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What Rocks So Far In 2009

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By MELISSA RUGGIERI Media General News Service

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 17, 2009

Most people do one of these "here are some of my favorite things" lists at the end of the year.

Me? I wait until January.

But, since I've stumbled upon some cool TV shows, books and even a football jersey in recent weeks, this seemed like an appropriate time to share just a handful of things that are rocking my world at the moment.

1. Elvis Costello's "Spectacle" series:

Costello is quick enough to ask Tony Bennett if he has an iPod (unsurprisingly, no) and persuasive enough to get Sting to trot out the lute for a song though it probably doesn't take much prodding to get Sting in the spotlight for any reason.

Regardless, these types of idiosyncratic moments are what make the Costello-steered "Spectacle" series on the Sundance Channel so delightful.

Though Costello opens the show with a sparsely arranged performance of his own, "Spectacle" is very much about the guests, who also perform several songs, often with Costello.

Costello is an astute interviewer - or, at least one who knows that viewers are interested in things such as hearing members of The Police pick a favorite song from the band's catalog. (In case that episode doesn't repeat and because this is Must Know Info: Andy Summers chose "Message in a Bottle," Stewart Copeland kept changing his mind but settled on "Roxanne," and Sting insisted on two choices, "Mother" and "Miss Gradenko.")

But Costello has also picked his subjects wisely, as they're artists who not only have great stories but also know how to tell them.

Bennett, in particular, is an ace storyteller who probably keeps his family amused for endless hours during group dinners. "Rosemary Clooney and I were the first American Idols!" he beams, while recounting a story about coming in second to Clooney on an amateur show.

"Spectacle" has been on since last month, with Elton John and James Taylor as guests on earlier shows.

Yesterday, a new installment featuring Rufus Wainwright debuted, and upcoming shows will feature Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Norah Jones and John Mellencamp (Jan. 21); Renee Fleming (Jan. 28); and She & Him, Jenny Lewis and Jakob Dylan (Feb. 11).

As always on cable, repeats are plentiful. Check out the full show lineup and airdates at SundanceChannel.com/spectacle.

2. Kara DioGuardi on "American Idol:"

Regardless of the reasoning behind bringing in a fourth judge on "American Idol" this season - Foil for Simon Cowell? Extra girl power for Paula Abdul? Desperation to raise ratings? It already seems like a smart move.

DioGuardi, who looks a bit like Abdul, especially when they're sitting side by side at the judges' table, is everything Abdul and Randy Jackson aren't.

She actually has an opinion.

But, like Abdul and unlike Cowell, she can be kind and encouraging.

During Tuesday night's return of the show, which also meant the return of those frequently heinous auditions, DioGuardi was especially thoughtful toward one aspiring songwriter, a cowboy-hat-wearing teen girl whose adoration of the new judge was edging toward Stalkerville.

Though the girl's voice wasn't robust enough to push her into the Hollywood round, DioGuardi firmly encouraged her to keep honing her songwriting skills and at least gave the kid some glimmer of hope while kicking her into the hallway with Ryan Seacrest.

The other thing that DioGuardi brings to that dais is credibility.

Abdul has always been appreciated more as a dancer than a singer; Jackson's production expertise can't be quibbled with, but that one-time-bass-player-with-Journey credential doesn't exactly raise the respect-o-meter; and Cowell is a brilliant businessman and compelling TV character, but mostly just sniffs for star appeal.

DioGuardi, meanwhile, is a pedigreed pop songwriter who has written hits for, among dozens of others, Christina Aguilera ("Ain't No Other Man"), Ashlee Simpson ("Pieces of Me"), Kelly Clarkson ("Walk Away"), Celine Dion ("Taking Chances") and Pink ("Sober").

And, as DioGuardi so sassily demonstrated for obnoxious contestant Miss Bikini 2009, she possesses a voice that, fairly easily, scaled Mariah Carey-ish notes.

Oh, and DioGuardi already proved herself a voice of reason.

While Cowell and Jackson could barely keep the drool off their chins while listening to/watching the attractive barely dressed hopeful, DioGuardi decisively presented her reasons why the contestant shouldn't be promoted to the next round because, despite her fabulous bod, her voice was flat.

Of course, DioGuardi lost to the boys' vote.

But she still was right.

3. The autographed Dan Marino jersey hanging in the front window of The National:

I have absolutely no reason to bring it up other than I adore Marino and am thrilled to see him still getting some love - at a music venue, no less. Please engage in proper "We're not worthy" actions when passing by.

4. "Bumping Into Geniuses:"

Danny Goldberg is a name that should be at least somewhat familiar to any music fan.

As a guy who went from rock critic (he reviewed Woodstock for Billboard magazine) to PR rep (for Led Zeppelin) to running record labels (Atlantic, Mercury and Warner Bros.), to launching Stevie Nicks' solo career and managing Nirvana, Goldberg is an industry icon.

In his latest book, "Bumping Into Geniuses: My Life Inside the Rock and Roll Business," Goldberg explains how the essence of music changed from being about the artistry to being about the business, but he also shares - to the best of his recollections - insider stories about Jimmy Page's drug haze, the irritation of the Eagles' management when the band received bad reviews and how Stevie Nicks came up with the name for her hit "Edge of Seventeen."

Though he doesn't deny money as a motivator - the book's title comes from a comment made by Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun that the way to get rich was to keep walking around until you bumped into a genius.

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