Feb 9 2009
Update: see who actually won the 2009 world music Grammy awards!
Another year, another round of Grammy nominations. Many of which make no sense (which is typical), many of which are absolutely the right choices (which is also typical), but all of which are notable and worth talking about. A re-calibration of the folk music categories has left traditional Irish music somewhat homeless, and not a single Irish music album has received a nomination in any category, which is a serious pity because there were some great ones this year. Perhaps it's time to give Irish music a category of its own, eh? And as usual, the general world music categories are all over the place, leaving Academy members with choices that make about as much sense as choosing between apples and Subarus, but they still haven't called me up and asked me to make the rules, so until that day comes, I'm just gonna have to deal with it. That said, I think it's time to have a look at the 2009 Grammy nominations in the world music categories, complete with my predictions of the winners:Best Traditional World Music Album
- Calcutta Chronicles: Indian Slide Guitar Odyssey - Debashish Bhattacharya
- The Mandé Variations- Toumani Diabate
- Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu - Ladysmith Black Mambazo
- Dancing In The Light - Lakshmi Shankar
Okay, so we're looking at two Classical Indian artists, a South African gospel choir, and a West African kora player. It's an awesome array, but a little bit random. Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Toumani Diabate's records received quite a bit more national attention than the other two, which means they'll be more recognizable to Grammy voters, but the other two are equally deserving of a listen.
Who will win: Ladysmith Black Mambazo. They're the best-recognized name on this list, and Grammy voters tend to vote based on people they've heard of. This album, although lovely, isn't much different than anything else they've ever done, though, and I'm not sure it's remarkable enough to garner another Grammy.
Who should win: Lakshmi Shankar. She's been performing Hindustani music (as both a dancer and a singer) since the 1930s, and frankly, if I'm still recording breathtaking, top-notch albums when I'm in my late 80s, you'd better give me a Grammy!
Who shoulda been a contender: Majaz by Le Trio Joubran
Best Contemporary World Music Album
- Shake Away - Lila Downs
- Banda Larga Cordel - Gilberto Gil
- Global Drum Project - Mickey Hart, Zakir Hussain, Sikiru Adepoju & Giovanni Hidalgo
- Rokku Mi Rokka (Give And Take) - Youssou N'Dour
- Live At The Nelson Mandela Theater - Soweto Gospel Choir
Let me preface this by saying that Lila Downs is one of my favorite musicians in the world. She delivers exquisite performances, both live and recorded, every time she opens her guitar case. That said, she's Mexican, and her music is progressive Mexican folk music, and therefore belongs in the Latin music Grammy categories. I'm all for inclusiveness, but there's just simply a more appropriate category for Lila Downs. Anyhow, this slate of nominees is one of the more impressive ones that the Recording Academy has come up with in the last few years, and the voters certainly have their work cut out for them.
Who will win: Soweto Gospel Choir. They've actually won the Grammy award for Best Traditional World Music Album in both 2007 and 2008, but apparently (though they haven't changed their sound) they're contemporary now. Don't ask me why - I have no idea. Anyway, they're a favorite among the voters, and they'll likely complete the hat trick here.
Who should win: Lila Downs. I know, I know. I think she should be in a different category. But she made the best album on this list, and absolutely deserves a Grammy. It's not her fault that she got put in the wrong place, and she shouldn't be punished for it.
Who shoulda been a contender: Rupa and the April Fishes for Extraordinary Rendition.
Best Reggae Album
- Jah Is Real - Burning Spear
- Let's Get Physical - Elephant Man
- Vibes - Heavy D
- Repentance - Lee "Scratch" Perry
- Intoxication - Shaggy
- Amazing - Sly and Robbie
Most of the nominees here are fairly unsurprising - other than the lack of any of Bob Marley's sons, it's a pretty standard selection of reggae heavy-hitters. A bit of a surprise comes in Heavy D's nomination, though. Those of us who are children of the '80s will recognize Heavy D as a hip-hopper, but he's actually Jamaican-born and has reggae roots. Also notable is the fact that he exclusively released this album on iTunes, which makes it one of the first digital-only albums to be nominated for a Grammy.
Who will win: Burning Spear. He's a legend and he turned out a solid, very popular album.
Who should win: Heavy D, mostly because I've got nuttin' but love for him. (Perhaps you had to be there...)
Who shoulda been a contender: In a unique twist of events, I'm quite pleased with this selection... there's nothing glaringly absent in my eyes. I (perhaps shockingly) approve.
