THE 54TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS

The shocking death of Whitney Houston the day before this year's Grammy Awards cast a somber shadow over the ceremony but host, LL Cool J addressed it from the start with a prayer for the singer. It has been seven years since there had been an actual host for the program and he had a difficult job but LL did great by returning the focus on to the music and keeping the show moving in the right direction.

The show kicked off with Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band performing a rousing rendition of their latest single, "We Take Care Of Our Own"  from his forthcoming album. Although this was supposed to be a celebration of the music of the previous year but some artists took this as an opportunity to present recent material such as Katy Perry, Paul McCartney and most notably, Nicki Minaj who seemed to be desperately courting controversy while performing her latest song, "Roman Holiday" with a bizarre set that involved demonic possession, a priest, and an exorcism.

There were many highlights which included a great duet by Alicia Keys and Bonnie Raitt that paid tribute to the late Etta James with her classic, "A Sunday Kind Of Love" before presenting the first award of the evening, Bruno Mars and his band in matching gold tuxes, channeling a James Brown vibe with his energetic tune, "Runaway Baby", The Foo Fighters rocking out to an appreciative crowd outside of the Staples Center, the terrific two minutes of a song by country act, The Civil Wars before they introduced Taylor Swift who actually impressed me with her song, "Mean" (and I'm not really much of a fan) and a very moving performance by Jennifer Hudson of "I Will Always Love You" to honor Ms Houston.

There were other musical tributes: one for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Beach Boys that featured Maroon 5 and Foster The People and the other for Glen Campbell which lined up country stars, The Band Perry and Blake Sheldon. None of these acts could even come close to the originals and that became more apparent when a reunited Beach Boys and Mr Campbell (who is on his final tour due to being recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's) took the stage.

Rihanna performed a high-energy version of "We Found Love" with an army of sexy dancers and Coldplay did a great version of "Paradise" but when the two acts came together to do an acoustic version of "Princess Of China", a song off of Coldplay's album, it was underwhelming to say the least.

Dance music was finally acknowledged on the program that featured David Guetta (with Chris Brown and Lil' Wayne), Deadmau5 and, for some unclear reason, The Foo Fighters who are not the first band to come to mind when it comes to this music.

The only low point was the performance of Chris Brown of his new single, "Turn Up The Music". I am not a fan at all, most especially after the whole Rihanna incident but I have to admit I like the song and he put on a good show although it was more about his dance moves than about actually singing. I am very surprised he won the Grammy for Best R&B Album. Now, I guess it's about the work and not the person's behavior yet you still have to wonder what message it's saying to people.

The most anticipated moment of the evening was from the ultimate big winner, Adele who won all six of the Grammys she was nominated for. Newly blond and looking quite glamorous, Adele sang "Rolling In The Deep" for the first time since undergoing vocal surgery last year. While she sounded slightly tentative at times and didn't push her voice too much but it was still a dazzling moment with her receiving a long, standing ovation.

Overall, it was a very emotional but highly entertaining evening filled with some amazing performances, although the awards themselves seem to become more of an afterthought every year.

This a partial list of  the 2011 Grammy Awards winners:

Album Of The Year:
"21"  — Adele

Record Of The Year:
"Rolling In The Deep" — Adele

Best New Artist:
Bon Iver

Song Of The Year:
"Rolling In The Deep" — Adele Adkins & Paul Epworth, songwriters (Adele)

Best Pop Solo Performance:
"Someone Like You" — Adele

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
"Body And Soul"  — Tony Bennett & Amy Winehouse

Best Dance Recording:
"Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites" — Skrillex

Best Dance/Electronica Album:
"Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites"  — Skrillex

Best Rock Performance:
"Walk"  — Foo Fighters

Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance::
"White Limo"  — Foo Fighters

Best Rock Album:
"Wasting Light"  — Foo Fighters

Best Alternative Music Album:
"Bon Iver"  — Bon Iver

Best Traditional R&B Performance:
"Fool For You"  — Cee Lo Green & Melanie Fiona

Best R&B Album:
"F.A.M.E." — Chris Brown

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration:
"All Of The Lights"  — Kanye West, Rihanna, Kid Cudi & Fergie

Best Rap Performance:
"Otis"  — Jay-Z & Kanye West

Best Rap Album:
"My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy"  — Kanye West

Best Country Solo Performance:
"Mean"  — Taylor Swift

Best Country Song:
"Mean"  — Taylor Swift, songwriter (Taylor Swift)

Best Americana Album:
"Ramble At The Ryman"  — Levon Helm

Best Blues Album:
"Revelator"  — Tedeschi Trucks Band

Best Folk Album:
"Barton Hollow"  — The Civil Wars

Best Country Album:
"Own the Night"  — Lady Antebellum

For complete list of the winners, please go to:
Grammy.com

WHITNEY HOUSTON (1963 - 2012)

I am so very, very sad to report that the legendary pop/r&b singer, Whitney Houston has passed away today. I am so distraught right now because she was one of my all-time favorite singers and she seemed to be doing so much better. It feels like I lost a member of my family.

Although the cause of death is unknown at this time but it is fair to speculate that it may have been substance- abuse related. Regardless, it doesn't take away from the fact that she was one of the world's best vocalist in pop music and there is no one out there that can truly compare to what she could do with a song. Her style, her grace and her timeless beauty will never be forgotten.

My condolences go out to her family and may she rest in peace.

These are a few of my favorite Whitney Houston songs:

"Saving All My Love For You" - Whitney Houston (1985)

"All At Once" - Whitney Houston (1985)

"Fine" - Whitney Houston (2000)

Here are some videos that showcase the talent and the beauty of Ms Houston:

MADONNA'S BACK IN THE GAME

Unless you have just recently come out of a coma, then you should be aware that Madonna is back in the spotlight.

Madonna doesn't do anything small and she has come back in a big way; not only has the second feature film that she co-wrote and directed , "W.E." been officially released, her long awaited 12th studio album, "MDNA" is due on March 26th but she was the half-time show for this year's Super Bowl.

I have to say I'm extremely disappointed in the lead single, "Give Me All Your Luving". From the lame opening chant (Y-O-U you wanna, L-U-V Madonna) to the uninspired lyrics and too familiar melody to the complete-waste-of-their-talent cameos by Nicki Minaj and M.I.A, this song is a complete lackluster affair and it's not even good enough to be campy. And I'm going to say it; she is just way to old to be singing a pop song more appropriate for a fifteen year old.

As for her Super Bowl appearance,  Madonna has certainly packed a lot of entertainment in twelve minutes. As she is wheeled out to the stage on a chariot dragged by oiled and muscle-bound gladiators, Madonna first launches in to "Vogue" dressed as a gold and leather clad Cleopatra, followed by "Music" which features an appearance by current hit makers, LMFAO that is merged with their songs "Party Rock Anthem" and "Sexy and I Know It". Her latest song is performed with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A in attendance, then Cee-Lo Green and a marching band arrives to do a snippet of "Open Your Heart" before closing with "Like A Prayer" along with Cee-Lo and the world's largest choir. By the end of the song, Madonna disappears behind a cloud of smoke with a lit up message on the stage proclaiming "World Peace". It was a good show and Madonna looked great with all of her trademark moves on display despite some injuries that occurred during rehearsals. It was an over-the-top spectacle but why should it have been anything less and yes, Elton - she did lip-sync really well.

This is the music video for Madonna's new single and the video's not much better than the song:

DON CORNELIUS (1936-2012)

I was very sad to hear that Don Cornelius, the creator and host of the television show, "Soul Train" had passed away today.

As a child, I remember always looking forward on Saturdays to first watching "American Bandstand" and then turning on "Soul Train". The show was very important to my musical development and brought me so much joy and excitement that I just couldn't wait until next Saturday.

Mr Cornelius was instrumental in bringing r&b in to the households of not only America but to the rest of the world. "Soul Train" gave exposure to established performers but also introduced many new artists on the program when they didn't have many other venues available at that time. Don Cornelius was a true visionary and his contributions to music was just as important as the musical artists themselves.

I wish him eternal peace, love and soul.

In tribute, here are a few examples of my favorite part of "Soul Train" - The line dance. It was the perfect opportunity for people to get some extra-special face time on the show, present some fabulous fashions and show off the latest dance moves:





And who could forget the "Soul Train" scramble:

LANA DEL REY: WHY THE FUSS?

There has been plenty of recent buzz about alt-rock vocalist, Lana Del Rey although most of it seems to have been negative due to her recent live performance on "Saturday Night Live" on January 14th. People seem to think she's more hype than the real deal, like the second coming of Rebecca Black.

I really don't understand what all this fuss is about. You could tell she seemed a little nervous as she hasn't done much singing in front of an audience but as far as her actual vocals are concerned, she sounded exactly like her records.

Personally, I think her music is fine but certainly nothing to get too excited about. She seems to be the latest in the tradition of Tori Amos and Fiona Apple as another icy beauty who whines and wails on about her troubles in life and love.

The twenty-five year old's first album, "Born To Die" is due to be released on January 24th but it has leaked on the Internet. I've heard a few songs and this is one that I like:

"Summertime Sadness" - Lana Del Rey (2012)

MY FAVORITE MOMENTS IN MUSIC FOR 2011

This is a collection of some of my favorite tunes from 2011. I had posted other songs that I had luved throughout the past year, so these are the best of the rest:

Nicki Minaj - "Super Bass" from "Pink Friday"

Foster The People - "Pumped Up Kicks" from "Torches"

Ledisi - "Pieces of Me" from "Pieces of Me"

Lykke Li - "Get Some" from "Wounded Rhymes"

Jay-Z & Kanye West - "Niggas In Paris" from "Watch The Throne"

Florence + The Machine - "Breaking Down" from "Ceremonials"

Cee-Lo Green featuring Melanie Fiona - "Fool For You" from "The Ladykiller"

Adele - "Rumor Has It " from "21"

Mayer Hawthorne - "Work To Do" from "Impressions - The Covers EP"

Mayer Hawthorne - "No Strings" from "How Do You Do"

Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne & Busta Rhymes - "Look At Me Now" from "F.A.M.E."

El DeBarge featuring Faith Evans - "Lay With You" from "Second Chance"

Coldplay - "Hurts Like Heaven" from "Mylo Xyloto"

Lalah Hathaway - "If You Want To" from "Where It All Begins"

Little Dragon - "Nightlight"  from "Ritual Union"

ETTA JAMES (1938-2012)

The original bad girl of r&b, Etta James passed away yesterday, five days before her seventy-fourth birthday. She had been in poor health for the past few years.

Born Jamesetta Hawkins, this respected and legendary singer had been honored with six Grammy Awards including the Hall of Fame and was inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Ms James had many chart-topping hits over the years but will always be remembered for her stirring rendition of "At Last".

Etta James had a very turbulent life that included a difficult childhood, drug addiction and her recent battle with dementia and leukemia but whenever she is thought of, it will be for her amazing, glorious voice and the ability to make any song truly her own.

"I'd Rather Go Blind" - Etta James (1967)

"Something's Got A Hold Of Me" - Etta James (1962)

This was her last live appearance on "Dancing With The Stars" in 2009 performing her signature song,  "At Last":