2009 Grammy performances are outstanding

February 9, 5:04 AMRock Music ExaminerSteven Douglas Losey

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U2's Bono Kicking off the night.'

Performances, performances, performances, the 2009 Grammy's didn't disappoint this year with a list of stellar match ups that pleased the throngs at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Of course this is the music industry so there's always a bit of drama that goes along. A performance by Chris Brown and Rihanna was canceled at the last minute after Brown turned himself in  because he was under investigation for a felony domestic violence charge from Saturday night.

 U2 kicked off the night in grand fashion introducing their first new music in four years with the cut "Get on your Boots." The band played on while Bono pounced the stage to some incredibly colorful lighting.

Justin Timberlake and R&B legend Al Green appeared together for the Green classic "Let's Stay Together" which was an apt mix, unfortunately the 'less is more' approach should have been used but instead the Grammy's saw fit to add Boys II Men and Keith Urban to the song.

Radiohead brought in University of Southern California Trojan Marching Band for a rousing rendition of the bands hit "15 Steps." Sonic ally the tune was at a fever pitch as vocalist Thom Yorke writhed and swaggered to the crowds delight.

Legends were everywhere in 2009 including the spry Neil Diamond whose rendition of 'Sweet Caroline' sounded like a time warp back to 1969. Diamond controlled the stage and looked and sounded great. In addition Paul McCartney used the Foo Fighters Dave Grohl on the drums and blasted thru "I Saw Her Standing There.'  While the cut proved to be pleasing, a tune like "Get Back' or 'Let It Be' would have matched the intensity of the Grammy's a bit more.

Other great performances included Robert Plant and Allison Krauss who won 'Record of the Year.' Sugarland played the earthy, beautiful, 'Stay,' to rousing applause and B.B. King, Buddy Guy, John Mayer, and Keith Urban, played a sweet guitar number dedicated to the memory of Bo Diddley.

The Four Tops received the 'Lifetime Achievement Grammy.' The bands only surviving original member Abdul (Duke) Fakir was joined by Smokey Robinson, Ne-Yo, and Jamie Foxx for renditions of "I'll Be There," and "Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch (I Can't Help Myself).' Both songs were done very well, however when it came time for Fakir to actually sing  a line his vocals were the most disappointing of the four.