you got your reasons. me i got mine. but all the reasons i gave were just lies. to buy myself some time.

Amy Winehouse kicked ass and took names at the Grammy’s last night, winning 5 of the 6 awards for which she was nominated.

She also delivered a powerhouse performance.

Way to go, Amy! I am so happy to see amazing, quality music that I love finding critical acclaim. Oh, and, girl, stick with sober. You don’t need any drugs to be amazing.

Amy, Amy, Amy, way to fucking go!! Since I’ve openly chastised her, I also have to give props where they are due. Mad ups to Amy Winehouse, one of my favorite musical artists, for showing up and kicking ass amidst all the bullshit going on in her life and the media. Seems like she’s at least somewhat on the mend. Keep it up, girl!

From People.com:
Amy Winehouse received a standing ovation after singing at a London awards show Tuesday night – her first performance since canceling her recent tour dates.

“At the end of the performance, the room erupted in applause and wild cheering,” Kevin Milburn, director of the Mercury Music Prize (which is awarded to the best British and Irish album of the past year), tells PEOPLE.
…
There also was some question over whether she would make it to the Mercury Music Prize. But her father, Mitch, was all smiles after watching her belt out an acoustic rendition of “Love is a Losing Game” from her nominated album Back To Black in what the BBC described as her searing voice.

“She was very happy to be here. And I’m just thrilled she was here,” said the elder Winehouse, according to the BBC. “She gave a brilliant performance and she looks well.”

According to Milburn, “Amy had announced she would not be doing any performances for the next couple of months but flew in from her holiday in St. Lucia especially for the occasion.”

I was worried as shit that she’d be too fucked up to make Lollapalooza (which was completely bad ass), but my girl Amy Winehouse held strong… well, until a few days later. She performed pretty damn well, considering the cocktail she’d probably mixed in her gastrointestinal track… Oops, I meant, given her state of exhaustion. Sucks for all the folks who were expecting to see her in August, but hopefully she’ll gain some weight so she can handle the drugs Oh, or she could get clean, but… well, she’s already spoken (sang) for herself on that topic. Whatever do I mean? The poor drunk is just tired! Oh, how I love you, Amy…

From People.com:
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20052078,00.html
Amy Winehouse Cancels All Her August Commitments
…
“Amy Winehouse is putting all her touring commitments for this month on hold until further notice in order to address her health issues,” representative Tracey Miller tells PEOPLE.
…
The rep also refuted reports that Winehouse was or is in rehab. The singer’s U.S. tour and performance at the MTV Video Music Awards, both slated for September, are still happening, she said.
On Aug. 8, Miller told PEOPLE, “Amy was admitted to London’s University College London Hospital for exhaustion, treated and released just this afternoon. The doctor said she was suffering from severe exhaustion, and she was told to rest.”
…

Yeah, I say buy the tune if you jam it. I did. I’m rocking it now, years after paying for it. Still quality. Still for immediate consumption. Here’s the words, buy the tunes:

Fiona Apple – Shadowboxer

Once my lover, now my friend.
What a cruel thing to pretend.
What a cunning way to condescend.
Once my lover, now my friend.

Oh, you creep up like the clouds.
And you set my soul to ease.
Then you let your love abound.
And you bring me to my knees.

Oh, it’s evil, babe, the way you let your grace enrapture me.
When, well, you know, I’d be insane -
To ever let that dirty game recapture me.

You made me a shadowboxer, baby.
I wanna be ready for what you do.
I been swinging all around me.
cause I don’t know when you’re gonna make your move.

Oh, your gaze is dangerous.
And you fill your space so sweet.
If I let you get too close,
Youll set your spell on me.

So, darlin, I just wanna say.
Just in case I dont come through.
I was on to every play.
I just wanted you.

But, oh, its so evil, my love,
The way youve no reverence to my concern.
So, Ill be sure to stay wary of you, love,
To save the pain of once my flame and twice my burn.

You made me a shadowboxer, baby.
I wanna be ready for what you do.
I been swinging all around me.
cause I dont know when youre gonna make your move.

Over the past couple years, I’ve made plans to attend Bonnaroo but was unable to go for various reasons (finances, work). This year, it’s gonna take a fucking big obstacle to stand in the way of my Bonnaroo attendance. You can bet your sweet ass that I’ll be rocking out in Manchester, TN in mid-June. The line-up that’s got me all hot and bothered was leaked yesterday.

Drumroll, please, then bring on the drool. The Lineup for Badassaroo is:

The Police
Tool
Widespread Panic
The White Stripes
Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
Wilco
The Flaming Lips
Manu Chao
The String Cheese Incident
Franz Ferdinand
Bob Weir & Ratdog
Damien Rice
Ween
Gov’t Mule
Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers
The Decemberists
Kings of Leon
Michael Franti & Spearhead
Wolfmother
Regina Spektor
Galactic
The Black Keys
DJ Shadow
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Spoon
Keller Williams (WMD’s)
Sasha & John Digweed
STS9
Old Crow Medicine Show
The Hold Steady
North Mississippi Allstars
Fountains Of Wayne
Hot Tuna
Feist
Hot Chip
Lily Allen
John Butler Trio
Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys
Aesop Rock
The Richard Thompson Band
Dierks Bentley
Xavier Rudd
Gogol Bordelo
Junior Brown
Tortoise
T-Bone Burnett
Mavis Staples
Clutch
Cold War Kids
Dr. Dog
Paolo Nutini
Brazilian Girls
RX Bandits
The Nightwatchman
The Slip
Girl Talk
Railroad Earth
Martha Wainwright
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Annuals
Tea Leaf Green
Sam Roberts Band
Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Charlie Louvin
Sonya Kitchell
Mute Math
Apollo Sunshine
Uncle Earl
James Blood Ulmer
The National
The Little Ones
Ryan Shaw

Comedians:
Lewis Black & Friends
Dave Attell
David Cross

I went to The Raconteurs show last night at the Tabernacle. They rawked the fucking caspah! By an odd twist of fate, I had a ticket in the upper middle balcony. I typically prefer to be on the floor, but no dice… kinda odd because I’d always thought that Tabernacle shows were general admission. However, despite some slight apprehension that I may fall down the stairs when returning to my seat with a drink, it was a pretty kick ass view of the show. Add to that the fact that I didn’t get stepped on or sweated all over (except by my own sweat, which is fine), and I’d have to say that it was pretty damned sweet.

My ears still hurt a little today, but man oh man, it was worth it. If you get the chance to see The Raconteurs live, do it.