<< Am I the only person who, upon hearing Norah Jones, thinks: "Alana Davis did that years ago, and before her, Rickie Lee Jones?">>> yeah, but so what's your point? (To turn the tables, am I the only person who, upon hearing (insert Audities band here), thinks: "Badfinger did that years ago, and before them, The Beatles?) Based on the bands I've seen touted on this list, many of whom I like or love, I don't think most of us judge the bands based on how groundbreaking they are -- it's more like, is it good music or not? I don't listen to the radio, so I had never heard a note from Norah Jones or John Mayer before watching the Grammies. I tried to be openminded, and to be honest I enjoyed them both. Didn't blow my mind, but I thought, hmm, they sound interesting and catchy and I'll have to check out more music from these people. I actually enjoyed the Grammies for the first time in many many years (maybe ever?) I mean, there were very few acts that would be in my own personal version of the Grammies, but let's be realistic, that will NEVER happen. So why set myself up for dissapointment? In terms of featuring acts that are more or less on the radio and or known beyond cult status, I thought it was a pretty good Grammies as far as Grammies go. (okay, so that's faint praise.) But I really really really dug the Simon and Garfunkel, the Springsteen performance, and the Clash tribute. I enjoyed Jones, Taylor, Mayer, the BeeGees tribute and S Crow (although something kinda bad was happening with Kid Rock and or the harmonies). Even Avril L was somewhat interesting to see/hear. All in all, I was happy and suprised to see an emphasis on rock, folk, pop, etc, and a de-emphasis on rap, soul-less soul, diva-music, metal, corporate country, and other forms of music that seem to get too much play in the Grammies and on other awards shows, and, well, everywhere. And though I am not a fan of rap, I even got something out of the Eminem performance - like it or not, he had something to say, and he said it with conviction. It's the first time I actually clicked with his thing. It's so easy to slag the Grammies, and I've done it myself for years. Cause I think it usually has sucked. But this year IMO it didn't suck. I mean, com'on, it started with S+G! a BeeGees lifetime achievement bit! An impassioned Springsteen performance! A new act of the year who can actually sing and play, with a catchy song! A Clash tribute! Just because it's popular and the Grammies doesn't automatically mean it sucks...