I like the awards shows on TV this time of year. They summarize. It’s a great opportunity to catch up to the culture that never stops changing, adding to itself, morphing, circling back and repeating, sprouting new shoots, blending forms and forging new arrangements, all that and more. The Grammy Awards show has found a new formula: more music and fewer awards. I noticed last year, but the trend may have begun before that. In the first hour last night, I counted one award handed out, as if it was something that had to be squeezed in among the excellent musical performances. My overall impression is that the art and business of music are in very good shape. The talent pool is deep across all categories, and the younger performers are as impressive as ever and eclectic in their influences and expression.  

Arcade Fire