Post-Grammy sales effect
The Grammy ratings took a slight dip, and fans are still debating the album of the year choice, but the Grammys aren't irrelevant yet -- at least when it comes to music sales.
Two days after the telecast, Grammy winners and performers were dominating the sales charts at Amazon and iTunes. Herbie Hancock's "River: The Joni Letters" is the top-selling album on the site, with releases from Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys and the soundtrack to "Across the Universe" all in the top-10.
While the commentators are berating me for poking a little fun at what kind of albums win the top pop award at the Grammys, "River" is certainly worthy of a wider audience, and it's doing well over at iTunes as well, where it's the No. 4 seller.
Look for a boost in sales on the music charts releases next week, Feb. 20. Album sales are already trailing those of 2007 by about 12%, according to Nielsen SoundScan, but the Grammys, and Valentine's Day, should make up some ground.
On a similar tip, I relate this story: Last week at a pre-Grammy event, a major label manager argued with me that the largest problem with the Grammys is that they occur the same week as Valentine's Day.
His point: The sales bump spurred by the two occasions should be spread throughout the fiscal year.
(Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times)
Dear Todd Martens, I wasn't trying to berate you, though I was using rather strong language. I just felt it was a shame that Herbie isn't getting any credit here. Why is Kanye the bigger story when he DIDN'T win? Its because of the media, and bloggers like you that continue to support, enable, and allow Kanye to completely commandeer the headlines. The Grammy's aren't losing relevance because of the albums they are choosing to award, they are losing relevance because of people like you (and most mass media, so I'm not just picking on you) who tell the public that they are irrelvenet because the album YOU wanted to win didn't. As a music blogger, I just would hope that you would be a little more open minded to artists other than Kanye, and perhaps celebrate their win instead of disrespecting it. On a better note, thank you for at least pointing out to your readers that Herbie's album is indeed a brilliant work of art, and IS worth a listen.
Posted by: MUSICFAN | February 12, 2008 at 02:28 PM
Kevin Devoto adds: This is a very helpful article. Please post more like this. kevin devoto
Posted by: kevin devoto | February 18, 2008 at 10:00 PM