Why does America love Taylor Swift so much? Success, I suppose... Kinda like Chick-Fil-A, not much to it, but incredibly popular.
But, that conundrum was quickly squelched and the Taylor Swift brain freeze was thankfully thawed by some great performances from the likes of Bruno Mars, Ziggy Marley, and his Highness, Sting, paying homage to Bob Marley. Bruno is a really talented guy with an equally talented band.
Kelly Clarkson did good job with her spot and T. Bone Burnett, Mavis Staples, Mumford & Sons, and Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes paid tribute to Levon Helm with a surprisingly good rendition of The Band's "The Weight."
And, NARAS did redeem itself by giving Bonnie Rait the Americana Album Award.
Cut from WashPo: The evening’s first big surprise: Bonnie Raitt’s “Slipstream” trumped new and wildly popular albums from Mumford & Sons, the Lumineers and the Avett Brothers for best Americana album. “I was not expecting this!” Raitt gushed from the podium. Nobody was.
Memphis Homeboy, Justin Timberlake hasn't lost his chops; he's as talented as ever.
The Black Keys had a good night then shared the stage with Dr. John and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.
.
And, Mumford and Sons won Album of the Year.
They're a great Brit band that I thought would've done better, but it is the Academy.
Speaking of Mumford and Sons, we recently watched an excellent documentary... Railroad Revival Tour: Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe & the
Magnetic Zeroes, and Old Crow Medicine Show Embark on Epic Train Tour of
American Southwest that ends in New Orleans. The shows aren't all at rail stations, per se, but rather at pretty
unusual, outdoor locations across California, Arizona, Texas and
Louisiana.
Great doc!
All nominees and winners are listed here if you don't already know.
So it was kinda fun... Just me and the boys enjoying a wild night of hangin' out, watching the Grammys.
(Oh Crap! Little Mud thinks he likes Taylor Swift... and Radar just bit him.)
Cheers,
Istaboa
