In the Heights Wins Grammy for Best Musical Show Album- Page 2

[pushdabutton]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 7:39pm

Well deserved!

[winston89]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 8:05pm

WiCkEDrOcKS, you have to realize that as far as Grammys are concerned, there is a difference between best recording and best score.

[Amalia Balash]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 8:11pm

Yay for ITH! I love the extra songs on the Gypsy recording, and I think South Pacific's beautiful, but ITH was special.

[Legally+Blonde= Pink]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 8:12pm

yay! for "In The Heights"!!!<3

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 8:53pm

for the person who asked, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny won both Grammys it was nominated for.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 9:02pm

While I am sad for Robert Sher (He really deserved it this year IMHO), I am 100% thrilled for Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight.

[EnWashingtonHeights]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 9:05pm

Did they perform?

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 2/8/09 at 9:18pm

So happy for IN THE HEIGHTS. Great album, great music, great performances, it really deserved it.

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 12:46pm

As everyone who owns it knows, the "In the Heights" OBCR is beautifully written, sung, played, produced and packaged. While there were two (or three) other recordings which were Grammy-worthy this year, it is a thoroughly deserving choice. Congratulations to Lin-Manuel, Alex, Kurt and everyone!

As I noted in my series of articles for BWW a year ago (February of 2008 ), the Tony-winning Best Musical wins the Grammy Award about half the time. The current string of four straight shows getting the double ("Spamalot" through "ITH")has occurred only once before ("Annie" through "Evita").

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Best_Musical_Tony_vs_Grammy_Part_1_20080224

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Best_Musical_Tony_vs_Grammy_Part_2_20080225

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Best_Musical_Tony_vs_Grammy_Part_3_20080225

It also helps to have a Tony-winning leading female performance, the involvement of recording industry personalities, a 1970s African-American cast, a hit song or an innovative recording technique. (These are just statistical trends, not preferences, mind you.)

While it is fascinating that the only show that has won the Pulitzer, Tony and Grammy for its original production is "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," the weirdest thing I noted in these articles is that every Broadway production of "Gypsy" has produced either a Tony-winning star performance or a Grammy-winning cast album, but never both. Fittingly, this year continued that tradition. Angela, Tyne and Patti won Tonys, but Ethel's and Bernadette's recordings won Grammys. Go figure!

And to answer a question, the London recording of "Billy Elliot" was already eligible, so it cannot be nominated next year. Beside, no London cast album has ever won the Grammy, not even "The Phantom of the Opera." The category for 2009 seems wide open at this point. Let the speculation begin!

Updated On: 2/9/09 at 12:46 PM

[devonian.t]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 1:39pm

Personally I would've gone with Passing Strange.

[taylorPHENOMENON2]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 2:32pm

Such great news!

[round2]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 3:07pm

Congratulations to Lin-Manuel Miranda, Alex Lacamoire, Bill Sherman, Andrés Levin, Joel Moss & Kurt Deutsch. This was a terrifically well-produced OCR, and kudos to Deutsch and all responsible for pursuing Levin for this recording. It's a jewel - I'm very happy it was acknowledged with a Grammy.

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 9:45pm

OK, I'll go first! lol

I predict that the nominees for next year's Grammy will be (in order of CD release):

LIZA'S AT THE PALACE
SHREK
ROCK OF AGES
WEST SIDE STORY
9 TO 5

And the winner will be.........

9 TO 5: You heard it here first, on BWW!

[CMU_bway_lover]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 9:50pm

9 to 5 may not be eligible since it will include "9 to 5" which was on the movie soundtrack and "Backwoods Barbie" which was on Dolly's album. Not sure about all the Grammy rules, but using Oscar rules it would be.

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 9:57pm

A recording doesn't have to include any new material to be in the category (that's why recordings of revivals are eligible). But in order for the composer/lyricist to share in the award along with the producer, at least 51% of the recording has to be new material. That's why Alan Menken and Glenn Slater were eligible for "The Little Mermaid" this year, but Howard Ashman was not. More than half the album was new songs.

Rulings like this can be a little obtuse, but that's why NARAS has screening committees!
Updated On: 2/9/09 at 09:57 PM

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 2/9/09 at 10:45pm

By the way, WiCkEDrOcKS, Rent did not win the Grammy. I believe Riverdance did that year.

~Steven

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 2/10/09 at 2:56am

Good eyesight, Steven!

[FelineofAvenueB1025]

Posted: 2/10/09 at 8:40pm

I'm so thrilled for them!
I was at the show when they found out. It was a really special experience because Lin came out of the stagedoor screaming "We just won a Grammy!" and everyone was cheering.
I truly believe they deserved it. The cast album for In The Heights is PHENOMENOL.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 2/10/09 at 8:58pm

I was hoping against all reason that it'd be The Little Mermaid. Not because I love it (although I do, to a ridiculous degree), but because it would be hilarious.

I'm so happy for the cast of ITH, though!

[Paul W. Thompson]

Posted: 2/11/09 at 12:20pm

Now, now, now! The Mermaid cast album is actually quite well sung and is, IMHO, vividly theatrical and moving. It's the plastic- and heely-inspired visuals that get in the way of the show's making it to the top ranks. IMHO.