From Billboard.com:
http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/artic ... id=2085503
Cuban officials complained today (Feb. 5) that the U.S. government has denied visas to Cuban Grammy nominees who wanted to attend the awards ceremony Sunday in Los Angeles. All five nominees for this year's Grammy for best traditional tropical Latin album are Cuban musicians who live on the communist-run island. They include Ibrahim Ferrer of Buena Vista Social Club fame, lute player Barbarito Torres and "timbalero" percussionist Amadito Valdes.
Officials in Cuban President Fidel Castro's government said the musicians were denied requested visas under U.S. immigration regulations barring entry to the U.S. of people considered a threat to its national security.
The head of the Cuban Music Institute, Abel Acosta, accused the Bush Administration of blocking the visas for political reasons to please Cuban-American voters in Miami. "How can these musicians be considered terrorists?" Acosta asked. "We all know that this decision was taken to please the Cuban exile Mafia in Miami in an election year."
U.S. diplomats in Havana declined to comment on the denial of visas requested by the Cubans. Washington has enforced economic and travel sanctions against Cuba for four decades. The Bush administration has toughened U.S. policy against Castro's one-party state and cut back on cultural exchanges and visits by artists.
"I am not a terrorist. I couldn't be one. I am a musician and have always been well received by American audiences," said Ferrer, who will turn 77 this month.
The one Cuban nominee who has a U.S. visa and could attend awards is pianist Chucho Valdes, who is nominated for best Latin jazz album. But the artist previously said he would not attend if the other Cuban musicians were not allowed to enter the U.S.
Cuban Grammy Nominees Denied U.S. Visas
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Wino you know
- God's Own Drunk
- Posts: 21467
- Joined: February 5, 2002 7:00 pm
- Favorite Buffett Song: Far Side of the World & Somewhere Over China
- Number of Concerts: 105
- Favorite Boat Drink: Beaujalais Villages French Burgundy
- Location: Plowin' straight ahead, come what may
-
Wino you know
- God's Own Drunk
- Posts: 21467
- Joined: February 5, 2002 7:00 pm
- Favorite Buffett Song: Far Side of the World & Somewhere Over China
- Number of Concerts: 105
- Favorite Boat Drink: Beaujalais Villages French Burgundy
- Location: Plowin' straight ahead, come what may
Bitsy's Harem
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#1 Quasimodo : I just adore this guy! He was sweet, kind, understanding, adorable
! Most Disney characters have some sort of flaw, but there are hardly any in Quasi, except for the fact that he has low self-esteem throughout the movie. And his VOICE!! Oh, Tom Hulce was fantastic, and a great singer, too! I couldn't stop sining "Out There" after I got the soundtrack. I don't care what some of the other die-hard HND fans think, I can't wait for the sequel! Fave Quote: Look, I've lived up in the bell tower for twenty years and I think I know what the city looks like from above and THIS IS IT!
The others:
Bengalli: (From Thundercats) This guy doesn't always get the credit he deserves. He's one of the newer Thundercats, so that might be why. But he's the coolest looking one! I mean, a white tiger! Plus he has that deep, growling voice that's just the coolest! I love his weapon! A hammer that shoots lasers, releases smoke bombs, and can fix the Sword of Omens.
Fave Quote: You call being a living earache fun?
***
Danny: Great personality, great singing voice, and is cute as a button! I love Danny because he's a lot like me. He doesn't let go of his dreams, even when he discovers "Hollywood is for people." He's also a loyal and supportive friend. I want to be an actress and singer myself, so whenever I feel down, I just think of Danny!
Fave Quote:
Danny: How does the kitty cat go?
Max: M-meow?
Danny: Very good!
***
Dodger: First of all, BILLY JOEL ROCKS!!! And he isn't too bad of an actor either. I'm sure he had fun making this movie. He acts all cool and suave, but still has a heart of gold (and a voice to match that heart)! I love his song! I can't stop singing it whenever I hear it. It should've been played on the radio.
Fave Quote: Yeah...they never laid a paw on me!
***
Flik: Again, a dreamer like me! His hearts in the right place, but he just can't seem to get the inventions right. Well, the bird worked...anyway, Flik wants nothing more than to help his colony (and win Atta's heart, for that matter). I like the way Dot looks up to him. Very cute! I pray that they'll make a sequel.
Fave Quote: You're wrong, Hopper. Ants do not serve grasshoppers! I've seen these ants do great things and every year they somehow manage to collect enough food for themselves and for you. So who's the weaker species? Ants don't serve grasshoppers. It's you who needs us! We're a lot stronger than you say we are...and you know that, don't you?
***
John: Once again, my obsessions collide. "Yellow Submarine" is the coolest movie ever! I doubt the REAL John Lennon was like this, but I liked the way John went on tangents about theories and scientific know-how. You know, since he was the "Smart One."
Fave Quote: Nothing's Beatle-proof!
***
Paul: Handsome and cool, Paul is no fool! (Bad rhyme, I know.) I was very impressed with the guys voice. He came the closest to actually sounding like the original McCartney. Of course, I think he looks much better in real life than in cartoon form.
Fave Quote: I don't know. Ringo's just a sentimentalist.
***
George: Quiet, mysterious, and always a follower of he inner spirit. He looked so cool in this movie and I love the beard and outfit. George was probably the most impressive in the movie, like the way he just floated down from the pillar in Pepperland. The voice could've used work, though.
Fave Quote: It's all in the mind, y'know!
***
Ringo: Just as adorable with the puppy dog eyes! Ironically, Ringo was the oldest in the group, he he seems like the little brother! Well, he is shorter. Anyway, he's got the biggest heart in the movie. He thinks of his friends besides himself and even feels sorry for Jeremy, the Nowhere man. And he helped free "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band!"
Fave Quote: Liverpool can be a loney place on a Saturday night...and this is only Thursday morning.
***
Jeremy Hillary Boob, Phd.: The little Nowhere Man. I like this little guy's personality. He's a lover of poems and sciences. Just like a child eager to learn anything and everything, which is probably why he became a Nowhere Man. He's so busy with other plans that people think he's nuts! Good thing Ringo befriends him. If Jeremy exsisted, I'd go and give him a BIIG hug and kiss!
Fave Quote: Arise! A rose! A...a rosy nose?
***
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#1 Quasimodo : I just adore this guy! He was sweet, kind, understanding, adorable
! Most Disney characters have some sort of flaw, but there are hardly any in Quasi, except for the fact that he has low self-esteem throughout the movie. And his VOICE!! Oh, Tom Hulce was fantastic, and a great singer, too! I couldn't stop sining "Out There" after I got the soundtrack. I don't care what some of the other die-hard HND fans think, I can't wait for the sequel! Fave Quote: Look, I've lived up in the bell tower for twenty years and I think I know what the city looks like from above and THIS IS IT! The others:
Bengalli: (From Thundercats) This guy doesn't always get the credit he deserves. He's one of the newer Thundercats, so that might be why. But he's the coolest looking one! I mean, a white tiger! Plus he has that deep, growling voice that's just the coolest! I love his weapon! A hammer that shoots lasers, releases smoke bombs, and can fix the Sword of Omens.
Fave Quote: You call being a living earache fun?
***
Danny: Great personality, great singing voice, and is cute as a button! I love Danny because he's a lot like me. He doesn't let go of his dreams, even when he discovers "Hollywood is for people." He's also a loyal and supportive friend. I want to be an actress and singer myself, so whenever I feel down, I just think of Danny!
Fave Quote:
Danny: How does the kitty cat go?
Max: M-meow?
Danny: Very good!
***
Dodger: First of all, BILLY JOEL ROCKS!!! And he isn't too bad of an actor either. I'm sure he had fun making this movie. He acts all cool and suave, but still has a heart of gold (and a voice to match that heart)! I love his song! I can't stop singing it whenever I hear it. It should've been played on the radio.
Fave Quote: Yeah...they never laid a paw on me!
***
Flik: Again, a dreamer like me! His hearts in the right place, but he just can't seem to get the inventions right. Well, the bird worked...anyway, Flik wants nothing more than to help his colony (and win Atta's heart, for that matter). I like the way Dot looks up to him. Very cute! I pray that they'll make a sequel.
Fave Quote: You're wrong, Hopper. Ants do not serve grasshoppers! I've seen these ants do great things and every year they somehow manage to collect enough food for themselves and for you. So who's the weaker species? Ants don't serve grasshoppers. It's you who needs us! We're a lot stronger than you say we are...and you know that, don't you?
***
John: Once again, my obsessions collide. "Yellow Submarine" is the coolest movie ever! I doubt the REAL John Lennon was like this, but I liked the way John went on tangents about theories and scientific know-how. You know, since he was the "Smart One."
Fave Quote: Nothing's Beatle-proof!
***
Paul: Handsome and cool, Paul is no fool! (Bad rhyme, I know.) I was very impressed with the guys voice. He came the closest to actually sounding like the original McCartney. Of course, I think he looks much better in real life than in cartoon form.
Fave Quote: I don't know. Ringo's just a sentimentalist.
***
George: Quiet, mysterious, and always a follower of he inner spirit. He looked so cool in this movie and I love the beard and outfit. George was probably the most impressive in the movie, like the way he just floated down from the pillar in Pepperland. The voice could've used work, though.
Fave Quote: It's all in the mind, y'know!
***
Ringo: Just as adorable with the puppy dog eyes! Ironically, Ringo was the oldest in the group, he he seems like the little brother! Well, he is shorter. Anyway, he's got the biggest heart in the movie. He thinks of his friends besides himself and even feels sorry for Jeremy, the Nowhere man. And he helped free "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band!"
Fave Quote: Liverpool can be a loney place on a Saturday night...and this is only Thursday morning.
***
Jeremy Hillary Boob, Phd.: The little Nowhere Man. I like this little guy's personality. He's a lover of poems and sciences. Just like a child eager to learn anything and everything, which is probably why he became a Nowhere Man. He's so busy with other plans that people think he's nuts! Good thing Ringo befriends him. If Jeremy exsisted, I'd go and give him a BIIG hug and kiss!
Fave Quote: Arise! A rose! A...a rosy nose?
***