Bowie Tribute: Stripped Down or Quirky?

[Dark Anatomy 2,284]

This is just a discussion so keep it classy... :-)

While a lot of journalism and media outlets are praising Gaga's performance at the Grammys, a lot of fans (Bowie and Gaga alike) have been very disappointed. Should the tribute have been a stripped down performance that showcased Gaga's incredible vocals? Perhaps her, a piano, and a rendition of Life on Mars? In some ways what she did has been perceived as disrespectful to his artistry. Instead of trying to mimmick his career, do you think she should have stayed consistent to showcasing her talent? 

NOW, and pay attention. Gaga going that route (IN THIS SCENARIO) would mean NO INTEL, but IT WOULD mean that Intel X Gaga would have been saved for LG5.

I know things can't be changed but I just want to hear people's perspective. Stripped, Raw, Emotional VS. Quirky, Electric, Theatrical? 

[My personal opinion is that while I enjoyed a lot of aspects of the tribute, I felt it would have been best to take a stripped down, yet hauntingly artistic approach. The best moment of the tribute for me was the beginning. It was just her, her voice and the video projection. Haunting, vocally, on point, and raw. It should have stayed that way tbh.]

[Bradley 59,253]

VERY disappointed?  Is it true GGD?

Intel signed a contract with the Grammys, they can't simply leave the Grammys out of it and give everything to LG5. In other words, Gaga had to use them or forfeit them.

[giskardsb 12,565]

A stripped down performance would have just come across like the other 4 tribute performances and would not have respected Bowies full artistry.   While one may argue that Gaga's was a bit "over the top" is was more representative of Bowie as a whole.  And it was Gaga tributing Bowie, not trying to imitate Bowie exactly.

 

[Chris Evans 8,917]

That wasn't Gaga on stage though her hair/ costume/ personality was Bowie- much like her Sinatra tribute

Her collab with Intel fit well imo a stripped down version would have been playing it safe which would not feel right considering Bowie would never do that-this is why Gaga is very much the female counterpart of Bowie

Although I would love to see GagaxIntel throughout LG5 especially for the tour it would be incredible to see what the Haus+Intel would come up with 

[Bebe 17,106]

I think it was better as it was. It wasn't like the other tributes, it was bold and futuristic and true to Bowie in that sense.

There was nothing Gaga could have done to receive universal acclaim from this performance. It's not the same as performing a tribute to SOM and then introducing Julie Andrews who praises the performance, it's not the same as performing a tribute to Sting while he is in the audience holding back tears, it's not the same as performing a tribute to Frank Sinatra with a multitude of guests before you. This was the Grammy tribute to such a huge cultural icon so recently lost.

Whatever tribute The Grammys did and with whatever artist(s) it would have been divisive. With a discography and image as huge and varied as David Bowie there is no way to deliver the scope of his artistry in such a limited time. In a lot of ways it would have been disappointing if a performance like that got universal acclaim, then it would seem like 'What did we lose?' It would seem so easy to replicate the talent and unique boldness of an apparent icon - it would make him seem average.

A stripped down rendition of his discography would have felt... underdone. It wouldn't have felt like a real tribute for this truly great, transgressive, bold artist. It wouldn't have sparked people's imagination or dazzled, it would have been this dull, average, boring and 'safe' tribute and that's the worst thing that could have happened.

Bowie wasn't just one in a lifetime, he was a one time only sort of artist. Gaga succeeded in propelling his name into the minds of an entirely new generation and the world is better for that.

[PunkTheFunk 124,530]

41 minutes ago, Strigoi said:

[My personal opinion is that while I enjoyed a lot of aspects of the tribute, I felt it would have been best to take a stripped down, yet hauntingly artistic approach. The best moment of the tribute for me was the beginning. It was just her, her voice and the video projection. Haunting, vocally, on point, and raw. It should have stayed that way tbh.]

I agree with you partly. The "Space Oddity" bit was one of my favourite parts of the performance, but if it had just been that for six minutes I would've been bored tbh. I do think the performance could've been organized a bit better (less/different songs, more focus on David's artistry and less on his pizzazz/campiness) but in the end I'm glad it went the way it did.

[Neight Shayde 7,925]

She wanted to celebrate the era of bowie where he was super theatrical and over the top. It makes sense, because another sad, "in memoriam" tribute would make her cry and it would be the same as the other tributes by other artists. 

[Twitter 14]

1 hour ago, giskardsb said:

A stripped down performance would have just come across like the other 4 tribute performances and would not have respected Bowies full artistry.   While one may argue that Gaga's was a bit "over the top" is was more representative of Bowie as a whole.  And it was Gaga tributing Bowie, not trying to imitate Bowie exactly.

 

This! 

[13VictorC 1,102]

The performance we watched at the Grammys was a stripped down version of the original concept.

Intel and Gaga had to make room to add Bowie. Unfortunately, that meant the original plan had to be modified.

I have high hopes that Intel and Gaga continue their collaboration in the future and make use of the other amazing ideas they created together.