Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are approaching.  These are the most coveted awards in the music industry, however, it seems to me, quite unfairly, that there are a lot of categories of awards that don’t really get attention.  There are mainstream music categories like R&B/hip hop, country, alternative rock etc. that are definitely  put into the spotlight, but other awards that are not highlighted during the ceremony.

  

Time constraints partially have to do with that, but also, it is just the avant garde nature of some of the awards.  For example, there are a lot of artists I personally do pay attention to who are up for awards.  But obviously, whoever wins these particular categories, it won’t receive too much coverage.  Take note of these categories which (though they may be listed in the awards on the website), won’t make it to TV for the reasons already stated (i.e. time constraints, and lack of knowledge or interest in the mainstream for these kinds of music).

…And, artists who are nominated who may or may not get the nod who I’ve personally followed.

Jeff Beck              Best  Rock Album “Rock & Roll Party Honoring Les Paul”

Chick Corea        Best Improvised Jazz Solo “500 Miles High” from Corea, Clarke & White, “Forever”

“Forever” is also nominated for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.

Randy Brecker   Best Improvised Jazz Solo “All or Nothing at All” from The Jazz Ballad Song Book, Randy Brecker & DR Big Band

Ron Carter (legendary jazz bassist)          Best Improvised Jazz Solo “You Are My Sunshine” from This Is Jazz with Donald Harrison, Ron Carter & Billy Cobham)

Brecker’s record is also up for the Grammy for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. 

Three of my favorites (all members of the Allman Brothers), have nominations for their own albums in the Best Blues Album category.  These albums were all featured in reviews on the blog.  They include “Low Country Blues” by Gregg Allman, “Man In Motion” by Warren Haynes and “Revelator” by the Tedeschi Trucks Band.  Only one can be the winner.  Plus, the competition also includes Keb Mo’s record “The Reflection” and “Roadside Attractions” by blues pianist Marcia Ball.

There is good news even if the aforementioned albums by the members of the ABB do not win in their category for best blues album.   The Lifetime Achievement awards.  A few of my favorite artists and music industry individuals are getting respect they deserve in the forms of those awards, including The Allman Brothers Band, George Jones, Glen Campbell and Antonio Carlos Jobim.  Not to mention, Steve Jobs.  

Plus, jam band phenomenon and B3 organ wizard Grace Potter is up for an award in a duet she did with Kenny Chesney for a song called “You And Tequila”.  Vince Gill is up for the same award in Best Country Song for “Threaten Me With Heaven” from his new record “Guitar Slinger” (which will be reviewed at some point).  The Potter/Chesney duet number also has a nod for best country performance by a duo or group. 

So, there are parts of the Grammy Awards I really and truly care about while others, not so much.  Good luck to the nominees I have plugged to do well.  I am not showing biases.  I am just explaining which artists and/or albums I will pay most attention to when it comes to the awards themselves in February. 

The website for the Grammy’s is www.grammy.com.