2008 50th Grammy's Live on ABC

I am blogging the Grammy's live- I always wanted to do this- never works as well with an awards show when you watch it a few days later- all the good stuff has been edited out and all the scandalous bits have already hit the gossip pages- so here goes....

(FYI- it's being held at the Staples Center in downtown LA and yes, I should have gotten off my rear end and tried to go, but honestly- and you know I'm right- the show is so much better live on TV! After parties- now that's a whole other story, but not tonight, I'm staying in)

I am looking forward to Amy Winehouse's live via satellite performance, but because I hope that she kinda messes up- we'll see.

Ok, odd- they are starting the Grammy's with an old black and white recording of Frank Sinatra...talking about Grammy's...
and that sequeways (spelling?) into Alicia Keys DUETING with Frank Sinatra! (I believe Lisa Marie did this earlier with her dad, so no points for originality!) I do love old Blue Eyes though, so I'll forgive...

I love her dress the color is phenomenal- she finally got a good stylist to dress her well! Kudos Alicia! Plus her voice is always a pleasure...

Side thought- I always wonder why a terrorist doens't bomb one of these events- it would be just as devastating, plus it would take out billions of dollarsin american celebrities- not that I'm suggesting it, obviously!

Alicia introduces Carrie Underwood- performing "Before He Cheats" which should be a warning to anyone she ever dates! Don't let her get the car keys!!! A little Stomp-ish, but cool take on the song- her black jacket with black booty shorts and black boots, not original but obviously packs a punch. She has really come into her own since American Idol!

Prince!
On a stage!
In a red zoot suit!
I MISS HIM!!!

Best Female Artist:
( I predict Mary J Blige)
Alicia Keys!!!

Still love her dress, although it clashed a lil bit with Prince's suit- glad she won, although I think Mary deserved it more...
I just noticed, her makeup looks really fresh and clean- her makeup artist deserves a bonus- good job!

Not much happened before the first commercial, although Alicia Keys dominated so far... don't really care about the Kanye West performance, but Feist might be awesome (liked her song for the ipod nano)

Jimmy Jam (Chairman of the Academy) is making a speech- and he gets interrupted by the original members of 'The Time' which I amnot familiar with bu they have a cool keyboard guitar and great dance moves- plus the little guy in the sparkly gold zoot suit (I thought Prince's was something- got nothing on this!)

The entire band is jumping right to left in coordinated steps- how cool- and here she comes- Rihanna...
Not a huge fan of her dress, but I do like her hair. Wish I was confident enough to pull off a short punk pixie cut.
(Love the sparkly umbrella's- is she selling those in her new line?)
She starts of with 'Umbrella' and moves in "Please don't stop the music" which I actually can't stand, mostly because it is on the radio every 2 minutes, but she does give great performance...

...and now she is doing some sort of line dance with the old guys in the suits- which again, I give them props for but have no idea what their music is!

Tom Hanks is onstage, talking about another group I am not familiar with (Bob Dillon's old band???) They have received the Lifetime Grammy Acheivement Award- and they are called 'The Band'. Still don't know 'em, but congrats to them anyway!
oh, Tom is still talking, sorry
Now he's going on about the Beatles (yes, I am a closet fan) and Ringo is sitting in the audience, but I don't see Paul yet.

Fun- a Beatles tribute!Starts with 'A day in the life' performed by Cirque Du Soleil from their show 'Love'.
starting out tame... just got coller- aerial performers and such...
ok, this is a little weird, I am all for performance art, but its kinda sucking. Sorry.
(must be one of those things that are better live)
oops, still going- now it's on "Let it be"(a personal favorite song)
I have no idea who is singing it live, the little guy or the ginormous lady- no clue. and a choir just joined them all onstage...

wow, the Grammy's are sucking very badly this year- see what happens when there is no more Britney or Christina to rely on?!?!?

I wonder how Ringo Starr feels, watching his music get massacred?

Oh thank god, its over.
Hopefully the show gets better from this point on-
Cindy Lauper and Miley Cyrus are presenting (who the hell dressed Miley? A streetwalker? She's like, 15!!!)

Best New Artist:
(I predict Amy Winehouse)
Amy Winehouse!!!

And now Jason Bateman is on stage (why does he sing?)
He is introducing three musicians in a pre-recorded contest to see which one gets to play with the Grammy orchestra... yawn.
Plus, Jason is screwing up reading the teleprompter.

I need a commercial, back in a minute- hope it gets better this is really bad!

And we're back.
Kanye West.
I hate his attitude- I really do, he is such a sore loser- but he does put on a great show live. I will give him that, but I sincerely hope he gets a new attitude and fast...
Even just listening to the owrds to his song- 'Stonger' he is so high on himself. Such a turnoff.

I was just going to write that he is trying to be the black Michael Jackson- and then realized how funny that sounds!
(His glasses look really stupid).

the dj's are so cool! They have neon glow suits on- sick!

I will begrudgingly admit that he finally brought the Grammy's to life- although now he is singing a slow song that I am pretty sure is about his mom who just passed away recently.
It's actually touching, but most probably an act... he is just too conceited to actually reveal his true colors unless is resulted in drama and a better headline.

and now Fergie is singing- not sure what, but she is singing.
Saw her live at Fashion Rocks, she is a great performer- why isn't she bringing it now?
Love her dress though- has a great shape.
Not such a fan of the song though.
Just noticed- John Legend is playing piano for her.

And now Fergie and John Legend are presenting best soundtrack album:
(I predict Dreamgirls)
Love!!!
Wow, I thought Hairspray would take it if Dreamgirls didn't! Hurray for the Beatles though- they are having a great day! (Doesn't Michael Jackson own like the whole catalog? If he still does, he must be making money from this).
How cute, Ringo Starr accepted! Such a cute Beatle (not as cute at Paul though)

This is sad- Kanye West is the best thing the Grammy's could come up with? Stupid writer's strike!

Cher (wearing something from those old soap operas!) introduces Beyonce (wearing a lime green bathing suti with a lace jacket) who introduces Tina Turner!
'What's love got to do with it?'
She looks fabulous- and sounds great too! Love her silver corset (ignoring the silver tight pants)

So, this is her first performance since her ex-husband Ike Turner died. Wonder if its a bittersweet or milk chocolate sweet moment?

Tina reintroduces Beyonce- they are singing together- I like Beyonce's new silver dress...a lil short, but very sparkly...
Awesome song- working for the man every night and day... big wheels keep on turning.... rolling, rolling, rolling down the river...
It's like watching the pro teach the novice, and then let them step into their shoes- very inspiring to see them singing this iconic classic together
Kanye just got bumped to 2nd place- way to go ladies!

Nelly Furtado, Andy Williams and Rosalyn Sanchez are presenting- did you know Andy Williams was the original host of the show for the first 7 years?- they are talking about Burt Bacharach.
He is a Grammy Lifetime Acheivement Award receipient.

and now, presenting the Songwriter's award:
(I predict Umbrella)
Amy Winehouse- Rehab!

Way to go Amy!!!
Sucks she couldn't be there to accept, but I know she is performing via satellite later so, better than nothing...

Back to the pre-recorded stuff (yawn) Ann Marie Calhoun won (if you care).
Now she gets to play with the Foo Fighters...cool prize though!
I haven't heard them in so long- hope Dave Grohl is still great.
It's ok, not awesome, but I will give him points for being energetic.

George Lopez just got onstage, for some reason talking about the election- introducing Brad Paisley... still yawn (I have no love for country, sorry).
Like his guitar though... but he is singing a song about ticks! Quoi?

Ok, Chris Brown and two other people are onstage presenting something... (I think it's Neyo and Solange Knowles)
Best Rap ALbum:
(I predict Kanye West unfotunately)
Kanye West

Whatever. He's still wearing those stupid glasses and that dumb light up vest.

Move it along.

He's such an ass. Seriously, they started playing the music to get him to shut up and then he started talking about his mother... and since they were still playing the music he said 'It would be in good taste to stop playing the music now".
I really dislike him.

Ludacris is presenting Lifetime Acheievement award to Cab Calloway (who?).
and now introduces BB Wynans and Aretha Franklin.
She is wearing a humongous yellow outfit thing- I don't get it. Why would a big woman wear an even bigger outift? Wear something black and slimming and just play it safe- let the young twenty somethings take the fashion risks!
It's turned into Gospel hour.
Hello- this is the Grammy's not the BET Music Awards- play rock!
It's 9:45, if it goes past 9:50 I may just give up.
Who are the Clark Sister's and why are they on stage singing a gospel jesus song?
Now some other group is singing, more jeysus stuff...

9:48- 2 minutes- shucks, they brought banana Aretha back...

Wrap it up folks, bring back Britney bitch!

9:50- I am a great predictor. It's finally over!

And now it's 9:55 and it's been commercial ever since... blech

Carole King and Dirk Spedley (who is the guy?)
Talking about bluegrass music- Earl Struggs- who is a Grammy Lifetime Acheievement receipient- introduce Feist!
Yay- she is doing 1,2,3,4....
(another awesome Canadian y'all!)
I like her dress- shiny black and sparkly... she is a bit tame in performing-shoulda done something similar to the commercial... oh well, still better than gospel!

Keeley Smith (first ever Grammy winner for something, I didn't catch it) and then Kid Rock joins her onstage...
and they duet!
Old Black Magic.... ever see the Nutty Proffesor (Jerry Lewis version?)
It's cutesy- never imagined Kid Rock to sing this kind of jazzy stuff though, kinda refreshingly fun...
now they present
Best Rock Album:
(I predict Bruce Springsteen)
Foo Fighters

Hmmm, good for them- even if I haven't heard their new stuff...
How cute- Dave Grohl dedicates it to his daughter Violet...

Stevie Wonder is onstage now... he is always such a cutie at these events... introducing Alicia Keys!

Oooh, I like this dress even better (only see it from the back so far- black and shiny!) Oh, and I just noticed, her hair has been blown out and straightened- it was up before- good for her!
She stood up- loving the dress- black and gold shiny sparkly shirt with black pants (my bad, not a dress)

Wait, I'm confused- now it looks like she is wearing a short dress with black leather leggings! Whatever- I like it.
She is such a great performance artist- love it! She brings a raw energey- and she just introduced John Mayer!

Secret- I am waiting to see John Mayer ive- there is something brooding and awesome about his music- I have to see it for myself one of these days.

Ringo Starr abd Dave Stewart are coming onstage now... to present
Best Country Album:
(I predict Brad Paisley)
Vince Gill
(never heard of him, not a country fan)

BRING ON AMY WINEHOUSE ALREADY!

OOOOH this guy is funny- he gets up on stage and says, "I just had an award handed to me by a Beatle.... have you had that happen yet Kanye?"

Snap! That was hilarious! I may go out and buy this guy's album just for that comment!

10:20pm- I am getting tired. I got invited to a Grammy after party (in the last hour) but I think I am passing- I'm too exhausted. That gospel earlier just sucked the life outta me! (Sorry Aretha)

Joe Montegna is up, presenting Itzaak Perelman andMax Croach lifetime acheivement awards...and now introduces Long Long and Herbie Hancock performing Mozart's Rhapsody in Blue.....snore.... GRAMMY'S ARE S'POSED TO BE SAUCY AND POP CULTURY- not all this classical jazzy upscale back in the day stuff.... so glad I did not pay money to sit in the audience... I would already be alseep (except when the orchestra gets a little animated, that would startle me...)

10:31 pm still playing classical music

Taylor Swift (he's the reason for the teardrops on my guitar...)
and some other guy are presenting...
Best Rap Song Collaboration:
(I predict Umbrella)
Umbrella- Rihanna ft. Jay Z!!!

Why is she wearing the ugliest blue dress I have ever seen? Love her hair still, but not the dress. (This is her first Grammy?) Wow!
Jay Z looks great, nice tux. Heard a rumor that he and Beyonce have matching ring finger tatoos symbolizing marriage...
Way to go Rihanna!

Cuba Gooding Jr. is live via satellite to introduce Amy Winehouse...
She looks great! (Well, for Amy anyway)
She is so musically talented, I wish she wasn't such a trainwreck, although I have a theory about that- i think its the totured ones who are the most creative...
Did she just dedicate this song to Blake- her husband?
yay- Rehab- no no no

Spooky- its kind of like she is singing about her life- taunting her family maybe... wow. The words are so real now.
I got chills, but maybe a foreshadowing kind, not a good kind... not sure.

They should have let her accept her awards too...

Natalie Cole and Tony Bennett are on stage now, Tony is a lifetime award winner, and together they are presenting a tribute to Doris Day (another lifetime recipient) and now present
Record of the Year:
(I predict Justin Timberlake)
Amy Winhouse!!!!

Awww, they showed her live- it looked like someone punched her- she turned around and ran for a hug from her bandmates and parents... way to go AMY!
She thanks her parents and Blake... and mentions the fire that burned down that pub in London... I am really glad she won- maybe this will help her get her priorities and life together...
(She has such a thick accent- I never realized- wow)

Neil Portnoy is talking about how the Grammy's help the world... and what the people who work there do the rest of the year...I think he just gave a shout out to the WGA...

Eldar (who played on the Grammy stage when he was 12) is back to show how awesome he is 10 years later, thanks to the Grammy's program that helped him learn piano in school. Awwww
I'm still bored.

Now they are doing the 'In Memorium' (which I always tear up at some point)
Wow, this is the first time I didn't cry...

Such a bonus- I love Andrea Bocelli- he is singing in honor of those lost this year, specifically for his friend, Luciano Pavarotti, and dueting with Josh Groban.
Great collaboration... love these two musicians...
(Um, Celine Dion and the Celtic Women also covered this, and it is much better sung by females, no disrespect intended, it just is)

Andrea Bocelli- another music great I would love to see live one day...

11:07pm- how long is this show?

Ok, now Bonnie Rait introduced a bunch of old guys who sang songs I know, but back to my first point- the GRAMMY'S are supposed ot be young and hip!!!!

11:23pm- I am giving it till 11:30 and then I am out.

Will.I.am is singing something random- but so funny- he is basically rapping, then mixing in old songs that have won Grammy's in the past 50 years... very well done.

Usher and Quincy Jones (27 Grammy winner!) are up on the stage- miss Usher- wish he would make a hit album again... Hahahahaha- Usher said "There are no losers in this category, Kanye!" Album of the Year:
(I predict Amy Winehouse)
Oh, Herbie Hancock won... (WHO???)
boring, kinda like the rest of the show. Amy shoulda won, she was robbed.

Alright peops, I'm out- this was a waste of time... usualy the show is awesome a rejuvenates the music scene for the next few months- I feel like this sucked it all out of me and I will be listening to cd's in my car for the next little while... instead of the radio...

G'nite
(see ya in 2 weeks for the Oscars!!! Feb 24th)