Wednesday, April 6, 2011

BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO IS PISSED: The Grammys have dropped 31 categories for next year. Notable consolidations:
  • Most categories that previously had a gender divide (pop vocal, R&B vocal, country vocal) now have a single category. Rock and R&B vocal performances are no longer separated between individals and duo/group, though country and pop retain that distinction. R&B gets hit the hardest, going from 8 categories to 4.
  • A fair number of the "instrumentals" categories have been eliminated--no more "pop instrumental performance" or "rock instrumental" performance.
  • Much squishing together of categories that used to be separate--"hard rock" and "metal," "banda" and "norteno," "regional Mexican" and "Tejano," "latin pop" and "latin rock, alternative, or urban," "traditional blues" and "contemporary blues," "traditional world music" and "contemporary world music," "traditional folk" and "contemporary folk," and "Hawaiian," "Native American," and "Zydeco or cajun" are now all "regional roots music."
  • Substantial retooling of the "gospel" category, giving Contemporary Christian Music clearer categorization and its own song award.
When looking at those looking for the G to finish their EGOT, not sure how much this affects them unless Al Pacino finally decides to cut his metal album or Maggie Smith pursues a sideline singing R&B. The traditional EGOT categories like spoken word album and the various score categories are pretty much untouched (save "children's spoken word," which is consolidated with "children's music album"). The Grammys have needed to cut down on categories for a long time now, and this seems a fair way to do it.
Posted by Matt at 1:48 PM

9 comments:

  1. Joseph J. Finn2:13 PM

    Huh.  Looking at the full list, I...actually want to compliment the Grammys.  For the most part, this seems completely reasonable.  My only quibble is that Children's being dumped into one category, since I think Spoken Word should have remained separate.

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  2. Adam2:14 PM

    My favorite part: the category definitions.

    Best Alternative Album: "<span>This category is intended for recordings of a non-traditional form that exist (at least initially) outside of the mainstream music consciousness. Its avant-garde approach may utilize new technology or new production techniques and contain elements of rock, pop, R&B, dance, folk, or even classical musical styles."</span>

    And what's a Comedy Album? "<span>Recordings may be either spoken or musical comedy but are limited to new comedy performances - either live or studio recordings - originally intended for audio release. Also eligible are recordings that are compilation/excerpts from a current radio or television program. (Albums Only) .  </span><span>NOT ELIGIBLE: Narrations of books (audio books) even though the book may be considered humorous, and recordings that are compilations/excerpts from non-current broadcast radio or television shows."</span>

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  3. Adam2:16 PM

    Also, on the "did Catherine Zeta-Jones get a Grammy for CHICAGO question," the <span>Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media (formerly </span><span>Best Compilation Soundtrack Album For Motion Picture, Television Or Other Visual Media) goes to "</span><span>the artist(s) and/or producer(s) of a majority of the tracks on the album. In the absence of either, award to individual(s) actively responsible for the concept and musical direction of the album and for the selection of artists, songs and producers, as applicable. (Albums Only)"</span>

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  4. Matt2:18 PM

    Did they change the rules recently?  Because in 2005, the recording of "America (The Book)" won Best Comedy Album.

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  5. Benner2:18 PM

    i don't like consolidating chamber music with classical small ensemble.  eliminating classical crossover was good, as no such album can ever be the "best" at anything, including itself.

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  6. Adam2:20 PM

    I do not know.

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  7. Craig2:22 PM

    Does this mean that Jethro Tull's still eligible for the metal award?

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  8. Joseph J. Finn2:43 PM

    On the plus side, we're down to only two categories with "classical" in their title (sue me, I prefer the term "orchestral" since classical to me smacks of time-based distnctions like "modern art").

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  9. sconstant3:52 PM

    They're probably eligible for best new artist.

    I don't get the big distinction between the two "fancy packaging" Grammies - what's the best package, who cares if it's a box/limited or not a box.  That would be a target for consolidation to me, but I guess I'm just wrong.

    Best Recording Package (A/S)

    Classical or non-classical. For newly created recording packages, in any configuration, released for the first time during the current eligibility year, even if contents were previously released. Award to the art director(s). (Albums or Singles Only)

    Best Boxed/Special Limited Edition (A/S)

    Classical or non-classical. For newly created boxed or special limited edition recording packages, in any configuration, released for the first time during the current eligibility year, even if contents were previously released. Award to the art director(s). (Albums or Singles Only)

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