Winehouse, West will win big at Grammys

Best new artist
Feist
Ledisi
Paramore
Taylor Swift
Amy Winehouse

Helen: Ugh. Here it is again. Grammy’s obligatory list of so-called “new artists,” some of which have been around for ages, the rest we’ll never hear from again. Not Amy though. We’ll be talking about her talent for decades, even if she’s not around to give us fresh material. But as great as Amy is, I want this award to go to iPod ingénue Feist. She’s adorable, with delightful and sweet tunes to match, not cloyingly simple, like some musicians who dally in the twee folk rock genre. My wishes aside, this is Amy’s baby.

Ree: I’m going with… wait for it… Feist. Okay, Amy’s still my girl, but I don’t think the voting body, which is made up mostly of jars containing the heads of venerable music industry types (I’m guessing), won’t give this one to her. Sure, they’ll reward her music in other categories, but this award is sort of a vague package assessment. Feist comes with the Steve Jobs seal of approval and, as far as we know, has yet to star in any drug binge videos, so...

R&B album
“Funk This,” Chaka Khan
“Lost & Found,” Ledisi
“Luvanmusiq,” Musiq Soulchild
“The Real Thing,” Jill Scott
“Sex, Love & Pain,” Tank

Slideshow   Ladies of R&B From Beyonce's bouncy pop presence to Jill Scott's jazzy take, these women prove that R&B comes in many forms. more photos

Helen: Jill Scott, this is your year! She’s been nominated twice before in this category, but third time’s a charm. Chaka Khan’s “Funk This” is certainly nothing to be ashamed of, but here she’s getting the nostalgia nomination. Ledisi holds a lot of promise for a future win. Still, nothing else even comes close to Jill.

Ree: Where did these nominations come from? These are the best R&B albums of the year? OK, fine, I’ll play along. I pick Chaka Khan. Why? Why not? My selection is as random as this assortment. I should probably mention it’s entirely possible that I’m still smarting over the fact that Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings’ “100 Days, 100 Nights” came out two days too late for Grammy consideration.

Rap album
“Finding Forever,” Common
“Kingdom Come,” Jay-Z
“Hip Hop Is Dead,” Nas
“T.I. vs T.I.P.,” T.I.
“Graduation,” Kanye West

Helen: This is Kanye’s winning category. But here’s the thing; while Amy Winehouse totally deserves the album of the year she’ll no doubt win, seeing Kanye confined to winning best rap album every year is getting tacky. The only possible upset for this inevitable fate is Common’s “Finding Forever.” It premiered at No. 1 on Billboard, though it’s a little lackluster compared to his 2005 album, “Be.”  Then again, who didn’t get Jay-Z’s “Kingdome Come” single, “Oh My God” stuck in the head after those endless “24” promos? Speaking of which, didn’t Jay-Z retire or something?

Ree: Why, yes, he did. I’m going to retire right now. … And here’s my comeback! The gimmick-free hip-hop goodness that is Jay-Z’s “Kingdom Come” almost makes up for his big, fat swan-song fakeout. In fact, were it not for a certain co-nominee, Jay-Z could win. But the threepeat goes to Kanye. They should just go ahead a rename this the “best Kanye album of the year.” Just like “The College Dropout” and “Late Registration” before it, “Graduation” is the only real contender. Mark my words; “Crappy First Job” owns this category next year.

Rock album
“Daughtry,” Daughtry
“Revival,” John Fogerty
“Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace,” Foo Fighters
“Magic,” Bruce Springsteen
“Sky Blue Sky,” Wilco

Slideshow   The magic of Bruce Springsteen From 1973's "Greetings from Asbury Park" to his newest album, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have continued to define American rock and roll. more photos

Helen: This one goes to Bruce. Sorry for the shutout, Daughtry, but 75 percent of the human population holds a special place in their hearts just for the Boss. As for the other noms, well, I’ve already made my feelings known regarding Foo Fighters. “Revival” is a solid — and appropriately titled — effort from John Fogerty. And his voice still evokes some wistful anger type quality that’s so compelling. Didn’t Wilco retire or something?

Ree: OK, now you’re just smartass-hatin’ on Jeff Tweedy! Yeah, “Sky Blue Sky,” is no “Yankee Hotel Foxtrot,” and it’s too mellow-fellow for this category, but still. Cut it out! Anyway, just to anger your anti-“AI” sensibilities, I should pick Daughtry. I won’t, but I should. I seem to be one of the few who haven’t fallen under the spell of Bruce’s “Magic,” and therefore I give this one to Foo Fighters. It’s not their greatest work, but it’s best of the rest for the year. I guess.

Country album
“Long Trip Alone,” Dierks Bentley
“These Days,” Vince Gill
“Let It Go,” Tim McGraw
“5^th Gear,” Brad Paisley
“It Just Comes Natural,” George Strait

Helen: This one goes to Vince Gill, and not just because it’s four whole discs long — though that is pretty impressive, you must admit. What’s more, this dude is one amazing axe master (explain how Carrie Underwood gets more country cred!?). Everyone else here is just filler. Vince deserves, and will take home the gold.

Ree: Filler? Surely, you jest. George Strait owns the competition. This trophy is his, and not in some living legend, lifetime-achievement way. It’s simply that “It Just Comes Natural” is far and away the best country album of the year. Plus, you don’t see George throwing a big ol’ Vince Gill-style “they’re marginalizing my genre and making me play second-fiddle, so I’m not going to the Grammys” sour grapes routine.

Ree Hines and Helen A.S. Popkin believe, in order to avoid scheduling conflicts, next year’s Grammys should be held in a rehab facility.

MORE FROM 2008 GRAMMYS

No need to be cranky — Grammys were great

No need to be cranky — Grammys were great Grammys’ biggest star? Absent Winehouse Celebs play it safe with Grammy outfits Overheard at the Grammys ... Stars come out to Davis pre-Grammy bash Kanye West honors mother at Grammys   Add 2008 Grammys headlines to your news reader: