 "Ravi Shankar wins Best World Music award at Grammys posthumously")
Shankar’s album The Living Room Sessions Part 1 saw off competition from Anoushka’s Traveller, Amadou & Mariam’s Folila, Daneil Ho’s On A Gentle Island Breeze and Hugh Masekela’s Jabulani. Anoushka accepted the award on the sitar maestro’s behalf at music’s biggest night at the Staples Centre here, saying, “Its OK to lose to your father.”
Shankar passed away on December 11 last year at the age of 92, following a heart-valve replacement surgery in San Diego.
Anoushka was also on hand last week to receive the Lifetime Achievement award alongwith Shankar’s other daughter, Norah Jones, at the Academy’s Special Merit Awards celebration. (Winners take it all)
Beatles icon Paul McCartney won the best traditional pop vocal album for his Kisses On The Bottom.
British soul singing sensation Adele, who swept last year’s awards with six wins, was presented with the Best Pop Solo Performance Grammy by Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull for a live rendition of her hit song Set Fire To The Rain.
Australian musician Gotye emerged a big winner this year, taking home three trophies — Record of the Year and Pop/duo group performance for his song Somebody That I Used to Know and Alternative music album for Making Mirrors.
The Album of the Year award went to Babel by Mumford & Sons, whose performance at the big night of music was introduced by superstar Johnny Depp. American band Black Keys also won three awards — best rock performance and best rock song for Lonely Boy, while their El Camino was named the best rock album.
Indie pop band Fun won two major awards — Song of the Year for We Are Young and Best New Artist. Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger was named the Best Pop vocal Album, while Chris Botti’s Impressions was given the Best pop instrumental album trophy.
The Best dance recording Grammy went to Bangarang by Skrillex.
In the R&B section, superstar Beyonce was awarded the best traditional R&B performance Grammy, while her husband Jay-Z emerged winner in three categories — best rap performance and best rap song with Kanye West in N*****s In Paris and best rap/sung collaboration No Church In The Wild (Jay-Z & Kanye West featuring Frank Ocean & The-Dream).
Drake won the best rap album Grammy for his Take Care, while Usher clinched the best R&B performance trophy for Climax. Miguel’s Adorn was named the best R&B song.
Chris Brown lost out to rival Frank Ocean in the best contemporary album category, who won the Grammy for Channel Orange. Rihanna’s sole win in the night came in the form of best short form music video for her We Found Love, featuring Calvin Harris.
Two Hollywood films, Midnight In Paris and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, were awarded the best compilation soundtrack and best score soundtrack respectively in the visual media category.
Singer Carrie Underwood enjoyed two wins — country song and country solo performance for Blown Away. Bonnie Raitt was named the best Americana album winner — her first Grammy after 16 years — for Slipstream.
The best country album Grammy went to Zac Brown Band for Uncaged.
Esperanza Spalding was named the best Jazz vocal album winner for her Radio Music Society.