Music’s biggest month

If ever there was an exciting month for music, February would be it. Where do I begin? The 50th Annual Grammy Awards, East Coast Music Awards, and the Academy Awards. Starting with the Grammys, (Music’s biggest night), this has become such a phenomenal event, watched by millions all over the world. Always creating the most buzz are the performances – it’s all about the performances – and this year’s opener did not disappoint. With the magic of technology, who could have imagined Alicia Keys singing a duet with Frank Sinatra? Another performance which really was quite memorable for me wasa Turner’s and Beyonce’s rendition of “Proud Mary” – two absolute goddesses of Soul/R&B, proving to the world once again, that at any age, when you’ve got it, flaunt it! And of course, there was the much talked about, much-anticipated performance of British singer Amy Winehouse, who performed via satellite from London. Despite her recent publicized troubles, she walked away with five Grammys, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. In contrast, however, the not-so-obvious was wonderfully highlighted this year, when Herbie Hancock walked away with Album of the Year for his River: The Joni Letters. This certainly was one of the biggest surprises and upsets of the evening, over the much-favored Graduation by Kanye West.

And now for something completely different on this side of the border. Fredericton, New Brunswick hosted the 20th Annual East Coast Music Awards. This four-day extravaganza of multi-genre musical performances, conference events and workshops, honoured the best in music from the Atlantic region. Hats off to 6-time winner, Halifax band Joel Plaskett Emergency, as well as double award winners Dave Gunning, the Rankin Family, Jamie Sparks and Rose Cousins. If you are not too familiar with any of these names, then check out CBC television on March 2nd at 7:00 p.m.: Steven Page of Barenaked Ladies will host a one-hour special featuring the very best musical performances from the Festival. Certainly, this will be a celebration of east coast Canadian music.

Finally, on Oscar night, it will be all about the movies, but music will feature prominently, even for a short while in the best Music (Score) category. Music, as we all know, plays such a vital and integral part of the film, as it is powerful enough to heighten the drama, create relief, or describe the depths of despair. Who could forget the sweet sounds of the balalaika in “Lara’s theme” from Dr. Zhivago, or the vast sweeping landscape of Tara in Gone With the Wind? It doesn’t have to be a musical theme to be effective. What about those memorable leit-motivs, like Jaws coming in for the kill, or the screeching repetitive rhythmic pattern in Psycho? These great moments are forever etched in our memory. Interestingly, nominees for best Music (Score) include an animated film, Ratatouille, as well as four other very different films: Atonement, The Kite Runner, Micheal Clayton and 3:10 to Yuma. The fact that these scores have been short-listed, makes them all winners in my mind. So, if you would like to hear what all the buzz and excitement is about, then look for upcoming Music displays, and let yourself be the critic!