Customer Reviews

Grammy Nominees 2002

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

You do.

It's a longshot, but ladies and gentlemen, we could be on the edge of a pop music renaissance. Three exceptionally talented newcomers (Keys, Furtado & Arie) are the big selling points of this year's Grammy Nominees package. Each has their own voice, each is a gifted singer and songwriter and none of them would be an embarassment to win as Best New Artist.

Neither would David Gray, although he's been recording, albeit with no commercial success for over a decade. And, as I said reviewing Gray's White Ladder album, I think Babylon is the best song written in the past ten years. You may not think so on the first listen, but by the tenth, you will too.

My runner-up as favorite song of 2001 would be Train's "Drops of Jupiter", a slow-builder that ended up top 5 of the year, although it only peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at #5 in any given week. Haven't a clue what he's talking about, but I sing along with every note.

This is the best nominees album in years, nearly free of the recent Grammy trend to look hip and down with the kids. Only a single Backstreet Boys track, and a questionable inclusion from the deposed King of Pop would knock half a point off.

Licensing issues prevented the release of a separate Grammy Rap Nominees album, and while this may be good news to many, I'm not in that group. At least OutKast's "Ms Jackson" is included, a song which is the thematic opposite of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean", in that the singer asserts, rather than denies paternity.

The best thing about Grammy albums is their eclectic nature. Soul fans are introduced to REM. Rock fans get to hear OutKast. And just about everyone is introduced to The Soggy Bottom Boys. That last track, from the staggeringly successful O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack is a simple up-tempo blues number that could have been recorded 70 years ago. (In the film, which is also highly recommended, it was.) Never a hit, even on country radio, it became an under-the-radar classic, propelling the album to the year end top ten with no hit singles and no big name stars. Just the sort of story that Grammy loves.

So who wins with nominees like these? All of us.

Like the Oscars, many argue that the Grammy's are nothing more than a marketing tool to help out manufactured bands gain recognition in the field of music, with bands like The Spice Girls, N'Sync and the Backstreet Boys frequently receiving nods for fields like Best Artist of The Year, despite the fact that no-one can really tell the difference between any of their music. However, the past few years have seen unknown and superb talent receiving the props they deserve, with `70s giant Carlos Santana running away with the majority of the awards two years ago, and U2 grabbing Record and Song of the Year in 2001. This year sees an eclectic mix of hit-and-miss tunes from the Grammy judges (read: old farts), with U2 getting nominated again, and Bob Dylan, Elton John, R.E.M. Alicia Keys and fictional band Soggy Bottom Boys all receiving well-deserved nods. But as soon as we see Michael Jackson's inclusion on this compilation, we know there're going to be some horrible misjudgments - and there are: Craig David, Brian McKnight, Backstreet Boy, Five For Fighting and Nelly Furtado are all integrated into the awards. And, as always, will probably garner undeserved prizes for their useless music, yet again ditching the great bands like the Strokes - chosen as Best Album Of 2001 by Time, NME, Entertainment Weekly and yours truly at HK Magazine, but not even seeing one nomination. As for the tunes on the CD themselves, their pretty much even, a great tune like "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" is followed by MJ's "You Rock My World", with that format dominating the whole collection as the album goes on. Pick it up if you're a fan of excellent mainstream music, but you can probably hear the majority of them if you switch on your radio

After two years of caving in to current pop trends, especially teen pop, the Grammys go back to what they do best, rewarding quality music that isn't necessarily a commercial success. The only nominated teen pop was one each for BSB and 'NSYNC. 2001 was a better and more diverse year for music than in recent years and this CD is an excellent sampling. We get the usual veteran acts along with some brand new acts that weren't necessarily stars. Because of several repeat nominees, this disc has a record six categories represented. 1. VIDEO-India.Arie should use the Grammys as a springboard to stardom as she slipped under the ears of record buyers, yet grabbed seven nods. This is a deserving nod and a very good tune with a simple "Be Yourself" message. 2. FALLIN'-Overplayed but still wonderful love song from a commercially successful new talent. 3. MS. JACKSON-Rap fans will have to make do with this song as there won't be a seperate rap compilation CD this year. Unlike last year's hateful "Marshall Mathers LP", "Stankonia" is a very worthy nominee and Outkast has an original blend of hip-hop and funk. The song is sweet and confessional, unlike most rap tunes. 4. DROPS OF JUPITER-Another good choice. Catchy and uplifting. 5. WALK ON-Although I preferred "Stuck in a Moment...", I guess this song best captures the U.S.' post 9/11 mood. U2 led this years' crop with 8 deserving nods and gave a very riveting performance at the Super Bowl. 6. HONEST WITH ME-Bob Dylan is one of the all-time greatest songwriters, although I never liked his vocals. This song is very bluesey with great guitar riffs. From the critically lauded but commercially unsuccessful "Love and Theft". 7. I AM A MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW-Simple country blues, very well-done yet never recorded in recent years. That may change with the success of the "O Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack. 8. I'M LIKE A BIRD-Like Keys, another hot new artist and more deserving nods. Women are making a comeback after a couple of down years. 9. BABYLON-Absolutely wonderful song which didn't get much airplay. I got the studio version from the "MTV2 Handpicked" compilation and can't get enough of it. This CD has the live version which is just as good. Congrats to NARAS for recognizing David Gray. 10. FILL ME IN-This song was actually a UK hit two years ago, but wasn't a hit in the states until last summer. One of 2001's best r & b tunes. 11. YOU ROCK MY WORLD-This is the first selection I question. MJ has done much better before, especially with "Thriller". This tune isn't memorable and "Invincible" landed on a lot of critics' "worst" lists. 12. I WANT LOVE-Elton John is back with his longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin to create this fine love song. 13. STILL-Okay but not grammy-worthy love song from a previously Grammy-represented r & b artist. 14. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight-I didn't even know James Taylor recorded any tunes last year but NARAS loves to reward aged veterans. A pretty good ballad. 15. Shape of My Heart-A decent but not Grammy-worthy BSB ballad. I'm surprized they got any nods, especially after the disappointing sales of "Black and Blue" and the troubles of two of its members in the past year. 16. SUPERMAN-Another teriffic song from new talent. 17. IMITATION OF LIFE-R.E.M. returns to their original form of art-rock with this fine tune. So this compilation is more eclectic than in recent years with the strong points being the r & b and the new talent discovery. The only thing missing is a selection from Linkin Park's "Hybrid Theory" album which would've well-represented the new rock era we had last year. But this CD is still a must-buy.

If you love music as much as I do...then this collection of "2002 Grammy Nominees" is a must have. Not only can you enjoy your favorite tunes, but have an opportunity to sample other genres that this seventeen(17) track album offers.

My personal stand outs are ~ "WALK ON"(U2)..."HONEST WITH ME"(Bob Dylan)..."STILL"(Brian McKnight)..."I AM A MAN OF CONSTANT SORROW"(Soggy Bottom Boys), each selection has its own particular style, performance and quality in lyric and melody which immediately grabs you.

In much agreement with customer reviewer Pat Kelly(Ont. Canada), which is why I'm not going into more detail about this CD. Highly recommend to collectors of all genres, many of your favorites under one roof...GRAMMY NOMINEES 2002, gotta love it!

Total Time: 73:08 on 17 Tracks ~ Universal Music ~ (2002)

For a change there are actually some decent tunes on a Grammy CD. Most of the songs on the CD are more pop than rock, but that's okay. The live version of "Babylon" by David Gray is the best cut in my opinion, along with "Superman" by Five For Fighting and "Drops Of Jupiter" by Train. Even "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow" from the movie Oh Brother Where Art Thou is a nice change of pace.

CRAIG DAVID- Two words can sum him up completely: ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! His range, his style, and his lyrics are superb and if you like "Fill Me In" you need to check out his LP "Born To Do It" which is H-O-T! No matter if it is a soulful ballad like his tracks "Rendevouz" and "Follow Me", to his more upbeat tracks like "Can't Be Messing Around" or the ever so popular "Rewind", you will be garunteed a quality CD that will never leave your CD Changer! I say he deserved the nomination and to be included on the Grammy CD, and I personally can't wait to hear more from this very talented and bright young star!

WOW. HE'S A GREAT PERFORMER AND ARTIST AND HE GOTS GREAT VOCAL SKILLS. DEFINATELY TALENTED. THIS BRTISH SINGER GOTS A GREAT NEW ALBUM WHICH IS HIS FIRST, BE SURE TO PICK IT UP.

Rather than make any pros for one candidate or another I would highly recommend this CD to others due to the nature and total content of the CD. Compilation CD's such as this one allow the customer to have the best of both worlds for a lesser cost. You have access to your favorite songs in one location with out having to burn from a variety of CD's. Some of these songs may not be available in single format and others may not wish to purchase each of the CD's for each individual artist. There are a fantastic variety of the latest and greatest songs in differing categories of the past year available providing a greater exposure and value for the consumer.

The compilation CD for the 2002 Grammy Awards is pretty good. Some great nominee choices and some not-so-great. My favorite track on this CD happens to be "Shape Of My Heart" by the Backstreet Boys. They are truly an amazing vocal Pop group and I hope they finally win their overdue Grammy! Fellow Boy Band rivals, *N SYNC, are also up for a couple of Grammy Awards and I am a little surprised their nominated song, "Gone" is not featured on this CD (oh well...I guess it's all for the better because I don't like *N SYNC at all). Alicia Keys is another overrated R&B artist. Her song that is featured on this CD, "Fallin'", is so overplayed. It's a nice song, but still overplayed. "Video" by India.Arie, is an excellent track. Her vocals are powerful and I hope she beats out Alicia Keys in the R&B categories. "Miss Jackson" by OutKast, is pretty good. I like the beat of the song and the lyrics are okay, too. Somehow though, I thought this song was from last year. I don't care much for the U2 song, Bob Dylan song, David Gray song, James Taylor song, or the Soggy Bottom Boys song. The other songs that I haven't mentioned, however, are pretty good.

2002 GRAMMY NOMINEES has a large variety of music. As you can tell, I enjoyed much of the selected tracks on this CD. If you have any interest in watching the 2002 Grammy Awards this year (or like any of the listed artists on the CD), then this is highly recommended.

This is an awesome CD and group of performer's but my top pick is Craig David. At such a young age and so much talent you can't lose. Craig David has his own unique sound and melody that all of us can groove too! If you haven't already picked up the album, you should...because Craid David was truly born to do it! Much Love to everyone out there from the Midwest to your town.