FEIST LEADS PACK IN STRONG CANADIAN GRAMMY SHOWING Guy Dixon – Globe and Mail Feist, Nelly Furtado and Joni Mitchell were just three of the Canadian musicians making a significant showing in the annual contest of find the Canadians among the Grammy nominees yesterday.
After the nomination announcement from Los Angeles, Toronto-based Feist came out a clear favourite. Her smoky sound, which has managed to capture numerous audiences without compromising its independent flavour, has garnered Feist nominations for best new artist, best female pop vocal performance for the song 1234 and best pop vocal album for The Reminder. 1234 is also nominated for best short-form music video.
The Victoria-bred pop sultress Furtado is head-to-head against Feist for best female pop vocal with the single Say It Right. She is also up for best pop collaboration with vocals for her work on Timbaland's Give It to Me. Fellow Canadian West Coaster Michael Bublé is nominated for best male pop vocal performance for the song Everything and best traditional pop vocal album for Call Me Irresponsible.
Representing the old (but vital) guard is Mitchell, was nominated for her work with Herbie Hancock on the jazz pianist's tribute album to Mitchell (including best album for Hancock's River: The Joni Letters) and her own latest music (her song One Week Last Summer is up for best pop instrumental performance). Hancock and River are also nominated for best contemporary jazz album and best jazz instrumental solo.
As always, the main focus of the Grammy announcement was the various sure bets. Rapper-producer Kanye West led the way with eight nominations, while troubled British singer Amy Winehouse received six. Others receiving multiple nods included Paul McCartney, the Foo Fighters, Rihanna and rapper-producer-music executive Jay-Z.
Canada showed both its alternative and commercial rock sides with Arcade Fire getting a nod for best alternative music album for Neon Bible, Rush scoring a nomination in best rock instrumental performance for Malignant Narcissism and Nickelback nominated for best rock performance by a duo or group with vocals for If Everyone Cared.
Other Canadians included Alberta country band Emerson Drive, for best country performance by duo or group, composer Loreena McKennitt for best contemporary world-music album with An Ancient Muse and film composer Howard Shore for best score soundtrack album for The Departed. Perennial favourite Walter Ostanek and his band were nominated for best polka album with Duelling Polkas, but Ostanek is up against fellow Ontarian John Gora and his band, Gorale. |