The Seven Song Itch - My Grammy Moments

Previously know as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (N.A.R.A.S., or the Academy), the Grammys is a one of the oldest and most established awards ceremony, but who are the members of the Academy anyway?  The Academy is comprised of vocalists, conductors, songwriters, composers, engineers, producers, instrumentalists, arrangers, art directors, album notes writers, narrators, and music video artists and technicians.  Record companies do not vote, so it’s the individuals, and not the labels, that give the recognition.

Unlike other award shows, the Grammys commits to several initiatives.  With programs like the GRAMMYs on the Hill, GRAMMY U, MusiCares, and GRAMMY in the Schools, the Academy gives back and supports great music in many genres.  There are currently 29 fields (Pop, Gospel, Classical, etc.) and 78 categories within those fields.

I’ve been asked, on many occasions, what is the difference between Record of the Year, and Song of the Year.  According to the Grammys web page, in the FAQ section (http://www.grammy.org/grammy-awards/voting/faqs), the “The Record Of The Year category recognizes the artist’s performance as well as the overall contributions of the producer(s), recording engineer(s) and/or mixer(s) if other than the artist. The Song Of The Year category recognizes the songwriter(s).”

As a writer, I am more sympathetic to the Song of the Year category, although I acknowledge that the whole process of producing a record is crucial to the success of a song.  Now, more than ever, in this age of name recognition of producers, recording studios, and engineers, a lot of the great music that we hear would not be possible if it weren’t for them.

With this Seven Song Itch, I am looking back at the last six Song of the Year awards with my current prediction for this year’s award.  Here are the live versions from previous broadcasts and other live performances. 

1. U2-"Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own", Songwriters: Lyrics by Bono, Music by U2—48^th Grammy Awards

2. Dixie Chicks-"Not Ready to Make Nice", Songwriters: Martie Maguire, Natalie Maines, Emily Robison & Dan Wilson—49^th Grammy Awards

3. Amy Winehouse "Rehab", Songwriter: Amy Winehouse—50^th Grammy Awards

4. Coldplay-"Viva la Vida", Songwriters: Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin—51^st Grammy Awards

5. Beyoncé -"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", Songwriters: Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart—52^nd Grammy Awards

6. Lady Antebellum-"Need You Now", Songwriters: Dave Haywood, Josh Kear, Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott– 53^rd Grammy Awards

7. Adele-"Rolling in the Deep", Songwriters: Adele & Paul Epworth – 54^th Grammy Awards (my prediction)

The Seven Song Itch - Soul Sister Revival

Soul is in the ear of the beholder, or rather—in the voice of the singer.  As a child of the 70’s, I grew up hearing my fair share of soul stirring songs, so I take delight in these vocalists.  Now, I’m not a stickler for the past, on the contrary, my taste has a rather international flavor and with each new song I consider myself lucky to sample such a diverse selection.  In all honesty, I could rattle off Soul Icons all day, but I wanted to get a different point of view.  And yes, I've missed a myriad of singers, but this is just a sampler. Theses seven songs represent a partial British Invasion, with a couple of country gals thrown in the mix, of a Soul Sister Revival.

1. Joss Stone-“Drive All Night” (2011)

This lady is too young to be singing like this. Miss Stone is compared to many soul masters, but cuts her own piece of the chess pie with this song. Sometimes we all feel like a fool for love, but you complete me Joss—I would drive all night for you.  Footnote: In one of her live videos for this song, she shares a story of a lad that flew all the way from L.A. to pick her up from her flat and drive her to an appointment outside of London that she had the next morning.

2. Adele-“Someone Like You”(2011)

The mourning of a relationship can reduce you ruble. The exquisite sentiment conveyed in this ballad shows that some wounds will never heal. It isn’t easy seeing someone you love with someone new, but in order to heal you have to realize when it’s time to move on.

3. Duffy-“Warwick Avenue”(2008)

This cathartic tearjerker puts you in right smack dab the middle of a final breakup. I find that by the time she finishes the song, a good cry is on the way, as it was for Duffy in the video. Final words need to be said, and the sadness comes in the realization that a relationship is never going to work.

4. Amy Winehouse with Tony Bennett-“Body and Soul”(2011)

Though Amy’s musical roots are firmly planted in the girl groups of the 60’s, she eases in to the balladeer frontier with this soulful duet with masterful crooner Tony Bennett. It is her swan song as she passes into eternity. Amy is standing in front of us—begging to be loved.

5. Sheryl Crow-“Sign Your Name”(2010)

This cover version of Terence Trent D'Arby’s song from his first album (1987) works very well with Crows breathy vocal candor. It has a vintage Memphis-styled, soul-inspired feel, which finds Sheryl slipping her way into your heart, which makes you wannna stand up and shout, “Have Mercy!”

6. Martina McBride-“Whatcha Gonna Do”(2011)

Even cowgirls get the blues, and Martina is working it out for herself with this song. She’s giving him one last chance to do right, but knows deep within her heart that it’s over. She’s walking out the door, in an awful amount of hurt and frustration.

7. Dionne Bromfield – “Good For The Soul”

Dionne is part of the new British invasion and I look forward to hearing more from this soulful singer.  She signed to Amy Winehouse's Lioness Records label in 2009, and has two releases under her belt.  Dionne’s sound is reminiscent of Atlantic/Philly Soul singers, though she was born way beyond its heyday.  It’s great to see a great genre of music come into the new millennium with new breath.