Opinion - Grammy Award Nominations

The nominations for the 60th GRAMMY Awards were announced this week. We asked Steve Taylor-Bryant to pick a few favourites. This may not have been a good idea...



Do I want to give my thoughts and predictions for this years Grammy awards, I was asked. No, I replied. Billy Joel hasn’t released an album since 1993 so I don’t bother with the event anymore, an explanation that drew a blank look on the face opposite me in the office (by the way, when a sentence starts with “let me rephrase this” it is not going to end well for anyone.) So here I am, sat at my desk with all the Grammy nominated artists spread out in front of me and very few of the names are familiar. I haven’t ever been ‘down wit da yoof’, and if I was it would have been in around 1987, so you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t mention every category [Thank goodness, there's 84! - Ed] but my soul is already dying trying to work out what the difference between New Age Jazz Ensemble and Contemporary Bluegrass Jazz duo is [they aren’t the category names, I knew you’d fallen asleep - Ed]. So I’ll mention categories that I recognise words in, I’ll pick winners from these categories but I warn you they will be artists I’ve actually heard of so don’t use my predictions down the bookies as they will be wrong, and once I can’t be bothered to type out more categories then I’ll just list some worthy folk.

Best New Artist

Alessia Cara
Khalid
Lil Uzi Vert
Julia Michaels
SZA



I’ve got to go for Khalid here. Not because I’ve heard of any of the artists but because the name reminds me of The Great Khali, a WWE wrestler.

Record of the Year



Redbone - Childish Gambino

Despacito - Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Whatshisface [Bieber. Now who is being childish - Ed]

Humble - Kendrick Lamar

The Story of O.J. - Jay Z

24k Magic - Bruno Mars



I’ve actually heard of some of these folk! Jay Z is the rap dude that was in Linkin Park for a while or something, but I’m selecting Childish Gambino for the win because Nate McKenzie has heard of him and he’s the coolest guy I know [you need more/better friends - Ed]

Album of the Year



Awaken My Love - Childish Gambino

4:44 - Jay Z

Damn - Kendrick Lamar

Melodrama - Lorde

24k Magic - Bruno Mars



I’ll actually take this segment seriously as I know this is the big prize. I also think my choice to win has a good chance. Lorde.

Rock Performance



You Want it Darker - Leonard Cohen

The Promise - Chris Cornell

Run - Foo Fighters

No Good - Kaleo

Go To War - Nothing More



This is a tough one. Foo Fighters are the hot young thing I’m led to understand, Chris Cornell’s sad passing affected lots of us and should probably get it on that note, but I can’t see a list with Leonard Cohen on it and not vote for him.

Rock Album



Emperor of Sand - Mastodon

Hardwired... To Self Destruct - Metallica

The Stories We Tell Ourselves - Nothing More

Villains - Queens of the Stone Age

A Deeper Understanding - The War On Drugs



What, no Bon Jovi? That sucks. Although Queens of the Stone Age are incredibly awesome so let’s go for them.

Rap Album



4:44 - Jay Z

Damn. - Kendrick Lamar

Culture - Migos

Laila’s Wisdom - Rapsody

Flower Boy - Tyler, The Creator



I suppose we have to let Jay Z win one of these hadn’t we? Poor guy needs the recognition.

Spoken Word Album



Astrophysics for People in a Hurry - Neil deGrasse Tyson

Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen

Confessions of a Serial Songwriter - Shelly Peiken

Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In - Bernie Sanders and Mark Ruffalo

The Princess Diarist - Carrie Fisher



This is my favourite of all the awards this year, with the exception of Shelly Peiken’s album which I’m sure is wonderful, I have actually listened to all the others. Winning hands down because everything she did was magnificent is Carrie Fisher.

Other mentionable things...



Comedy Album - go for Sarah Silverman here.



Compilation Soundteack - GotG will win but Baby Driver is my nod.



Score Soundtrack - has to be Hans Zimmer. Has to be Dunkirk.



Boxed or Limited Edition - Lovely Creatures: The Best of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds (1984 - 2014)



For the Complete list of nominees in ALL 84 categories (yes, eighty four) please visit the Grammy's website



Images - Recording Academy/Amazon