Babyface, Celine Dion Dominate Grammy Nominations

Academy nominates Beck and Pumpkins, ignores "Macarena"

By Marcus Errico Jan 07, 1997 1:55 PMTags
The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences continued its halting march toward hipness this morning by nominating such cutting-edge artists as Beck, Smashing Pumpkins and Fugees for album of the year in the 39th annual Grammy awards, announced this morning in New York.

But these Grammys are shaping up to be the Celine Dion and Babyface sweepstakes as the Canadian diva and the superstar producer were nominated for awards in all major categories, including album and record of the year.

Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds tied Michael Jackson's 1983 Grammy record with 12 nominations, even competing against himself in the top song category, which goes to the songwriter. He collaborated with Eric Clapton on "Change the World" and wrote "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)," which was sung by Whitney Houston.

Critics called 1996 the year of the woman and the recording academy agreed, giving multiple nods to Dion, Houston, Tracy Chapman and newcomers LeAnn Rimes and Jewel. Last year's darling Alanis Morissette picked up a nomination for record of the year.

Chapman's comeback album New Beginning received five nominations, tying with country singer Vince Gill. Dion, Eric Clapton, producer David Foster, old-school R&B'ers the Tony Rich Project and classical conductor Pierre Boulez all had four nominations.

Rimes and Jewel are also competing with Rich for best new artist, along with the female-fronted bands Garbage and No Doubt.

Easily the most surprising nominations came in the album of the year category. Beck proved he wasn't a one-hit "Loser," as his sophomore effort Odelay--which topped both Spin and Rolling Stone's best of '96 lists--picked up a nomination. And the Smashing Pumpkins, who had a troubled year on the road, were recognized for their double-disc set, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.

Maybe the academy is slowly making good on its promise to reform the nomination process for major awards. Last year, the academy earned some credibility by rewarding Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Coolio and Morissette with trophies while snubbing Mariah Carey.

The nominees' recordings must have been released during the eligibility year October 1, 1995 through September 30, 1996. This year's winners will be announced February 26 in Madison Square Garden.

Here are the major Grammy nominations:

Album of the Year: Odelay, Beck; Falling Into You, Celine Dion; The Score, Fugees; Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Smashing Pumpkins; Waiting to Exhale (soundtrack), Various

Record of the Year: "Give Me One Reason," Tracy Chapman; "Change the World," Eric Clapton; "Because You Loved Me," Celine Dion; "Killing Me Softly," Fugees; "Ironic," Alanis Morissette; "1979," Smashing Pumpkins

Song of the Year (songwriter award): "Because You Loved Me," Diane Warren; "Blue," Bill Mack; "Give Me One Reason," Tracy Chapman; "Change the World," Gordon Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick and Tommy Sims; "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)," Kenneth Edmonds

Best New Artist: Garbage, Jewel, No Doubt, Tony Rich Project, LeAnn Rimes

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance: "Un-break My Heart," Toni Braxton; "Get Out Of This House," Shawn Colvin; "Because You Loved Me," Celine Dion; "Reach," Gloria Estefan; "Who Will Save Your Soul, Jewel

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance: "Let's Make A Night To Remember," Bryan Adams; "Change The World," Eric Clapton; "Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)," John Mellencamp; "Nobody Knows," Tony Rich Project; "Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot," Sting

Best Pop Performance By A Duo Or Group (Vocal): "Free As A Bird," Beatles; "As Long As It Matters," Gin Blossoms; "When You Love A Woman," Journey; "Fire On The Mountain," The Neville Brothers; "Peaches," The Presidents Of The United States Of America, "When You Wish Upon A Star," Take 6

Best Pop Collaboration (Vocal): "God Give Me Strength," Burt Bacharach & Elvis Costello; "Missing You," Brandy, Tamia, Gladys Knight & Chaka Khan; "When I Fall In Love," Natalie Cole & Nat King Cole; "Count On Me," Whitney Houston & CeCe Winans; "My Way," Frank Sinatra & Luciano Pavarotti; "The Wind Cries Mary," Sting, John McLaughlin, Dominic Miller & Vinnie Colaiuta

Best Pop Instrumental Performance: "The Sinister Minister," Bela Fleck & The Flecktones; "Mission: Impossible (Theme From)," Larry Mullen & Adam Clayton; "Mission Impossible," Lalo Schifrin With The London Philharmonic Orchestra; "Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness," Smashing Pumpkins; "Kiss Lonely Goodbye (Harmonica With Orchestra)," Stevie Wonder

Best Pop Album: Secrets, Toni Braxton; New Beginning, Tracy Chapman; A Few Small Repairs, Shawn Colvin; Falling Into You, Celine Dion, Mercury Falling, Sting

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Performance: Here's To The Ladies, Tony Bennett; Dedicated to Nelson, Rosemary Clooney; Stardust, Natalie Cole; Gently, Liza Minnelli; I'll Be Your Baby Tonight, Bernadette Peters

Best Female Rock Vocal Performance: "Mother Mother," Tracy Bonham; "Give Me One Reason," Tracy Chapman; "If It Makes You Happy," Sheryl Crow; "Spider Web," Joan Osborne; "Burning Down The House," Bonnie Raitt

Best Male Rock Vocal Performance: "The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You," Bryan Adams, "Where It's At," Beck; "Ain't Gone 'N Give Up On Your Love," Eric Clapton; "Cry Love," John Hiatt; "Dead Man Walkin'," Bruce Springsteen

Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group (Vocal): "Stupid Girl," Garbage; "So Much To Say," Dave Matthews Band; "Wonderwall," Oasis; "1979," Smashing Pumpkins; "6th Avenue Heartache," Wallflowers

Best Hard Rock Performance: "Again," Alice In Chains; "Bulls On Parade," Rage Against The Machine; "Bullet With Butterfly Wings," Smashing Pumpkins; "Pretty Noose," Soundgarden; "Trippin' On A Hole In A Paper Heart," Stone Temple Pilots

Best Metal Performance: "Shoots And Ladders," Korn; "Suicide Note Pt. 1," Pantera; "Tire Me," Rage Against The Machine; "I'm Your Boogie Man," White Zombie; "Hands Of Death (Burn Baby Burn)," Rob Zombie & Alice Cooper

Best Rock Instrumental Performance: "Green Onions," Booker T & The MG's; "Pavilion," Eric Johnson; "(You're) My World," Joe Satriani; "Respect The Wind," Edward & Alex Van Halen; "SRV Shuffle," Jimmie Vaughan, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Raitt, Robert Cray, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Dr. John & Art Neville

Best Rock Song (songwriter award): "Cry Love," John Hiatt; "Give Me One Reason," Tracy Chapman; "6th Avenue Heartache," Jakob Dylan; "Stupid Girl," Garbage; "Too Much," Dave Matthews Band; "Wonderwall," Noel Gallagher

Best Rock Album: Sheryl Crow, Sheryl Crow; Crash, Dave Matthews Band; Tragic Kingdom, No Doubt; Road Tested, Bonnie Raitt; Broken Arrow, Neil Young With Crazy Horse

Best Alternative Music Performance: Boys For Pele, Tori Amos; Odelay, Beck; The Burdens Of Being Upright, Tracy Bonham; New Adventures In Hi-Fi, R.E.M.; Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness, Smashing Pumpkins

Best Female R&B Vocal Performance: "Not Gon' Cry," Mary J. Blige; "Sittin' Up In My Room," Brandy; "You're Makin' Me High," Toni Braxton; "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)," Whitney Houston; "You Put A Move On My Heart," Tamia

Best Male R&B Vocal Performance: "Lady," D'Angelo; "A Change Is Gonna Come," Al Green; "New World Order," Curtis Mayfield; "Like A Woman," Tony Rich Project; "Your Secret Love," Luther Vandross

Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group (Vocal): "Slow Jams," Babyface & Tamia With Portrait & Barry White; "Stomp," Luke Cresswell, Fiona Wilkes, Carl Smith, Fraser Morrison, Everett Bradley, Mr. X, Melle Mel, Coolio, Yo-Yo, Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Shaquille O'Neal & Luniz; "Don't Let Go (Love)," En Vogue; "Killing Me Softly With His Song," Fugees; "Never Miss The Water," Chaka Khan Featuring Me'Shell Ndegeocello

Best R&B Song (songwriter award): "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)," Babyface; "Sittin' Up In My Room," Babyface; "You Put A Move On My Heart," Rod Temperton; "Your Secret Love," Luther Vandross & Reed Vertelney; "You're Makin' Me High," Babyface & Bryce Wilson

Best R&B Album: Moving On, Oleta Adams; Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite, Maxwell; New World Order, Curtis Mayfield; Peace Beyond Passion, Me'Shell Ndegeocello; Words, Tony Rich Project

Best Rap Solo Performance: "Woo-Hah!! Got You All In Check," Busta Rhymes; "1, 2, 3, 4 (Sumpin' New)," Coolio; "Rock With You," Heavy D; "Hey Lover," LL Cool J; "If I Ruled The World (Imagine That)," NAS

Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group: "Tha Crossroads," Bone Thugs-N-Harmony; "Champagne," Salt-N-Pepa; "1nce Again," A Tribe Called Quest; "California Love," 2Pac Featuring Dr. Dre And Roger Troutman, "How Do U Want It," 2Pac Featuring KC And JoJo

Best Rap Album: Gangsta's Paradise, Coolio; The Score, Fugees; Mr. Smith, LL Cool J; Beats, Rhymes And Life, A Tribe Called Quest; All Eyez On Me, 2Pac

Best Female Country Vocal Performance:"Let Me Into Your Heart," Mary Chapin Carpenter; "Strawberry Wine," Deana Carter; "Baby Mine," Alison Krauss; "Blue," LeAnn Rimes; "Believe Me Baby (I Lied)," Trisha Yearwood

Best Male Country Vocal Performance: "Like The Rain," Clint Black; "My Wife Thinks You're Dead," Junior Brown; "Worlds Apart," Vince Gill; "Private Conversation," Lyle Lovett; "Nothing," Dwight Yoakam

Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group (Vocal): "Cherokee Boogie," BR5-49; "My Maria," Brooks & Dunn; "That's What I Get For Loving You," Diamond Rio; "All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down," Mavericks; "Little Bit Is Better Than Nada," Texas Tornados

Best Country Collaboration With Vocals: "Redneck Games," Jeff Foxworthy With Alan Jackson; "High Lonesome Sound," Vince Gill Featuring Alison Krauss And Union Station; "Hope: Country Music's Quest For A Cure," Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Lorrie Morgan, Marty Stuart, Little Texas, Tracy Lawrence, Terri Clark, Neal McCoy, Travis Tritt & John Berry; "Long Tall Texan," Lyle Lovett & Randy Newman; "Honky Tonkin's What I Do Best," Marty Stuart & Travis Tritt

Best Country Instrumental Performance: "Jam Man," Chet Atkins C.G.P.; "Scotland," Vassar Clements, Richard Greene, Chris Thile, Scott Nygaard & Todd Phillips; "Big," Diamond Rio; "Rawhide," Ronnie McCoury, David Grier, Stuart Duncan, Craig Smith & Todd Phillips; "The Brickyard Boogie," Steve Wariner

Best Country Song (songwriter award): "Believe Me Baby (I Lied)," Angelo, Larry Gottlieb & Kim Richey; "Blue," Bill Mack; "High Lonesome Sound," Vince Gill; "My Wife Thinks You're Dead," Junior Brown; "Strawberry Wine," Matraca Berg & Gary Harrison,

Best Country Album: Borderline, Brooks & Dunn; High Lonesome Sound, Vince Gill; The Trouble With the Truth, Patty Loveless; The Road to Ensenada, Lyle Lovett; Everybody Knows, Trisha Yearwood; Gone, Dwight Yoakam

Best Bluegrass Album: The Cold Hard Facts, Del McCoury Band; Red On Blonde, Tim O'Brien; Bluegrass Boy, Peter Rowan; The Stanley Tradition--Tribute To A Bluegrass Legacy, Various Artists; True Life Blues: The Songs Of Bill Monroe, Various Artists

Best New Age Album: Arcanum, Acoustic Alchemy; Pianissimo II, Suzanne Ciani; Lore, Clannad; The Memory Of Trees, Enya; Opium, Ottmar Liebert + Luna Negra

Best Contemporary Jazz Performance (instrumental): Joined At The Hip, Bob James & Kirk Whalum; Ratamacue, Harvey Mason; High Life, Wayne Shorter; Between The Lines, Mike Stern; If Four Was One, T.J. Kirk

Best Jazz Vocal Performance: Blues, Dues & Love News, Ernestine Anderson; Shaking Free, Nnenna Freelon; The Main Ingredient,Shirley Horn; All For You, Diana Krall; New Moon Daughter, Cassandra Wilson

Best Traditional Blues Album: Deep In The Blues, James Cotton; Found True Love, John Hammond; You're Gonna Miss Me (When I'm Dead & Gone) Muddy Waters Tribute Band; Come On In This House, Junior Wells With Guest Slide Guitarists; Live At The Mint, Jimmy Witherspoon

Best Contemporary Blues Album: Sad Street, Bobby Blue Bland; Long Way Home, Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown; A Man Amongst Men, Bo Diddley; Live! The Real Deal, Buddy Guy With G.E. Smith & The Saturday Night Live Band; Just Like You, Keb' Mo'; Phantom Blues, Taj Mahal

Best Traditional Folk Album: The Hobo's Last Ride, Norman & Nancy Blake; Wild Hog In The Red Brush, John Hartford; Intoxicated Spirit, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan; Thuthukani Ngoxolo--Let's Develop In Peace, Ladysmith Black Mambazo; Pete, Pete Seeger

Best Contemporary Folk Album: Yonder, Jerry Douglas & Peter Rowan; Braver Newer World, Jimmie Dale Gilmore; The Ghost Of Tom Joad, Bruce Springsteen; You? Me? Us? Richard Thompson; Revival, Gillian Welch

Best Reggae Album: Mr. Cool, Gregory Isaacs; Man With The Fun, Maxi Priest; Lyrically Potent, Sister Carol; Greetings From Skamania, Skatelites; Hall Of Fame--A Tribute To Bob Marley's 50th Anniversary, Bunny Wailer

Best World Music Album: Santiago, Chieftains; Tabula Rasa, Bela Fleck, V.M. Bhatt & Jie-Bing Chen; Tierra Gitana, Gipsy Kings; Legacy, Ali Akbar Khan; Night Song, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Michael Brook; My People, Joe Zawinul

Best Polka Album: Music, Music, Music! Eddie Blazonczyk's Versatones; Irresistible You, Lenny Gomulka And Chicago Push; Putting It All To-Gether, Walter Ostanek & Friends; Polka! All Night Long, Jimmy Sturr; Songs Of The Polka King Vol. 1, Frank Yankovic & Friends

Producer Of The Year: Babyface, David Foster, Don Gehman, Brendan O'Brien, Don Was

Best Classical Album: Bartok: The Miraculous Mandarin; Music For Strings, Percussion And Celesta, Pierre Boulez; Bartok: The Three Piano Concertos, Esa-Pekka Salonen; Copland: Dance Symphony; Short Symphony; Organ Symphony, Etc., Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Corigliano: Of Rage And Remembrance (Sym. No. 1, Etc.), Leonard Slatkin; Opera Arias (Works Of Mozart, Wagner, Borodin, Etc.), James Levine; Prokofiev: Violin Con. Nos. 1 & 2; Son. For Solo Violin, Andre Previn

Best Spoken Comedy Album: The Definitive Biography Of P.D.Q. Bach, Professor Peter Schickele; The Rants, Dennis Miller; Rush Limbaugh Is A Big Fat Idiot, Al Franken; Stan Freberg Presents The United States Of America Vol. 2 (The Middle Years), Stan Freberg; What The Hell Happened To Me? Adam Sandler

Best Musical Show Album: Bring In 'Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Rent, Riverdance, Victor/Victoria

Best Music Video, Short Form: "Ironic," Alanis Morissette; "Tonight, Tonight," Smashing Pumpkins; "Earth Song," Michael Jackson; "Walking Contradiction," Green Day; "Free As A Bird," Beatles

Best Music Video, Long Form: Satie And Suzanne, Reinbert de Leeuw; Live From London, Bon Jovi; The Beatles Anthology, Beatles; Blood Brothers, Bruce Springsteen; Farewell--Live From The Universal Amphitheatre, Oingo Boingo