer, dancer, actor…and a 6 handicap golfer. Timberlake once said he would be a pro golfer by the age of 30. That has yet to happen, but he is minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies…so there’s that.

MTV Rock N’ Jock

Back when MTV was actually “Music Television” and played music videos, there was also a series where musicians, athletes and movie stars would come together to compete in basketball, football and bowling. Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Chuck D, Brett Michaels and Queen Latifah would play alongside Chris Webber, Gary Payton, Rick Mahorn, George Clooney, and yes…Leonardo DiCaprio (That’s him on the bottom left). It was truly incredible television.

Do any other Sports and Music crossovers come to mind? Let me know on Twitter @Mike_PiFF03.

Leave a comment Posted on May 18, 2015September 12, 2015 Musc, Uncategorized

Michael’s Mixtape: The Second

This is my way of answering the very popular question, “What are you listening to these days?”

Each week, I’m going to try posting a list of new and old music that I am into, and I’d love for you to share what you’re listening to with me on Twitter @Mike_PiFF03.

1. “Wake Up Everybody” – The Roots & John Legend

2. “Blue Sky” – Common

3. “Wherever Is Your Heart” – Brandi Carlile

4. “Fool For Love” – Lord Huron

5. “My Wrecking Ball” – Ryan Adams

6. “Everyday” – A$AP Rocky feat. Rod Stewart and Miguel

7. “Sober” – Childish Gambino

8. “Mene” – Brand New

9. “Artist in the Ambulance” – Thrice

10. “Narrow Mouth” – The Early November

11. “Virtual Insanity” – Jamiroquai

12. “The Door” – D’Angelo

13. “Got Till It’s Gone” – Janet & Q-Tip

14. “Two Hands Up” – O.A.R

15. “Just Another Girl” – The Killers

16. “Keep Your Head Up” – Ben Howard

17. “Home Again” – Michael Kiwanuka

18. “24 Frames” – Jason Isbell

19. “The Boxer” – Mumford and Sons

20. “Things Happen” – Dawes

21. “The John Wayne” – Little Green Cars

22. “Everything Works Out in the End” – Kodaline

Want more? Check out The First. Each “Mixtape” is available on Spotify too. And of course I’d love more recommendations, so Tweet them to @Mike_PiFF03.

1 Comment Posted on May 8, 2015September 12, 2015 Musc

Michael’s Mixtape – The First

A week ago in San Diego, a friend that I don’t get to catch up with often enough asked me about the music I was listening to these days…

For a second I blanked, but then everything came rushing to my head like a waterfall. So I felt it would be fun to log the music I’m listening to and share it with all of you. It varies between new and old music, but it’s all good to me. Music is a very subjective thing for people, and that’s what makes it very cool to me.

While I’m sharing this first Mixtape list here (with music accompaniment of course), I’ll also have a public Spotify playlist for you to check out as well.

Here goes nothing…