With Grammy weekend upon us, Streisand fans are undoubtedly hopeful that Barbra will win her ninth award for her work on "What Matters Most: Barbra Streisand Sings the Lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman." However, don't be disappointed if by late Sunday night, Barbra's still stuck on eight Grammys!
She deserves to win, in my opinion. When the album was released in August, my review made it clear that this album was superb. It represents one of Barbra's best CDs ever in my estimation, right up there with "The Broadway Album" or "People" or "My Name Is Barbra, Two," three of my all-time favorites.
To me, "What Matters Most" is the right pairing of performer with composers, and the result is a ten-pack of glorious music. It's the best of Barbra and a CD that will stand the test of time.
"What Matters Most" received two Grammy nominations; one for William Ross' arrangement of "The Windmills of Your Mind," and one for Barbra's performance in the category of Traditional Pop Album. It's the ninth time Barbra's been designated to this particular category, one in which she's consistently competing with vocalists -- of both sexes -- who are doing music that has been given this niche.
Even if new original compositions are performed on a Streisand, Bennett, Buble or Connick album, the music is still deemed part of the Great American Songbook and, therefore, relegated to the Traditional Pop slot.
If Barbra were to do another "Guilty," for example, it would probably wind up in Traditional Pop. And inevitably she'd be up against Tony Bennett. This year, once again, Barbra is vying with her Columbia Records cohort, who's also a good friend.
Tony has dominated Tradition Pop, and his nomination this time is getting even more attention because his album, "Duets II," featured collaborations with Lady Gaga, Carrie Underwood and the late Amy Winehouse. It was also Tony's first number one album ever. Ever! And that's in a career dating back to 1952 (when Barbra was ten years old).
According to Goldderby.com, Barbra's likely to lose to Tony again. In this Traditional Pop Album category, Bennett's taken home the Grammy ten out of eleven times. Prior to the creation of this category, however, Bennett won just three Grammys; for "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" in 1963 as Best Solo Vocal Performance-Male and Record of the Year; and Album of the Year 1995 for "MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett."
But in Traditional Pop, he's a champ. Therefore, what are the odds of Bennett losing for an album that was his career best insofar as the Billboard chart? If you were placing a bet in Las Vegas, you'd put your money on Tony just based on the track record alone.
You could also assume that Grammy voters are swayed by sentiment, which is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, everyone loves Tony Bennett; he's a great artist, popular with peers under 40 because he's considered "cool," and -- geez -- he just celebrated his 86th birthday!
Just for the record, Tony and Barbra's competition in the Traditional Pop category are: "The Gift," Susan Boyle; "In Concert On Broadway," Harry Connick Jr.; and "Music Is Better Than Words," Seth MacFarlane.
So, I'm sorry to say it, but it'd be irresponsible of me to urge you watch the show to see if Barbra will win in the category. The sad truth is that the Grammys don't broadcast the announcement of the Traditional Pop Album. They just show a graphic -- usually lumped in with Best Liner Notes and Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album.
It's true that last season Barbra was at the Grammys, but that was because she'd been honored at the MusiCares gala the night before. Her nomination in Tradition Pop Album, for "Love Is the Answer," was not announced on air.
Barbra appeared mainly because the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) is the organization that hands out both MusiCares and the Grammys, and there was a link. Therefore, Barbra agreed to perform -- singing "Evergreen" -- and also presented the top prize of the night, Album of the Year, with Kris Kristofferson.
Here's what to expect on Sunday, Barbra watchers. It will be a big night for the new girl on the block, Adele. True, she's already won Grammys, but this year will be an ascent for the British vocalist.
Ironically, while Adele's music is bluesy and bold, she could just as easily be put in the Traditional Album category if she sang more covers like Bob Dylan's "Make You Feel My Love." However, since she mainly sings her own compositions and she's still at the beginning of her career, that's not likely to happen. Check back in ten years or so to see where they slot Adele.
Actually, the Streisand vs. Adele discussion reminds me of the lyrics from Stephen Sondheim's special version of "Putting It Together" for "The Broadway Album." Imagine Barbra singing these words...
Be new girl,
They tell you till they're blue, girl
You're new or else you're through, girl,
And even if it's true, girl,
You do what you can do!
It would be great if "What Matters Most" snags the Grammy for Barbra on Sunday…but don't be disappointed when the winner in the Tradition Pop Album category is revealed and it's Tony Bennett. Again.
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