Backstage Pass

It was an entrance fit for the Queen of Rock and Roll. As the curtains swung open last night at Nassau Coliseum, Tina Turner appeared on a towering pedestal. (See photos from the concert and vote for your favorite Tina Turner song.)

She may have come back to earth as the hydraulic lift met the stage for her opening "Steamy Windows," but everyone in the capacity crowd was high on Turner for the next two and a half hours. "Tonight's show is a recap of my work from the past," she said. "I hope you like it."

Make no mistake: After eight years of retirement, Turner, now 69, has the energy, pipes – and yeah, legs – to put on a great show. Forget the numerous costume changes or that emotive, giving-it-her-all delivery, she was moving and grooving and strutting and slinking across the stage like one of her much younger dancers ("Her flowers," as Turner called them later in the show).

And Turner, herself, bloomed many times Wednesday night. She turned one of her signature songs, "What's Love Got to Do With It," into a playful battle of the sexes, exhorting the women in the crowd to sing the title lyric with "attitude." "There's nothing better than female support," she growled. When the men in attendance didn't belt the line out with as much feeling, Turner had them sing it again, adding, "We'll give you another chance – as usual."

Tina Turner photos

She was breathtaking (literally) when she swung out over the crowd in a cherry picker/crane contraption for "Nutbush City Limits." Turner greeted the audience to her right and left and then danced back to the front of the venue – where there was no railing to hold onto.

Continue reading "Tina Turner @ Nassau Coliseum, 12.3.08" »

    Lil Wayne, whose “Tha Carter III” album was a rare commercial and critical success, leads yet another list, receiving eight Grammy nominations last night, including the prestigious album of the year award.
    Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends” album followed closely behind with seven nominations, including nods in all three top categories. Because Lil Wayne is battling himself in two categories, Coldplay could actually take home more awards. Wayne and Coldplay will go against Ne-Yo, Radiohead and the team of Robert Plant and Alison Krauss for album of the year.
    The best new artist category features a remarkably diverse slate, from British singers Adele and Leona Lewis, to country band Lady Antebellum, to R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan and teen-pop sensations Jonas Brothers, who broke through to the mainstream this year with their third album “A Little Bit Longer.”
    “I can't stop smiling,” Nick Jonas said after hearing the nomination, while his brother, Joe, added,  We're honored to be in the category with such amazing artists.”
    Other top nominees include Jay-Z, Ne-Yo and Kanye West, who each earned six nods. Alison Krauss, John Mayer, Robert Plant, Radiohead and Jazmine Sullivan received five each, and Adele, Danger Mouse, The Eagles, Lupe Fiasco, George Strait, and T.I. all landed four nominations.
    Patchogue’s Chrisette Michele landed a nomination for best urban/alternative performance for “Be OK.”
     The Grammy awards process once again has yielded a comprehensive, diverse and eclectic group of excellent nominees across multiple genres,  said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy.  This year's nominations are truly reflective of the talented community of artists and creators who represent some of the highest levels of musical excellence.”
    The nominations for the 51st annual Grammy Awards were delivered for the first time in a primetime special, hosted by LL Cool J and Taylor Swift and featuring acts, including Mariah Carey and Foo Fighters, performing classics from the Grammy Hall of Fame. Grammy winners are set to be announced at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 8 on CBS.

Full list of nominees at grammy.com

PHOTO: Lil Wayne

More nice surprises from the Grammy folks! Adele’s “Chasing Pavements” was lovely and M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes,” even though it seemingly arrived eons ago, is a great treat. As expected, Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” and Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love” notched nominations, along with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss’ “Please Read the Letter.”

PHOTO: Leona Lewis

Maybe the biggest surprise in the Album of the Year category is that there’s no surprise. No Herbie Hancock head-scratcher this year. In fact, including Lil Wayne’s massive smash “Tha Carter III” and Ne-Yo’s “Year of the Gentleman” show that Grammy voters may be cooler than expected. The night will likely belong to Grammy faves Coldplay, for “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends,” or Alison Krauss and Robert Plant’s “Raising Sand.” But Radiohead’s culturally important (and business breakthrough) “In Rainbows” could surprise a lot of people.

Well well, Adele. The much-deserving British singer landed a best new artist nomination over Leona Lewis, meaning the road to domination made not be an easy one for Miss "Bleeding Love" tonight.

The Jonas Brothers' nomination wasn't surprising, though getting it while their more-successful pal Miley Cyrus didn't, was a bit strange. Maybe the more song-oriented "A Little Bit Longer" won over the voters.

The JoBros were poised as usual, hearing the news. "I can't stop smiling," said Nick Jonas, while Joe Jonas added, "We're honored to be in the category with such amazing artists."

Who were those other artists? Duffy, country group Lady Antebellum, and R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan.

PHOTO: Adele for Columbia Records.

Look for Grammy voters to say, “Viva la Coldplay!”

    According to the thoroughly unscientific calculations of Backstage Pass, Chris Martin and friends should land at least seven nominations tonight for “Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends,” making them kings of “Violet Hill.”

    Alicia Keys and Leona Lewis should have good evenings as well, with an expected five nominations each. Keys would have had more probably, but her single “No One” took home two Grammys last year, so chances for her “As I Am” album are narrowed a bit. Lewis, with her debut “Spirit” and breakthrough single “Bleeding Love,” could be the only artist to get nods in all four top categories – though we’re expecting her to get edged out in the album of the year category. Sheryl Crow should gain a bit of well-deserved attention for her “Detours” album, with an expected four nominations.

We’ll see how it turns out starting at 9 p.m.

PHOTO: Coldplay for EMI.

Ryan Star, "Right Now"

Ryan Star’s quest to become the next big “Rock Star” has been a long time coming, but his new single “Right Now” (Atlantic) suggests the wait may soon be over. The Dix Hills native is taking elements of the melodic rock that the likes of Daughtry have been succeeding with and twisting it into something all his own, adding more depth and edge through unexpected rhythms and chanting cheerleaders. His major-label debut "11:59" is set for a spring release and was produced by Matt Serletic, of Matchbox Twenty fame, and hitmaker Howard Benson. “Right Now” is a massive rock anthem signaling Star’s pending arrival.

NOMINEES

Coldplay, ‘Viva La Vida”
Leona Lewis, “Bleeding Love”
Taylor Swift, “Love Story”
Alicia Keys, “Like You’ll Never See Me Again”
Chris Brown, “Forever”

Because this is a more songwriter-driven category, look for a more “serious” song to push out T.I. Maybe Sheryl Crow’s “Love Is Free”? Or a Plant/Krauss song? Or Alicia Keys’ “Like You’ll Never See Me Again”? I’m gonna go with A.Keys since it was the biggest hit. I admit it, though, I’m terrified that John Mayer is going to get into this category for the awful “Say” from the awful “The Bucket List” soundtrack. Just saying.

ON THE BUBBLE: Sheryl Crow, “Love Is Free”; Estelle, “American Boy”; Katy Perry, “I Kissed a Girl”; Sugarland, “Stay”; Ne-Yo, “Closer”

IF THEY ASKED ME: Estelle, “American Boy”

PHOTO: Alicia Keys for J Records

NOMINEES

Coldplay, ‘Viva La Vida”
Leona Lewis, “Bleeding Love”
Taylor Swift, “Love Story”
T.I., “Whatever You Like”
Chris Brown, “Forever”

After Coldplay’s surprise record of the year win for “Clocks,” their Grammy prowess was sealed, so the rousing “Viva La Vida” is a lock, as is Leona Lewis’ mega-smash “Bleeding Love.” Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” made it just under the eligibility wire. As a country-crossover queen with a No. 1 album who writes her own material and as a teenager who attracts her peers and adults to her music, Swift is Grammy gold, even before she was chosen to host the nomination ceremony – a designation generally reserved for nominees. But can the Grammys get by without one of the massive hip-hop hits or one of the uptempo dance numbers that have marked the year? Well, maybe, but they are at least trying to seem relevant. T.I.’s current hit “Whatever You Like” is still a smash and, yes, eligible. So which of the uptempo, upbeat numbers gets a nod. I’m rooting for Estelle’s “American Boy” and against Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl,” though that’s probably the safest bet. However, I think one of the guys will get it – either Chris Brown’s “Forever” or Ne-Yo’s “Closer.” Even though Brown has the taint of that weird product placement scandal on “Forever,” I think the desire to recognize his big year will overcome it. Oh, and if you’re looking for one of the Beyonce singles to get a nod, you have to wait til next year.

ON THE BUBBLE: Estelle feat. Kanye West, "American Boy"; Katy Perry, "I Kissed a Girl"; Ne-Yo, "Closer"; Mariah Carey, "Touch My Body"; Sugarland, “Stay”; Usher, “Love in This Club”; Sheryl Crow, "Love Is Free"

IF THEY ASKED ME: Estelle feat. Kanye West, "American Boy"

PHOTO: Chris Brown for Jive Records