I feel like I’ve entered Bizarro World – where the judgement of Grammy voters actually bestows artistic merit on recordings.
Let me be clear: Grammy Awards are never consistently about the best music among the nominees any more than the Emmys or Oscars award the best television or movies. It’s about what’s cool, what’s hot, what’s been overlooked before, sometimes just what’s alphabetically first in the ballot. Best arrangement often goes to the recording with the most famous performer (not the arranger).In most categories, all nominees are deserving of praise, and in the most talked-about case this year of Beck vs Beyonce, I don’t even know how to compare them.
I think I might best sum up my opinion with these lines of dialogue from Aaron Sorkin’s Sports Night. (perhaps my favorite sitcom ever)
Casey: Can I just say one more thing about the Starland Vocal Band?
Dan: Sure.
Casey: 1978, they win the Grammy for Best New Artist. You know who they beat? Elvis Costello. Now is it your belief that Elvis Costello isn’t cool?
Dan: No, it’s my belief that the Grammy voters aren’t cool.
Casey: Now they tell me.