The Flip Side

Justin Timberlake

From looktothestars.org:

Justin Timberlake has donated $200,000 to music education facilities in his hometown of Memphis in a bid to keep the musical legacy of the city alive.

The 27-year-old singer is bringing sexy back to Memphis by donating $100,000 to the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum and $100,000 to the Memphis Music Foundation.

“Music education and keeping the legacy of Memphis music alive has always been important to me,” said Timberlake, who was in town to film his new movie, The Open Road. “That is why I always continue to support my hometown the same way they have always supported me.”

Timberlake made the donation through The Justin Timberlake Foundation.
“Justin Timberlake has never deserted Memphis ,” said John Doyle, executive director of the Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum . “He has never stopped giving back to the community, to the local music industry, and to young people.”

Justin Timberlake was awarded a special honor from the Grammy Association in 2005 for his humanitarian work in Tennessee .

Steve Vai

While I’m sure everyone nominated is deserving I couldn’t shake the feeling of boredom.  It feels like the same people are nominated for everything.  So I looked up the entire list of nominees to see if there was anything different (for me) in there.  Lo and behold the Rock Instrumental Performance category caught my eye.

ROCK INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE
“The Ecstasy Of Gold” - Metallica; Track from: “We All Love Ennio Morricone” [Sony Classical]
“Malignant Narcissism” - Rush; Track from: “Snakes & Arrows” [Anthem/Atlantic]
“Always With Me, Always With You” - Joe Satriani; Track from: “Satriani Live!” [Epic/Red Ink]
“Once Upon A Time In The West” - Bruce Springsteen; Track from: “We All Love Ennio Morricone” [Sony Classical]
“The Attitude Song” - Steve Vai; Track from: “Sound Theories Vol. I & II” [Epic/Red Ink]

Look at this.  Rush?  Steve Vai? Joe Satriani?  Why don’t we ever see any of these people at the televised Grammys?  I know Justin Timberlake is a wonderful performer…as are Rhianna, Foo Fighters, Beyonce, and everyone else that we actually get to see on Grammy night.  What I’m suggesting is that maybe…just maybe….we can see other performers too.  I’d like to see India.Arie and Herbie Hancock and about 20 other artists that we never get to see.  Time to shake up the Grammys folks.  Let’s book someone other than the obvious and inject some life into this awards show.

Max Vadukul

He’s taken dozens of photos of Beyonce (I suspect she is his muse).  They’re great photos and if I were Beyonce I’d stick with him.  He’s famous for satirical and wacky imagery influenced largely by cartoons, silent movies and British media.  Here are a few samples and you can see more here: http://www.art-dept.com/artists/vadukul/.

Beyonce

Timbaland

Timbaland is a prolific producer who has produced singles for Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Utada Hikaru, Ludacris, 50 Cent, Nelly Furtado, Dima Bilan and The Pussycat Dolls.  He started out as a DJ and teamed with Missy Elliott early on.  They’ve been working together ever since.  I love how some friends stick together forever.  Anyway, the work he’s done recently with Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado have really brought him a wider audience than he’s had in the past (he’s always deserved a big audience, but people are generally slow to catch on).  I have to say, though, that I’m loving the stuff he’s doing in the forefront.  His new single “The Way I Are”, which also features D.O.E. and Keri Hilson, is one of the best of the year.  The hook is permanent.  That song is on my brain like cat hair on cashmere and will not be dislodged.  Keri Hilson has a beautiful voice and really adds the extra bump to this single.  I could be wrong but I think I recognize that song as the sample in one of JT’s singles (Sexyback maybe?).  If you haven’t heard it, go here and have a listen, but be warned:  it will not leave your head….ever.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWg3IMN_rhU

Music producers rarely get the credit they deserve.  We should all take the time to read the liner notes on our favorite CDs to see just who is behind the sounds we love so much.  I’m betting Timbaland is the creative mind behind a lot of the music we love.