BeatNonStop A Weblog by Chris Macias Bee pop music critic Music geek (n. myü-zik 'gEk) 1: A person who proudly wore KISS commemorative pajamas in third grade. 2: A person who owns multiple copies of the same album, still buys vinyl and has a room dedicated to 2,000 or so CDs and records. 3. A person who wrote a five-part series about traveling with a local band in their stinky van - and loved every minute of it. 4: Chris Macias, the Bee's pop music critic, serving Sacramento's music scene since 1999.

BACK TO THE BEATNONSTOP HOME PAGE

« Gangsta gangsta | | Prescott Showcase on the move »

December 7, 2006

The queen of hip-hop/soul (and Grammy nominations)

Nominations for the 49th Annual Grammy Awards were announced this morning and Mary J. Blige was the proverbial queen bee. She received eight nominations, including record and song of the year (as part of the songwriting team behind “Be Without You”). Other artists who can just about taste that Grammy gold are Red Hot Chili Peppers (six nominations, including album of the year), and a bunch who received five nominations, including James “You’re Beautiful (but can’t sell out the Memorial Auditorium)” Blunt, Prince, Dixie Chicks, John Mayer, Danger Mouse, Rick Rubin, will.i.am and John Williams. Can’t you just see them all locking hands for some show closing medley on Grammy night? On second thought, let’s hope not.

But right now there’s something about Mary (J. Blige, that is). Blige got the kind of Grammy consideration that Mariah Carey found last year, but the $20,000 question is if this will translate into actual wins come Grammy night (the Grammy Awards will be broadcast Feb. 11 on CBS). But Blige will face some especially tough competition for record of the year, where she’ll go mano a mano against Blunt’s “You’re Beautiful” and the monster beakthrough by Gnarls Barkley called “Crazy.”

On a local note, Mary Youngblood received a nomination for Native American album. The Fair Oaks resident won this award in 2003 for her flute music, so keep her in your thoughts on Grammy night and maybe she’ll represent Sac with one of those shiny gramophones.

Here’s a look at the nominees for album, record, song of the year and new artist. And because we know you’re dying to hear who’s up for the almighty polka award, here’s a link to all Grammy nominees.Oh, and I’d just like to add that I hope Slayer wins for metal performance. Thanks, and happy reading through all 108 Grammy categories.

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

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

Song of the year (songwriters’ award)

“Be Without You,” Johnta Austin, Mary J. Blige, Bryan-Michael Cox & Jason Perry, songwriters (Mary J. Blige)
“Jesus, Take The Wheel,” Brett James, Hillary Lindsey & Gordie Sampson, songwriters (Carrie Underwood)
“Not Ready To Make Nice,” Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Emily Robison & Dan Wilson, songwriters (Dixie Chicks)
“Put Your Records On,” John Beck, Steve Chrisanthou & Corinne Bailey Rae, songwriters (Corinne Bailey Rae)

New artist

James Blunt
Chris Brown
Imogen Heap
Corinne Bailey Rae
Carrie Underwood

Posted by cmacias at 10:58 AM | Comments |