The 2011 Grammy Awards..What a Night!

I have to tell you, I never miss the Grammy Awards. In my opinion the Grammys are always very well put together. this year was not exception. I thought that I would just share with you a few of my favorite moments in the 2011 Grammy's as well as some of my thoughts.

What better way to start the show than with that amazing tribute to Aretha Franklin, "The Queen Of Soul". As many of you may or may not know, Aretha, has been sick over the past year and could not be present at the Grammys this year, but she sent a video, to express her thanks and gratitude for all of the well wishes and prayers that she's received from her fellow artists and her fans.

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Then of course there was that incredible performance by Bruno Mars! He did a 50's, 60's style rendition of his hit song "Grenade" complete with black and white film footage! He's such a multi talent! Bruno also performed a trio with B.o.B. and Janelle Monet. Congrats to Bruno for coming away with a Grammy for Male Pop Vocal Performance: "Just The Way You Are".

Bruno Mars in rehearsals for his big Grammy performance

Another highlight of the show for me was Esperanza Spalding and her win for Best New Artist (I like Justin and all, but come on!) Esperanza is an incredibly gifted young lady who's been working her butt off to hone her craft since the age of four! Well done!



Ahhhh and who could get past Jusin Bieber's performance with Jaden Smith!! Will and Jada had me smiling from ear to ear! they were your typical proud and supportive parents! I Loved it!!



And can we talk about Eminem!!! I know...his language can get a little rated R, but his performance was awesome! Eminem was the hard core Grammy favorite with 10 nominations. He didn't score all 10, but he did come away with " Best Rap Album", and "Best Rap Solo Performance".



So we've covered what I liked about the 2011 Grammy's.....now for what I didn't like.....

How could Sade not win the one Grammy that she was nominated for, "Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals".....this is Sade we're talking about people! don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the winner's, "Train"...but Sade god ripped off! but She did win for "Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals"....I would love to post a video of here acceptance accept for the fact that they didn't televise that category.

The second thing that I didn't like was that so many of the other categories weren't even televised! They didn't even have any of the major Latin Artist nominees perform! Pete's sake, I would have rather watched Alejandro Sanz  perform with Alicia Keys that watch Lady Gaga any day!

 (Oh by the way if you want to try and find the winners of the Latin Categories on the official Grammy list of nominees and winners, you'll have to scroll all the way down to number 57...but at least Alejandro wasn't number 109. That honor was saved for "Best Long Form Music Video" Zzzzzzzzz)

Well...with the Grammy's over and done, we're on to the Premio Lo Nuestro.....then we'll be able to get our Latin Groove On!! ESSSSSSSO!

~Peace

Premios Grammy 2011 - Una noche Inolvidable!

La edición numero 53 de los Premios de GRAMMY ha llegado a su final y fue una noche enorme para Lady Antebellum y Miranda Lambert pues las dos se llevaron numerosos premios. ¡Dejenme contarles sobre mis momentos favoritos de la noche, porque hubieron varios!

El espectáculo abrió con Jenifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, Yolanda Adams y Marinca McBride haciéndole un tributo a Aretha Franklin. Las canciones incluyeron “Natural Woman” (Mujer Natural), ‘Ain’t No Way”, (De Ninguna Manera), y “Knock on your Door” (Tocando en tu puerta). Las voces de estas grandes cantantes se mesclaron muy armoniosamente y al mismo tiempo dejando relucir el tono de cada una de sus voces. Disfrute mucho esta presentación!

Un gracioso video del 2007 de Justin Bieber y Usher cuando se conocieron y Justin le canto a Usher para ver si a el le gustaba. El el video Usher le dice. “Aquí estamos, cuatro años después y dije que si estaba escrito en nuestro destino encontrarnos de nuevo pues así pasaría, y aquí estamos.” ¡Justin Bieber, nos deleito con una una gran interpretación la cual disfrute muchísimo! Él comenzó con un solo de guitarra acústico de "Baby" (Bebé) seguido por "Never Say Never” (Nunca Decir Nunca), en la cual fue acompañado por el chulísimo Jaden Smith. Estas dos preciosuras me robaron el corazón porque son unos artistas muy jóvenes y tienen mucho talento. ¡Y hablando de tocarme el corazón, me encanto la forma en que los padres de Jaden Smith lo miraban mientras cantaba, estaban flotando en una nube the orgullo, y no era para menos! Usher termino fuerte con “OMG” y también se llevo un Grammy por Mejor Album Contemporario de R&B por Raymond v Raymond.

Mi interpretación favorita de la noche fue Bruno Marte, B.o.B y Janelle Monae. Nosotros, los espectadores vimos como todo cambio a blanco y negro y fuimos transportados a los años 50. B.o.B. canto "Nothing On You" (Nada Sobre Ti), y Mars los siguió con "Grenade" (Granada) y finalmente Monae bailo "Cold War" (Guerra Fría) Realmente disfruté de esta interpretación que sobre todo destaco la asombrosa voz de Bruno Mars – Bruno donde has estado escondiéndote todos estos años? Y que tal, Bruno también toca los tambores, era yo la única que no sabía esto? Este hombre tiene mucho talento y creo que ya llego a la cumbre porque sus canciones son todas éxitos. ¡Pienso que Bruno Mars puede ser fácilmente la nueva estrella de música pop más talentosa y polifacética de este tiempo!


Una de las interpretaciones más esperadas era la de la Señora Gaga porque siempre nos sorprende con ropa muy fuera de lo común y canciones con videos muy diferentes. Anoche estuve agradablemente sorprendida porque Gaga dejo atrás su estilo habitual y hizo lo que ella mejor hace….cantar! Debo añadir que su voz es algo especial y al llevarse tres Grammys anoche, incluyendo uno por Mejor Album Vocal por "Monstruo De Fama" definitivamente lo demuestra. Ella agradeció a todos “sus mostritos” también a Whitney Houston por inspirarla.

También disfruté de la interpretación de Rihana y Drake de la canción “What’s My Name” (Cual es mi nombre) ¡Ella estuvo asombrosa y esta muchacha tiene tremendos movimientos calientes, aparte de tener una voz increíble! Tengo que darle muchísimo crédito a Mick Jagger también. Vestido en un jacket de color esmeralda y pantalones negros muy apretados, él nos recordó otra vez que la edad es sólo un número. A sus 67 años él nos dio un gran espectáculo con la canción de Salomon Burke "Everybody Needs Somobody to Love” (Todos necesitamos alguien que amar).

La canción "The Suburb" (El Suburbio) cantada por Arcade Fire fue la última canción de la noche y me dejaron pidiendo más. A mí me encanta la música y el talento de todos estos grandes artistas, pero todo lo bueno llega a su final. ¡Los dejo con el video de mi momento favorito de la noche! ¡Espero que lo disfruten tanto como lo disfrute yo!


Paz & Amor - Candela ;-)

Bruno Mars Is Winning Me Over!

Pandora's Caja Media Research Assistant Fantasia thought that this would be a great followup to Bariloche's post on the amazing Bruno Mars.....Fantasia was right. I have to admit, I haven't really listened to much of Bruno's music, but that apparently is going to have to change. If you don't know by now, I"m a sucker for a great ballad, and I'm an even bigger sucker for a multi-functional artist.

I've seen Bruno perform this same song, "Just the Way You Are" but played on the piano, now we get to hear and see him perform a special rendition of the same song accept on the acoustic guitar. I want whoever should read this post, especially if you've never hear of Bruno Mars, or maybe you've about him somewhat, but have actually never listened to him....just take a few minutes....he just might win you over to.

~Peace

Introducing: The Amazing Bruno Mars

Bruno, where have you been all my life?  My ears missed you.

If you do not know who Bruno Mars is… yet… you might want to do yourself a favor and open your iTunes immediately to download Doo-Wops & Hooligans.  It’s so pleasing to find a new artist who is really NEW and AMAZING.  This young gentleman’s talents pour out of everything he has put his hands on. 

Born Peter Gene Hernandez, Bruno Mars spent his childhood in the beautiful island of Waikiki.  His shot to stardom came after his collaboration (vocals and co-writing) with B.o.B. on the song “Nothin’ on You”. 

Prior to his solo career, Mars kept busy producing music.  He wrote songs for artists such as Alexandra Burke, Travie McCoy, Adam Levine, Sean Kingston... and one of my current favorites, Flo Rida (The theme song to the Box Office hit The Hangover, “Right Round”).  His solo debut album, Doo-Wops & Hooligans, was released on October 4^th 2010. 

It’s lead single was “Just the Way You Are” which had been circulating the airwaves since July and has reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.  The success of this song was followed by “Grenade” in September.  My favorite song in the album, “Marry You”, was featured in an episode of Fox’s hit series Glee.

Just The Way You Are

Grenade

Marry You

Bruno Mars is currently nominated for 7 Grammys.  Tune in to the 53^rd Grammy Awards on 2/13/11 for the results.  Here are the categories:

Nominee                                           Award

Nothin’ on You                                 Best Rap Song

Nothin’ on You                                 Best Rap/ Sung Collaboration

Nothin’ on You                                 Record of the Year

F*** You!                                          Record of the Year

F*** You!                                          Song of the Year

Just the Way You Are                       Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

The Smeezingtons                            Producer of the Year, Non-Classical

It’s very hard for me to define his musical style.  Can AWESOME be a style?  I guarantee you, you will LOVE him.