Rosanne Cash, Beck & George Harrison Join Sam Smith Among Grammy Honours
Sam Smith’s quadruple Grammy Awards triumph for his debut album ‘In The Lonely Hour’ was the natural headline-maker at last night’s (Sunday) event. But the many other notable achievements by Universal releases and artists included victories for Beck, Rosanne Cash and Glen Campbell.
Cash, who had been nominated for three honours, won them all, as her acclaimed Blue Note album ‘The River and the Thread’ took ‘Best Americana Album’ and its track ‘A Feather’s Not A Bird’ Best American Roots Song and Best American Roots Performance. It’s 30 years since she won her previous Grammy, for ‘I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me.’
Campbell’s moving final single ‘I’m Not Gonna Miss You,’ released by Big Machine from the soundtrack of ‘I’ll Be Me,’ won the Grammy for Best Country Song. The Campbell/Julian Raymond composition also has an Oscar nomination, with that ceremony to be held on February 22. The film depicts the artist’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The Band Perry’s version of ‘Gentle On My Mind’ from the ‘I’ll Be Me’ soundtrack won Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
More than two full decades after his arrival onto the scene, Beck won two awards including the coveted Best Album for his 12th studio release, ‘Morning Phase.’ The modern-day Motown Records, via Def Jam, was also successful, as ‘Love, Marriage & Divorce,’ the collaboration between hitmakers Toni Braxton and Babyface, won Best R&B Album. The record at No. 1 in the Billboard R&B chart and in the top five of the pop survey last year.
St Vincent’s self-titled Loma/Republic set won Best Alternative Album, while the song ‘Jesus Children,’ from the Robert Glasper Experiment’s ‘Black Radio 2’ album on Blue Note, won Best Traditional R&B Performance. The track features soul singer Lalah Hathaway.
In the rap categories, Eminem was among last night’s other victors, as his eighth studio album ‘The Marshall Mathers LP 2’ won Best Rap Album. From it, ‘The Monster,’ featuring Rihanna, was Best Rap Performance. The album’s predecessor ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’ won the same title in 2001. Kendrick Lamar’s ‘I’ landed Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance.
Congratulations, too, to veteran jazz man and double winner Chick Corea, whose Concord album ‘Trilogy’ with his trio, was named Best Jazz Instrumental Album, while its track ‘Fingerprints’ was Best Improvised Jazz Solo. Labelmate Dianne Reeves’ ‘Beautiful Life’ won Best Jazz Vocal Album. ‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ won Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media and other awards included two for Walt Disney Records’ ‘Frozen’ score. Pearl Jam’s Republic album ‘Lightning Bolt’ won Best Recording Package.
One of the most prestigious awards of the night went to George Harrison, whose memory was honoured with a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award. As it said on the Grammy’s web site, It would take volumes to even list his musical achievements and I’m not going to try. His love of Indian music also produced volumes of lovely music, as well as creating a lasting influence on popular music. George truly was the peace and love guy. It wasn’t a fad for him. He walked the walk. He dropped some beautiful wisdom on us without preaching, and always keeping a sense of humor, he was forever mindful that we are all so, so human. It’s my guess that he’s the only artist on tonight’s program who actually changed the world.”
Nothing more need be added…
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