AP writers predict Grammy winners (AP) Updated: 2006-02-02 11:33
BAUDER: This is a tough one. Johnson would be the hip choice, and it's a fine
performance. Thomas is a Grammy favorite. My guess is the two old guys duke it
out, with McCartney winning because "Fine Line" is a better song than "From the
Bottom of My Heart."
MOODY: Again, sentimentality will rule with McCartney winning, though
Johnson's idyllic "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing" is more worthy by far.
Pop Vocal Album: "Extraordinary Machine," Fiona Apple; "Breakaway," Kelly
Clarkson; "Wildflower," Sheryl Crow; "Chaos and Creation in the Backyard," Paul
McCartney; "Love. Angel. Music. Baby.," Gwen Stefani.
MOODY: As the only man in this category, Sir Paul may be in the minority, but
as the only Sir Paul in this category, his legend towers over his female
counterparts. Apple's album is probably his only strong competition, but it
won't be enough to squash this former Beatle.
BAUDER: Your logic is certainly sound, Nekesa, and it's heartening to see
McCartney make an artistic comeback. But "Extraordinary Machine" is the better
album, and my guess is voters will recognize that. Can we agree on one thing,
though? How in the world did the crushingly dull "Wildflower" secure a
nomination?
Rock Album: "X&Y," Coldplay; "In Your Honor," Foo Fighters; "A Bigger
Bang," The Rolling Stones; "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb," U2; "Prairie
Wind," Neil Young.
BAUDER: Not a dog in this bunch, frankly. But it would be silly of me to say
U2 is going to win album of the year and then not win here. This is probably the
wrong category for Young, who stared mortality in the eye and produced a
wondrous work.
MOODY: Coldplay may be the U2 in waiting, but since U2 isn't going anywhere
anytime soon, Coldplay loses to the gods of rock in this category.
R&B Album: "Illumination," Earth, Wind and Fire; "Free Yourself,"
Fantasia; "Unplugged," Alicia Keys; "Get Lifted," John Legend; "A Time to Love,"
Stevie Wonder.
MOODY: Isn't there some mandatory rule that Stevie Wonder must win any Grammy
he's nominated for (except when it's against Sir Paul)? Expect the legend to add
to his mountain of Grammys with a win.
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