News: The 49th Grammy Awards Show

This Sunday, February 11, the 49th Grammy awards show will be held to honor the musicians, songwriters, and producers that have displayed outstanding talent in 2006. There will be much to do, silly jokes, long speeches, and giant performances at the awards show. One such performance by Sting and his trio of musical Police will lead off the telecast. It will be the first time that trio has performed together since they went their separate ways in the 80's. John Mayer, that hunk of musical talent will also be performing during the awards show.

And then there is that whole contest to see who will perform with Justin Timberlake. Whom ever it ends up being will probably surpass the blond teen idol in talent 10 fold.

As always, I pay attention to who was nominated in each of the categories though I hardly ever agree completely. It seems that the Grammy foundation, and I have dissimilar tastes in music. I do however want to note a few of the nominees that deserve the ever coveted golden phonograph.

For Album of the Year, I would have to say John Mayer, Continuum. If you read my post yesterday, you would know that I have a soft spot in my heart for John Mayer and his work. He is a brilliant artist, and I believe he should be recognized.

For Best New Artist, I would like to recognize Imogen Heap. That eclectic mix of sounds gets me every time, as I peruse through my collection. She has so much creativity mixed in with talent to do what no one has done before.

For Best Female Pop Vocal Performance the award should go to KT Tunstall over any of the other nominees. To be able to think about doing all those things at once! If any one has not checked out her music, they definitely should. She is like the one woman band of rock/country. So much Talent!

For Best Male Pop Vocal Performance I would of course go with John Mayer for "Waiting on the World to Change". All though interestingly enough, that was not my favorite song off that album.

For Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal Keane surely takes the cake. The band from across the sea has a great sound going for them, and that album is one of those albums that I can listen to over and over again without ever getting tired of it. It is always a pleasure to listen too. But - I do also enjoy The Fray now and again with their emotionally driven song, "How to Save a Life". It is a beautiful thing. (Choices, choices.)
While we are on the specific category - what's with the Pussy Cat dolls nomination? I don't get that at all.

For the Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals category I would pick Mary J. Blige and U2 with their compilation "One". Not just because it is U2 and they are the epic rockers of the century. It is because that song was done very well, and Mary's voice adds just that bit of velvet soul to the already classic song... Mmm mmm good.

For Best Pop Vocal Album. Do I even have to say. Man John Mayer has a lot of nominations. Perhaps it's because he rocks.

For Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal the award in my head goes to Coldplay for their song "Talk". That song haunts me every time I hear it. The X&Y album was in my book one of the greatest albums of all time, though it was not that well received. And te song "Talk" is just one of those songs that shows the talent and passion that Coldplay has for their craft.
Another artist to mention in that category is the Raconteurs. I first heard these guys off of the old iTunes machine and was duly impressed by their talented songwriting abilities.

When it comes to Best Alternative Music Album my hear really gets pumping. First of all becuase of Gnarls Barkley. I don't like that guy, he sounds like a girl, and his music is forced. Moving on... There is just a lot of great music in this category it is hard to pick just one. First off it the Flaming Lips with "At War With The Mystics". This is a great album. Enough said.
Then there is Thom Yorke, with his album of doomsday prophecy put to music "The Eraser". I have always been a fan of York as he has led Radio head to infamous heights with the epic "Ok Computer". And his work with "The Eraser" brings back a darker version of the tales he told during the computer monologue. An excellent pick for everyone's listening pleasure.

For the remaining 70 something categories, I really could care less. Perhaps it is just that I need to expand my musical horizons, or perhaps the other music just doesn't suit my tastes. Whatever the case, we will have to see what happens.