Just because I’d forgotten the Grammys does not mean I don’t love the show, so I was thrilled to find the full re-run available for free on CBS.
Hosted by an often less-than-funny Trevor Howard, the awards night featured some especially dazzling performances this year (and, I was heartened to see, words of comfort for Israeli’s suffering on Oct. 7).
I particularly enjoyed a letting-her-hair-go-gray Tracy Chapman in a duet of “Fast Car” with Luke Combs. Wow, did they sound great together!
Also amazing was Mylie Cyrus’s “Flowers,” with some great moves and one of the best dresses to hit the stage Sunday night — “I can take myself dancing…I can hold my own hand…I can love myself better than you can…” (I think I discovered my personal anthem!)
Several years after a brain aneurism, and having recently marked her 80th birthday, Joni Mitchell sang a resonatingly alto rendition of “Clouds” while tapping a walking stick. You go, girl, and please keep on singing!
Later came the exuberant Nigerian-born rapper Burna Boy — loved that shirt and tie under his glitter duds — and his equally energetic ensemble. What a joy to behold!
Wasted, to my mind, was Stevie Wonder, who offered a sendup to the recently departed Tony Bennett. (We shall also miss Jimmy Buffett, Melanie, and Tina Turner.) Stevie’s magnificent, but seemed muted singing others’ standards.
Nor was I blown away by Billy Joel, who performed his first new song in 30 years. Billy’s produced some classics, but this latest work had less pizzazz than just plain zzzz’s.
