Woman power at the Grammys

It was music’s biggest night and all the stars came down to shine at the 2007 Grammy Awards. Held last Sunday, Feb. 11 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and which, thanks to Star World we got live on Monday morning, the event drew out the biggest names ever. Even Al Gore came. They came to see if they will win those little gramophones like new guy James Blunt; to perform, like the reassembled Police; to present like the legendary Joan Baez; to be honored like Smokey Robinson and the Eagles; or simply to join the fun.

And no one had more fun or was as happy as Mary J. Blige. Truth to tell, I thought of calling this piece The Crowning of Mary. Although the R ’n B diva had been around for 15 years, she had never won at the Grammys. This year she got three in the field of R ’n B, Best Female Vocal Performance and Best Song for Be Without You, and Best Album for The Breakthrough.

But then if I focus on Mary, that would be unfair to American Idol Season IV Carrie Underwood. She got three on her try, Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for the song Jesus Take the Wheel which was also named Best Country Song. She also made her Grammy performance debut in a tribute to country music with also hot newcomer Rascal Flatts. Unlike Season I winner Kelly Clarkson, Carrie thanked American Idol for her success.

And what about the Dixie Chicks? The controversial trio was in a career slump after some anti-Bush statements but they still preferred not to be nice to get their point across. As a result, they won all the big prizes, Album of the Year and Best Country Album for Taking The Long Way, and the Record and Song of the Year plus Country Vocal Performance by a Group for Not Ready to Make Nice.

There was also petite Christina Aguilera, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance winner for Ain’t No Other Man, who could fill the huge stage with her voice and the stunning Beyonce also a winner for Best Contemporary R ’n B Album, B’Day.

I have no complaints about the guys. The Red Hot Chili Peppers did very well with Stadium Arcadium. But you have to admit that with Mary, who did two standing-ovation meriting numbers, plus Carrie whose wins everybody was happy about or the irreverent Dixie Chicks and others, females were in full power at the Grammys.

Here are some of the other winners:

Male Pop Vocal: Waiting on the World to Change, John Mayer.

Duo or Group Pop Vocal: My Humps, The Black Eyed Peas.

Pop Collaboration Vocal: For Once in My Life, Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder

Pop Instrumental: Mornin’ George Benson and Al Jarreau.

Pop Instrumental Album: Fingerprints, Peter Frampton.

Pop Vocal Album: Continuum, John Mayer

Traditional Pop Album: Duets An American Classic, Tony Bennett.

Rock Solo Vocal: Someday Baby, Bob Dylan

Rock Duo or Group Vocal: Dani California, Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Hard Rock Vocal: Woman, Wolfmother.

Metal Vocal: Eyes of the Insane, Slayer.

Rock Instrumental: Black Hole Sun, Peter Frampton.

Rock Song: Dani California, Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Rock Album: Stadium Arcadium, Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Alternative Music Album: St. Elsewhere, Gnarls Barkley.

Dance Recording: Sexy Back, Justin Timberlake and Timbaland.

Electronic/Dance Album: Confessions on a Dance Floor, Madonna.

Male R ’n B Vocal: Heaven, John Legend.

Duo or Group R ’n B Vocal: Family Affair, Sly & The Family Stone, John Legend, Joss Stone with Van Hunt.

Traditional R ’n B Vocal: God Bless the Child, George Benson and Al Jarreau featuring Jill Scott.

Urban Alternative Vocal: Crazy, Gnarls Barkley..

Rap Solo: What You Know, T.I.

Rap by a Duo or Group: Ridin, Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone.

Rap/Sung Collaboration: My Love, Justin Timberlake featuring T.I.

Rap Song: Money Maker, Ludacris featuring Pharrell.

Rap Album: Release Therapy, Ludacris

Musical Show Album: Jersey Boys

Compilation Soundtrack Album: Walk the Line.

Score Soundtrack Album: Memoirs of a Geisha

Song Written for a Motion Picture, etc.: Our Town from Cars.

Short Form Music Video: Here It Goes Again, OK Go.

Long Form Music Video: Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run.

Now on its 49th year, the Grammys honored achievements for the period of Oct. 1, 2005 to Sept. 30, 2006. Voters were members of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. There was no texting, so you can bet the choices came from people who know the music business, most of them previous Grammy winners.

This does not mean though that there was no texting. These bring in revenue and I still have to see a producer refuse income. Text votes were used to choose an unknown singer who will do a duet with Justin Timberlake. The winner from over 1000 entries was Robyn Troup and judging from the enthusiastic reaction, we can expect more text gimmicks from the Grammys in the future.