The Circle. Bele lehet látni ebbe a címbe a kezdetekhez történő visszakanyarodást, tehát azt, hogy a kör bezárul. Azonban amikor augusztusban először meghallgathattuk az album beharangozó kislemezét, a We Weren’t Born To Follow-t, két tanulságot vonhattunk le. 1., a Richie Sambora által „dallamos, Beatles-es gitártémának” nevezett szóló sem Samborás, sem Beatles-es nem volt, inkább úgy hangzott, mintha a szomszéd stúdióban The Edge hangolta volna a gitárját, és a figyelmetlen hangmérnök tévedésből ezt rögzítette volna Richie produkciója helyett. 2., bár roppant fülbemászó, borítékolhatóan stadionokat megmozgató dalról van szó, ha valamihez is visszakanyarodik, akkor az a 2005-ös Have A Nice Day album hangzása és semmiképpen sem a ’80-as évek glamrockja (csakazért sem fogom a popmetál kifejezést használni, nem tudom elégszer elmondani, mekkora marhaságnak tartom ezt a műfaji meghatározást). Az első tanulság azóta tárgytalan, hiszen a rajongói visszajelzéseket hallva Richie visszarohant a stúdióba, és az utolsó pillanatban felvett egy klasszisokkal jobb szólót, az albumon már ezt hallhatjuk (vajon hány hasonló státuszú szupersztár lenne képes arra, hogy duzzogás helyett odafigyeljen a rajongók véleményére?). Ami pedig a második tanulságot illeti, a lemezen a kör be is zárul, meg nem is, Jon, Richie, David és Tico vissza is kanyarodott a hőskorba, meg nem is.

A Bon Jovi életművében a ’80-as évek megidézése eddig kimerült abban, hogy egyes dalokban leporolták a rég nem használt talkboxot (It’s My Life, 2000) vagy Richie elpengetett egy retróhatású gitárriffet (Last Man Standing, 2005). De hogy komplett szerzemények, dalszöveggel és hangzásvilággal együtt úgy szóljanak, mintha konkrétan egy ’80-as években készült nagylemezről maradtak volna le, arra nem volt példa… nos, a ’80-as évek óta. Bár a régi rajongók közül sokan erre vágynak, szerintem elég szomorú lenne, ha egy veterán zenekar egy teljes albumon keresztül egy erőltetett álidőutazás hamis illúziójával csapná be a hallgatóságot (ezért vannak kellemetlen emlékeim a Scorpions 2004-es Unbreakable-jéről; szerencsére Klaus Meinéék a 2007-es Humanity-vel kiköszörülték a csorbát).

Ugyanakkor abban mégis mi rossz lenne, ha két dal erejéig visszaugranánk az aranykorba? Az égvilágon semmi, és ezt most a Bon Jovi is így gondolta. A Work For The Working Man közeli rokoni kapcsolatokat ápol a Livin’ On A Prayerrel: a dübörgő basszusgitár-futamban és a munkanélküliséget tárgyaló dalszövegben egyaránt visszakacsint a nagy előd, a Bon Jovitól elvonatkoztatva pedig az az érzésünk lehet, mintha egy korabeli, jóízű, fiktív Bruce Springsteen/Def Leppard-kollaborációt hallanánk. A korhű hangzást Tico Torres kemény, gépies dobjátéka is elősegíti. A Love’s The Only Rule-t pedig simán el tudom képzelni a ’88-as New Jersey albumon, a Blood On Blood és a Homebound Train közé beékelve. A Föld összes rádióállomását kötelezni kéne rá, hogy minden alkalommal, amikor a nyolcvanas évek rockklasszikusait felsorakoztató blokkot adnak, a The Final Countdown és az Eye Of The Tiger között a Love’s The Only Rule-t is játsszák le, Sylvester Stallone filmrendező/forgatókönyvíró/színművész urat pedig arra, hogy a tárgyalt zenemű legyen a The Expendables című, jövőre esedékes old-school akcióorgia főcímdala – ellenkező esetben büntetésük életfogytig tartó frekvencia- illetve szteroid-megvonás. Azok, akik Cobain kardigánján szocializálódtak, most nyilván a fejüket falba verve tiltakoznak, de igenis kellenek az ilyen tesztoszteronvezérelt himnuszok! Mert amikor Richie egy ütős, vintage gitárszólót ráz ki kisujjból, Jon pedig a hurrikán szembeköpéséről énekel, akkor még a leggalamblelkűbb hallgató is ellenállhatatlan késztetést érez az iránt, hogy a dal meghallgatása után alaposan felpörgetve kirohanjon az utcára és felrúgja a kerület összes szemeteskukáját.

A fenti két gyöngyszem tehát pontosan olyan, mint amit rengetegen, régóta várnak a Bon Jovitól, a Bullet és Live Before You Die viszont a legkevésbé sem az, aminek első pillantásra látszik. Előbbi dalt az erőteljes talkboxos nyitány után az ember hajlamos előre egy pörgős party rock számként elkönyvelni, de a Jennifer Hudson családjában történt mészárlás és különféle háborús bűnök értelmetlenségét taglaló, dühös dalszöveg hamar kijózanítja a hallgatót, és David Bryan rövid, orgonás kiállása is a gyásznak enged teret. A Live Before You Die-nál már a cím is egyfajta I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead- vagy It’s My Life-klónt sejtet, de aztán az első hangnál le kell számolnunk megérzéseinkkel és előítéleteinkkel, ugyanis egy zongorával és vonóskísérettel fűszerezett, történetmesélő balladát kapunk, ami Richie részéről megemlékezés két éve elhunyt édesapjáról, Jon részéről pedig rendkívül személyes hangvételű szerelmes dal.

Már csak azért is szerencse, hogy lassú szám lett a Live Before You Die-ból, mert különben lírai vonalon a The Circle sajnos nem nyújt sokat. Lehet, hogy az általam imádott, 2007-es ballada, a Make A Memory még viszonylag friss emléke tette magasra a lécet, de a Superman Tonight és a Learn To Love nekem, mint Bon Jovi-fanatikusnak közel egy hetes intenzív CD-hallgatás után nem adott semmit. Talán majd valamikor felfedezek bennük valami rejtett értéket, de egyelőre nem tudom elhessegetni a gondolatot, hogy az öt évvel ezelőtti díszdobozos kiadványon csak úgy sorakoztak a jóval nívósabb balladák, pedig ott Jonék az albumokról lemaradt, kiadatlan dalokat gyűjtötték egy csokorba. Ehhez képest apró bosszúság, hogy Jonnak van egy rossz szokása, amit már második szólóalbumán is megtapasztalhattunk (Destination Anywhere, 1997): ha úgy érzi, hogy valami hiányzik egy számból, beilleszt oda egy sha-la-lázó háttérvokált. Hát, a rossz szokás most váratlanul megint előtört belőle. Nem, kedves Jon, semmi sem hiányzott onnan, ez pláne nem. Igaz, legalább javul a tendencia: ’97-ben még négy dalban alkalmazta eme ördögi praktikát, idén már csak kettőben.

Végezetül szigorúan szubjektív módon elhelyezem az opus 11-et a Bon Jovi-életműben. Nekem a New Jersey (1988) és a Crush (2000) a csúcs (előbbit egységessége és energiája, utóbbit pedig éppen változatossága és letisztultsága miatt tartom nagyra, továbbá ezeken a nagylemezeken számomra egyetlen dal erejéig sincs üresjárat), a 7800 Degrees Fahrenheit (1985) és a Bounce (2002) pedig a „mélypont” (egyáltalán nem rossz, de a többihez képest kevésbé meggyőző ez a két album). Minden más mehet valahova a két kategória közé, és hangulat kérdése, hogy éppen melyik tetszik jobban. Igen, a The Circle is minden más.

BEST NEW ARTIST
Adele
Duffy

The Jonas Brothers
Lady Antebellum
Jazmine Sullivan

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant, Raising Sand
Coldplay, Viva La Vida
Ne-Yo, Year Of The Gentleman
Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III
Radiohead, In Rainbows

SONG OF THE YEAR
“American Boy,” William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, John Stephens, Estelle Swaray & Kanye West, songwriters (Estelle Featuring Kanye West, artist)
“Chasing Pavements,” Adele Adkins & Eg White, songwriters (Adele, artist)
“I’m Yours,” Jason Mraz, songwriter (Jason Mraz, artist)
“Love Song,” Sara Bareilles, songwriter (Sara Bareilles, artist)
“Viva La Vida,” Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters (Coldplay, artist)

RECORD OF THE YEAR
Adele, “Chasing Pavements”
Coldplay, “Viva La Vida”
Leona Lewis, “Bleeding Love”
M.I.A., “Paper Planes”
Robert Plant and Alison Kraus, “Please Read The Letter”

BEST DANCE RECORDING
Daft Punk, “Harder Better Faster Stronger”
Hot Chip, “Ready For The Floor”
Lady Gaga & Colby O’Donis, “Just Dance”
Madonna, “Give It 2 Me”
Rihanna, “Disturbia”
Sam Sparro, “Black & Gold”

BEST ELECTRONIC/DANCE ALBUM
Brazilian Girls, New York City
Daft Punk, Alive 2007
Cyndi Lauper, Bring Ya To The Brink
Kylie Minogue, X
Moby, Last Night
Robyn

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM

“Still Unforgettable,” Natalie Cole

“The Sinatra Project,” Michael Feinstein

“Noël,” Josh Groban

“In The Swing Of Christmas,” Barry Manilow

“Rufus Does Judy At Carnegie Hall,” Rufus Wainwright

BEST POP COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS
Alicia Keys and John Mayer, “Lessons Learned”
Madonna, Justin Timberlake, and Timbaland, “4 Minutes”
Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, “Rich Woman”
Rihanna and Maroon 5, “If I Never See Your Face Again”
Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown, “No Air”

BEST POP PERFORMANCE, FEMALE
Adele, “Chasing Pavements”
Sara Bareilles, “Love Song”
Duffy, “Mercy”
Leona Lewis, “Bleeding Love”
Katy Perry, “I Kissed A Girl”
Pink, “So What”

BEST POP PERFORMANCE, MALE
Kid Rock, “All Summer Long”
John Mayer, “Say”
Paul McCartney, “That Was Me”
Jason Mraz, “I’m Yours”
Ne-Yo, “Closer”
James Taylor, “Wichita Lineman”

BEST POP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS
Coldplay, “Viva La Vida”
Eagles, “Waiting In The Weeds”
Gnarls Barkle, “Going On”
Maroon 5, “Won’t Go Home Without You”
OneRepublic, “Apologize”

POP COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS

“Lesson Learned,” Alicia Keys and John Mayer

“4 Minutes,” Madonna, Justin Timberlake and Timbaland

“Rich Woman,” Robert Plant and Alison Krauss

“If I Never See Your Face Again,” Rihanna and Maroon 5

“No Air,” Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown

BEST POP INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE

“Love Appetite,” Steve Cropper & Felix Cavaliere

“I Dreamed There Was No War,” Eagles

“Fortune Teller,” Fourplay

“Steppin’ Out,” Stanley Jordan“Blast” Marcus Miller

BEST POP INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM

“Sax For Stax,” Gerald Albright

“Greatest Hits Rerecorded Volume One,” Larry Carlton

“Jingle All The Way,” Béla Fleck & The Flecktones

“The Spice Of Life,” Earl Klugh

“A Night Before Christmas,” Spyro Gyra

BEST SOLO ROCK VOCAL PERFORMANCE

“Gravity,” John Mayer

“I Saw Her Standing There,” Paul McCartney

“Girls In Their Summer Clothes,” Bruce Springsteen

“Rise,” Eddie Vedder

“No Hidden Path,” Neil Young

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS

“Rock N Roll Train,” AC/DC

“Violet Hill,” Coldplay

“Long Road Out Of Eden,” Eagles

“Sex On Fire,” Kings Of Leon

“House Of Cards,” Radiohead

BEST HARD ROCK PERFORMANCE

“Inside The Fire,” Disturbed

“Visions,” Judas Priest

“Wax Simulacra,” The Mars Volta

“Saints Of Los Angeles,” Mötley Crüe

“Lords Of Salem,” Rob Zombie

 BEST ROCK INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE

“Castellorizon,” David Gilmour

“Suicide & Redemption,” Metallica

“34 Ghosts I-IV,” Nine Inch Nails

“Hope (Live For The Art Of Peace),” Rush

“Peaches En Regalia,” Zappa Plays Zappa

BEST METAL PERFORMANCE
Dragonforce, “Heroes Of Our Time”
Judas Priest, “Nostradamus”
Metallica, “My Apocalypse”
Ministry, “Under My Thumb”
Slipknot, “Psychosocial”

BEST ROCK SONG
Bruce Springsteen, “Girls In Their Summer Clothes”
Radiohead, “House Of Cards”
Death Cab For Cutie, “I Will Possess Your Heart”
Kings Of Leon, “Sex On Fire”
Coldplay, “Violet Hill” 

BEST ROCK ALBUM
Coldplay, Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends
Kid Rock, Rock N Roll Jesus
Kings Of Leon, Only By The Night
Metallica, Death Magnetic
Raconteurs, Consolers Of The Lonely

BEST ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
Beck, Modern Guilt
Death Cab For Cutie, Narrow Stairs
Gnarls Barkley, The Odd Couple
My Morning Jacket, Evil Urges
Radiohead, In Rainbows

 BEST FEMALE R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE

“Me, Myself And I,” Beyoncé

“Heaven Sent,” Keyshia Cole

“Spotlight,” Jennifer Hudson

“Superwoman,” Alicia Keys

“Need U Bad,” Jazmine Sullivan

BEST MALE R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCES

“You’re The Only One,” Eric Benét

“Take You Down,” Chris Brown

“Miss Independent,” Ne-Yo

“Can’t Help But Wait,” Trey Songz

“Here I Stand,” Usher

BEST R & B PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS
Boyz II Men, “Ribbon In The Sky”
Anthony David feat. India.Arie, “Words”
Al Green feat. John Legend, “Stay With Me (By The Sea)”
Jennifer Hudson feat. Fantasia, “I’m His Only Woman” b
Raphael Saadiq feat. Stevie Wonder & CJ Hilton, “Never Give You Up”

BEST TRADITIONAL R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE

“A Change Is Gonna Come,” Wayne Brady

“You’ve Got The Love I Need,” Al Green Featuring Anthony Hamilton

“Baby I Know,” (Linda Jones) With Helen Bruner & Terry Jones

“Love That Girl,” Raphael Saadiq

“In Love With Another Man,” Jazmine Sullivan

BEST URBAN / ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE

“Say Goodbye To Love,” Kenna

“Wanna Be,” Maiysha

“Be OK,” Chrisette Michele Featuring will.i.am

“Many Moons,” Janelle Monae

“Lovin You (Music),” Wayna Featuring Kokayi

BEST R&B SONG

“Bust Your Windows,” (Jazmine Sullivan)Salaam Remi & Jazmine Sullivan, songwriters (Deandre Way, songwriter)

“Customer,” (Raheem DeVaughn)I. Barias, Raheem DeVaughn, C. Haggins, K. Oliver & J. Smith, songwriters

“Heaven Sent,” (Keyshia Cole)Keyshia Cole, Jason Farmer & Alex Francis, songwriters

“Miss Independent,” (Ne-Yo)M.S. Eriksen, T.E. Hermansen & S. Smith, songwriters

“Spotlight,” (Jennifer Hudson)Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen & Shaffer Smith, songwriters

BEST R&B ALBUM

“Love & Life,” Eric Benét

“Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA,” Boyz II Men

“Lay It Down,” Al Green

“Jennifer Hudson,” Jennifer Hudson

“The Way I See It,” Raphael Saadiq

BEST CONTEMPORARY R&B ALBUM

 “Growing Pains,” Mary J. Blige

“Back Of My Lac’,” J. Holiday

“First Love,” Karina“Year Of The Gentleman,” Ne-Yo

“Fearless,” Jazmine Sullivan

BEST RAP ALBUM
Jay-Z, American Gangster
Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III
Lupe Fiasco, The Cool
Nas
T.I., Paper Trail

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP
Big Boi feat. Raekwon & Andre 3000, “Royal Flush”
(Taylor couldn’t pronounce “Raekwon” quite right. Aw.)
T.I. feat. Kanye West & Lil Wayne, “Swagger Like Us”
Lil Wayne feat. Jay-Z, “Mr Carter”
Ludacris feat. T.I., “Wish You Would”
Young Jeezy feat. Kanye West, “Put On”

BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION
Estelle feat. Kanye West, “American Boy”
Flo Rida feat. T-Pain, “Low”
John Legend feat. Andre 3000, “Green Light”
Lil Wayne feat. T-Pain, “Got Money”
Lupe Fiasco feat. Matthew Santos, “Superstar”

 BEST RAP SONG

 “Lollipop,” (Lil Wayne Featuring Static Major)D. Carter, S. Garrett, D. Harrison, J. Scheffer & R. Zamor, songwriters

“Low,” (Flo Rida Featuring T-Pain)T. Dillard, M. Humphrey & T-Pain, songwriters

“Sexual Eruption,” (Snoop Dogg)Calvin Broadus, S. Lovejoy & D. Stewart, songwriters

“Superstar,” (Lupe Fiasco Featuring Matthew Santos)Lupe Fiasco & Soundtrakk, songwriters

“Swagga Like Us,” (Jay-Z & T.I. Featuring Kanye West & Lil Wayne)D. Carter, S. Carter, Clifford Harris & Kanye West, songwriters (M. Arulpragasam, N. Headon, M. Jones, J. Mellor, T. Pentz & P. Simonon, songwriters)

BEST FEMALE COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE

“For These Times,” Martina McBride

“What I Cannot Change,” LeAnn Rimes

“Last Name,” Carrie Underwood

“Last Call,” Lee Ann Womack

“This is Me You’re Talking To,” Trisha Yearwood

BEST MALE COUNTRY VOCAL PERFORMANCE

“You’re Gonna Miss This,” Trace Adkins

“In Color,” Jamey Johnson

“Just Got Started Lovin’ You,” James Otto

“Letter To Me,” Brad Paisley

“Troubadour,” George Strait

BEST COUNTRY COLLABORATION WITH VOCALS
Kenny Chesney & George Strait, “Shiftwork”
Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, “Killing The Blues”
George Strait & Patty Loveless, “House Of Cash”
Sugarland, Jake Owen, & Little Big Town, “Life In A Northern Town”
Trisha Yearwood & Keith Urban, “Let The Wind Chase You”

BEST COUNTRY PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP
Brooks & Dunn, “God Must Be Busy”
Lady Antebellum, “Love Don’t Love Here”
Rascal Flatts, “Every Day”
The Steel Drivers, “Blue Side Of The Mountain”
Sugarland, “Stay”

 BEST COUNTRY INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE

“Sumatra,” Cherryholmes

“Two Small Cars In Rome,” Jerry Douglas & Lloyd Green

“Sleigh Ride,” Bela Fleck and the Flecktones“Is This America? (Katrina 2005),

”Charlie Haden, Pat Metheny, Jerry Douglas & Bruce Hornsby

“Cluster Pluck,” Brad Paisley, James Burton, Vince Gill, John Jorgenson, Albert Lee, Brent Mason, Redd Volkaert & Steve Wariner

BEST COUNTRY SONG

“Dig Two Graes,” Ashley Gorley & Bob Regan, songwriters (Randy Travis)

“I Saw God Today,” Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell & Wade Kirby, songwriters (George Strait)

“In Color,” Jamey Johnson, Lee Thomas Miller & James Otto, songwriters (Jamey Johnson)

“Stay,” Jennifer Nettles, songwriter (Sugarland)

“You’re Gonna Miss This,” Ashley Gorley & Lee Thomas Miller, songwriters (Trace Adkins)

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM

“That Lonesome Song,” Jamey Johnson

“Sleepless Nights,” Patty Loveless

“Troubadour,” George Strait

“Around the Bend,” Randy Travis

“Heaven, Heartache and the Power of Love,” Trisha Yearwood

BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM

“Cherryholmes III: Don’t Believe,” Cherryholmes

“Del McCoury Band — Live At The 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival,” Del McCoury Band

“The Ultimate Collection / Live At The Ryman,” Earl Scruggs With Family & Friends

“Honoring The Fathers Of Bluegrass: Tribute To 1946 And 1947,” Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder

“Wheels,” Dan Tyminski
BEST NEW AGE ALBUM

“Meditations,” William Ackerman

“Pathfinder,” Will Clipman

“Peace Time,” Jacke DeJohnette

“Ambrosia,” Peter Kater

“The Scent of Light,” Ottmar Liebert & Luna Negra

BEST CONTEMPORARY JAZZ ALBUM

“Randy in Brasil,” Randy Brecker

“Floating Point,” John McLaughlin

“Cannon Re-Loaded: All-Star Celebration Of Cannonball Adderley,” Various Artists

“Miles From India,” Various Artists

“Lifecycle,” Yellowjackets featuring Mike Stern

BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM

“Imagina: Songs of Brasil,” Karrin Allyson

“Breakfast on the Morning Train,” Stacey Kent

“If Less is More … Nothing is Everything,” Kate McGarry

“Loverly,” Cassandra Wilson

“Distances,” Norma Winstone

BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL SOLO

“Be-Bop,” Terrence Blanchard

“Seven Steps to Heaven,” Till Bronner

“Waltz for Debby,” Gary Burton & Chick Corea

“Son of Thirteen,” Pat Metheny

“Be-Bop,” James Moody

BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM, INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP

“The New Crystal Silence,” Chick Corea & Gary Burton

“History, Mystery,” Bill Frisell

“Brad Mehldau Trio: Live,” Brad Mehldau Trio

“Day Trip,” Pat Metheny With Christian McBride & Antonio Sanchez

“Standards,” Alan Pasqua, Dave Carpenter & Peter Erskine Trio

BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM

“Appearing Nightly,” Carla Bley And Her Remarkable Big Band

“Act Your Age,” Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band

“Symphonica,” Joe Lovano With WDR Big Band & Rundfunk Orchestra

“Blauklang,” Vince Mendoza

“Monday Night Live At The Village Vanguard,” The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM

“Afro Bop Alliance,” Caribbean Jazz Project

“The Latin Side Of Wayne Shorter,” Conrad Herwig & The Latin Side Band

“Song For Chico,” Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra

“Nouveau Latino,” Nestor Torres

“Marooned/Aislado,” Papo Vázquez The Mighty Pirates

BEST GOSPEL PERFORMANCE

“I Understand,” Kim Burrell, Rance Allen, Bebe Winans & Mariah Carey

“East To West,” Casting Crowns

“Get Up,” Mary Mary

“Shall We Gather At The River,” Take 6

“Waging War,” CeCe Winans

BEST GOSPEL SONG

“Cover Me,” James L. Moss, songwriter (21:03 With Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful & J Moss)

“Get Up,” Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Warryn Campbell & Eric Dawkins, songwriters (Mary Mary)

“Give Me Your Eyes,” Brandon Heath & Jason Ingram, songwriters (Brandon Heath)

“Help Me Believe,” Kirk Franklin, songwriter (Kirk Franklin)

“You Reign,” Jim Bryson, Steven Curtis Chapman, Nathan Cochran, Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Mike Scheuchzer & Robby Shaffer, songwriters (MercyMe)

BEST ROCK OR RAP GOSPEL ALBUM

“Hello,” After Edmund

“Our World Redeemed,” Flame

“We Need Each Other,” Sanctus Real

“Rock What You Got,” Superchick

“Alive And Transported,” TobyMac

BEST POP/CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ALBUM

“This Moment,” Steven Curtis Chapman

“What If We,” Brandon Heath

“Opposite Way,” Leeland

“Hello Love,” Chris Tomlin

“Thy Kingdom Come,” CeCe Winans

BEST SOUTHERN, COUNTRY, OR BLUEGRASS GOSPEL ALBUM

“Room for More,” Booth Brothers

“Lovin’ Life,” Gaither Vocal Band

“Steps to Heaven,” Charlie Louvin

“Hymned Again,” Bart Millard

“Ephesians One,” Karen Peck & New River

BEST TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM

“Down in New Orleans,” The Blind Boys of Alabama

“I’ll Say Yes,” The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

“Take it Back,” Dorinda Clark-Cole

“Deitrick Haddon Presents . . . Together In Worship,” Voices Of Unity

“Bishop Charles E. Blake Presents… No Limit,” The West Angeles COGIC Mass Choir

BEST CONTEMPORARY R&B GOSPEL ALBUM

“Reflections,” Jason Champion

“The Fight of My Life,” Kirk Franklin

“The Sound,” Mary Mary

“Donald Lawrence Introduces: Family Prayer,” The Murrills

“Stand Out,” Tye Tribbett & G.A.

BEST LATIN POP ALBUM

“Cara B,” Jorge Drexler

“Palabras Del Silencio,” Luis Fonsi

“La Vida … Es Un Ratico,” Juanes

“Complices,” Luis Miguel

“Tarde O Temprano,” Tommy Torres

BEST LATIN ROCK OR ALTERNATIVE ALBUM

“Sonidos Gold,” Grupo Fantasma

“45,” Jaguares

“La Verdad,” Locos Por Juana

“Tijuana Sound Machine,” Nortec Collective Presents: Bostich & Fussible

“Mediocre,” Ximena Sarinana

BEST LATIN URBAN ALBUM

“La Novela,” Akwid

“La Sinfonia,” La Sinfonia

“The Royalty: La Realez,” Rkm & Ken-y

“En Lo Claro,” Voltio

“Los Extraterrestres,” Wisin y Yandel

BEST TROPICAL LATIN ALBUM

“Cuba: Un Viaje Musical — A Musical Journey,” Albita, Rey Ruíz & Donato Poveda

“Renacer,” DLG

“Señor Bachata,” José Feliciano

“Frutero Moderno,” Gonzalo Grau y La Clave Secreta

“Back On The Streets… Taste Of Spanish Harlem Vol. 2,” New Swing Sextet

BEST REGIONAL MEXICAN ALBUM

“Amor, Dolor Y Lágrimas: Música Ranchera,” Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano

“Desde México: “Cumbia Cusinela,” Huichol Musical

“Vámonos Pa’l Río,” Los Pikadientes De Caborca

“Canciones De Amor,” Mariachi Divas

“A Puro Dolor,” Nadia

*Tie

BEST TEJANO ALBUM

“Music Lessons,” Chente Barrera y Taconazo

“Friends & Legends,” Joe Posada

“Viva La Revolucion,” Ruben Ramos & The Mexican Revolution

“All That Jazz…,” Tortilla Factory

“Heir To The Throne,” Albert Zamora

BEST NORTENO ALBUM

“Me Enamore De Un Angel,” Los Palominos

“Raíces,” Los Tigres Del Norte

“Corridos: Defendiendo El Honor,” Pesado

“Six Pack,” Siggno

“Cuidado,” Solido

BEST BANDA ALBUM

“Tu Inspiracion,” Alacranes Musical

“Que Bonito… ¡Es Lo Bonito!,” Banda El Recodo de Cruz Lizárrag

“Vive Y Dejame Vivir,” Cuisillos

“Tiro De Gracia,” Lupillo Rivera

“No Es De Madera,” Joan Sebástian

BEST TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM

“The Blues Rolls On,” Elvin Bishop

“Skin Deep,” Buddy Guy

“All Odds Against Me,” John Lee Hooker Jr
“One Kind Favor,” B.B. King

“Pinetop Perkins & Friends,” Pinetop Perkins & Friends

BEST CONTEMPORARY BLUES ALBUM

“Peace, Love & BBQ,” Marcia Ball

“Like A Fire,” Solomon Burke

“City That Care Forgot,”” Dr. John And The Lower 911

“Maestro,” Taj Mahal

“Simply Grand,” Irma Thomas

BEST TRADITIONAL FOLK ALBUM

“Coal,” Kathy Mattea

“Comedians & Angels,” Tom Paxton

“Bring Me Home,” Peggy Seeger

“At 89,” Pete Seeger

“Strangers In Another Country,” Rosalie Sorrels

BEST CONTEMPORARY FOLK/AMERICANA ALBUM

“Day After Tomorrow,” Joan Baez

“I, Flathead,” Ry Cooder

“Sex & Gasoline,” Rodney Crowell

“All I Intended To Be,” Emmylou Harris

“Raising Sand,” Robert Plant & Alison Krauss

BEST NATIVE AMERICAN MUSIC ALBUM

“Songs From The Black Hills,” Bryan Akipa

“Spo’Mo’Kin’Nan,” Black Lodge

“Red Rock,” Northern Cree

“Come To Me Great Mystery — Native American Healing Songs,” Various Artists

“Faith,” Kevin Yazzie

BEST HAWAIIAN MUSIC ALBUM

“’Ikena,” Tia Carrere & Daniel Ho

“’Aumakua,” Amy Hanaiali`i
“Force Of Nature,” Led Kaapana & Mike Kaawa

“Hawaiian Slack Key Kings Masters Series Vol. II,” Various Artists

“The Spirit Of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar,” Various Artists

BEST ZYDECO OR CAJUN MUSIC ALBUM

“Live At The 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival,” BeauSoleil & Michael Doucet

“From Now On,”Michael Doucet

“Homage Au Passé,” Pine Leaf Boys

“Live At The 2008 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival,” Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys

“Cedric Watson,” Cedric Watson

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 & Robbie

BEST TRADITIONAL WORLD MUSIC ALBUM

“Calcutta Chronicles: Indian Slide Guitar Odyssey,” Debashish Bhattacharya

“The Mandé Variations,” Toumani Diabaté

“Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu,” Ladysmith Black Mambazo

“Dancing In The Light,” Lakshmi Shankar

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

BEST POLKA ALBUM

“El Maestro Del Acordeón Y Sus Polkas,” Paulino Bernal

“Speechless,” LynnMarie & Charlie Kelley As The Boxhounds

“Back To Back Hall Of Fame Polkas,” Walter Ostanek & His Band, Jerry Darlak & The Touch And Bob Kravos & His Band

“Hungry For More,” Polka Family Band

“Let The Whole World Sing,” Jimmy Sturr And His Orchestra

BEST MUSICAL ALBUM FOR CHILDREN

“Beethoven’s Wig 4: Dance Along Symphonies,” Beethoven’s Wig

“Big Round World.” Trout Fishing In America

“Here Come The 123s,” They Might Be Giants

“Here Comes Brady Rymer And The Little Band That Could,” Brady Rymer And The Little Band That Could

“The Shoe Bird,” Gerard Schwarz Conducting The Seattle Symphony

BEST SPOKEN WORD ALBUM FOR CHILDREN

“Around The Campfire,” Buck Howdy With BB

“The Big One-Oh,” Dean Pitchford

“Brown Bear And Friends.” Gwyneth Paltrow

“The Cricket In Times Square,” Tony Shalhoub

“Yes To Running! Bill Harley Live,” Bill Harley

BEST SPOKEN WORD ALBUM (INCLUDES POETRY, AUDIO BOOKS & STORY TELLING)

“An Inconvenient Truth (Al Gore),” Beau Bridges, Cynthia Nixon & Blair Underwood

“Born Standing Up,” Steve Martin

“I Am America (And So Can You!),” Stephen Colbert (& Various Artists)

“Life Beyond Measure,” Sidney Poitier

“When You Are Engulfed In Flames,” David Sedaris

BEST COMEDY ALBUM

“Anticipation,” Lewis Black

“Flight Of The Conchords,” Flight Of The Conchords

“For Your Consideration,” Kathy Griffin

“It’s Bad For Ya,” George Carlin

“Songs Of The Bushmen,” Harry Shearer

BEST MUSICAL SHOW ALBUM

“Gypsy.” Robert Sher, producer (Jule Styne, composer; Stephen Sondheim, lyricist)

“In The Heights,” Kurt Deutsch, Alex Lacamoire, Andrés Levin, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Joel Moss & Bill Sherman, producers; Lin-Manuel Miranda, composer/lyricist (Original Broadway Cast With Lin-Manuel Miranda And Others)

“The Little Mermaid,” Bruce Botnick, Michael Kosarin, Alan Menken & Chris Montan, producers; Alan Menken, composer; Glenn Slater, lyricist (Howard Ashman, lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast With Sierra Boggess, Tituss Burgess & Others)

“South Pacific,” David Caddick, David Lai & Ted Sperling, producers (Richard Rodgers, composer; Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist) (New Broadway Cast With Kelli O’Hara, Paulo Szot & Others)

“Young Frankenstein; The Musical,” Doug Besterman, producer; Mel Brooks, composer/lyricist (Original Broadway Cast With Roger Bart, Megan Mullally, Sutton Foster & Others)

BEST SOUNDTRACK
American Gangster
August Rush
Juno
Mamma Mia!
Sweeney Todd—The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK ALBUM FOR MOTION PICTURE, TELEVISION OR OTHER VISUAL MEDIA

“The Dark Knight,” James Newton Howard & Hans Zimmer, composers

“Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull,” John Williams, composer

“Iron Man,” Ramin Djawadi

“There Will Be Blood,” Jonny Greenwood, composer

“Wall-E,” Thomas Newman, composer

BEST SONG FOR A MOTION PICTURE, TV SHOW, OR OTHER VISUAL MEDIA
“Down To Earth” (Wall-E)
“Ever Ever After” (Enchanted)
“Say” (The Bucket List)
“That’s How You Know” (Enchanted)
“Walk Hard” (Walk Hard—The Dewey Cox Story)

BEST INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITION

“The Adventures Of Mutt,: John Williams, composer (John Williams)
Track from: “Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull”

“Alegria,” Chick Corea, composer (Chick Corea & Gary Burton)
Track from: “The New Crystal Silence”

“Claire’s Closet,” Russell Ferrante, composer (Yellowjackets Featuring Mike Stern)
Track from: “Lifecycle”

“Danzón De Etiqueta,” Dave Grusin, composer (Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin)
Track from: “Amparo”

“Hit The Ground Running,” Gordon Goodwin, composer (Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band)
Track from: “Act Your Age”

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT

“Define Dancing,” Peter Gabriel & Thomas Newman, arrangers (Thomas Newman)
Track from: “Wall-E”

“Down In The Valley,” Frank Macchia, arranger (Frank Macchia Featuring The Prague Orchestra)
Track from: “Landscapes”

“Duke Ellington’s Sound Of Love,” Michael Abene, arranger (Joe Lovano With WDR Big Band & Rundfunk Orchestra)
Track from: “Symphonica”

“St. Louis Blues,” Bob Brookmeyer, arranger (The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra)
Track from: “Monday Night Live At The Village Vanguard”

“Yesterdays,” Gordon Goodwin, arranger (Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band Featuring Art Tatum)
Track from: Act Your Age

BEST INSTRUMENTAL ARRANGEMENT ACCOMPANYING VOCALIST(S)

“Alfie,” Vince Mendoza, arranger (Traincha & The Metropole Orchestra)
Track from: “The Look Of Love — Burt Bacharach Songbook”

“Grace,” Cedric Dent, arranger (Take 6)
Track from: “The Standard”

“Here’s That Rainy Day,” Nan Schwartz, arranger (Natalie Cole)
Track from: Still Unforgettable

“Johnny One Note,” Don Sebesky, arranger (John Pizzarelli)
Track from: “With A Song In My Heart”

“Lazy Afternoon,” Claus Ogerman, arranger (Danilo Perez)
Track from: “Across The Crystal Sea”

BEST RECORDING PACKAGE

“Death Magnetic,” Bruce Duckworth, Sarah Moffat & David Turner, art directors (Metallica)

“Hawk Nelson…Is My Friend!,’ Don Clark, art director (Hawk Nelson)

“Nouns,” No Age & Brian Roettinger, art directors (No Age)

“Radio Retaliation,” Neal Ashby, Matthew Curry & Patrick Donohue, art directors (Thievery Corporation)

“Summer Rains,” Amanda Barrett, Abby DeWald, Renee Jablow & Rick Whitmore, art directors (The Ditty Bops)

BEST BOXED OR SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION PACKAGE

“Ghosts I-IV,” Jeff Anderson, Trent Reznor & Rob Sheridan, art directors (Nine Inch Nails)

“In Rainbows,” Stanley Donwood, Mel Maxwell & Christiaan Munro, art directors (Radiohead)

“Poems & Songs,” Qing-Yang Xiao, art director (Wu Sheng)

“Pretty. Odd,” Alex Kirzhner & Panic At The Disco, art directors (Panic At The Disco)

“@#%&*! Smilers,” Aimee Mann & Gail Marowitz, art directors (Aimee Mann)

BEST ALBUM NOTES

“Art Of Field Recording Volume I: Fifty Years Of Traditional American Music,” Documented By Art Rosenbaum, Art Rosenbaum, album notes writer (Various Artists)

“Debate ‘08: Taft And Bryan Campaign On The Edison Phonograph,” Patrick Feaster & David Giovannoni, album notes writers (William Jennings Bryan & William Howard Taft)

“Kind Of Blue: 50th Anniversary Collector’s Edition,” Francis Davis, album notes writer (Miles Davis)

“Rare & Unreleased Recordings From The Golden Reign Of The Queen Of Soul,” David Ritz & Jerry Wexler, album notes writers (Aretha Franklin)

“The Unsung Father Of Country Music: 1925-1934,” Henry “Hank” Sapoznik, album notes writer (Ernest V. Stoneman)

BEST HISTORICAL ALBUM

“Art Of Field Recording Volume I: Fifty Years Of Traditional American Music,” Documented By Art Rosenbaum

“Classic Columbia, OKeh And Vocalion Lester Young With Count Basie (1936-1940),” Scott Wenzel, compilation producer; Malcolm Addey, Michael Brooks, Matt Cavaluzzo,

“Debate ‘08: Taft And Bryan Campaign On The Edison Phonograph,” David Giovannoni, Meagan Hennessey & Richard Martin, compilation producers; Richard Martin, mastering engineer

“Polk Miller & His Old South Quartette,” Ken Flaherty, Jr., compilation producer; Marcos Sueiro Bal, Ken Flaherty, Jr., Kurt Nauck & Glenn Sage, mastering engineers

“To Be Free: The Nina Simone Story,” Richard Seidel, compilation producer; Mark G. Wilder, mastering engineer (Nina Simone)

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, NON-CLASSICAL

“Consolers Of The Lonely,” Joe Chiccarelli, Vance Powell & Jack White III, engineers (The Raconteurs)

“Just A Little Lovin’,” Al Schmitt, engineer (Shelby Lynne)

“Lay It Down,” Jimmy Douglass, Russell “The Dragon” Elevado & John Smeltz, engineers (Al Green)

“Still Unforgettable,” Steve Genewick, Al Schmitt & Bill Schnee, engineers (Natalie Cole)

“We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things,” Dyre Gormsen & Tony Maserati, engineers (Jason Mraz)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL
Danger Mouse
Nigel Godrich
Johnny Karkazis
Rick Rubin
will.i.am

BEST REMIXED RECORDING, NON-CLASSICAL

“Closer” (StoneBridge Radio Edit), StoneBridge, remixer (Ne-Yo)

“Electric Feel” (Justice Remix), Justice, remixers (MGMT)

“4 Minutes” (Junkie XL Remix), Junkie XL, remixer (Madonna Featuring Justin Timberlake)

“Just Fine” (Moto Blanco Remix), Moto Blanco, remixers (Mary J. Blige)

“The Longest Road” (Deadmau5 Remix), Deadmau5, remixer (Morgan Page Featuring Lissie)

BEST SURROUND SOUND ALBUM

“Divertimenti,” Morten Lindberg & Hans Peter L’Orange, surround mix engineers; Morten Lindberg, surround mastering engineer; Morten Lindberg, surround producer (Øyvind Gimse & TrondheimSolistene)

“Mussorgsky: Pictures At An Exhibition; Night On Bald Mountain; Prelude To Khovanshchina,” Michael Bishop, surround mix engineer; Michael Bishop, surround mastering engineer; Robert Woods, surround producer (Paavo Järvi & Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra)

“Rheinberger: Sacred Choral Works,” John Newton, surround mix engineer; Jonathan Cooper & Mark Donahue, surround mastering engineers; Blanton Alspaugh, surround producer (Charles Bruffy, Phoenix Bach Choir & Kansas City Chorale)

“Ringo 5.1 The Surround Sound Collection,” Bruce Sugar, surround mix engineer; Chris Bellman, surround mastering engineer; Bill Crowley, Ringo Starr & Bruce Sugar, surround producers (Ringo Starr)

“Sensurround + B-Sides,” Tohru Takayama, surround mix engineer; Keigo Oyamada, surround producer (Cornelius)
BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, CLASSICAL

“Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique,” Fred Vogler, engineer (Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic)

“Divertimenti,” Morten Lindberg & Hans Peter L’Orange, engineers (Øyvind Gimse & TrondheimSolistene)

“Puccini: La Bohème,” Michael Bishop, engineer (Robert Spano & Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus)

“Respighi: Church Windows, Brazilian Impressions, Rossiniana.” John Newton, engineer (JoAnn Falletta & Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra)

“Traditions And Transformations: Sounds Of Silk Road Chicago,” David Frost, Tom Lazarus & Christopher Willis, engineers (Miguel Harth-Bedoya, Alan Gilbert, Silk Road Ensemble, Wu Man, Yo-Yo Ma & Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, CLASSICAL

David Frost
Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique (Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic)

David Groves

Judith Sherman

Robert Woods

Robina G. Young

BEST CLASSICAL ALBUM

“Maria,” Cecilia Bartoli; Christopher Raeburn, producer; Wolf-Dieter Karwatky & Philip Siney, engineers/mixers (Adam Fischer; Orchestra La Scintilla)

“O’Regan, Tarik: Threshold Of Night,” Craig Hella Johnson, conductor; Blanton Alspaugh, producer; John Newton, engineer/mixer; Mark Donahue, mastering engineer (Company Of Strings; Company Of Voices & Conspirare)

“Schoenberg/Sibelius: Violin Concertos,” Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor; Hilary Hahn; Sid McLauchlan & Arend Prohmann, producers; Stephan Flock, engineer/mixer (Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra)

“Spotless Rose: Hymns To The Virgin Mary,” Charles Bruffy, conductor; Phoenix Chorale; Blanton Alspaugh, producer; John Newton, engineer/mixer; Jonathan Cooper & Mark Donahue, mastering engineers

“Weill: Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny,” James Conlon, conductor; Anthony Dean Griffey, Patti LuPone & Audra McDonald; Fred Vogler, producer (Donnie Ray Albert, John Easterlin, Steven Humes, Mel Ulrich & Robert Wörle; Los Angeles Opera Chorus; Los Angeles Opera Orchestra)

BEST ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE

“D’Indy: Orchestral Works, Vol. 1,” Rumon Gamba, conductor (Iceland Symphony Orchestra)

“Glazunov: Symphony No. 6, La Mer, Introduction And Dance From Salome,” José Serebrier, conductor (Royal Scottish National Orchestra)

“Prokofiev: Scythian Suite, Op. 20,” Alan Gilbert, conductor (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

“Shostakovich: Symphony No. 4,” Bernard Haitink, conductor (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

“Walden, Chris: Symphony No. 1, The Four Elements,” Chris Walden, conductor (Hollywood Studio Symphony Orchestra)

BEST OPERA RECORDING

“Tan Dun: The First Emperor,” Tan Dun, conductor; Michelle DeYoung, Plácido Domingo, Elizabeth Futral, Paul Groves, Wu Hsing-Kuo & Hao Jiang Tian; Jay David Saks, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus)

“Lully: Psyché,” Paul O´Dette & Stephen Stubbs, conductors; Colin Balzer, Karina Gauvin, Carolyn Sampson & Aaron Sheehan; Renate Wolter-Seevers, producer (Boston Early Music Festival Orchestra; Boston Early Music Festival Chorus)

“Monteverdi: L’Orfeo,” Rinaldo Alessandrini, conductor; Sara Mingardo, Monica Piccinini, Anna Simboli & Furio Zanasi; Jean-Pierre Loisil, producer (Concerto Italiano)

“Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin,” Valery Gergiev, conductor; Renée Fleming, Dmitri Hvorostovsky & Ramón Vargas; Jay David Saks, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus)

“Weill: Rise And Fall Of The City Of Mahagonny.” James Conlon, conductor; Anthony Dean Griffey, Patti LuPone & Audra McDonald; Fred Vogler, producer (Donnie Ray Albert, John Easterlin, Steven Humes, Mel Ulrich & Robert Wörle; Los Angeles Opera Orchestra; Los Angeles Opera Chorus)

BEST CHORAL PERFORMANCE

“O’Regan, Tarik: Threshold Of Night,” Craig Hella Johnson, conductor (Company Of Strings; Company Of Voices & Conspirare)

“Rheinberger: Sacred Choral Works,” Charles Bruffy, conductor (Kansas City Chorale & Phoenix Bach Choir)

“Symphony Of Psalms,” Sir Simon Rattle, conductor; Simon Halsey, chorus master (Berliner Philharmoniker; Rundfunkchor Berlin)

“Szymanowski, Karol: Stabat Mater.” Antoni Wit, conductor; Henryk Wojnarowski, chorus master (Jaroslaw Brek, Iwona Hossa & Ewa Marciniec; Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra; Warsaw Philharmonic Choir)

“Tippett: A Child Of Our Time,” Colin Davis, conductor; Joseph Cullen, chorus master (Steve Davislim, Mihoko Fujimura, Matthew Rose & Indra Thomas; London Symphony Orchestra; London Symphony Chorus)

BEST INSTRUMENTAL SOLOIST(S) PERFORMANCE (WITH ORCHESTRA)

“Bloch/Lees:Violin Concertos,” John McLaughlin Williams, conductor; Elmar Oliveira (National Symphony Orchestra Of Ukraine)

“Harrison: Pipa Concerto,” Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor; Wu Man (Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

“Mozart: Piano Concertos 17 & 20,” Leif Ove Andsnes (Norwegian Chamber Orchestra)

“Saint-Saëns: Piano Concertos 2 & 5,” Charles Dutoit, conductor; Jean-Yves Thibaudet (L’Orchestre De La Suisse Romande)

“Schoenberg/Sibelius: Violin Concertos,” Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor; Hilary Hahn (Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra)

BEST INSTRUMENTAL SOLOIST PERFORMANCE (WITHOUT ORCHESTRA)

“In A State Of Jazz,” Marc-André Hamelin

“Piano Music Of Salonen, Stucky, And Lutoslawski,” Gloria Cheng

“Red Cliff Capriccio,” Wei Li

“Revolutionary,” Cameron Carpenter

“Strange Toys,” Joan Jeanrenaud

BEST CHAMBER MUSIC PERFORMANCE

“Brahms: String Quartet Op. 51, No. 2, Piano Quintet Op. 34,” Stephen Hough; Takács Quartet

“Carter, Elliott: String Quartets Nos. 1 And 5,” Pacifica Quartet

“Folk Songs,” Trio Mediaeval

“Right Through The Bone — Julius Röntgen Chamber Music,” ARC Ensemble

“String Poetic,” Jennifer Koh & Reiko Uchida

BEST SMALL ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE

“Divertimenti,” Øyvind Gimse, conductor; TrondheimSolistene

“Tan Dun: Pipa Concerto; Hayashi: Viola Concerto; Takemitsu: Nostalgia,” Roman Balashov, conductor; Yuri Bashmet; Moscow Soloists (Wu Man)

“Im Wunderschoenen Monat Mai,” Reinbert De Leeuw, conductor; Barbara Sukowa; Schoenberg Ensemble

“Monk: Impermanence,” Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble

“Spotless Rose: Hymns To The Virgin Mary,” Charles Bruffy, conductor; Phoenix Chorale

BEST CLASSICAL VOCAL PERFORMANCE

“Corigliano: Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems Of Bob Dylan,” Hila Plitmann (JoAnn Falletta; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra)

“Fussell, Charles: Wilde,” Sanford Sylvan (Gil Rose; Boston Modern Orchestra Project)
“Gomidas Songs,” Isabel Bayrakdarian (Eduard Topchjan; Serouj Kradjian; Chamber Players Of The Armenian Philharmonic Orchestra)

“Maria,” Cecilia Bartoli (Adam Fischer; Orchestra La Scintilla)

“Terezín: Theresienstadt,” Anne Sofie Von Otter (Christian Gerhaher & Daniel Hope; Bengt Forsberg & Gerold Huber)

BEST CLASSICAL CONTEMPORARY COMPOSITION

“Dalbavie: Concerto Pour Flûte,” Marc-André Dalbavie (Peter Eötvös)

“Gandolfi: The Garden Of Cosmic Speculation,” Michael Gandolfi (Robert Spano)

“Mr. Tambourine Man: Seven Poems Of Bob Dylan,” John Corigliano (JoAnn Falletta)

“Violin Concerto No. 2,” George Tsontakis (Douglas Boyd)

“Walden, Chris: Symphony No. 1, The Four Elements,” Chris Walden (Chris Walden)

BEST CLASSICAL CROSSOVER ALBUM

“Baroque,” Gabriela Montero

“Indigo Road,” Ronn McFarlane

“Olde School,” East Village Opera Company

“The Othello Syndrome,” Uri Caine Ensemble
“Simple Gifts,” The King’s Singers

BEST SHORT-FORM MUSIC VIDEO
Erykah Badu, “Honey”
Gnarls Barkley, “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul”
Alicia Keys & Jack White, “Another Way To Die”
Radiohead, “House Of Cards”
Weezer, “Pork & Beans”

BEST LONG FORM MUSIC VIDEO

“Where The Light Is — Live In Los Angeles,” John Mayer
Danny Clinch, video director; Lindha Narvaez, video producer

“Runnin’ Down A Dream,” Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Peter Bogdanovich, video director; Skot Bright, video producer

“Good Girl Gone Bad Live,” Rihanna
Paul Caslin, video director; John Paveley, Ruth Paveley & Rupert Style, video producers

“Respect Yourself — The Stax Records Story,” Various Artists
Robert Gordon & Morgan Neville, video directors; Mark Crosby, Robert Gordon & Morgan Neville, video producers

“Amazing Journey: The Story Of The Who,” The Who
Paul Crowder & Murray Lerner, video directors; Robert Rosenberg & Nigel Sinclair, video producers

Persze mások is zenélnek majd február 6-án, a Los Angeles-i Staples Center színpadán, de ők nem szólták le korábban a Grammy-t, úgyhogy őket nem cikizzük, csak felsoroljuk. Akik kollaborálnak: Paul McCartney és Dave Grohl együtt (akárcsak Sir Paul tavalyi, liverpooli koncertjén); Jay-Z, Kanye West és T.I. együtt; T.I. még egyszer, Justin Timberlake-kel együtt. És akik nem közösködnek, hanem szólóban nyomják: a Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry, a Coldplay, Jennifer Hudson, Kenny Chesney, Lil Wayne, valamint Carrie Underwood.