Grammy night!

Oh, Grammys, how nice it was to spend some time with you again last night. I missed you.

Last night's Grammys show was arguably the most anticipated in recent memory. ... It seems like it's been a couple years, since I really got to soak it in and enjoy the show. So, maybe it was the blur of the last couple years' shows that caused me so much excitement for this year's awards.

Either way, I was not disappointed.

We counted down the nights last week as the big show drew closer. For our household it was like the Super Bowl all over again. But perhaps more exciting than the football. Few things make me happier than good music.

Our pregame was the Adele interview on "60 Minutes." ... I've said it again and again. The woman was everywhere in 2011, and rightly so. Those who follow music closely had her "21" album pegged as a serious Album of the Year candidate even before its release early last year. Some of my most vivid memories of the year have that album playing in the background, from unpacking boxes in our new house on a Saturday morning last spring, to being mesmerized with the "Rolling in the Deep" video from the first time I saw it, to a late night of work last fall with my cohorts in the office as a student group blasted the album outside, to the instant classic of a "Saturday Night Live" skit that featured "Someone Like You."

I keep wondering if this is what it was like in 1977 after the release of "Rumours," or in 1983 after the release of "Thriller." I have some recollection that this is what it was like in 1993 after "The Bodyguard" was released.

... Plus, there's so much to like about Adele.

* * *

On with the Grammys show ...

Bruce Springsteen opened the festivities. I'm not a big fan of Bruce, but I really enjoyed his opening act -- strings and all.

With the first performance out of the way and the crowd settled, we got the standard pan of the stars. There was Taylor Swift, looking pretty as usual. Katy Perry, with blue hair. And Lady Gaga, wearing a full body fish net. ... At one point during the telecast, the TV flashed a shot of Lady Gaga sitting next to Miranda Lambert, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the odd pairing.

The moment that LL Cool J led the Grammys audience in a prayer for Whitney Houston was a touching one. ... Then, during a montage of Whitney that followed, Phoebe stood in front of the TV, staring at the screen. And at a point where Whitney was shown hitting one of her out-of-this-world notes, Phoebe blurted out "Who is that singing?!"

For me, the first highlight of the night came courtesy of Bruno Mars. To quote one of my Twitter friends, he killed it. ... Arguably, my favorite performance of the night.



Shortly afterward, the award for Best Pop Solo Performance. As the songs up for the award were run off, I thought, Tough category when you think of the play the songs and artists in this category have had during the last year. Lady Gaga: "You and I." Bruno Mars: "Grenade." Katy Perry: "Firework." Pink: "Perfect." Adele: "Someone Like You." ... Alas, Adele won it, and I said, "Let the route begin."

The Rihanna-Coldplay collaboration was a disappointment. And awkward.

But the Chipotle Foundation commercial that followed -- featuring Willie Nelson redoing Coldplay's "The Scientist" -- was fantastic.



In the Best Rock Performance, I was rooting for Coldplay. But it went to the Foo Fighters, to the surprise of almost no one. … In the acceptance speech, Dave Grol said he’s proud of his band's record because they made it in a garage with some microphones and a tape machine. He went on to say making good music isn't about sounding perfect or having the latest and greatest technology. I almost stood up and applauded.

* * *

While it might have been the most anticipated Grammys show in recent memory, there was no individual performance I anticipated more than that of the Beach Boys, especially when I learned Foster the People would perform with them.

And speaking of artists who were everywhere last year, another was Foster the People, thanks to their "Pumped Up Kicks." Which, by the way, is currently Phoebe's favorite song. She knows and sings to most of the chorus -- hey, don't judge my parenting skills; it's got a fun melody and I had no idea she'd learn to like the song so much -- and she's calls it "the children song" because the chorus includes the word kids. Cute. ... In addition to watching Adele's "60 Minutes" interview, we warmed up for the Grammys by playing "Pumped Up Kicks" and dancing in the living room.

Somewhere I missed the note that Foster the People would play as part of a tribute performance with the Beach Boys. Instead, I was having giddy visions of Foster the People performing "Pumped Up Kicks" with the Beach Boys adding their own twist and harmonies. After all, the song has a summery surf vibe that's right up the Beach Boys alley. And oh, that "Pumped Up" base line ...

As it turned out, that's not at all what happened. But the tribute was just as swell.

Maroon 5's cover of "Surfer Girl" was so slick that if it appears on iTunes tomorrow, I'll download it in a heartbeat. Foster the People’s take on “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” wasn't as good, but still pretty decent for my tastes. I especially liked that they dressed in the Beach Boys' vintage striped look.

When the real Beach Boys appeared, I was pleased to hear them perform "Good Vibrations," although I would have preferred a longer Beach Boys montage that also included hits like "Fun, Fun, Fun" and "I Get Around." ... Unfortunately, the performance was more fun to hear than to watch. Quite simply, they're hardly the band they once were.

Check out this gem featuring Jack Benny and Bob Hope getting hip with the Beach Boys.

* * *

Paul McCartney’s “My Valentine” nearly put me to sleep. I didn’t love it.

However, I was pleasantly surprised by Taylor Swift’s cheerful, bouncy performance of "Mean." ... I like Taylor’s music a lot. But if you think about her history of poor live performances (See: The 2010 Grammys, 8:46 mark), her Grammys showing this year was pretty good. ... I'm a sucker for cheerful, bouncy performances.

Plus from Twitter ...

@Spinner: Taylor's surprise face never fails to amuse. "People clapping for me!?

* * *

Adele won Song of the Year, hands-down for "Rolling in the Deep."

And then she sang. ... And the twitterverse either exploded, or went silent, depending on your point of view.

@globerodman: Adele! Adele! Adele! Starting off a cappella. Translation: "This is live singing, y'all!" #welcomeback #Grammys

@EW: Quiet now. Adele's singing

@USATodayMusic: Adele. Nuff' said. #Grammys

@JPosnanski: How magical is it to be able to just suddenly do something and make jaws drop? #adele

She was amazing. As expected. ... And if it wasn't for Bruno Mars' dazzling dance moves, this would've been my favorite performance of the night.

* * *

There was the Glenn Campbell tribute, which was another neat moment. I must admit though, I only know about Glenn Campbell because he toured with the Beach Boys back in the day. I’d be hard pressed to name one of his songs.

Carrie Underwood with Tony Bennett went down as my favorite collaboration on a night filled with them. From Alicia Keys with Bonnie Raitt, to Kelly Clarkson with Jason Aldean, to Rihanna with Coldplay. And all the kids that played with the Beach Boys.

When Bon Iver won Best New Artist, I sprang from the couch, pumped my fist and let out a loud "Yes!" I thought The Band Perry had that one wrapped up, but I was glad to be wrong. … I was hooked on the guy when I caught the buzz surrounding his first album already a couple years old. The shout out to Eau Claire, Wis., was nice, too.

And how could you not have chills running through your spine as Jennifer Hudson performed “I Will Always Love You” ?

* * *

Finally, Paul McCartney performed the Beatles' "Abbey Road" medley of "Golden Slumbers," "Carry That Weight," and "The End." Classic.

Icing on the cake: Watching Sir Paul jam it up with Bruce Springsteen, Joe Walsh and Dave Grol.

"And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make."

Thank you, Grammys. See you next year!



Good reads ...
a Grammys 2012: The full list of winners
a A Prayer, a Celebration and a Coronation
a Chicago Tribune music critic Greg Kot
a The New York Times Critics' Notebook
a Rolling Stone
a EW: We Grade the Performances
a Nicki Minaj levitates, lights fires, speaks in tongues for Grammys performance of new single 'Roman Holiday' ... Worst performance ever.
a There's more to Adele's song than lyrics, more than music

About last night's Grammys

Much to my disappointment, I didn’t watch the Grammys live this year.

That’s the way it goes when you have laundry to finish, Kates has to make a grocery run, and a toddler who needs to be put to bed out of fear she might be scarred for life by a large black man in a giant rainbow-colored peacock costume.

Thank goodness for DVR … But dang, it’s so much more fun watching it live, along with a lively real-time discourse on social media.

Such is life.

And so at 8:46 p.m. I began watching the 53rd Annual Grammys. … Just as Cee-Lo Green was jazzing it up on the most anticipated -- and best! -- performance of the night: His "Forget You" with the Muppets and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Some of the tweets were just as amusing ...

@RollingStone If only we got an Animal drum solo here.

@phil_Rosenthal I'm disappointed Cee Lo and Gwyneth didn't segue into Crocodile Rock.

@clairesuddath Apparently Lady Gaga's egg just hatched and Cee-Lo came out.

I continued watching live as Katy Perry (I haven’t been impressed with the stuff on her latest album, but I was surprisingly pleased with her performance), John Mayer, Norah Jones and Keith Urban (Their tribute to Dolly Parton on “Jolene” was splendid) performed. ... And I was a little surprised that Lady Antebellum won Song of the Year over Cee-Lo’s "Forget You." Then again, not really. I really like Lady Antebellum, and "Need You Know" was all over the place last year.

Then a commercial break. I clicked the rewind button on the DVR remote and started at the beginning.

After the Aretha Franklin tribute, which didn't move me one way or another -- I thought Jennifer Hudson was by far the best vocalist of the bunch -- the first award I took interest in was Pop Performance by a Duo or Group. Hands down for Train’s “Hey Soul Sister.” (Although I do like Paramore’s song). Pat Monahan took the stage and said, “Thanks Justin Beiber for not being a duo or a group.” Amen to that!

I enjoyed Lady Gaga’s performance more than I thought I would. It’s worth noting I like “Born This Way” more than anything I’ve heard from her, even though its similarities to "Express Yourself" and "Vogue" annoy me. ... And another thing about Gaga: We watched the “60 Minutes” interview with her prior to the big show. Nothing about her act or music appeals to me. But a master of performance art she is, and I respect that. ... She arrived in a freakin' egg!

I didn’t care for Miranda Lambert’s performance of “The House That Built Me.” I didn’t care for Muse either. ... I skipped Rihanna, Eminem and Dr. Dre performing. Can’t stand ‘em.
Justin Beiber. I just. Don’t. Get it.

Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers -- I loved watching those guys rock out. Bob Dylan -- not so much.

It was wonderful to see Lady Antebellum stake its claim last night as one of music's top groups. … I got chills when Hillary Scott started slowly in on “Need You Now.” Every time I hear or read something about their success now, I can’t help but think of way back when. My interview with Charles Kelley, and then my pass on an opportunity to see them live because I was so sleep-deprived from several nights of Summerfest. … Watching Hillary tear up as they accepted their award for Song of the Year made me tear up a little, too.

Esperanza Spalding for Best New Artist!? Hello, Upset! … Kates and I saw her on Letterman awhile back and were immediately intrigued. I'm thrilled for her.
Mick Jagger's tribute to Solomon Burke? Nice. … Barbra Streisand paying tribute to herself? Not so much.

But the moment of the night occurred when Arcade Fire took the Album of the Year award. Frontman Win Butler stepped to the mic for his acceptance speech and said, "What the hell!?" ... Um, yeah, I think that summed up what all of America was -- certainly Kates and I were -- saying.

To quote another tweet I saw: "Wow indie pushing the glass ceiling."

Good reads ...
a Grammy winners in some major categories
a Esperanza Spalding, Arcade Fire top a night of upsets at 2011 Grammys
a At the Grammys, Spectacles and Upsets

Grammy night!

... So I wasn't sure last night that I would write, as has become my tradition, a minute-by-minute blog post of the Grammys (See: 2009, 2008, 2007). But when the show got underway, I couldn't help myself ...

I've waited until tonight to post so I could throw in some related links -- like these interesting inside looks from the Associated Press and from The New York Times ...Enjoy.

7:03
I still can’t stand Lady Gaga … Then again, the dancing during her “Poker Face” performance wasn’t half bad, and the vocals were pretty decent too. Maybe I’ve heard Gaga so much and become so tired of the ogling over her that I’m numb to her.

Her piano duet with Elton John, however, and that mash-up of “Your Song” was pretty sweet.

7:10
I’m liking Stephen Colbert’s opening monologue … “Ran into the Jonas Brothers. Or maybe it was just one of them three times.” … The bit with his daughter isn’t working though.

7:12
Song of the Year. I’m rooting for “Single Ladies” … I’m so sick of Kings of Leon … Nice. It’s “Single Ladies.” Taylor Swift FINALLY got beat on something.

7:17
Love, love, loving! the performance of “21 Guns” with Green Day and the “American Idiot” cast. I much prefer this version over the Green Day album version. Where I can download it!?

7:24
I’ve got a major crush on Kristen Bell …

7:26
Best Country Album … Taylor Swift’s “Fearless” is the only one I’ve heard, let alone heard of … Not surprisingly, Taylor just won … I do give her major props for writing her own songs.

7:28
Beyonce. Troops marching in behind her and she’s looking like she wants to tear someone apart … She’s singing “If I Were a Boy.” Not liking it at all. Come to think of it, I didn’t like the song when it was on the radio, either.

7:31
Is she really covering Alanis Morissette!? … Just did an Internet search for it. Looks like Beyonce’s done it live before. Still, that just doesn’t seem right. Like Madonna trying to cover “American Pie.”

7:41
I think I’ve got a little crush on Pink, too. … Don’t know what she’s singing, but I’m really liking it. She has one of the greatest pop voices of our time … Whoah, she just stripped down in the middle of the arena … And now she’s twirling and doing a Cirque du Soleil thing. Very, very cool! … She’s dripping with water. Where’s that water coming from!? It’s like a fountain … Visually, a dazzling, stirring performance! Wow, so cool! … The crowd is applauding and looking about as breathless as I am.

7:47
Best New Artist. I’m totally rooting for the Ting Tings! Or I’ll take Keri Hilson … Ugggggg. It’s Zack Brown Band!? Who the heck are they!?!

7:49
Commercial break. It’s kind of nice to be watching the Grammys live for once and not on delay with the DVR … Just checked Twitter. Apparently Pink performed “Glitter in the Air.”

7:53
Target commercial with the Black Eyed Peas. So cool.



7:54
Oh boy. It’s Miley time … The rings on her fingers are almost as big as her hands. … Bring on the Black Eyed Peas!! They’re dressed like something out of a futuristic version of the “Wizard of Oz,” starring Will.I.Am as the Tin Man. What up!? … Yeah. Not liking the song. … All right, now we’re rocking. “I gotta feelin… !” … The backing band is dragging. … Not the best performance I’ve seen of “I Gotta Feeling,” but the song still rocks.

8:05
Jonas Brothers presenting. Overrated. Glad to see Nick going out on his own … Lady Antebellum is my new favorite country band. So glad to see them doing well, and banging my head for not willing myself to see them at Summerfest a couple years ago when I had the chance. I’m loving “Need You Now,” on the radio and this performance tonight.

8:09
Add Kaley Cuoco to my celebrity crush list … Best Comedy Album. Not sure I care.

8:13
So glad to see Shiny Toy Guns performing on the Lincoln commercial … Still wanting to see them live, too.

8:17
Norah Jones and Ringo Starr. What a pairing. Norah Jones = yep. Crushing. … Record of the Year. Rooting for Black Eyed Peas. Definitely not Kings of Leon or Lady Gaga … Ugggggg. It’s Kings of Leon. Pleeeeeease.

8:20
Opera. I’m turning out … Jamie Foxx? Now, I’m really tuning out.

8:25
All I know is somebody’s wailing on a guitar. I just looked up and it was Slash. I’m so not paying attention to this. Back to Twitter.

8:32
Best Rock Album. Rooting for Dave Matthews Band … Annnnnnnd it’s Green Day. Ok, fine. … I hadn’t heard about that Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood live album. I’ve got to check that out!

8:35
So this is the Zack Brown Band? I’m feeling like I should be paying attention … But I’m tuning out again.

8:45
We’re halfway through. So far I give the show a C- … Performance of the night easily goes to Pink.

8:46
Bring on Taylor Swift. Ryan Seacrest's introduction of her made her sound like some kind of legend. C’mon Ryan, Taylor’s accomplished a lot already, but let’s not throw her in the Hall of Fame just yet… Ok, I admire Taylor for who she is and what she represents. But I seriously can’t stand watching/listening to her live. Never have. …

(... I'm going to interupt my play-by-play here to refer to a commentary from the Chicago Tribune's Greg Kot this morning that was spot-on! ... Yes, I do remember her duet with Miley Cyrus at last year's Grammys, which helped form my first impressions of Miley and Taylor, and it was awful! ... And yes, Neko Case's "Middle Cyclone" deserves a place among the pop albums of the year. It's been at or near the top of my playlist for weeks ...)

Glad to see Stevie Nicks on stage with her, but Taylor’s definitely not adding anything to “Rhiannon” either. … Ok, this musical arrangement of “You Belong To Me” is pretty cool. Where’s the rest of Fleetwood Mac when you need them!? … I give that “You Belong To Me” diddy the second best performance of the night, a distant second behind Pink.

8:53
This Michael Jackson tribute better be good. … I’m really wishing I had a pair of 3D glasses. Unfortunately the nearest Target is 45 minutes away. … Really, really liking it so far. Celine Dion and Usher are great. Just wish it wasn’t hurting my eyes. Maybe I should have driven those 45 minutes … Getting chills. Jennifer Hudson. Celine Dion. Smokey Robinson. Usher. Carrie Underwood. Singing MJ‘s “Earth Song.” THAT is one heck of a grouping.

9:00
Applause, applause. Don’t tell me this is it (Ha. Now on DVD and Blu-ray!) … Hey, it’s Prince and Paris. … Um, Ok. Commercial, go. I'm dissappointed there wasn't more to that tribute. I would have prefered a medley of MJ songs featuring several different artists.

9:07
“Leaving Las Vegas” is playing. That must mean Sheryl Crow is coming on. Yep, there she is … I think she’s introducing Dave Matthews Band? Nope. Bon Jovi. … Seriously. I appreciate the effort, but they’re reaching Rolling Stones status = aged and no longer relevant. I’m also not digging the country vibe.

9:14
I didn’t vote for the third Bon Jovi song, but I was really hoping it would be “Living on a Prayer.” Now THIS is Bon Jovi.

9:17
Best Rap Collaboration. Totally rooting for “Knock You Down.” … It‘s “Run This Town.” Blech. I have about as much patience for Rhianna as I do for Lady Gaga.

9:26
Andrea Bocelli and Mary J. Blige on “Bride Over Troubled Water.” Very cool.

9:28
Starting to get bored. Let’s wrap this thing up with a bang, folks.

9:36
President of the academy. Blah, blah, blah.

9:40
Adam Sandler. Nice Usher quip about the jacket and the guy in jail. … He’s introducing Dave Matthews Band. Aw yeah. … So great to hear the band sounding like their old selves again. R.I.P. LeRoi. … Wow, check out that backing choir! Sorry Taylor, your performance is now a distant third! DMB, your performance is now a close second in the rankings, behind Pink. I was totally bouncing around my living room. That rocked!

9:47
Best Female Pop Vocal. Tough choices … Hmm. Beyonce’s “Halo” wouldn’t have been my first choice.

9:53
LL Cool J is introducing another lifetime achievement winner. Losing interest. Tuning out …

10:00
Time for the tribute montage for those who have died in the last year … So many greats gone this past year. … Les Paul, legend.

10:03
Hellooooooooooo Lady Gaga has the Statue of Liberty (or something like it) sitting on her head. The woman gets weirder and weirder every time a camera sets its sight on her.

10:04
Loving the Les Paul tribute. Rock on, Waukesha, Wisconsin! … Seriously, this is so cool! I’m thinking it gets a tie for second-best performance of the night with Dave Matthews Band.

10:11
Quentin Tarantino. A hip hop performance. Tuning out again …

10:18
The hip hop performance is still going. Gah! Turn it off! All the muting to cover the bad language and that stupid siren they’re playing are driving me crazy.

10:25
Album of the Year. Bring it on. … I’m rooting for Black Eyed Peas or Dave Matthews Band. It better not be Lady Gaga … The Grammy goes to Taylor Swift. Wow. As if that girl’s year couldn’t get any better. I really admire her for staying true to herself. Good for her.

10:29
This just in from one of my Twitter feeds …

The Kanye watch is on ... Album of the Year is ... Taylor Swift! A Beyonce upset? Nice.

Ha-larious.

Sunday reading

Ugh.

... Did the taxes yesterday. Happy Valentine's Day to us.

... Got my ice skating fix for the winter. And this year I did it with clear vision.

... And we had the family over to celebrates Kates's dad's birthday tonight.

We're exhausted.

Here's some of the reads that caught my eyes this week and were worth sharing ...

Sports ...
a Francona is having the time of his life
a Griffey wants to return to Seattle ... Sweet!
a Confronting A-rod
a A-Rod Dead At 33 ... From The Onion.
a Measuring A-Rod
a A-Rod proves apologies are not easy
a One Name Is Not Enough In This Case
a Steroid stench grows even stronger
a This soap opera is beyond sordid, yet we still watch
a Baseball's Tainted Month
a Hall of Fame needs to get rid of ridiculous character clause ... This is a really tough one for me. I still think the character clause is a valuable factor in determining Hall-worthiness. But I also think guys like Pete Rose, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens put up deserving numbers in their prime, rule-abiding years.
a Juice has sucked fun out of voting ... Another good read about the Hall voting.
a Attendance figures and revenue could decrease as teams are feeling the pressure
a Sox-Yankees: Tranquillity vs. trauma
a Favre: Top 10 All-Time? ... His knack for throwing interceptions and coming undone when games were on the line certainly doesn't help his cause.
a Coach K Never Forgets an 'L'

Music ...
a Scenes from Grammy weekend ... You go Death Cab.
a Grammys on key, but also a bit offbeat
a Wild Thing ... Good stuff about Neko Case.
a Vinyl Takes Another Spin With Music Lovers ... Love it! Except for the stores that charge like 30 bucks for a good vinyl. That's just robbery.

TV ...
a Joaquin Phoenix and late night: What's old is new again ... Phoenix's Letterman appearance is one of the craziest things I've ever seen on television.
a Joaquin Phoenix mystifies David Letterman
a Flight 1549 crew gets laughs on 'Letterman'
a As Conan heads west, where will his humor go? ... I was one of those guys who loved watching Conan in college. Some time after that I realized he's not that funny. I think he's going to have to make some changes to survive Leno's spot.

Politics ...
a Stalled Switch to Digital TV A Classic Tale of Breakdown ... Pretty much. If you're not ready, it's your own fault, I say.
a Even Tiniest Lincoln Relics Command Reverence

Internet & Media ...
a What Newspapers Do, Have Done and Will Do
a Newsweek Plans Makeover to Fit a Smaller Audience
a Boy Photoshops girl: A Flickr love story ... This is my friend Raechel's submission for the week. I found this story both very cool, and kind of creepy.
a TV's Mark Suppelsa connects to 5,000 friends on Facebook
a How Google Decides to Pull the Plug
a Do We Need a New Internet?
a How fast can you add Facebook friends? Faster than Facebook will allow
a How Social Networking Sites Have Changed The Breakup Game
a Twitter? It’s What You Make It

Life & other stuff ...
a Snuggie Pub Crawl coming
a 40 years' worth of thanks ... Great story. If you can, watch the video, too.
a Queens Driver Unknowingly Drags a Body Nearly 20 Miles ... Awful.
a From tech bubble to tech bobbleheads ... I so want one.

Live on Grammy night!

It’s 8:20 p.m. … We've just filled our bellies with bowls of Chilli while watching tonight’s “60 Minutes” featuring Katie Couric's interview with Capt. Sullenberger and his crew. (A-maz-ing story …). Now, Kates is putting Phoebe to bed …

And I’m tuning into the Grammys. What else would I possibly be doing tonight? …

I’m starting it an hour and 20 minutes late, but watching it from the beginning thanks to the wonder of DVR …

Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” has been playing all day in my head, and it‘s actually growing on me. Gee, you think she’s going to be appearing anything tonight?

8:23 p.m. … U2 is opening with “Get On Your Boots.” Great stuff, they’re rocking it …

8:24 p.m. … Oh my gosh. Whitney Houston actually looks … healthy! … And she’s showing some leg, too … Acknowledging Clive Davis, blah, blah, blah, get on with it … And Jennifer Hudson gets Best R&B Album. Darn, I was sort of rooting for Boyz II Men. A moving acceptance for Hudson though …

8:29 p.m. … The Rock reciting the lyrics to “I Kissed a Girl.” Ha-larious …

8:33 p.m. … Al Green with Boyz II Men! … Nice … Unfortunately Justin Timberlake is trying to upstage them all. Typical. Step back Justin. … The Boyz are barely doing anything. Is it me or is this dragging already? …

8:38 p.m. … Bring on the Coldplay … Chris Martin going solo on the piano with “Lost.” Beautiful … Oh, and Jay-Z with the rap!! Awesome … And bring in the band for “Viva La Vida.” Now we’re rocking!! … Meanwhile, Kates’s is analyzing how Martin is dressed. I don’t care, honey, I’m just interested in the music.

8:45 p.m. … Carrie Underwood’s on now … I’m not sure I like what she’s wearing … And there’s something going on with the sound. Distorted, maybe? Not liking it. … Carrie’s acting like she doesn’t know what to do with herself surrounded by all of those guitarists.

8:48 p.m. … Sheryl Crow and LeAnne Rimes. Now that’s a good-looking pair. Liking their dresses … They’re presenting Best Country Performance by a Duo/Group: Oh! Lady Antebellum!?! … Doh! It goes to Sugarland. Dang.

8:53 … Song of the Year … This is a doozy! I love them all!!! … Coldplay wins. Aw yeah! I love that album.

8:56 … Kid Rock is on …Ugh. … Ok, he’s playing “Amen.” Decent song. … Now Kid’s doing “All Summer Long.” I hate that it’s a total rip-off of “Werewolves of London” and “Sweet Home Alabama,” and I hate that I like it … Third song, I have no idea what it is …

9:01 p.m. … And here’s Taylor … With Miley Cyrus!?! Aye … Aye … My ears! … Aye! Somebody tell them to go back to singing to the stuffed animals in their bedrooms!!

9:05 p.m. … Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals … For me it’s “No Air,” hands down … Nope, it’s Allison Krauss and Robert Plant. They win every time …

9:07 p.m. … Jennifer Hudson’s performing now … Not interested. I’m checking my e-mail and Facebook.

9:17 p.m. … The Jonas Brothers with Stevie Wonder, huh? … I really, really want to like it, but it’s not working for me. The Jonas’s are too whiny … Ok, here we go!! Stevie’s doing “Superstition.” … I think one of the Jonas boys just messed up the lyrics. Funny! … Remember when I saw Stevie last summer? That was a good time.

9:22 p.m. … Blink 182?! Where did they pull them from? … They’re presenting Best Rock Album. My bet’s on Coldplay, easily … Coldplay! Yes!! Did I mention how much I love that album?

9:26 p.m. … Hey, it’s Craig Ferguson. He’s a funny, funny guy … And bring on Katy Perry for “I Kissed a Girl.” Arguably the most anticipated performance of the night -- And she’s being dropped on the stage in a banana. Not phallic at all. … You know, I could hardly stand this song the first couple times I heard it. Now, I love it. Seeing Katy perform it on New Year’s Eve and again now, I think she’s got some pretty good performing chops.

9:31 p.m. … Kanye and Estelle! Yeah! “American Boy!” … Great, great song! … And whoah, Kanye, going all Miami Vice on us! He also looks like he’s singing into a flashlight with that red microphone.

9:34 p.m. … Best New Artist. Big category, and another doozy! … It’s Adele! Yes!! … I thought for sure it was going to Duffy, which wouldn’t have been bad either. I also would have accepted Lady Antebellum. I would’ve screamed if it was the Jonas Brothers. … Great speech, Adele!

9:37 p.m. … Kenny Chesney’s performing … Checking e-mail again.

9:41 p.m. … Record of the Year. … Please not “Bleeding Love!” … Seriously. Robert Plant and Allison Krauss win everything. Aye.

9:47 p.m. … Now the rappers are on. So not a fan, though I respect the talent that’s on the stage right now -- pregnant M.I.A., Kanye’s ’80s hair and all.

9:51 p.m. … Ah, the charming and beautiful Kate Beckinsale -- entering to, yes, Coldplay. … (She says M.I.A. was due today!? Holy crap.) … Oh, she’s introducing The Beatles tribute! I’m so excited too, Kate!! … HERE WE GO!!! … “Saw Her Standing There,” Great! opener!! … Kates and I were just reminiscing about how we thought this song belonged to Tiffany. Crazy ’80s. … That’s it!?! One song, really!? That was a letdown.

9:58 p.m. … Best Male Pop Vocals … Calling for Jason Mraz!?! … John Mayer’s “Say”!?! What!?! Blah. I think it’s one of the worst songs John Mayer has done.

10:05 p.m. … Sugarland couldn’t finish their performance fast enough. Bring on Adele! … “Chasing Pavements” sounds wonderful as expected. Loving the strings!

10:08 p.m. … There’s Gwenyth! Kates and I were debating whether she was there tonight … Introducing Radiohead, aw yeah. Another one of my favorite albums of the year. … Awesome percussion, sweet guitar, and brass too!! Wow. What a band! … THAT was quite possibly my favorite performance of the night.

10:13 p.m. … Justin Timberlake. Eh ... I’m getting tired and starting to lose interest now.

10:19 p.m. … Why, I had NO IDEA that Barack Obama was a Grammy winner. Sweet!! … A Secretary of the Arts cabinet position sounds like a great idea …

10:22 p.m. … Four Tops tribute with Smokey Robinson, Ne-Yo and Jamie Foxx. Nice … Aw, there’s Jordin Sparks next to Paul McCartney! Lucky girl!!

10:27 p.m. … Josh Groban introducing none other than Neil Diamond … “Sweet Caroline!” Liking it!! … Love that the crowd’s into it!! This is biggest smile I’ve been wearing all night.

10:35 p.m. … REALLY liking the Bo Diddley tribute. John Mayer, B.B. King and a country singer whose name I don’t know (They all look the same to me, but I think this one's Chesney). Another awesome collection of talent.

10:42 p.m. … Liking the New Orleans tribute too. Alan Toussaint is super talented. … But seriously, let’s get to Album of the Year and get out of here …

10:46 p.m. … So happy to see Zooey Deschanel … introducing Robert Plant and Allison Krauss. Ugh.

10:50 p.m. … Ok, really liking Plant and Krauss on “Gone Gone Gone” right now!

10:51 p.m. … Finally! Album of the Year … Better be Coldplay … Or Radiohead … No!!!!!!! It’s Robert Plant and Allison Krauss. Everything! Aye.

Time for bed.

Nope, Kates just reminded me I have to do dishes …

Then, it’s time for bed.

Sunday reading

... The bad news is Kates feet are swelling and she's having trouble finding any comfortable shoes.

... The good news is it's really mild out today and the snow is melting! It's melting!

Here's some of the reads that caught my eyes during the last several days ...

Politics ...
a Hillary Clinton fought the Republican attack machine, and emerged stronger
a In Hunt for a Running Mate, Ohio Governor Could Please All or None ... and old one, but still noteworthy.
a Change Is In the Air, At the Polls
a Obama's Economic Plan Is A Pitch to the Working Class
a The man behind Obama's message
a John McCain's birthright: Fit for the presidency
a MSNBC reporter suspended for 'pimped-out' Clinton

Entertainment ...
a Writers working late again
a Before they were stars: Stories about celebs with Chicago roots
a Leave Britney alone ... I kind of agree.
a 'Saturday Night Live' gets ready to rock with Tina Fey ... I was just thinking the other day, How awesome would it be if SNL brought back Tina Fey to host!?

Music ...
a The Baton's Been Passed Over: The Grammys Pretty Much Ignore Classical Music These Days, and Vice Versa
a The king of pop is back ... Say what you want about his creepy, messed-up personal life. But Michael Jackson's music is darn good, and there will never be another like him ...
a At the Grammys, some gold, some silver
a A night for the ages Amy, Kanye refresh music's roots
a Sheryl Crow finds her way with 'Detours'
a Having fun, and a breakout year besides, with Canada's Feist

Sports ...
a Berman caught with his mike on ... I stopped being a fan of Chris Berman a long time ago, and this didn't surprise me.

Life & other stuff ...
a Love Means ...
a Artists write of love

Grammy night

Is it just me or did the Grammys really sneak up on us this year?

I say it all the time: the Grammys mean to me what the Oscars mean to a lot of other people I know …

But this year I’m about as excited for them as I get for the next snowstorm. (While we were huddled inside away from the 1 degree weather outside, I did an interview this afternoon with a guy in L.A. who was sitting in a park and enjoying 70 degree weather ... Not cool, man. Not cool.)

Plain and simple, I’m really disappointed with the nominees this year … And don’t get me started on what I think about Amy Whinehouse and Rihanna’s music …

Plus, last year’s show was an extraordinary night that I’m not sure will be topped for awhile …

But here we go, my minute-my-minute thoughts on this year’s Grammys …

7:13 p.m. -- I’m not a big Alicia Keys fan, but she’s already got her first Grammy in what should be a good night for her. “No One” was easily the best R&B song, hands down. And that sleek green dress she’s wearing also deserves a nod for the best dressed of the evening …

Carrie Underwood looked good too … Too bad her performance of “Before He Cheats” lost its zest somewhere between the radio and the Grammy’s. Her performance of it tonight fell flat, though the whole percussion thing with the dancers beating the set with tubes was kind of cool …

7:22 p.m. -- Yep. Still can’t stand Rihanna.

7:33 p.m. -- Beatles tribute featuring Cirque de Soleil doing “Day in the Life” and cast members from “Across the Universe" doing “Let It Be.” Very nice.

Oh, and here we go with the only category I’m really looking forward to tonight: Best new artist. And the winner is …

Amy Winehouse.

Bleh. Should’ve been Feist.

And by the way, I really doubt Miley Cyrus will be winning a Grammy next year, as Cyndi Lauper, the 1985 Best New Artist, predicted. But hey, Cyndi still rocks.

7:39 p.m. -- Kanye West looks good in his Michael Jackson get-up. Not liking the song though.

… His performance of “Hey Mama” was moving-sweet-good.

And oh, Fergie, how you’ve grown. Her duet with John Legend was lovely, sweet. A long way from "My Humps."

Here’s best soundtrack album -- wow. What a category !?!? “Across the Universe.” “Hairspray.” “Love” “Once.” And “Dreamgirls.”

I’m rooting for any of the first three, though I’d be happy with either of the five.

“Love” wins. Nice. I’m clapping.

How cool is it that two of the albums in the category -- “Across the Universe” and “Love” -- are re-done Beatles material. And better yet, both albums are full of pretty good stuff and not cheap knock-offs.

8:05 p.m. -- Beyonce was totally lip-syncing in that dance-off intro of Tina Tuner.

Tina’s singing “What’s Love Got To Do With It.” She’s still got it. Says Kates, “Look at how good she looks!”

Ok, I was expecting big things when Beyonce came back out to join Tina for “Proud Mary,” but this slow version isn’t working …

… Ah. Never mind. They just turned up the tempo to do it right …

Still didn’t do it justice though.

8:13 p.m. -- Burt Bacharach is a Grammy Lifetime Award recipient. I can’t think of anyone more deserving … But surely he deserves a more worthy tribute than the brief pause and a swift transition into the next category …

And Amy Winehouse wins for “Rehab” in the best songwriting category. Pitiful … She was up against Carrie Underwood‘s “Before He Cheats,” The Plain White T’s “Hey There Delilah,” Corrine Bailey Rae’s “Like A Star,” and Rihanna’s “Umbrella.” For my money, “Before He Cheats,” “Delilah” and “Like A Star” are far superior songs lyrically.

8:21 p.m. -- Ann Marie Calhoun was the hands-down My Grammy Moment winner in that contest to play with the Foo Fighters.

8:34 p.m. -- We’re about halfway through the show and we’ve reached the Valley of Boredom.

8:41 p.m. --You know Kanye’s the man when he gets the award for Best Rap Album. The get-off-the-stage music starts playing midway through his acceptance speech. He tells the sounds guys to make it stop … and they listen.

8:57 p.m. -- Feist is performing "1-2-3-4." Yes! ... Love the acoustic, down-on-the-corner take on it with the brass. I miss the rousing sing-along rendition of the album version. But this is good. It's different.

9:14 p.m. -- Now Alicia Keys is doing "No One." She and the band seem to have taken it a little more upbeat and freshened it up a little -- I love it! ... Aw, and John Mayer comes on with a guitar solo -- real nice! Kates: "Makes tha song a little better." (She hates this song.)

9:19 p.m. -- Vince Gill just got his award for Best Country Album and accepted it from Ringo Starr. Vince says: "I just got an award from a Beatle." Then he looks off to his left and says, "Have you had that happen yet, Kanye?" That's the line of the night.

9:28 p.m. -- Gosh, I love Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue."

9:43 p.m. -- I'm not even going to talk about Amy Whinehouse's performance ... and just as I write this she finishes her first song and starts up "Rehab." It's catchy. Dang.

9:50 p.m. -- Record of the Year. Amy Whinehouse. Of course. Ugh.

10:26 p.m. -- Will.I.am's rap montage of great Grammy songs was brilliant.

10:29 p.m. -- And Herbie Hancock just won for Album of the Year with "River: The Joni Letters" !! Wow!! Upset city ... Good speech, Herbie.

10:37 p.m. -- It's over. Thank you and good night.

Sunday reading

... Our church services and my Sunday school class was canceled this morning thanks to this latest winter storm ...

A friend of ours called Kates and I last night to let us know things might be called off if we actually got the huge amount of snow the weather forecasters were predicting. If we only got a dusting, she said, the regular Sunday schedule would still be on ...

I went to bed pretty late last night, seeing little snow falling but still hoping that perhaps things would be canceled. And when I got up this morning, there was barely any new snow on the ground ... So I got ready for church.

Still, the news stations were scrolling dozens of church closings. And ours wasn't being mentioned ...

So I ate breakfast with just minutes to spare before I would be heading out the door ...

Then the phone rings ...

It was Amy. No church activities today. The ice was so thick, the pastor couldn't even open the door ...

Praise the Lord!

... But don't expect me to be feeling so thankful tomorrow. We had 40s last week!! 40s!! We thought spring was on its way!! Enough snow and cold already!!

My point?

It's a good day for cozying up on the couch, doing some reading and watching the biggest basketball game of the season ...

Here's some good reads from the past week ...

Sports ...
a 2007 could be the end of an era
a Jacque Jones happy with another year with Cubs
a Ivy League or bush league? Cubs last team to place ads on outfield walls
a Early to rise? Cubs ready to go
a Cubs' Ramirez hustles to remove lazy label
a Santo wants Hall selection 'very badly'
a Daytona Offers Hollywood Ending ... I'm not a Nascar fan, but watching the finale to last weekend's Daytona was one for the ages ...

Entertainment ...
a So bad they're good: This year's Oscar field is rife with characters who reside in that shame-filled land of Those Who Should Know Better
a Defense of 'Studio 60' becomes a moot point ... Every Monday night we let our DVR record Studio 60, and every week I seem to put off watching it more and more. But the cast -- a lame excuse, I know -- is the only reason I keep watching. It should be really good, right? But it only seems to get more boring and aimless each week ... Just cancel it already.
a 'Long Way' to Grammys: Was the Dixie Chicks' big win fueled by politics? ... In all the excitement the day after the Grammys, a friend asked me if I thought the Dixie Chicks' Grammy success was actually because of their album or politics. I told her it was both: The Dixie Chicks sang their message and political views loud and strong on their "Taking the Long Way" album, and that resonated with people; it's what music is supposed to do. But it didn't hurt that the album also is really good musically, from top to bottom.
a Guide to the Academy Awards ... I rarely get excited about the Oscars, mostly because on most years I've haven't seen many of the films. This year, the only Oscar-nominated film I've seen is "Little Miss Sunshine." But have at it ...
a Specter of Hudson haunts Fox's 'Idol'
a Twenty-three reasons not to see "The Number 23"
a Britney is bald, but not the first celeb to be so bold
a Britney, Anna Nicole, our obsessions - What's the lesson here?

Everything else ...
a What's next? Defining the new generation of young adults
a Chicago readies itself for visit by U.S. Olympic officials ... oh, to have the Olympic games in Chicago. Talk about a dream come true ...
a Palming off the Ash Wednesday dirty work
a Young Voters Find Voice on Facebook
a 450-year-old receipt proves Michelangelo stayed in St. Peter's
a Maryland to Unveil the Page That Began a New Chapter
a Web site points the way to latest attractions ... The Grand Canyon skywalk sounds so freaky -- and soooo cool!!

And from news of the weird ...
a Sword seized after man mistakes porn for rape

Making good music

... Going through my Saturday morning ritual of watching the Top 20 Countdown on VH1 ...

Now that this year's Grammys have passed, let's start talking about artists to watch for in 2007 ...

Here's one I've fallen hard for ...

Regina Spektor.

Still talkin'

... It seemed everywhere I turned today people were talking about last night's Grammys. If it wasn't The Police's comeback performance, it was Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder winning, or Mary J. Blige's historic night, or Christina Aguilera's amazing performance. And everybody was talking about the Dixie Chicks -- God love 'em ...

It certainly was one of the more exciting Grammy nights in recent memory.

Grammy makes nice: The Dixie Chicks' sweep of Sunday night's Grammy Awards was like flipping the bird to the haters. They are shunned in the Red States for their now- infamous anti-Bush statement just before the Iraq war began. But there they were Sunday night, racking up five Grammys, including awards for album, song and record of the year.

A critic's notebook -- The highs and lows (Al Gore and Queen Latifah?) of watching the Grammys ... Turns out I wasn't the only one who was tracking the Grammys minute-by-minute...

MSN also offered its best and worst of the Grammys ...

ALSO SEE:

a My Grammy predictions

a My thoughts on the Grammys

Goodnight Grammys!

My thoughts on tonight’s Grammy’s as the events unfolded … As usual, uncut and off the top of my head …

… Ah, The Police … man, did they sound (and look!) good!! It’s as if they never broke up!! … Their performance of “Roxanne” was A-mazing, but I would’ve much rather preferred a mind-blowing medley that opened with “Roxanne,” then a blend into “Message In A Bottle,” and from there “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” and then end it a with a bang on “Every Breath You Take.”

… The first award: Best Pop Compilation -- “For Once In My Life” (Tony Bennett & Stevie Wonder), “One” (Mary J. Blige & U2), “Always On Your Side” (Sheryl Crow & Sting), “Promiscuous” (Nelly Furtado & Timbaland), “Hips Don't Lie” (Shakira & Wyclef Jean) … Holy cow, this category is loaded!!! ….. All five of these are top-notch and deserving. But I was kind of rooting for the winner: Stevie Wonder & Tony Bennett …

… The Dixie Chicks!! What a performance!!!! … Holy cow, Natalie’s a brunette!! And she looks good!

… Hey, there’s Prince again. He’s been everywhere lately … Wasn’t he always a recluse??

… I’m so over Beyonce.

… I’ve even more over Justin Timberlake.

Ok, his performance was good -- except for that whole holding-a-camera-in-his-face thing… Was he really playing the piano??

… Stevie Wonder couldn’t have given a better introduction -- overjoyed!? I’ll say!! -- Corrine Bailey Rae/John Legend/John Mayer … wow. … Surely Corrine could’ve done the crowd better by performing “Put Your Records On” over “Like A Star.” … ooh, I like the Corrine’s and Mayer’s backing vocals to Legend’s lead … Seriously, Mayer?? “Gravity”?? … What’s with this slow stuff?? This is the Grammys!! Let’s have some excitement!! … I’m disappointed. But hey, Mayer can play that guitar!!

NICE!!!!!!! John Mayer just won for best Pop Album!!! … I thought for sure that one was going home with Justin Timberlake …

Seriously. Can Shakira do anything but shake her hips?? I’m so over her too …

It’s always good to see Burt Bacharach …

Yes. The Dixie Chicks won Song of the Year. I’m smiling from ear to ear. You go girls.

Hey! It’s Allyson Hannigan and Cobie Smulders!! … They’re so great!!

… Ok. Not at all liking Gnarls Barkley’s mash-up Army march version of “Crazy.” … But hey, that’s a sweet set with the band and background singers.

… I don’t care who gets to sing with Justin. I’m not voting’ …

… Wow. Mary J. Blige just gave the performance of her life … that was good stuff.

… The Dixie Chicks just won for best country album … Natalie’s “Simpsons” quote was shrewd and so HA-larious. Yep, a whole bunch of people probably just rolled their eyes and turned off their TVs …

… Rascal Flatts -- nice take on “Hotel California” … But seriously. Do they ever perform any original material?

Here we go best new artist!!! … CARRIE UNDERWOOD!?!?!?! … “This is absolutely unbelievable,” she says … I’LL SAY!!!!!!! (can you hear me groaning !?!?)

Smokie and Lionel might be getting older, but they can still do some smooth singin’ …

Chris Brown. Christina Aguilera. Yawn ... I’m starting to lose interest here.

Mary J. is performing again?? … She was great the first time, but did we really need to see her anymore tonight … this show’s really dragging now …

James Blunt’s performance was nice …

This girl singing with Justin Timberlake isn’t bad. I had my doubts about this whole “My Grammy Moment” thing, but the girl is holding her own, and gosh darn it, she’s having fun …

The Dixie Chicks won again!! Record of the Year!! Man. Good for them.

... Here we go with Album of the Year ... (I can’t believe Scarlett Johanssen is recording an album…. Seriously!?!) … The Dixie Chicks AGAIN!! … Wow. You gotta love ’em.

Grammy time!

Ah, the Grammys.

My kind of Super Bowl. My version of the Oscars.

Kind of sneaked up on me this year, didn’t ya ...

The Police reunion is enough of a reason to watch tonight, but it’s hard for me to remember a recent Grammy pallet that's so closely stacked ...

Album of the Year -- “Taking the Long Way” (Dixie Chicks), “St. Elsewhere” (Gnarls Barkley), “Continuum” (John Mayer), “Stadium Arcadium” (Red Hot Chili Peppers), “FutureSex/LoveSounds” (Justin Timberlake)

...Mayer’s Continuum is a good album, but it lacks the pop and standouts that should make a Record of the Year. And one huge hit of a song (“Crazy”) isn’t going to make “St. Elsewhere” a winner either. “Stadium Arcadium” and “FutureSex/LoveSounds” ... eh. If I had a vote, it’d be the Dixie Chicks’ “Taking the Long Way.” It’s a great, heartfelt listen all the way through ...

Unfortunately, the Grammy folks will pick: “FutureSex/LoveSounds”

Record of the Year -- “Be Without You” (Mary J. Blige), “You’re Beautiful” (James Blunt), “Not Ready to Make Nice” (Dixie Chicks), “Crazy" (Gnarls Barkley), “Put Your Records On” (Corinne Bailey Rae)

... oooh tough category -- but I don’t get all the hype surrounding Mary J. Blige -- the song's ok -- so she’s out. And the fall-over-your-feet lovefest surrounding James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” has come and gone, which leaves the Chicks, Gnarls Barkley and Corrine Bailey Rae … The sentimental choice is the feisty, fighting back “Not Ready To Make Nice,” and though “Put Your Records On” will make you smile every time it comes on the radio, “Crazy” took America by storm last summer. Funny, I didn’t like it the first couple times I heard it, but it overtook me too …

… And yet, there's no mention of a few other great records of 2006?? “Ain’t No Other Man” ?? “Waiting For The World To Change” ?? “Promiscuous” ?? or even Natasha Bedingfield's “Unwritten.”

The Grammy folks will pick: “Crazy”

Song of the Year: “Be Without You” by Mary J. Blige, “Jesus, Take the Wheel” by Carrie Underwood, “Not Ready to Make Nice” by the Dixie Chicks, “Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae, “You’re Beautiful” by James Blunt.

… Again, don’t get the hype around Mary J. And I can‘t say “Jesus, Take the Wheel” struck a major chord with me either.… The voters could again go political here with “Not Ready To Make Nice” or they could go super-sappy with James Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful,” but my not in this songwriter’s category goes to the uber-catchy, “sapphire and faded jeans” imagery of Corrine Bailey Rae’s “Put Your Records On.”

The Grammy folks will pick: “You’re Beautiful”

Best new artist: James Blunt, Chris Brown, Imogen Heap, Corinne Bailey Rae, Carrie Underwood

To me, this is the most clear-cut category of them all, but you can place a large bet the Grammy voters will go with a more popular, traditional and commercial choice…

James Blunt is a good choice, but after awhile all his sentimental soccer mom pop/rock starts sounding the same. And I saw that played out live too …

Then there’s Chris who? If you haven’t heard of him yet -- don’t worry, you won’t know him next year either.

Carrie Underwood? … She’s no Kelly Clarkson.

Corrine Bailey Rae is as charming and beautiful as they come. She’s a wonderful performer and her voice is as soothing as a summer rain (Cheesy? Fine …) So I’d be thrilled if she takes the award, but I'm not there’s anything about her album that’s outstanding or truly unique.

… Which brings me to Imogen Heap. I fell head over heels for her stuff the moment I heard “Hide & Seek” almost a year and a half ago now, and I fell harder yet when I got a hold of her “Speak For Yourself” album. And then seeing her perform all of it live last May was like an out of body experience … Her music is as fun, catchy, lyrically intense and sing-able as anyone else in the category. But the fact that it’s fresh, it’s innovative and it’s a sound that’s all her own puts Imogen Heap on a pedestal by herself.

The Grammy folks will pick: James Blunt