So, what’d you think of the Grammys? Glad I’m not the only one who’s tired of Kanye West’s attitude. I thought Vince Gill and Usher were hilarious when they gave him a hard time.
So, here are my thoughts on last night’s show:
– Alicia Keys kicked if off with a duet with a taped Frank Sinatra performance. I thought it was well done and a good start for the 50th Anniversary edition.
– Carrie Underwood’s up next – is that Stomp performing with her? Wow, her outfits get smaller every year. What happened to the rest of it?
– Looks like this may be the night of skimpy outfits…Keys is definitely showing off a lot of skin, too, as she accepts the Best R&B award.
– Beastie Boys won a Grammy for the instrumental album…Willie Nelson won for a collaboration with Ray Price.
– The Time Reunion – Rihanna’s dressed up like a peacock.
– I can’t understand half of the lyrics being sung tonight. Is it bad sound or do people just not enunciate the words anymore?
– Tom Hanks? What’s he doing here?
– The Band is given a lifetime achievement award. I wish Levon Helm would have at least performed, if not the whole Band.
– The Beatles honored with some unique performances. The version of “Let it Be” from “Across the Universe was outstanding!
– Best New Artist – Amy Winehouse. I saw that one coming…
– Jason Bateman? At least he’s adding some humor. “John Paul Jones was in Led Zepplin…for the morons.”
– Kanye West with Daft Punk. I wasn’t impressed. I still don’t see why people say he’s so amazing. He tried to sing and sounded horrible. Stick to rapping…
– Fergie and John Legend – Fergie’s vocals surprised me. Song turned out great.
– Love won for best compilation or soundtrack album. Haven’t heard it…
– Cher? Wow, she looks plastic.
– Beyonce – um, nice outfit. Yikes! Tina looking good, but the intro was a killer…way too long.
– Song of the Year – Rehab
– Foo Fighters sounded good, but the sound was kind of muted. I liked the orchestra accompaniment.
– George Lopez?
– Brad Paisley – nice to have some more humor on the show.
– Best Rap Album – Kanye. Ugh. Sorry, but he’s just annoying. He had “MAMA” shaved in his head, which was a nice tribute though…
– Cab Calloway gets a lifetime achievement award.
– Aretha Franklin and others… thought it was a good performance, but went on for a little too long.
– Earl Scruggs lifetime award…
– Feist performed a stripped-down version of “1234” Kinda mellow. I would have liked a bigger, blow-out performance like the video.
– Keely Smith and Kid Rock – who told him he could sing?
– Best Rock Album – Foo Fighters. Nicely done – I didn’t expect it.
– Alicia Keys performs…again? John Mayer comes out to kick it up a bit – great performance.
– Best Country Album – Vince Gill. Loved that he made fun of Kanye. “I just got an award from a Beatle – have you done that yet Kanye?” hahaha
– Herbie Hancock performs…not bad.
– Rap collaboration – Jay Z and Rihanna. Who didn’t see that one coming? Was Jay Z on that song? I liked how he messed with her acceptance speech.
– Amy Winehouse sounded great live, but still looks a bit out of it.
– Andrea Bocelli and Josh Groban – hell of a performance. Impressive vocals and harmonys. Lip-synchers should take note.
– John Fogerty, Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis. Good performance, but I thought Jerry Lee was looking a little rough.
– Professor (?) Will.i.am – he can’t sing either.
– Album of the year – Herbie Hancock. WOW!! I never saw that one coming…
Overall, it was a good awards show. I thought they could have mixed up the performances a little more. They were in the right direction, but just didn’t blow me away. I also think they should give away more awards instead of running them across the bottom of the screen.
For a complete list of winners, go here.
This article appears in Feb 6-12, 2008.
