Alanis Morissette attacks US censorship

1.00pm


EDMONTON, Alberta - Canadian rocker Alanis Morissette didn't bare her breast like Janet Jackson, but she did bare her soul at Canada's annual music awards, demonstrating her disdain for what she called "hypocritical US censorship".

Hosting the 2004 Juno Awards ceremonies, Canada's version of the Grammies, Morissette disrobed on stage to reveal a skin-coloured, naked body suit with nipples and pubic hair.

As part of the skit, Morissette was then told by the show's assistant-director that "actually, we can't show nipples or pubic hair on national TV", at which time the Ottawa-born singer pulled off the fake body parts.

The satirical act, says Morissette, was aimed at US government institutions for over-reacting to cultural, free expression, as a result of the fallout surrounding Janet Jackson's Super Bowl faux pas, when her breast was accidentally exposed to millions of television viewers.

"As you may or may not be aware, recently in the United States, I ran into a little problem with regards to a lyric in one my songs," Morissette told the near-sell-out audience of 17,000, referring to her latest release titled, "Everything", which includes the lyrics, "I can be an asshole of the grandest kind.

"It was requested that I change a word in the first verse. Well, I am overjoyed to be back in my homeland, the true North... strong and censor-free."

American radio stations threatened recently to ban the song, forcing Morissette to change the controversial word to "nightmare".

CULTURAL REFUGEE STATUS?

Asked tongue-in-cheek if Jackson should be granted cultural refugee status in Canada, Morissette responded: "Now that's a good idea."

The big winner at Canada's 2004 Juno awards was Montreal rocker Sam Roberts, who captured Best Artist of the Year, Best Album of the Year for "We Were Born in a Flame" and Best Rock Album of the year honours.

"We've toiled in relative obscurity for 12 years, so I suppose we were the underdogs," said Roberts, whose rock stock began to climb rapidly after playing on a benefit bill in Toronto last summer with several bands including the Rolling Stones. The all-day concert was organised in an effort to tell the world Toronto was safe to visit on the heels of the SARS scare.

Other winners included pop singer Nelly Furtado, who took home Best Single of the Year for, Powerless (Say What You Want), Sarah McLachlan, who captured Best Songwriter of the Year, crooner Michael Buble, who won Best New Artist of the Year, and Nickelback, who walked off with two awards, including Best Group of the Year and the Fans' Choice honour.

Nickelback was one of several Canadian acts who criticised music fans who continue to download music from the internet at no cost.

"If you go to Costco or a corner store and steal a Pepsi it's still considered stealing," said Nickelback lead man Chad Kroeger.

On hand to pay tribute to Canadian Hall of Fame entry, producer Bob Ezrin, US rocker Alice Cooper said music downloading hasn't hurt his sales.

"It's helped gain me a whole different audience," the legendary rocker said.

Considered one of the most respected producers in music history, Ezrin coproduced Pink Floyd's The Wall. He has also produced, arranged or played on legendary albums for numerous artists including The Guess Who, Kiss, Peter Gabriel, Jane's Addiction, the Kings, Murray McLauchlan, Liona Boyd and Cooper.