Santa Mónica (California), USA - Nominations for the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced today by The Recording Academy. The contemporary world music category did not reveal any major surprises. Three well known Brazilian acts, CéU, Gilberto Gil and Bebel Gilberto got nominations, together with two other veteran artists, Benin's Angelique Kidjo and Canada's Loreena McKennitt.
The Best Traditional World Music Album nominees are: Rahim Al Haj With Souhail Kaspar, Cheick Hamala Diabate & Bob Carlin, Konono N°1, Soweto Gospel Choir, and Various Artists for Singing For Life: Songs Of Hope, Healing, And HIV/AIDS In Uganda.
In the newly added Best Zydeco or Cajun Music Album category, nominations go to: Le Cowboy Creole (Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie), King Cake (Lisa Haley), Live A La Blue Moon (Lost Bayou Ramblers), Blues de Musicien (Pine Leaf Boys), Racines (Racines), The La Louisianne Sessions (Roddie Romero And The Hub City All-Stars), and Live World Wide (Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience).
Bluegrass musician Alison Krauss picked up nominations for Best Female Country Vocal (“Simple Love”) and Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals (“Gone Gone Gone [Done Moved On]”) with her acclaimed collaboration with rock star Robert Plant, Raising Sand.
Kanye West tops the nominations with eight, Amy Winehouse garners six, and the Foo Fighters, Jay-Z, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and T-Pain each earn five nods. Akon, Dierks Bentley, Chris Daughtry, Feist, Tim McGraw, John Newton, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, and Bruce Springsteen receive four each.
"This year's nominations truly reflect a diverse and talented community of artists and creators who represent some of the most exceptional music of the year," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. "The GRAMMY Awards process once again has yielded a comprehensive group of excellent nominees and coupled with the fact that it's our milestone 50th year, this year's telecast promises music fans a spectacular show filled with stellar performances and unique 'GRAMMY Moments' for which Music's Biggest Night has come to be renowned."
The following are the world music and roots music categories:
Best Traditional World Music Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
Best Contemporary World Music Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
Best Latin Jazz Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
Best Tropical Latin Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
Best Traditional Folk Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
Best Native American Music Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
Best Hawaiian Music Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
Best Reggae Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
Best Bluegrass Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album
(Vocal or Instrumental.)
The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on "GRAMMY Sunday," Feb. 10, 2008, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).
For the complete list of nominees go to the Grammy site.
World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/50th_grammy_nominees