2010 Grammy Nominees CD
Capitol/Virgin Records
Looking at the list of Grammy nominees is daunting. Printed out straight from the Web site, it’s 78 pages of categories and artist names. Who has time to look through each, listen to the ballads listed and theorize who will win? It’s not a task I envy. However, the idea of being able to listen to a few of 2009’s most memorable songs in one sitting is appealing. For those unaware, The Recording Academy compiles such a list and puts it to disc. This has taken place for the past decade and a half. This year marks the 16th time a Grammy Nominees Compilation CD hits store shelves and proceeds from sales benefit the MusiCares Foundation and Grammy Foundation.
Available Jan. 19, the 2010 Grammy Nominees Compilation CD features 20 songs from artists spanning multiple genres — rock, pop, country, hip-hop and cross genres in between — and multiple categories. All in all, it’s 79 minutes of some of 2009’s best songs. It begins with the Black Eyed Peas’ “I Gotta Feeling” and ends with an Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood duo. I had forgotten some of the tunes were released just last year. Thanks to constant radio rotation, some feel they’ve been around longer than just a year. Examples? The Fray’s “You Found Me,” Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody,” Green Day’s “21 Guns,” P!nk’s “Sober,” Katy Perry’s “Hot N Cold” and anything by Taylor Swift. What I love about this CD is it contains diversity like I’ve never heard before. Kudos to the folks at EMI Music who mixed this album. It blends seamlessly from pop to rock, back to pop, then R&B/soul, country and eventually back to rock. Newbies and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are made equals because together they made 2009 a magical year musically.
Artists featured on the disc are up for many of the most recognizable categories: Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Best Pop Vocal Album, Best Country Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals, and Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group with Vocals. This year’s mix looks different from last year’s. 2009 included hip-hop/R&B musicians like Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne and Estelle. Some of last year’s nominees, however, are featured on this year’s compilation album; that makes two years in a row for them: P!nk, Katy Perry, Adele and Coldplay.
Last year came across as a year of drama for many artists. Katy Perry battled critics’ opinions on “I Kissed a Girl,” and Taylor Swift had to put up with Kanye West taking away from her moment of glory at the MTV Video Music Awards. The year was notable for other, better reasons as well. Lady Gaga made a tidal wave globally, dropping six singles since she came out with her 2008 album. Reaching No. 1 in multiple countries, I don’t think anyone was expecting a glam pop-rocker to shine just as much as squeaky clean country-pop artist Taylor Swift. Let’s hope this year’s 52nd annual Grammy Awards are drama-free and the best artist in each category truly wins.
Visit the Grammy Awards Web site for more information on this year’s nominated artists. The Grammys air Jan. 31.
