Showbiz Commentary: Heidi Oringer
Feb. 28 — -- Every time I watch an awards show like the Grammys, I always think, "Gee, if only sex could last that long."
At a lengthy 3 hours and 28 minutes, the 44th Annual Grammy Awards proved to be … ah, how shall I say this? Lengthy. (Redundant? No, lengthy!) Somthing for Everyone … and 'Var-y Enta-taining'
The performances were enjoyable. There was something for everyone, regardless of musical tastes. I was inspired by the youthful divas that, as expected, did a bang-up job performing "Lady Marmalade." They were joined by, sort-of surprise guest, Patti LaBelle. I say "sort-of" because most people knew Patti Labelle was performing at this year's Grammys for the very first time.
Since LaBelle originated "Lady Marmalade" it only stood to reason she would join Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lil' Kim, Mya and Missy Elliott. What viewers didn't know was that Patti would only come out to sing for about 40 seconds. This was a bit of a bummer for me, but it was probably a relief for Patti as the fabulous giant crinoline attachment that was strategically placed on the back of her red dress fell off when she arrived on stage.
U2 rocked us with "Walk On." Train soothed with "Drops of Jupiter" and Alicia Keyes mesmerized with "Fallin," followed by a remixed flamenco/rap version of "A Woman's Worth."
Billy Joel and Tony Bennett affirmed good feelings with a duet of "New York State of Mind." Ralph Stanley and the Soggy Bottom Boys hum-dinged with "I'm A Man of Constant Sorrow" from the much-lauded soundtrack of O Brother Where Art Thou?, which garnered Album of the Year honors. The Dave Matthews Band pleased with "The Space Between," and Mary J. Blige kindly obliged with a soulful version of "No More Drama."
Overall it was a fantastic opportunity to see today's greatest musical acts show their stuff at the most prestigious music event of the year. It was, as my grandmother used to say after a Walter Matthau/Jack Lemmon movie, "vary, vary enta-taining." What Was Missing?
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