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Grammy Shake-Out

Last night was the televised portion of the 47th Annual Grammy Awards. I did not watch the awards, though not out of any sort of indie coolness - they were on at the same time as Desperate Housewives. Thanks to the internet I was able to hit the highlights this morning and discover that, predictably, the major awards were dominated by Ray Charles and the long list of people tripping over themselves to honor his memory. There were a few other winners worthy of mention here in this space, mostly so I can say "I told you so" or because they were reviewed favorably by me on this site.

Best Alternative Music Album and Best Recording Package

Wilco "A Ghost Is Born"

"Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" got totally screwed and everyone knows it - this is an award in 20/20 hindsight for a less deserving album. Better late than never. The band missed the show to perform a previously scheduled event elsewhere. This also bares out pitchforkmedia's comedic naming of Jeff "Gonna Get Me a Grammy" Tweedy and Jay "Gonna Get Me a Sandwich" Farrar. I hope Jay got his sandwich.

Best Country Album and Best Country Collaboration with Vocals

Loretta Lynn "Van Leer Rose" and "Portland Oregon" by Loretta Lynn and Jack White

A no-brainer for best country album against nominees like red-neck Gretchen Wilson and new-comer Tift Merritt, and it's probably the best collaboration of the year regardless of genre (take that Madvillain). It wasn't a stretch to call this one when I did but it still feels nice to be right every now and then.

Best Traditional Folk Album

Various Artists "Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster

Coming in at a very respectable #13 on my Best of 2004 List, this tribute to Stephen Foster did pretty much everything right - although I could skip the Michelle Shocked version of "Oh! Susanna" for one that sounds anything like the traditional arrangement.

Best Contemporary Folk Album

Steve Earle "The Revolution Starts... Now"

Given that there are nearly a million catagories in which one might win a Grammy (Best Polka Album, seriously...) it seems like there should be one for Best Protest Album or Most Socially Conscious Artist of the Year, or maybe a Poignancy in Music Award - any of which would better suit "Revolution" than the Contemporary Folk label. Did they even listen to it? This is rock-n-roll with a Texas drawl and two middle fingers in the air. I am picturing Steve Earle smacking his forehead and giving his best Homer Simpson "D'oh!"

Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television, etc...

Various Artists "Garden State"

Not only did the precocious and handsome Zach Braff write, direct and star in the movie, he produced the soundtrack so he's now a fucking Grammy winner! The days of the triple threat are gone, you have to have six arms to keep up with guys like that. The soundtrack features top notch material from Eighth Nerve favorites The Shins, Nick Drake and Iron & Wine among others.

Posted by Kyle at February 14, 2005 12:14 PM

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