“On behalf of the Chairman of the Board and myself.” Wait – did I miss something? I feel like I went for refreshments and missed the grand intro. Very straightforward – no red carpet. No grand entrance – just straight into “Unforgettable” territory.
Good crowd, though. Everybody must be starving for a black tie event. Damn those residual-grubbing writers!
Carrie Underwood sounds less country everyday. She certainly looked more dominatrix than Dolly Parton, as did her backup singers who pranced around on a set straight out of “Stomp!”
Pow! Prince at the top of the hour. 10 minutes in – guess he had someplace else to be.
Alicia Keys best female R&B vocal. Was there any doubt?
Funny moment: “Tom Hanks introduces a tribute to The Beatles.” Over a visual of a dreadlocked sistah who looked like neither Tom Hanks, nor The Beatles (OK, maybe a little like Ringo…)
Jimmy Jam, Morris Day and The Tyme. Morris can still work the o-ee-o-ee-O! but something tells me he’s well on his way to headlining on The Strip.
Rihanna halfheartedly busted out the umbrella. This reprisal is starting to remind me of Lena Horne being sick to death of singing “Stormy Weather.” But, let’s be clear – “Stormy Weather” is a classic…
COMMERCIAL BREAK: Mary J. Blige for Chevy. Love the song. Simply do not understand the tie-in.
What was Tom Hanks doing there, anyway?? Isn’t he supposed to be on a “sympathy strike?”
Ye, Part 1: Say what you will about Kanye (maybe that was me), but that brother has mad skillz. Busted out with “Stronger,” with a blacklight effect. Freshest set so far.
Fergie and John Legend: Sounded like she was doing Gilbert & Sullivan. Where’s the funk? The London Bridge?? Singing “Finally” – as in finally found the right key?? Her lines: “For motion picture, television or any visual media.” Who wrote this stuff – some guy in accounting?
Cher came out a little more covered up than usual, but still fly. Couldn’t hold a candle to Tina – one of the original Soul Influencers. Girl still looks good in skin-tight silver lame. When did she become a single name star? She’s been there all along in talent, if not in the press.
Beyonce-Tina “Proud Mary” duet — red, red hot. Inspired.
Nelly Furtado rocking a Bo Derrick vibe. Not so much.
What’s with CBS sticking all their TV series talent in the show? Here were the presenters: Nelly Furtado (musician), Andy Williams (singer), Roselyn Sanchez from “Without A Trace.” One of these things is not like the other.
Hands down, Amy Winehouse’s acceptance speech was the best. The cynic in me makes me wonder if the win was, in part, for the drama of her visa-less satellite appearance. Mad shout outs to Blakey “the incarcerated.” Is this the hip-hop awards?
Brad Paisley’s country-western set featured neon bugs – perfect for his love song [I’d Like to Check You For] Ticks.”
B’s l’il sis, Solange presented with Akon and Chris Brown. Solange?? Girlfriend ain’t been out there but two minutes. She hasn’t even earned her NARAS card yet, let alone the right to go by one name.
Ye, Part 2: “We basically snuck in about four or five years ago, and now, we’ve basically made this [the Grammys] our home base.” No! They’re playing Ye off! No he didn’t invoke his dead mother to get them to stop playing the music AND to make a bid for why he should be the winner. Stop the madness. Know what? He is a brat.
Luda looked like they had him in a vice. Sinners and Saints? Heavenly congregation? Pleeeeeze let the writer’s strike come to a merciful end!
Big glowing cross behind Aretha and the gospel choir (with a white boy dead center behind her. Who stuck him in the front row?) Bebe Winans didn’t get the wardrobe memo. His blk & white graffiti jacket stuck out like a sore thumb against the celestial blue and yellow of Aretha and the choir. Madison Bumblebees rocked out on the trombones. Clark Sisters (“You Brought the Sunshine”) are still fine.
COMMERCIAL BREAK: In an attempt to put a lock on the crime scene/forensic perversion genre, CBS has signed on to migrate Showtime’s Dexter to prime time. Which means either one hell of an edit or broadcast family viewing restraints are out the window.
Curious how that sweet little iPod tune “1234” sung by Feist lost a whole lot in translation on the gigantic Grammy sound stage.
Kid Rock had a good time singing Old Black Magic with Keeley Smith and sax player Dave Koz. His voice is suited for it. Maybe he should consider releasing a CD of standards.
I don’t get the whole Winehouse deal. She’s only channeling 60’s R & B. Remember people, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas did it first. And did it better.
STEVIE!!!! Shout outs to Berry Gordy – a visionary. An icon. Here’s to giving the man his flowers before he’s dead.
Alicia Keys = NoOne. Killer song. Major talent. John Mayer rocked out on the guitar. None of that bubblegum Wonderland stuff for this set.
Ringo Starr and Dave Stewart came out to Yellow Submarine. Two peas in a pod: “We may come from another country, but we’ve always loved the country music of America.” FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, END THE WRITERS STRIKE NOW!!!!
Vince Gill – “I just got an award given to me by a Beatle. Have you had that happen yet Kanye?”
Presenting: Joe Montegna of “Criminal Minds.”
Let me get this straight – Chris Brown, Kanye West up for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and RIHANNA (“Umbrella”) wins???? No justice. Ye must be outraged!!
And what’s the word on Rihanna and Jigga? Rumor has it he and B didn’t walk in together, and Rihanna tried to grab his hand when they were called up on stage to accept the award.
COMMERCIAL BREAK: Who’s the kid on the “Electric Slide” Mickey D spot? Love him.
Live from Riverside Studios in London —– Cuba Gooding, Jr.???? finally introduces Amy Winehouse, who looked like she needed a drink after she won.
Album of the Year – word from Usher to Kanye: “There are no losers in this category, Kanye.” Herbie won for his Joni Mitchell tribute album, “The River.”
Sure hope he was checking for Ye behind him in the parking lot.
