Ladies Night: Grammy Recap

We all know the Grammys have changed in the past few years.  More specifically, it’s become clear that the relevance and evenhandedness of the Grammys has been significantly altered.  There’s no denying it; the music business has morphed from recognizing true artists’ creations to instead distinguishing all-around entertainers, pop-stars, and songwriting collaborations.  However, Sunday night belonged to the music business’ last-gasps, and as always, included an entertaining array of talent, in addition to a handful of moments that made us wonder, “what the…?”  But one thing is for sure, The Grammys belonged to the ladies – and go figure – we love that.

The 52^nd annual Grammy Awards launched with an explosive performance by Lady Gaga, as she plummeted into a faux-fiery pit, only to resurface smeared in ashes, behind the piano, and joined by none other than Sir Elton John.  The surprising collaboration proved wildly popular (if judged only by the blast of real-time approval appearing in my Twitter stream)!  The duo helped start the evening out with a bang, in what would prove to be one of the evening’s best performances.

As mentioned earlier, Sunday night was about music’s cheekiest ladies.  Between Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga’s hefty amount of nominations, the Grammys were destined to belong to music’s leading women.  Beyonce accepted six Grammys, including Song of the Year for “Ladies Night (Put a Ring On It)” – and deservedly so – who doesn’t love that song?  Beyonce’s energetic live performance of “If I Were a Boy” also featured a surprisingly fierce cover of Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.”

Trailing close behind Beyonce was country darling, Taylor Swift, who snagged four Grammys, including Sunday’s highest honor, Album of the Year.  Swift was also joined by Fleetwood Mac’s leading-lady, Stevie Nicks, for a live performance.  We’re always fans of Stevie, so it’s no surprise our eyes were locked on her during this performance, as she owned the stage next to Swift, whose harmonies were pitchy at best during “Rhiannon.”  In addition to Swift’s four Grammys, we bet the young songstress was pretty pleased to have the mic all to herself during her acceptance speeches, as tipsy interloper Kanye West was nowhere to be found!

Green Day walked away with the honor of Best Rock Album, but left us curious during their inadvertently comical performance of “21 Guns,” as they were joined onstage by the cast of the American Idiot musical.  The nominees for Best New Artist were curious, considering two bands, MGMT and Silversun Pickups, are – how should we say this - not new.  However, neither deserving band won, as the Grammy went to the Zac Brown Band, whose live country-infused performance left us scratching our heads.

Pop songstress Pink delivered a memorable performance, to say the least, as she sang while suspended on a trapeze above the crowd.  Viewers seemed to either love it or hate it; while we’re in the latter camp, it was impressive to see the singer maintain a quality vocal performance, despite being soaked with water while dizzily spinning on a trapeze.

Sunday’s inquisitive show-stopper occurred when Michael Jackson’s children, Prince and Paris, took the stage to accept their late father’s Lifetime Achievement Award.  Visibly nervous, the two took turns at the mic, Prince noting his father’s “message was simple: love,” and promising to “continue to spread his message and help the world.”

In a somber Grammy moment, it was nice to see recognition for those artists whom we lost in 2009.  I was pleased to see they included ex-Wilco member, Jay Bennett, who passed away in May, but was disappointed to not see rocker, Jay Reatard, who passed away last month, included in the memorial.

Say what you will about the Grammys – and I will too – but I have to say Stephen Colbert summed up the state of the music business quite accurately, in his opening speech, noting Susan Boyle’s absence at the Grammys: “You may be the coolest people in the world,” Colbert said, “but this year, your industry was saved by a 48-year-old Cat Lady in sensible shoes.”

Photo, Paris & Prince Jackson: Winter/Getty

Photo, Beyonce: Kravitz, Film Magic

Photo, Taylor Swift: Matt Sayles