• Pop Talk Archive • Recent stories by David Segal • Entertainment Guide: Music • Talk: Entertainment message boards • Live Online Transcripts • Subscribe to washingtonpost.com e-mail newsletters • mywashingtonpost. com -- customized news, traffic, weather and more

Pop Talk
With David Segal
Washington Post Music Critic
Monday, Feb. 24, 2003; Noon ET

For a few years, he played guitar and sang in a deeply terrible cover band, the Bremers. The highlight of the group's show was a stalker version of "Leavin' on a Jet Plane," which was retitled "You're NOT Leavin' on a Jet Plane." He's been at The Post for going on eight years, first as a Book World editor, then a Business section reporter and finally as pop music critic. He enjoys the work and would like to point out that he is writing his bio, even though it's written in the third person, like someone else wrote it. Segal is doing that so he appears more important than he is, which is hilarious when you think about it!

The transcript follows.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

washingtonpost.com: David Segal will be here shortly to explain how Norah Jones beat the Boss at last night's Grammy Awards. In the meantime, here's a trivia question to ponder: What band was the answer to a $1 million question on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? The question was "What was the first band to win a Grammy in the hard rock category?"

David Segal: Hey Party people.

I'm in NYC still, digesting the shock of that Norah Jones sweep last night and trying to get the hang of this freaky keyboard I'm using at a friend's place. I'll be a little slower than usual today, which is a bummer because there's already a ton of questions lined up here.

So away we go...

Reston, Va.: Why was there no photo of the great Johnny Paycheck during the Them's What Died Lately section of the show? He made 70 albums and sold 2 million copies of "Take This Job and Shove It"!

David Segal: Good question. No shot of the Great White guiarist who died a few days ago, either.

Dallas, Tx: I enjoyed your NPR essay on the Grammys, including the infamous goofs (Costello vs. The Taste of Honey for best new artist). In that category, I also remember artists such as Christopher Cross cleaning up across the board and then fading from sight. What's your long-term prognosis for Norah Jones?

David Segal: Thanks much. Everyone has their favorite Grammy outrage moment and giving best new artist to A Taste of Honey instead of Elvis in 1978 is mine. Taste is known only for Boogie Oogie Oogie, to jar an old memory.

It'd be hard to bet against Norah now. Her music isn't the stuff of arenas, but it seems like she's easily big enough to fill a few now. Not sure if this stat made it into my piece this morning but she's sld 7 million units worldwide.

Herndon, Va.: David,

I take it from their lackluster perfomance last night that Simon and Garfunkle will not be hitting the road together this summer. Was their lack of chemistry as noticable at MSG?

David Segal: We asked S&G backstage about plans for future work and they said they would mull it over in the morning. It's prett clear that they can hardly stand each other and G. mentioned that they hadn't seen each other in years. I though their rendering of "Sound" was pretty shaky. They'd need to rehearse a bit more if they actually took that act on the road.

Somewhere, USA: the highlight for this former clash fan was the tribute to Joe Strummer. Not only that Bruce Springsteen and Elvis Costello shared a microphone but how the four paid homage by imitating Strummer rather than singing in their own voice (Steve Van Zandt sang with an English accent!) but alas no one could sing London Calling like Joe did - he had the right voice for the perfect youth anthem.

David Segal: Amen. I thought it sounded pretty good. No telling what Strummer would have thought of it.

New York, NY: Who was the fourth guitarist (besides Miami Steve, Elvis and Bruce) in the Joe Strummer tribute? What would Joe have thought of being an industry icon?

David Segal: That was Virginia's own Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters. He, by the way, is the funniest backstage interview, year in year out. Last night, he arrived at the mics set up in front of us right as we print hacks were crashing on our deadline and so we weren't asking him or the other Foos any questions. Grohl started snoring into the mic. You had to be there, but it was really hilarious. Last year he said the print journalist room reminded him of his gig selling classifieds at the Washington Times.

Alexandria, Va.: I read your article and agreed that there was definitely a shift in the format of the show this year. I love R&B and hip hop but over the past few years, I got extremely weary of the made-for-tv groups with nil singing skills, the hip-hop artists who won and brought their 20-man posse on stage with them while ranting for 2 minutes too long, and the unnecessary over-hyped, theatrical performances. The overall quality of the show was much better than in previous years. Maybe someone from the grammy production crew finally said no to anymore of the garbage that could induce vomiting, which was the grammys of the past few years.

David Segal: Am I the only one who missed Jon Stewart? I love that guy and he cracked me up the last couple years.

Danbury, CT: How is it that Norah Jones is Ravi Shankar's (sp?) daughter, yet she grew up in Texas?

David Segal: I gather that his relationship with Norah's mother -- I call her Norah as though we're really tight -- was brief. It's not something that Ms. Jones likes to talk about, but a reporter from Dallas last night told me that she and Ravi are thawing things out a bit now.

Answer to trivia question: that would be Jethro Tull

David Segal: Bingo. Question was, Which group won the first ever Grammy for hard rock/heavy metal. This by the way was in 1986, if memory serves, or maybe 88. Well past Tull's hard rocking days.

Portland, ME: Hi David:

Any thoughts on Nelly's Hot In heerre and the 'fire' backdrop with the indoor pyro? In a time of increased sensitivity, I thought that anyone, especially New York would understand how totally inappropriate and offensive this was. What was he and the RIAA thinking?

David Segal: Good question. My editor wondered the same thing. I tell you, this pryo stuff is so ingrained into pop that I wouldn't be surprised if no one really thought about it. I think you're right though -- they should have ditched the fire. It sort of seemed like bad taste.

Silver Spring, Md: What do you think of John Mayer? The segment where he played his song
was rather average I thought. He's not a very good singer. And then James Taylor came on and really just showed how good he is and how mediocre alot of the "popular music" is today?

David Segal: I tell you this: Mayer has charisma by the boatload. I think his music is not really in the Taylor mode: it's really for kiddies and if you saw his live show, you'd realize that his audience is about 15 years old and only pretty much girls only.

I like him as a person more than I like his music. I'd rather have a beer with the guy than sit through another one of his concerts.

Bethesda, Md: please let those of us be heard who think norah jones is a talentless hack. thanks.

David Segal: You're welcome.

Kennebunkport, Me. : I'm pretty ticked about last night's Grammy's, and I read an interesting article by the Associated Press that I think really sums up this year's awards. It stated that some of the talent up for awards was, overall, too new to deserve the honors. It's true! I mean, Norah Jones is talented, but 5 nominations far overstates her versatility, originality, and most importantly, staying power. She's had one single and all of a sudden she's a multiple Grammy winner. I can't believe she trumped artists like Bruce Springsteen and Eminem in the Album of the Year category; these are people who have worked hard for a long time and maintained a strong popular and critical following. She is a newbie who could be gone tomorrow. Look at Alicia Keys, the darling from last year. Have we heard anything from her lately? Did she have one decent single besides "Falling"? Nope. There is ONE category that should honor these random one-hitters, and that's Best New Artist, and I think all the industry is doing by awarding ridiculous amounts of honors to these folks is insulting the ones that have shown us year after year that they are capable of producing meaningful music (as opposed to a catchy Top 40 hit or two). Sorry to ramble, but I hope some people agree with me.

David Segal: You raise a good point. I've got to say, I couldn't have been more shocked when Jones won best album. The crowd in the print room actually let out a gasp.

Anyone have any theories about why this happened?

I've heard only one good so far and I must credit to my editor, Peter Kaufman. He noted that buzz about the Jones' album grew in volume in recent weeks, and when the Grammy voters actually filled out their ballots "The Rising" felt like old news. In other words, Jones had "the big Mo."

Washington, DC: When you cover the Grammys, are you in the press room the entire time or are you in the auditorium?

David Segal: I'm in a press room. We watch the show from a TV and we interview a parade of winners and presenters as they collect their trophies. It's a very hectic way to spend a few hours: surrounded by other reporters, a couple different people yakking or singing at the same time and a deadline breathing down your neck.

The weirdest moment of the evening for us, by the way, was the appearance of Chevy Chase, who showed at the podium, mentioned a few parties, mumbled something about the Observer, and then left.

I still have no idea why he was there or what he meant.

Sterling, Va.: Here's my theory on the Norah Jones thing (and all the other newbies.) Like the stock market, everyone thinks short term these days, and the record studios are hyping the artists (and I use the term loosely) whom they think will appeal to the buying public. Springsteen already has his mass following; Jones doesn't. It's an industry horserace, similar to the politicing which preceeds the Oscars.

David Segal: Ok.

Potomac,Md.: As a participant in the music industry, please let me just say this: the Grammies are a wash-out, and they have been for at least the past 20 years. Of all the major (i.e., Academy Awards, Tonies, Emmies and Grammies) entertainment awards, they are the absolute worst. The nominating and voting process is convoluted and corrupted, the acts who are nominated and win are more often than not laughable, many of the voters are literally out of touch with the modern music industry in many ways, many high-quality songs and albums do not receive the attention they should receive, the televised awards show is horribly produced, directed and written, and on and on and on. There simply needs to be a major, major overhaul of the entire Grammies process--and I am literally one of at least hundreds of industry observers and participants who share this opinion. Thanks for the rant opportunity.

David Segal: You're welcome.

NYC: Not only is John Mayer too young for such an award, but he is the most horrible guitarist I've ever heard. James Taylor blows him away in song construction, singing, AND distinctive and good guitar playing.

I can understand the voters desire to say no to teen pop and awarding Norah Jones' efforts, but why did they give ALL the awards to her (basically). I wish she wouldn't slur while singing, but clearly that is just me.

David Segal: I disagree about Mayer's guitar playing. I think he's pretty good, though not exactly original. When I saw his show, he did an amazing Stevie Ray Vaughn impersonation. He's clearly studied the greats.

You mean...: You weren't thrilled that Springsteen didn't win best album? You hated it anyway; figured you'd be dancing a little jig.

David Segal: I disliked "The Rising" so the fact that it didn't win best album didn't bother me at all. Then again, I love the Boss and it's sort of sad that he's never won album of the year, despite delivering a couple all-time greats. Can you imagine how irked the dude must have been last night?

Washington, DC: Isn't the fact that Norah Jones won so many awards at least a good sign that the awards aren't fixed? If the industry really wanted to fix things, they would have spread out the awards.

David Segal: I've never heard anyone suggest that Grammys are fixed. I've heard it said that the Grammys suck, but fix -- that's a new one.

Washington, DC: I heard on NPR this morning that several artists were complaining that the Recording academy pressured them not to make any political comments. What a joke. If they felt they needed to make comments, they should've just done it. Making a stand isn't always easy. It's crazy that only Fred Durst of all people took a stand.

David Segal: The Grammy president assured us last night that no effort was made by his group to pressure artists to skip any anti-war talk. It'd be an inane thing to do, so I'm inclined to believe him. A couple performers muttered some anti-war stuff backstage, especially India.Arie and the Flaming Lips.

Arlington, Va.: Have you LISTENED to Norah Jones' album? It is wonderful -- Alanah Miles meets Eva Cassidy meets Ella Fitzgerald. It flows beautifully, and BTW, I doubt she will be a one-hit wonder. One of her songs had been in my head for a long time before I got her album -- it was a scene song in "Crossing Jordan" last year. Wonderful.

David Segal: A dissenting opinion from the caller who described Norah as a hack.

McLean, Va.: There were so many awards to hand out. How come we only saw 11 on TV. Where they giving out the awards during the commercials? Thanks.

David Segal: They give out awards during a two hour afternoon session which nobody but us reporters watches. There's dozens of them, so the whole thing is pretty numbing. It doesn't bother me that they keep the award giving to a reasonable minimum. Those speeches are pretty hard to take in large quantities.

Washington, D.C.: I was impressed by the Roots backing Eminem and at least on TV, was struck by how bad the canned music was for Nelly, although I was impressed by the Nelly/Kelly interchange. How did it feel in MSG with the Roots playing live?

David Segal: I thought they sounded spectacular. When we asked them why Eminem had asked them to back him up, they modestly said that they are the only band that could have done the job.

Alexandria, Va.: I'd like to add Sheryl Crow's guitar strap to the list of anti-war statements -- except her hair was covering part of it, so it looked like it just said "WAR."

David Segal: Maybe she wants a war, the sooner and bloodier the better.

Ok, probably not.

Washington D.C.: "London Calling" was an absolute knockout! Not only the highlight of the night but without a doubt the single hippest thing ever to occur in the 45 year history of the Grammys. There's just something about a wall of electric guitars that makes my heart sing. Too bad we had to wade through so much dreck first. Nora is BORING (surprise - just like the Grammys)and rap never comes off well on TV. Thank god for the mute button.

David Segal: I thought Em did a pretty amazing job.

Hey, how come Mick Jones, the other Clash leader, wasn't in that tribute? Seems like he should have been there.

Re: Presenters: Is Eryka Badu going to do anymore presenting any time soon? If so, maybe she should rehearse a little before the actual show.

David Segal: A lot of these people take the gig pretty casually, don't they?

How about Dustin Hoffman? He seemed like he was stoned or something.

Arlington, Va.: Is Avril Lavigne really as annoying as she seems on TV?

David Segal: More so! She's surly and filled with 'tude and I for one love her for it.

Virginia: Daaave -- do you get a sense for Norah's audience demographic? In an informal survey just sitting here at the office, where we're all more-than-casual music fans, nobody has actually bought her album or really even has a sense of who she is.

David Segal: Well, some of you are buying. My sense is that it's big with the Boomers but has since caught on with others, too. Her label, Blue Note, told me last week that their sales data suggests it's mostly the over 45 crowd, the NPR set, that launched Norah. It's pretty amazing. We're going to see a lot more adult-oriented youngsters I guess.

Washington, DC: I'm a 47-year-old father of three teens and lover of jazz etc. (including the Norah album) and damned if I'm not amazed by Eminem's writing talent ... seriously, rap haters should read it instead of listening to it and it's serious, intelligent stuff.

David Segal: Fashizzle, dude.

Orlando, Fla.: We all know about those kids that work at the local record store and make it painfully evident that they think they're in the music business, when in reality all they're doing is working retail. From reading these chats, I get the feeling like you're a grown up version of those kids. You seem to have a somewhat pompous "I'm in the biz" attitude, but you're just a journalist that happens to cover the music industry. Your thoughts on this, sir David?

David Segal: Well, I would say that I am very pompous and an extremely arrogant and totally convinced that, yes, I AM in the music biz. No, I am the music biz itself. No, I'll get a step further. I am music -- and I write the songs.

Bee Gees and gravitas: Uh, since when did the Bee Gees have gravitas? Their career can be broken into pre-dreck, dreck, and post-dreck periods.

Good line about Kim Cattrall, though.

David Segal: The Bee Gees made some great music in their career, and I'm just saying that if that was their swan song, some group with a little more credibility should have been given the gig. Not all of the Bee Gees stuff is dreck. Check out their pre-disco stuff.

And I think "Stayin' Alive" is an fantastic tune.

Fairfax, Va.: That Coldplay/Orchestra performance made me cringe. Not a good combination. Whose idea was it?

David Segal: Mine.

Thanks a lot, dude. You've hurt my feelings!

Ok, I don't know whose idea it was. I actually enjoyed that though, I've got to say.

Arlington, Va.: But do you write the songs that make the young girls cry?

David Segal: I've dabbled in tear-jerkers, yes.

San Francisco, CA: How did Steve Earle not win for "Jerusalem"? Not that Contemporary Folk is EXACTLY his category.

David Segal: The kids from Nickel Creek were totally astonished that they won that prize. They were almost apologizing for it backstage.

Another funny moment: Someone said that the trio had a deal with Earle -- whoever won would buy the other a drink. Some reporter asked if they actually buy Earle a drink, by which he meant, "Hey, this guy is on the wagon, so maybe you should be pushing beer on him." The Nickel Creek guy, who looks like a 16 year old, replied, "Hey, I'm old enough to drink now!"

Winchester Va: David,

This is off topic so far as the Grammie's I know, but about the Great White tragedy. I have yet to hear why the actual tech who was doing the pyro didn't have a concern about the material in the ceiling. Whether they had a permit, or permission or not, it seems to me good sense should have prevailed simply due to the conditions. They have to know what burns, and what doesn't, if they are playing with fire, or they shouldn't be using it in their production. Just my two cents worth. Keep up the good work on this chat. Thanks.

David Segal: That Great White story is just sickening. It's excrutiating to watch that video and realize that these people are going to die because of a cheesy spark show. If these guys set off those pyros without telling the club, I'd be surprised if you didn't some of the band, or those around, it, behind bars one day.

I hope this makes every club owner think about the exits from their buildings. I'm amazed at how long it takes to leave venues, and that's when there isn't any fire around.

Re: "London Calling": They did a great job, but so did Tony, from No Doubt, who played with them. And the drummer -- who was that? They deserve some credit!

David Segal: The drummer was the Attraction's Bruce Thompson. (Thomas? Joe, please double check before posting. Thank.)

Snooze: Were the Grammys as boring in person as they were on TV? Other than during Clash tribute and the Eminem/Roots combo, the folks at my Grammy party were bored to tears. We even switched over to "The Man Show" at one point for God's sake!

David Segal: It's not dull from where I'm sitting. It's a zoo. There's a dozen things happening at once and the show is only one of them.

North Suncoast, Fla.: It appeared that Avril flashed the audience before she began her performance. It looked like something was written inside her coat. Any idea what it said?

David Segal: You know, I was wondering that myself. I have no idea what was on the other side of that jacket. We saw the same back shot that you did. Looked like she was at the start of a strip tease. I was like, pan left!

Re: Sheryl Ccrow: She should have won the Grammy for best marketing for the worst album.

David Segal: I didn't like that album either, but it worked, sales-wise.

Gaithersburg, Md.: Hey, Washington D.C.:

I'm a 48-year-old father of teenagers and you're dead on right about Eminem. Guy can write. Plus he's angry and funny at the same time. Compare him to, say, Beck, that somnolent whining navel-gazer. Bah.

David Segal: I'm with you, 48. Em is hilarious. And he can command an audience.

Who is Joe?: And why does he have to check your facts? I thought you knew everything about the pop music scene man!

David Segal: Joe is Joe Heim, the producer of this show.

Yes, I'm omniscient. (sp? Joe, doublecheck please.)

Thanks for nothing!: Now I have that Barry Manilow song in my head and can't get it out.

David Segal: Sorry about that. If it's any comfort, I've got the same song going on in my head.

Omaha, NE: My daughter is bummed out that Avril LaVigne didn't win in any of her categories. Should she have? If not, any words of consolation for my daughter?

David Segal: I feel your pain, young lady. Avril was robbed! She was robbed!A curse on the house of Grammy! A curse, I say.

Ok, folks. Over and out for me. I'll spend the rest of this afternoon trying to figure out how Norah beat the Boss.

Sorry to all those who wrote questions that I didn't get to. My bad. Wish I had another hour to spare.

Until next time party people,

Rock on with your bad selves.

David

washingtonpost.com:

That wraps up today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the discussion.

Stay Tuned to Live Online:
Post Magazine: Marriage at First Sight, 1 p.m. ET
Politics: Donna Brazile on 2004 Elections, 1 p.m. ET
PBS Independent Lens: 'On This Island', 1 p.m. ET
The Chat House: Kornheiser and Wilbon, 1 p.m. ET
Travel Talk, 2 p.m. ET
Politics: CNN's Tucker Carlson on 2004 Elections, 1 p.m. ET
'Perfect Illusions': Eating Disorders & the Family, 2 p.m. ET
Astrologer Charlene Lichtenstein, 6 p.m. ET

Keep up with the latest in news, sports, politics and entertainment with washingtonpost.com e-mail newsletters.

Personalize your Post with mywashingtonpost.com. Get customized news, traffic, weather and more.

   |      |