Review: 50th Annual Grammy Awards

Having foregone watching the Grammys in recent years, I find myself regretting this and now wonder what I had been missing. Overall, I found this years Grammys classier and more entertaining than I had in years past. A synthesis of the old and new classics or as Neil Portnow's President/CEO of the Recording Academy, words suggest "... a celebration of the past and future..." with more than a few memorable moments.

The audience was treated with performances by legendary artists such as: Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and John Forgarty., Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Keely Smith and appearances by Andy Williams and Tony Bennett were powerful reminders of the history of the Grammys. And the up and coming performers like Amy Winehouse, Carrie Underwood and My Grammy award winner Anna-Marie Calhoun shows us future legends of the music industry

The show opened with Alicia Keys and the late Frank Sinatra doing a duet of Learning the Blues, a performance which showcased Ms. Keys voice and set the tone for an evening resplendent with class and elegance that had seemed to left the Grammys in years past.

Among my personal favorite performances of the evening was Carrier Underwood's Before HeCheats, Starting out with percussions and set in a junkyard, while Carrie closely resembled Nancy Sinatra, from her retro-styled hair and down to her high-cut boots. The tribute to the Beatles by the cast of Love (Cirque de Soleil) and Across the Universe while Ringo Starr and Yoko Ono in the audience. Kanye touched the audience with his tribute to his mother,"Mama". Beyonce and Tina Turner performing Proud Mary with a dance number true to the song's flavor was another highlight of the evening.

My Own Personal Awards

Best Performance: To Carrie Underwood, Before He Cheats.

Biggest Surprise: To Album of the Year Award Winner, Herbie Hancock for "River: Joni Letters".

Most Well-Deserved Award: To Herbie Hancock for "River: Joni Letters".

Most Anticipated Performance: To Amy Winehouse, Rehab.

Best Quote: To Vince Gill, for saying in his acceptance speech, "I just got an award handed to me by a Beatle. Has that happened to you yet, Kanye?"