I begin this week by throwing mud. If I never hear 'Let's Get It Started' again, I'll be a happy man. But somehow I just don't think it will happen. The painful mash-up opening at the Grammy's was sadly unbearable. Gwen Stefani and Eve, who both looked and sounded great, were the only good parts of the opener.
Grammy officials kept stressing the quantity of live performances, but the quality wasn't there. JLo and Marc Anthony's Spanish-only duet didn't work. He was divine, she was awful. The tsunami relief song was TURRIBLE. U2 was boring. And the country mixup never seemed to gel until 'Sweet Home Alabama', their final song. Where was Gretchen Wilson's eye shadow? And why did the cameras show Ellen and Portia so much?
Now for the cheers. Melissa Ethridge and her shaved head accompanied by Joss Stone ( robbed of the Best New Artist Grammy by Maroon 5 ) blew the roof off with Janis Joplin. Green Day, in their post Grammy glow, electrified the audience with 'American Idiot'. And clad in the only good outfit for the hostess of the evening, Queen Latifah coated the audience with her luscious voice with 'Lush Life' and 'Baby Get Lost' in a fierce black dress. The rest of her outfits, as well as her general hosting duties, were just, eh, ok. But who needs to be great when you're wearing that many Lorraine Schwartz diamonds?
Shining brighter than anyone else, including Kanye-I-better-win-West was Alicia Keys. Her incredible piano and vocal performances affirmed the four Grammy's she took home. Who knew Jamie Foxx could sing in such eloquent falsetto? His performance with Miss Keys on 'Georgia On My Mind' was beyond, and maestro Quincy Jones had the best outfit of the evening; an airbrushed Ray Charles tee shirt. Bonnie Raitt and Billy Preston even chimed in with their Ray Charles tribute.
I'm incredibly happy that Ray Charles, Ray Charles, Ray Charles, Ray Charles, Ray Charles, Ray Charles, Ray Charles, and Ray Charles dominated. Eight Grammy awards. He deserves every one of them and more. Norah Jones put it best; 'What can I say? Ray Charles.'
One of the more entertaining performances was Usher and James Brown. They were bursting with energy during the entire performance, after which James Brown called Usher 'the new godson [ of soul ] '. You can clearly see it, and Usher took home three Grammy's because of it. His career is at an all time high, and I hope to see him go even further.
Where was Prince? He won and didn't even attend. And Jacques Lu Cont won for best remixer, but they still don't show that on television.
The Academy President Neil Portnow urged people to be responsible and purchase, instead of download, music. 'We will continue to advocate for [ artists ] ability to earn a living and be compensated for their musical creations, which improve the quality of our lives every day.' Amen brother.
Full of Grammy glee in 4/4,
Peter Mavrik
peter@windycitymediagroup.com