Monday, February 12, 2007

49th ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

GRAMMY WINNERS

The Grammy Awards, often tagged as one of the most conservative institutions in showbiz, gave a great big "Who loves ya, babe?" to the Dixie Chicks last night.
The controversial Chicks, under fire ever since they criticized President Bush during the Iraq war buildup in March 2003, won a whopping five awards. These included a sweep of the three major categories - album of the year for "Taking the Long Way," and both song of the year and record of the year for the single, "Not Ready to Make Nice."
"Not Ready" is a defiant nonapology, and band member Emily Robison reiterated that last night.
"We have no regrets," she said. "I think people are using their freedom of speech with these awards," lead singer Natalie Maines said. "The same way this loudmouth did."
Further suggesting the Chicks' victories were not accidental, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences gave three awards to rapper Ludacris, whose graphic lyrics have been blasted by Oprah Winfrey and Bill O'Reilly.
Last night he gleefully yelled, "Special shoutout to Oprah and Bill O'Reilly!"
Other big winners at the 49th annual awards were the Red Hot Chili Peppers with four Grammys, and Mary J. Blige with three. Winning two each were Justin Timber-lake, John Mayer, Gnarls Barkley, T.I., Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Tony Bennett and John Legend.
Blige won R&B album of the year for her comeback CD "Breakthrough."
Winning the Grammys, she said, "proves I'm not only becoming a better artist, but I'm growing into a better human being."
The Chili Peppers' awards were for rock album, rock song, rock group performance and best limited edition package.
Perhaps because TV ratings have slipped in recent years, the National Academy of Arts and Sciences packed more action into the show, which had no host and kicked off with a reunion of The Police singing "Roxanne."
The black-tie crowd applauded their performance, though not as loudly as it roared for the Dixie Chicks for "Not Ready to Make Nice."
Longtime activist Joan Baez shared the applause for introducing the Chicks as "three brave women" and putting them in the tradition of Woody Guthrie.
While the Chicks refrained from end-zone dancing, their friend Don Henley was less reserved. When he opened the envelope for the album of the year, he said, "Yes!" before announcing they had won.
The show also included a tribute to the late James Brown and "My Grammy Moment," a contest in which TV viewers picked one of three women to sing onstage with Timberlake.
A finalist from Staten Island, Brenda Radney, lost out to Robyn Troup from Houston.
The soundtrack to "Jersey Boys" won best musical show album, giving composer Bob Gaudio the Grammy the Four Seasons never won when the songs in the show were popular hits.



Following is a complete list of winners in the general, pop and rock categories at the 49th annual Grammy Awards held Sunday at the Staples Center.

Album of the Year:
"Taking the Long Way," Dixie Chicks.

Record of the Year:
"Not Ready to Make Nice," Dixie Chicks.

Song of the Year:
"Not Ready to Make Nice," Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Emily Robison and Dan Wilson (Dixie Chicks).

New Artist:
Carrie Underwood.

Female R&B Vocal Performance:
"Be Without You," Mary J. Blige.

Pop Vocal Album:
"Continuum," John Mayer.

Pop Collaboration With Vocals:
"For Once in My Life," Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder.

Country Album:
"Taking the Long Way," Dixie Chicks.

Rap Album:
"Release Therapy," Ludacris.

Rock Album:
"Stadium Arcadium," Red Hot Chili Peppers.

R&B Album:
"The Breakthrough," Mary J. Blige.

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical:
Rick Rubin.

Traditional Pop Vocal Album:
"Duets: an American Classic," Tony Bennett.

Female Pop Vocal Performance:
"Ain't No Other Man," Christina Aguilera.

Male Pop Vocal Performance:
"Waiting on the World to Change," John Mayer.

Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal:
"My Humps," Black Eyed Peas.

Pop Instrumental Performance:
"Mornin'," George Benson (& Al Jarreau).

Pop Instrumental Album:
"Fingerprints," Peter Frampton.

Rock Instrumental Performance:
"The Wizard Turns On ... ," the Flaming Lips.

Rock Song:
"Dani California," Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers);

Solo Rock Vocal Performance:
"Someday Baby," Bob Dylan.

Rock Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal:
"Dani California," Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Hard Rock Performance:
"Woman," Wolfmother.

Metal Performance:
"Eyes of the Insane," Slayer.

Alternative Music Album:
"St. Elsewhere," Gnarls Barkley.

Dance Recording:
"Sexy Back," Justin Timberlake and Timbaland.

Electronic/Dance Album:
"Confessions on a Dance Floor," Madonna.

Rap Solo Performance:
"What You Know," T.I.

Rap Performance by a Duo or Group:
"Ridin," Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone.

Rap/Sung Collaboration:
"My Love," Justin Timberlake featuring T.I.

Rap Song:
"Money Maker," Christopher Bridges and Pharrell Williams (Ludacris featuring Pharrell).

Urban/Alternative Performance:
"Crazy," Gnarls Barkley.

Male R&B Vocal Performance:
"Heaven," John Legend.

R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals:
"Family Affair," (Sly and the Family Stone), John Legend, Joss Stone With Van Hunt.

Traditional R&B Vocal Performance:
"God Bless the Child," George Benson and Al Jarreau featuring Jill Scott.

R&B Song:
"Be Without You," Johnta Austin, Mary J. Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox and Jason Perry (Mary J. Blige).

Contemporary R&B Album:
"B'Day," Beyonce.

Traditional Blues Album:
"Risin' With the Blues," Ike Turner.

Contemporary Blues Album:
"After the Rain," Irma Thomas.

Female Country Vocal Performance:
"Jesus, Take the Wheel," Carrie Underwood.

Male Country Vocal Performance:
"The Reason Why," Vince Gill.

Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal:
"Not Ready to Make Nice," Dixie Chicks.

Country Collaboration With Vocals:
"Who Says You Can't Go Home," Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles.

Country Instrumental Performance:
"Whiskey Before Breakfast," Bryan Sutton and Doc Watson.

Country Song:
"Jesus, Take the Wheel," Brett James, Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson (Carrie Underwood).

Bluegrass Album:
"Instrumentals," Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder.

Contemporary Jazz Album:
"The Hidden Land," Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.

Jazz Instrumental Solo:
"Some Skunk Funk," Michael Brecker.

Jazz Instrumental Album, Individual or Group:
"The Ultimate Adventure," Chick Corea.

Large Jazz Ensemble Album:
"Some Skunk Funk," Randy Brecker With Michael Brecker, Jim Beard, Will Lee, Peter Erskine, Marcio.

Jazz Vocal Album:
"Turned to Blue," Nancy Wilson.

Instrumental Composition:
"A Prayer for Peace," John Williams, composer (John Williams), from "Munich - Soundtrack."

Instrumental Arrangement:
"Three Ghouls," Chick Corea, arranger (Chick Corea), from "The Ultimate Adventure."

Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s):
"For Once in My Life," Jorge Calandrelli, arranger (Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder), from
"Duets: an American Classic."

Gospel Performance:
"Victory," Yolanda Adams.

Gospel Song:
"Imagine Me," Kirk Franklin (Kirk Franklin).

Rock or Rap Gospel Album:
"Turn Around," Jonny Lang.

Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album:
"Wherever You Are," Third Day.

Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album:
"Glory Train," Randy Travis.

Traditional Gospel Album:
"Alive in South Africa," Israel and New Breed.

Contemporary R&B Gospel Album:
"Hero," Kirk Franklin.

Short Form Music Video:
"Here It Goes Again," OK Go.

Long Form Music Video:
"Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run," Bruce Springsteen.

Producer of the Year, Classical:
Elaine Martone.

Classical Album:
"Mahler: Symphony No. 7," Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor, Andreas Neubronner, producer (San Francisco Symphony).

Orchestral Performance:
"Mahler: Symphony No. 7," Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor (San Francisco Symphony).

Opera Recording:
"Golijov: Ainadamar: Fountain of Tears," Robert Spano, conductor, Kelley O'Connor and Dawn Upshaw; Valerie Gross and Sid McLauchlan, producers (Women of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra).

Choral Performance:
"Part: Da Pacem," Paul Hillier, conductor (Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir).
Instrumental Soloist(s) Performance (with Orchestra): "Messiaen: Oiseaux Exotiques (Exotic Birds)," John McLaughlin Williams, conductor; Angelin Chang (Cleveland Chamber Symphony).

Instrumental Soloist Performance (without Orchestra):
"Chopin: Nocturnes," Maurizio Pollini.

Chamber Music Performance:
"Intimate Voices," Emerson String Quartet.

Small Ensemble Performance:
"Padilla: Sun of Justice," Peter Rutenberg, conductor (Los Angeles Chamber Singers' Cappella).

Classical Vocal Performance:
"Rilke Songs," Lorraine Hunt Lieberson (Peter Serkin), track from Lieberson: Rilke Songs, The Six Realms, Horn Concerto.

Classical Contemporary Composition:
"Golijov: Ainadamar: Fountain of Tears," Osvaldo Golijov (Robert Spano).

Classical Crossover Album:
"Simple Gifts," Bryn Terfel (London Voices; London Symphony Orchestra).

Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:
"Walk the Line," Joaquin Phoenix and Various Artists.

Score Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:
"Memoirs of a Geisha," John Williams, composer.

Song Written for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media:
"Our Town (From Cars)," Randy Newman (James Taylor).

Musical Show Album:
"Jersey Boys."

Musical Album for Children:
"Catch That Train," Dan Zanes and Friends.

Comedy Album:
"The Carnegie Hall Performance," Lewis Black.

New Age Album:
"Amarantine," Enya.

Traditional Folk Album:
"We Shall Overcome - the Seeger Sessions," Bruce Springsteen.

Contemporary Folk/Americana Album:
"Modern Times," Bob Dylan.

Latin Pop Album (tie):
"Adentro," Arjona. "Limon Y Sal," Julieta Venegas.

Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album:
"Amar Es Combatir," Mana.

Tropical Latin Album:
"Directo Al Corazon," Gilberto Santa Rosa.

Mexican/Mexican-American Album:
"Historias De Mi Tierra," Pepe Aguilar.

Tejano Album:
"Sigue El Taconazo," Chente Barrera.

Norteno Album:
"Historias Que Contar," Los Tigres Del Norte.

Banda Album:
"Mas Alla Del Sol," Joan Sebastian.

Latin Jazz Album:
"Simpatico," the Brian Lynch/Eddie Palmieri Project.

Native American Music Album:
"Dance With the Wind," Mary Youngblood.

Hawaiian Music Album:
"Legends of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar - Live From Maui," Various
Artists.

Reggae Album:
"Love Is My Religion," Ziggy Marley.

Traditional World Music Album:
"Blessed," Soweto Gospel Choir.

Contemporary World Music Album:
"Wonder Wheel," the Klezmatics.

Polka Album:
"Polka in Paradise," Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra.

Spoken Word Album for Children:
"Blah Blah Blah: Stories About Clams, Swamp Monsters,
Pirates and Dogs," Bill Harley.

Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books and Story Telling). (Tie):
"Our Endangered Values: America's Moral Crisis (Jimmy Carter)," Jimmy Carter. "With Ossie and Ruby: In This Life Together (Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee)," Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee.

Recording Package:
"10,000 Days," Adam Jones, art director (Tool).

Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package:
"Stadium Arcadium," Flea, John Frusciante, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Smith and Matt Taylor, art directors (Red Hot Chili Peppers).

Album Notes:
"If You Got to Ask, You Ain't Got It!" Dan Morgenstern, album notes writer (Fats Waller).

Historical Album:
"Lost Sounds: Blacks and the Birth of the Recording Industry 1891-1922."

Engineered Album, Classical:
"Elgar: Enigma Variations; Britten: the Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra, Four Sea Interludes," Michael Bishop, engineer (Paavo Jarvi and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra).

Engineered Album, Non-Classical:
"At War With the Mystics," the Flaming Lips and Dave Fridmann, engineers (The Flaming Lips).

Remixed Recording, Non-Classical:
"Talk (Thin White Duke Mix)," Jacques Lu Cont, remixer (Coldplay).

Surround Sound Album:
"Morph the Cat," Darcy Proper, surround mastering.

QUOTES FROM THE GRAMMYS

"I'm so proud and pleased that finally my grandsons understand, 'Oh you're that Nancy Wilson.'"
- Nancy Wilson (not the Heart guitarist) winner of Best Jazz Vocal Album
"I guess I didn't expect to be nominated in this category. I don't consider this album to be as much of a gospel record as others in this ctaegory. I'm a little confused about the whole process. I don't know how it works or how they pick the nominees."
Jonny Lang, winner Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album
"How about Alchemy?"
- Jazz musician Al Jarreau asking about who his upcoming collaborators will be.
"Y'all telling me all I had to do was cut my hair to win best rap album? That's what y'all telling me?"
- Best Rap Album winner Ludacris.
"I love traditional pop because it means the music is going to last forever. That's been my premise right through the years: making music that will not be dated 50 years from now. Like Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, the music's still going to sound modern."
- Best Traditional Pop Vocal winner, Tony Bennett
"It doesn't have that same impact that the first time has, but I'll take it. A lot of time people say the best new artist is some kind of jinx. We've already dispelled that."
- Former Best New Artist winner (and current Best Male R&B Vocal Performance winner) John Legend
"I guess art and culture come from the heart of human beings who are interested in sharing love with other human beings. At least that's what I think and what I'm trying to do."
- Lifetime achievement award winner Ornette Coleman
"Tonight kind of proved 'American Idol' can transcend that talent show stereotype it has. It's just great talent on the show that couldn't get discovered doing what they were doing on their own. It worked for me. I owe everything to 'American Idol.'"
- Best Female Country Vocal Performance Grammy winner Carrie Underwood.
"I've been nominated about 25 times in pop - jazz twice. I sing the same, but the categories change."
- Best Jazz Vocal Album winner Nancy Wilson
"I had my braids for like 10 yars of my lfie and it was time for a change. I was getting more mature and I was tired of getting my hair braided all the time. I did not want to go over 30 years old with cornrows in my hair."
- Best Rap Album winner Ludacris
"This is a celebration because when they didn't want to put out the album ... there were things being said like 'Mary's washed up, Mary's finished.'
"I wasn't giving myself the credit. I was beating myself up. In the valley is where you find out who you really are."
- Best R&B Album winner Mary J. Blige
"This is the most amazing thing that's ever happened to me."
- Robyn Troup, the Houston native who celebrated her 19th birthday by getting to perform on stage with Justin Timberlake and T.I.

BEST AND WORST OF THE GRAMMYS

The best "And I'm Tellin You I'm Not Going" winner: Mary J. Blige. After winning best R&B album, Blige thanked her husband and children then started down a long list of names. The orchestra music began to get louder but Blige wasn't going anywhere. She kept reading names and as the music got louder, so did she until she was at the end of her list.
Best moment of honesty: "I'm a little confused about the whole process. I don't know how it works or how they pick the nominees," young blues guitarist Jonny Lang, winner for rock or rap, uh, gospel album.
Best Missed Opportunity: "Black Snake Moan" co-stars Samuel L.Jackson and Christina Ricci coming on stage to introduce Smokey Robinson without having Ricci chained to a radiator as she is for most of the film.
The best at sea moment: Gnarls Barkley and band in faux-naval costume delivering the at-ease anthem "Crazy."
Best "This Would Never fly on "I Dream of Jeanie": Wyclef Jean and Shakira middle Eastern casbah rendition of "Hips Don't Lie."
The most unlikely thanks: When Ludacris won the Grammy for best rap album for "Release Therapy," among those he thanked was FOX News' Bill O'Reilly who has been critical of the rapper's lyrics. "A special shout out to Bill O'Reilly. I love you!" The audience roared.
Best we look like we love each other, but we really want to take each others' vital organs moment: Africa Miranda, Brenda Radney and Roby Troup who were endlessly shown holding hands like sorority sisters. Only one got to sing a duet with Justin Timberlake.
Worst red carpet etiquette: Graying multi-millionaires Red Hot Chili Peppers try to regain punk credibility by spraying a taken-aback Ryan Seacrest with Silly String.
Sample this: Mary J. Blige "sampling" from late "70s r&b singer Lorraine Ellison's "Stay With Me" in her Grammy performance of the hit "Be Without You."
Most unoriginal theme on a name: the parents of Angelin Chang, who, taking the Best Instrumental Soloist Performance (with orchestra) during the Grammy pre-show thanked her siblings, "Angelina, Angelo and Angel."
Best bit of self promotion: Pre-show presenter Robert Randolph who encouraged everyone present to buy his album due out next week. "If at least half y'all bought my record, I'd have a great week."
Best non-televised moment: Peter Frampton's win for best pop instrumental album for "Fingerprints" came three decades after his landmark "Frampton Comes Alive." album: "Thirty years ago, I gotnominated for another record. I didn't get that one as the pop star but today, I got this one as the musician."

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