DISCLAIMER: Some of the videos in this blog will no longer be available after a while due to ownership laws and such. So, enjoy them while you can, I'll try to get replacements if they expire.

Needless to say, the 2008 50th anniversary of the Grammys did accomplish its job of putting a successful and variety filled show. With America's most successful musical acts and artists being, nominated, featured and honored for their influence on music, the show did little to fail the senses by covering a decent amount of genres and shedding much light to those e who have been incredibly successful in mainstream and billboard charts.

I had several moments that certainly gave me pleasure. But I think I was more moved by two artists in particular throughout the night more than anything else. But we'll get there in a minute. As always, I like to start at the beginning. The incomparable Alicia Keys opened up what will most definitely be an everlasting moment in history. This lady is focused on her craft and after watching her butterfly wings sprout so full of color through the past 7 years, it is clear to see that we have a Queen amongst us. She is undoubtedly come a long way from the days of her first acceptance speech/performance as a young fearless, New Yorker into what can only be defined now as a universal power and an amazing Superwoman, developing from this:



Into this:







This classic lady will continue to woo us into the palm of her hands as she continues to blossom into a continuing growing force in music and beyond. I would be remiss if i didn't also mention how she won the very first award of the broadcasted show, for Best R&B Female, which was handed to her by none other than one of her major influences, the everlasting Prince. Can we say full circle? The future holds much, that's for sure.

So now let's move on to another moment that definitely embraced my heart, Cirque du Soleil's Beatles tribute Cirque Du Soleil LOVE As an eternal lover of the Beatles sound and all that they have contributed as a band to music, I was entranced by the Cirque Du Soleil's glorious ways of making such beautiful songs into such powerful art. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen, and will certainly be looking into seeing the actual show at some point! Let it Be is one of the most powerful statements that were ever made, if only our minds could wrap around the full concept of it. In PEACE there is always an answer. "Let it be, there will be an answer", is just inexplicable how much truth rings to that sentence, and I feel that we should all take that into consideration. I mean, can you imagine a world where we would allow the things that seem so terrible and gray, that seem so gruesome and unchanging, if these things, rather than pushing against them, we'd let them be??? It sounds crazy right? wrap your brain around it fully and you just may get the grip of what the deepest level of this truly means.

Ok, so let's talk about my absolute favorite moment. Kanye West has been in my heart since the moment he landed. And through "nay-sayers" and haters, I have never been one to listen to the rest of the pack and stop loving him. When his mother transferred to the other side, last year, I was utterly concerned for him and his heart. Seeing how close they were in and out of the spotlight, and knowing so much *mostly from his lyrics* how much he adored her and how she was truly his rock, it's an unimaginable feeling to lose her. Tonight's performance was his first major television performance since she passed and I felt his heart in every beat of his performance. His unimaginable pain and connection to his everlasting guardian angel, his mother, was what moved through him in this performance. Stronger was the absolute perfect song to perform. His dignity, his pride, his still painful heart, and his overall perseverance to BE who HE IS, was unreal. I was moved by the Stronger performance to continue on my path and remember that "that don't kill me, can only make me stronger". He is another true legend *you'll see* that will last for years in our ears and through the pages of music history. His story is real, his impact is real and his legacy will be real.







This was too much for my heart. As a daughter and a mother, I definitely let the tears run down on this one. It was too real not to feel!

Clearly Kanye's passion has kept audiences and executives weary of his ways with words. It was unfortunate to see how the show *almost* interrupted Kanye's speech. His honesty, nonetheless, proved to keep things afloat.





Beyonce & Tina Turner was a definite highlight. Not just because of the greatness that blessed the stage between the two. But the actual intro, by Beyonce alone was off the hook. She showed her love and her showmanship all in the name of music. Her bond with the irreplaceable (umm, do you understand that this woman is 68 years old, killin it on stage, still?!?!?!) Tina Turner, was amazing to see. I know that Beyonce was highly influenced by her See Just How Much Tina's Influenced Miss Bee So it was def dope to get a glimpse of two generations coming together (which the Grammy's are known to do).







It was real nice to see Fergie a bit more sensitive and vulnerable. Even, with her voice cause she def got some power in that voice. She looked beautiful. I've known about this girl since the days of Disney's Kids Incorporated (ummm, yeah I just showed my age now, but whateva lol) She's emerging, and I think this track is a pinnacle in her life. She is engaged now and has accomplished releasing her own album. She seems complete. And what better partner to do this song with than (my lover lol) John Legend? I only have one negative thing to say about this moment, I wanted to really take in Kanye's moment, and the fact that they quickly moved from his powerful performance to hers just didn't make much sense to me. I guess the producers felt it was the way to go, but I feel that both parties would have benefited from allowing us to soak up Ye's moment and seen Fergie perform her song at a later more singled out moment. I certainly would have enjoyed it better. But for those of you who missed the show, you'll enjoy the clipping of the net!





So, much may be said (or not said) about Kid Rock's performance with the legendary Keely Smith of "That Old Black Magic". Here's my take on it. As a choir girl myself (NBHS Advanced/Concert Choir STAND UP!!! lol) I lovvvveee this adorable song. I think in choir we had to sing it a couple of years in a row. If we didn't I suppose we rehearsed it so damn much that I still love (and know) the song word by word. SO, I thought it was hella cute. Maybe I only see the best of him, but I like Kid Rock. Not a huge fan of all of his music but based on his broadcasted appearances, the dude seems real down to earth. And Keely Smith was such a cute and seemingly lovable sweet lady that I couldn't resist! I thought it was real cute to have the whole, sweet older lady and rugged crazy, rock & roll/country fellow crooning together. It was cute. 'Nouf said. But, no clip of that, cause like I said, much may be said or NOT about this Grammy moment.

Alicia Keys & John Mayer were again a fly connection, as usual. The two are geniuses. They do what they do and they do it well. But I think that since the song was fresh and clean back at the 2007 VMA's the performance had way more of an enigmatic effect. She looked fly as always I BLOGGED ALL ABOUT THE FASHION HERE . And this song is def everlasting. This version was more musically magical. But you be the judge. Here are both performances of last night:

..


and last year:








Now, if you love Herbie Hancock, you enjoyed Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. I had heard of Lang Lang, the 25 year old world renowned pianist that tickled my spine, but watching this performance was AMAZING. I mean baby boy's 25, his whole swagger and his talent are beyond comprehension for me. I was stupefied by watching one of the best ever in history, Hancock, side by side with this amazing young pianist. Needless to say the orchestra was also goose-bump status for me. I dug it, my son Jayden dug it, so that's my stamp of approval. It was so amazing.



So, now my final wrap. I am a really big fan of Miss Amy Winehouse. As a comfortable Alto, I love it when a woman takes her voice as low as Tenor and even down to Cassandra Wilson bass. So since this lady dropped, I have played her album out! Seeing her perform live was a treat. And although I've caught some raw, live stuff of hers from her MySpace and such, I never saw her in her element the way I did at the Grammys. Just to recap, she had initially not been permitted to come into the US (her visa was allegedly denied due to failing drug tests) and then when it was finally approved it was too late so she was sent to us via satellite from London. Well, here's my view on it all. I think that the universe yielded to this woman because she was clearly in her element as she performed. I don't think that we would have gotten such a truthful representation of this Amy's talent if it would have been live from LA. There is something so borderline disturbing about Amy Winehouse's stage presence, so much so that I know it's because of that, that she is so deserving of all her success. The woman is REAL, as real as it can get. And to allow your art to channel through the most real environment defines the term artist to me. Her truth not just during her performance but during her acceptance speech (she looked like a deer in headlights, she was so shocked lol) was endearing and I love her just some more because of it. I'm happy for her. And believe that just like the Giants (YEAH!) the underdogs have shined again. Both Kanye West and Amy Winehouse get extremely scrutinized for their ability to simply not give a fcuk. It's admirable. I love it.

..






So, any thoughts??

That just about wraps me up folks. Stay connected for my future chats as there will be more and more coming along. love&light ~a