BY MELISSA RUGGIERI
LOS ANGELES – The coronation of a humble young Brit began early when Sam Smith secured his first-ever Grammy for best new artist.
But stalwart lo-fi alt-country rocker Beck altered the narrative when his "Morning Phase" surprised as the album of the year winner at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards, besting Smith's breakthrough debut, "In the Lonely Hour," as well as front-runner Beyonce, Pharrell Williams and Ed Sheeran.
The prize was Beck’s third of the night.
Still, the angelic-voiced Smith, nominated for six trophies, had a notable showing with a quartet of awards, including record and song of the year for “Stay with Me” (though Smith’s failure to win all of the “big four” awards means Christopher Cross’ 34-year-old record still stands).
“I want to thank the man I wrote this about,” Smith said. “I want to thank you for breaking my heart because you got me four Grammys.”
Backstage, a jovial Smith said he hadn't yet talked to the fellow, but that he'd be seeing him soon.
"I can let him touch the Grammys...once," Smith said with a grin.
Smith added that he was "very shocked" that Beyonce didn’t win album of the year, but noted, "I think Beck really, really deserved this."
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Speaking of, Beyonce added to her stash with three more awards (for best R&B song, best R&B performance and best surround sound), bringing her career total to 20. “This has been such an incredible year,” she said, then looked into the crowd at Jay Z and added, “I’d like to thank my beloved husband. I love you deep.”
Pharrell Williams also hit the trifecta with awards for best pop solo performance, best music video and best urban contemporary album.
Miranda Lambert, nominated for four Grammys, walked away with one for best country album (“Platinum”), while Jack White, Kendrick Lamar and Eminem also visited the winners circle.
Notable shut-outs included nominees Usher, Eric Church, Drake, Taylor Swift, Meghan Trainor, Hozier and Iggy Azalea.
As always, the performances ruled the show, which aired live from the Staples Center.
Among them, AC/DC inspired the Grammy audience – including Katy Perry - to don devil horns for their “Rock or Bust”/ “Highway to Hell” combo that opened the night.
Atlanta’s Usher took the opposite route with his sparse, harp-infused rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “If It’s Magic,” on which the legend himself joined on harmonica.
Kanye West performed on the show twice – his first appearance in six years - with the heavily Auto-Tuned ballad, “Only One.” Later, he joined Rihanna and Paul McCartney on their unlikely, yet melodic, collaboration, “FourFiveSeconds.”
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Madonna intoned that she wanted to “start a revolution of love” at the beginning of her new pop-gospel-EDM tune, “Living for Love.” Always the pro, Madonna cavorted in a black and red cleavage-baring ensemble, surrounded by horned, faceless dancers in an instantly memorable performance.
Meanwhile, pop princess of the moment Perry took an effectively stark route with the meaningful “By the Grace of God.”
Ed Sheeran, looking tasteful in a suit vest and tie, unfurled his lovely “Thinking Out Loud” supported by John Mayer, Herbie Hancock and Questlove and then joined Jeff Lynne for the mellifluous ELO classic “Mr. Blue Sky.”
The musical goddess Annie Lennox added a vocal spark to Hozier’s “Take Me to Church” and slayed “I Put a Spell on You,” while the always-unique Williams donned an outfit straight of “The Grand Budapest Hotel” for his spirited rendition of “Happy.”
Lady Gaga sashayed around Tony Bennett for their frisky “Cheek to Cheek” (the duo also won for best traditional pop vocal album).
At the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony (previously called the Grammy Pre-Show), 74 of the 83 Grammy Awards were presented, including a trio for Rosanne Cash in the roots and Americana categories and several for Atlanta/Georgia artists.
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Credit: Melissa Ruggieri
Hip-hop Christian star Lecrae acquired his second career Grammy with the song “Messengers,” which won for best contemporary Christian music performance/song.
Backstage, a tuxedo-clad Lecrae said, “I’m a testament to hip-hop as well, that you can have morals, faith, and that we’re not a homogenous group. We’re full of texture and color.”
Atlanta’s Susan Archie was among the winners for “The Rise & Fall of Paramount Records, Volume One (1917-27)” in the best boxed or special limited edition package category.
Michael Graves, the mastering engineer for “The Garden Spot Programs, 1950,” was part of the squad that won for best historical album and gave a shout-out to the Atlanta chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, which holds the record for the most number of Grammys among Georgia artists with 27, factored in a win for engineer Michael Bishop, who nabbed best engineered album, classical for "Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem; Symphony No. 4; the Lark Ascending" from Robert Spano and the ASO.
Atlanta native Kabir Sehgal served as executive producer and liner notes writer for "The Offense of the Drum," by Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, which won for best Latin jazz album.
The nominees for this year’s ceremony were chosen from projects released between October 1, 2013 and Sept. 30, 2014 and voted on by more than 13,000 members of the recording academy.
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