Allison Kraus won three Grammys, and Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Emmylou Harris each won a Grammy Wendesday night (Feb 8) at the The 48th Annual Grammy Awards, broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS.
In a Grammy show packed wall-to-wall with music and the usual anticipation of award winners, this year’s Album Of The Year award went to U2 for How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, Green Day earned Record Of The Year for “Boulevard Of Broken Dreams,” and John Legend won Best New Artist. But Grammy Awards were spread among a number of deserving artists during the 48th Annual Grammy Awards Wednesday night in Los Angeles. Mariah Carey, John Legend and Kanye West all went into the night with eight nominations apiece, and all three took hardware home. But U2 emerged the big winner with five Grammys while Carey, Alison Krauss, Legend and West won three each.
Album of the Year: “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb,” U2.
Record of the Year: “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” Green Day.
Song of the Year: “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own,” U2.
New Artist: John Legend
Male R&B Vocal Performance: “Ordinary People,” John Legend.
Pop Vocal Album: “Breakaway,” Kelly Clarkson.
Rap/Sung Collaboration: “Numb/Encore,” Jay-Z featuring Linkin Park.
Female Pop Vocal Performance: “Since U Been Gone,” Kelly Clarkson.
Country Album: “Lonely Runs Both Ways,” Alison Krauss and Union Station.
Rap Album: “Late Registration,” Kanye West.
Rock Album: “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb,” U2.
Rap Solo Performance: “Gold Digger,” Kanye West.
Rap Performance by a Duo or Group: “Don’t Phunk With My Heart,” The Black Eyed Peas.
Rap Song: “Diamonds From Sierra Leone,” D. Harris and Kanye West.
Solo Rock Vocal Performance: “Devils & Dust,” Bruce Springsteen.
Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own,” U2.
Hard Rock Performance: “B.Y.O.B.,” System of a Down.
Metal Performance: “Before I Forget,” Slipknot.
Rock Instrumental Performance: “69 Freedom Special,” Les Paul and Friends.
Rock Song: “City of Blinding Lights, U2, (U2).
Alternative Music Album: “Get Behind Me Satan,” The White Stripes.
Female R&B Vocal Performance: “We Belong Together,” Mariah Carey.
R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals: “So Amazing,” Beyonce and Stevie Wonder.
Traditional R&B Vocal Performance: “A House Is Not a Home,” Aretha Franklin.
Urban/Alternative Performance: “Welcome to Jamrock,” Damian Marley.
R&B Song: “We Belong Together,” J. Austin, M. Carey, J. Dupri & M. Seal, (D. Bristol, K. Edmonds, S. Johnson, P. Moten, S. Sully & B. Womack, (Mariah Carey).
R&B Album: “Get Lifted,” John Legend.
Contemporary R&B Album: “The Emancipation of Mimi,” Mariah Carey.
Male Pop Vocal Performance: “From the Bottom of My Heart,” Stevie Wonder.
Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: “This Love,” Maroon 5.
Pop Collaboration With Vocals: “Feel Good Inc.,” Gorillaz Featuring De La Soul.
Pop Instrumental Performance: “Caravan,” Les Paul.
Pop Instrumental Album: “At This Time,” Burt Bacharach.
Traditional Pop Vocal Album: “The Art of Romance,” Tony Bennett.
Female Country Vocal Performance: “The Connection,” Emmylou Harris.
Male Country Vocal Performance: “You’ll Think of Me,” Keith Urban.
Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal: “Restless,” Alison Krauss and Union Station.
Country Collaboration With Vocals: “Like We Never Loved at All,” Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.
Country Instrumental Performance: “Unionhouse Branch,” Alison Krauss and Union Station.
Country Song: “Bless the Broken Road,” Bobby Boyd, Jeff Hanna and Marcus Hummon, (Rascal Flatts).
Latin Pop Album: “Escucha,” Laura Pausini.
Latin Rock/Alternative Album: “Fijacion Oral Vol. 1,” Shakira.
Traditional Tropical Latin Album: “Bebo De Cuba,” Bebo Valdes.
Salsa/Merengue Album: “Son Del Alma,” Willy Chirino.
Mexican/Mexican-American Album: “Mexico En La Piel,” Luis Miguel.
Tejano Album: “Chicanisimo,” Little Joe Y La Familia.
Engineered Album, Classical: “Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets,” Da-Hong Seetoo, engineer (Emerson String Quartet).
Producer of the Year, Classical: Tim Handley.
Classical Album: “Bolcom: Songs of Innocence and of Experience,” Leonard Slatkin, conductor (Christine Brewer and Joan Morris, University of Michigan School of Music Symphony Orchestra).
Orchestral Performance: “Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13,” Mariss Jansons, conductor (Sergei Aleksashkin, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and Chorus).
Opera Recording: “Verdi: Falstaff,” Sir Colin Davis, conductor (London Symphony Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra).
Choral Performance: “Bolcom: Songs of Innocence and of Experience,” Leonard Slatkin, conductor (Christine Brewer, Measha Brueggergosman, Ilana Davidson, Nmon Ford, Linda Hohenfeld, Joan Morris, Carmen Pelton, Marietta Simpson and Thomas Young, Michigan State University Children’s Choir, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Orpheus Singers, University of Michigan University Choir and University Musical Society Choral Union, University of Michigan School of Music Symphony Orchestra).
Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra): “Beethoven: Piano Cons. Nos. 2 & 3,” Claudio Abbado, conductor; Martha Argerich (Mahler Chamber Orchestra).
Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra): “Scriabin, Medtner, Stravinsky,” Evgeny Kissin.
Chamber Music Performance: “Mendelssohn: The Complete String Quartets,” Emerson String Quartet.
Small Ensemble Performance: “Boulez: Le Marteau Sans Maitre, Derive 1 & 2,” Pierre Boulez, conductor, Hilary Summers, Ensemble Intercontemporain.
Classical Vocal Performance: “Bach: Cantatas,” Thomas Quasthoff (Rainer Kussmaul, Members of the RIAS Chamber Choir, Berlin Baroque Soloists).
Classical Contemporary Composition: “Bolcom: Songs of Innocence and of Experience,” William Bolcom (Leonard Slatkin).
Classical Crossover Album: “4 plus Four,” Turtle Island String Quartet and Ying Quartet.
Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: “Ray,” Ray Charles.
Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: “Ray,” Craig Armstrong, composer.
Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media: “Believe,” Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri, songwriters, from “The Polar Express.”
Instrumental Composition: “Into the Light,” Billy Childs, composer.
Instrumental Arrangement: “The Incredits,” Gordon Goodwin, arranger (Various Artists).
Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s): “What Are You Doing for the Rest of Your Life?” Billy Childs, Gil Goldstein and Heitor Pereira, arrangers (Chris Botti and Sting).
Traditional Blues Album: “80,” B.B. King and Friends.
Traditional Folk Album: “Fiddler’s Green,” Tim O’Brien.
Contemporary Folk Album: “Fair & Square,” John Prine.
Native American Music Album: “Sacred Ground — A Tribute to Mother Earth,” Various Artists.
Hawaiian Music Album: “Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar — Vol. 1,” Various Artists.
Reggae Album: “Welcome to Jamrock,” Damian Marley.
Traditional World Music Album: “In the Heart of the Moon,” Ali Farka Toure and Toumani Diabate.
Contemporary World Music Album: “Eletracustico,” Gilberto Gil.
Polka Album: “Shake, Rattle and Polka!” Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra.
Musical Album for Children: “Songs From the Neighborhood — The Music of Mister Rogers,” Various Artists.
Spoken Word Album for Children: “Marlo Thomas & Friends: Thanks & Giving All Year Long,” Various Artists.
Spoken Word Album: “Dreams From My Father,” Sen. Barack Obama.
Comedy Album: “Never Scared,” Chris Rock.
Musical Show Album: “Monty Python’s Spamalot.”
Gospel Performance: “Pray,” CeCe Winans.
Rock Gospel Song: “Be Blessed,” Yolanda Adams, James Harris III, Terry Lewis and James Q. Wright, (Yolanda Adams).
Rock Gospel Album: “Until My Heart Caves In,” Audio Adrenaline.
Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album: “Lifesong,” Casting Crowns.
Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Album: “Rock of Ages … Hymns & Faith,” Amy Grant.
Contemporary Soul Gospel Album: “Purified,” CeCe Winans.
Gospel Choir or Gospel Chorus: “One Voice,” Gladys Knight, choir director.
New Age Album: “Silver Solstice,” Paul Winter Consort.
Jazz Vocal Album: “Good Night, and Good Luck,” Dianne Reeves.
Jazz Instrumental Solo: “Why Was I Born?” Sonny Rollins.
Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group: “Beyond the Sound Barrier,” Wayne Shorter Quartet.
Contemporary Jazz Album: “The Way Up,” Pat Metheny Group.
Large Jazz Ensemble Album: “Overtime,” Dave Holland Big Band.
Latin Jazz Album: “Listen Here!” Eddie Palmieri.
Traditional Soul Gospel Album: “Psalms, Hymns & Spiritual Songs,” Donnie McClurkin.
Dance Recording: “Galvanize,” The Chemical Brothers featuring Q-Tip.
Electronic/Dance Album: “Push the Button,” The Chemical Brothers.
Bluegrass Album: “The Company We Keep,” The Del McCoury Band.
Contemporary Blues Album: “Cost of Living,” Delbert McClinton.
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Steve Lillywhite.
Short Form Music Video: “Control,” Missy Elliott Featuring Ciara and Fat Man Scoop.
Best Long Form Music Video: “No Direction Home” (Bob Dylan).
Recording Package: “The Forgotten Arm,” Aimee Mann and Gail Marowitz, art directors (Aimee Mann).
Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package: “The Legend,” Ian Cuttler, art director (Johnny Cash).
Album Notes: “The Complete Library of Congress Recordings by Alan Lomax,” John Szwed, album notes writer (Jelly Roll Morton).
Historical Album: “The Complete Library of Congress Recordings by Alan Lomax,” Jeffrey Greenberg and Anna Lomax Wood, compilation producers (Jelly Roll Morton).
Engineered Album, Non-Classical: “Back Home,” Alan Douglas and Mick Guzauski, engineers (Eric Clapton).
Remixed Recording, Non-Classical: “Superfly (Louie Vega EOL Mix),” Louie Vega, remixer (Curtis Mayfield).
Surround Sound Album: “Brothers in Arms — 20th Anniversary Edition,” Chuck Ainlay, Bob Ludwig, Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits).
This Grammy show also boasted more music performances than any in the telecast’s storied history. It started with a unique pairing, and ended with a musical nod to a troubled city.
Opening the show like a cartoon in overdrive, Gorillaz appeared in animated 3D glory performing their song, “Feel Good Inc.” The “band” was soon joined by De La Soul, then the ultimate treat, a holographic Material Girl rising from the stage. Pulsing and gyrating in fine form, the real Madonna then sang her hit “Hung Up” surrounded by a team of elastic dancers.
Coldplay blasted into “Talk” with all the epic energy and rock grandeur that has marked their career. Under a blare of white lights, Chris Martin and co., decked out in dark jackets and blue jeans, created a classic big rock moment as Martin displayed his trademark stage dancing and eventually left to prance through the crowd.
Soul crooner extraordinaire John Legend brought pure magnificence to “Ordinary People,” the lovely Brazilian-tinged ballad from his album, Get Lifted . Shot in a noir -themed black-and-white haze, and surrounded by a sweeping 10-piece string section, Legend’s elegant delivery and smoldering singing was powerful and emotive.
Now a country duo , Sugarland kicked it hard and hot with “Something More,” proving that two can do what three used to do, and then some. The Atlanta natives showed their natural power.
Blasting their hit “Vertigo” like a jet engine on takeoff, U2 turned the expansive Staples Center into a small club with Bono’s soaring vocals and The Edge’s shimmering guitar fusillades. The band closed the song with a brief reference to The Beatles’ “She Loves You” before edging into the familiar guitar refrains of “One.” Joined by the Queen of the 411, Mary J. Blige (who was dressed in a flowing gauzy top and skin tight satin pants), U2 turned from Irish rock power merchants to a super soul backing band. With Blige and Bono trading verses, the song rose in power, culminating in the singers holding hands aloft as the word “One” appeared in multiple languages on screens above the stage.
Still emotional from winning the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Kelly Clarkson delivered “Because Of You” with all the precision and intensity that made her the first-ever “American Idol” winner. The phenomenon increased her glorious night with her first-ever Grammy performance with the aid of a live string section.
Making his first Grammy stage performance, former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney treated the audience to a taste of one of his popular live performances, beginning with Macca seated at the piano for “Fine Line,” followed by the Beatles’ classic “Helter Skelter.” Taking up his familiar Hofner bass, Sir Paul stated, “I finally passed the [Grammy] audition, so I want to rock now.”
Lifted up by a brass section, the 30-member strong Hezekiah Walker & Love Fellowship Choir and Pastor Clarence Keaton, Mariah Carey provided one of the evening’s most powerful performances. Her flowing blond tresses draping her white-cloaked frame, Carey sang “We Belong Together” and “Fly Like A Bird” like they were the most important moments of her life. Bringing that old-time religion to a 21st century venue, Carey raised the roof with her amazing vocal skills.
Aussie super guitar slinger Keith Urban sang his “You’ll Think Of Me” from high atop a glass perch, banging his guitar and singing with an impassioned soulfulness. Wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans, this Everyman raised his fist high in the air before Faith Hill entered stage left. Accompanied by Urban’s fire-breathing electric axe and her own acoustic strumming, Hill’s “The Lucky One” joined homespun appeal to his rough ‘n ready power, the duo creating an unlikely alliance of pan global country royalty.
In a world where contemporary R&B and rap pay tacit homage to old-school soul and funk through sampling and covers, the Grammys honored one of the godfathers of funk with an ensemble tribute to Sly Stone. Joss Stone, Legend and Van Hunt vamped on a straight-up version of “Family Affair.” Devin Lima and Fantasia followed with a zesty rendition of “If You Want Me To Stay,” with Maroon 5 and a sultry Ciara crooning a joyously anthemic “Everyday People.” The Black Eyed Peas’ Will.I.Am nearly stole the tribute with his loose-limbed, stage-covering performance of “Dance To The Music,” complete with feverish rapping and some amazing footwork. Not to be outdone, Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry blasted through “I Want To Take You Higher” with the help of steel guitar wonder Robert Randolph. With the band and crowd primed, Sly Stone entered the proceedings dressed in an alien-like silver jacket and sporting a tremendous two-foot-high blonde Mohawk, leading the entire ensemble. When he exited the stage, the funk master had truly left the building
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter and Linkin Park’s “Nu
mb/Encore” saluted the melding of rock and rap celebrated by producer Danger Mouse’s infamous Grey Album ‚Äî which mashed up the Beatles’ “White Album” and Jay-Z’s Black Album ‚Äî when McCartney entered stage right singing “Yesterday” over the track’s bouncing hip-hop beat to the crowd’s delight.
Displaying the power of simplicity, Bruce Springsteen sang “Devils & Dust” like a man haunted. Strumming his acoustic guitar with an almost punk-like power and bathed in a haze of white light, Springsteen seemed to grit his teeth as he sang this song of one man’s unyielding faith, ending the impassioned song with yet another simple plea: “Bring ’em home.”
Kanye West and Jamie Foxx reprised the Record Of The Year-nominated “Gold Digger” like two court jesters run amok. Beginning in the audience accompanied by a full marching band with West dressed in white and Foxx in red, the pair soon had the joint jumping with song’s irresistible marching cadences and hilarious pleas.
Jazz piano master Herbie Hancock utilized the amazing vocals of Christina Aquilera on Leon Russell’s “A Song For You” in an incredible display of improvisational prowess. Looking like Jean Harlow in her form-fitting, floor-length silver dress and flowing blond hair, Aquilera proved she can practically sing anything, matching the jazz piano giant note for note.
Finally, the stars came out in full force for the emotional close to the night’s show, a tribute to troubled New Orleans . Elvis Costello, The Edge, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas, and Yolanda Adams made Toussaint’s “Yes We Can Can” roll off the stage like a Mardi Gras march as everyone in the audience joined in clapping. As soon as that song finished, Bruce Springsteen and Sam Moore (the latter of soul legends Sam and Dave) came on stage for a spirited rendition of Wilson Pickett’s famous “In The Midnight Hour” (Pickett died in January.) The tribute was a fitting musical salute given the work that The Recording Academy’s MusiCares Foundation has done for musician victims of Hurricane Katrina, and a memorable coda for the show.
source: The Recording Academy
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