Feb 11 2008
For the first time, the pre-televised portion of the Grammy Awards was made available online. A webcast doesn't provide the glory that I think the nominees in the non-mainstream categories deserve, but it's a step in the right direction. So, without further adieu, I present the winners:Best Traditional World Music Album - African Spirit - The Soweto Gospel Choir
This win is quite a coup for the Soweto Gospel Choir - they won the same award last year, so they've really established themselves as leaders in the genre. Their exquisite live performances can't really be summed up in an album format, but that doesn't mean that their albums aren't phenomenal anyway. It's great to see them getting the sustained recognition that they deserve.
Best Contemporary World Music Album - Djin Djin - Angelique Kidjo
No surprise here. With three Brazilian artists splitting the vote in the category, along with Loreena McKennitt (who, in all fairness, probably belongs in the New Age category), Kidjo's competition was not fierce. While she's one of my favorite musicians of all time, I confess that Djin Djin has been my least favorite of all of her CDs. Still, though, whether or not the CD itself is her best, she's still highly deserving of a Grammy Award, and I'm glad to see her get one.
Best Reggae Album - Mind Control - Stephen Marley
This win actually surprised me a little bit. It was a category stacked with heavyweights, but I thought for sure that Toots and the Maytals would take home the award, just because of their history in the ska and reggae genres. However, Stephen Marley (one of Bob Marley's many talented sons, was certainly deserving of the award, so kudos to him.
Best Zydeco or Cajun Album - Live! Worldwide - Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience
2008 is the first year of this category which Terrance Simien and his wife Cynthia did most of the work to create. For that reason, I think his win might be political moreso than merit-based (this album was decent, but not spectacular - live albums seldom are), but that doesn't bother me in the least. It was a long road that they walked, and Terrance earned the award. Also, authentic Cajun and zydeco fans everywhere are thrilled that Lisa Haley didn't win - she's not from Louisiana, and her music is only marginally based in traditional zydeco - it was bad enough that she wrangled a nomination - it would have been a real blow to have her win the inaugural year.
Best Hawaiian Music Album - Treasures of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar - Various Artists
When in doubt, vote for a compilation. That seems to be a rule that Grammy voters live by, especially in the Hawaiian music category, where slack key guitar compilations often seem to win. Hey, it gets a lot of folks a Grammy, and who can argue with that?
Best Native American Music Album - Totemic Flute Chants - Robert Whitehorse
I confess that I haven't actually heard this album. I've heard some of Whitehorse's other stuff, though, and it's all been very beautiful and very memorable. I'm going to trust the Grammy voters on this one, and make sure I get a copy of this in my hands right away - I can't wait to hear it.
Best Polka Album - Come Share the Wine - Jimmy Sturr
Poor Jimmy Sturr. He probably won't even be able to fit this Grammy on his mantle - this is, after all, his 17th Grammy. Maybe someone could volunteer to build the poor guy a nice, sturdy shelving unit where he can store them all. I'm just kidding - Jimmy Sturr deserves every single one of those awards, and I congratulate him on winning another. He's an amazing artist who appeals to people from every walk of life and musical persuasion - no small feat for an accordion-wielding polka king!
Read more:
2008 Grammy Nominees in World Music and Reggae
2008 Grammy Nominees in Cajun and Zydeco, Native American, Hawaiian and Polka
