Winans pulls a hat trick and wins for gospel performance/song, contemporary Christian music performance/song and best gospel album while Carrie Underwood’s “My Savior” is named best roots gospel album. Plus George Harrison’s “All Things Must Pass: 50th Anniversary Edition” gets best boxed or special limited edition package, making it the first Grammy the former Beatle factored into since 2002, when “Marwa Blues,” from his final album “Brainwashed,” earned a nod for best pop instrumental performance.
“This album has really endured,” his widow, Olivia Harrison, says backstage. “It’s full of hope and inspiration and good rock ‘n’ roll and great musicians. It’s George’s seminal work. He got his first Grammy 58 years ago (with The Beatles, who won best new artist) and it’s amazing that 58 years later I’m standing here. People have told me how (this music) has helped and healed them.”
Batiste extends his streak, taking best music video for “Freedom.” “We just wanted everybody to see it and be transformed by joy,” he says of the video’s New Orleans setting. And exactly seven days after winning best documentary at the Oscars, “Summer of Soul” snags the Grammy for best music film. “What a journey for this film, from Sundance (Film Festival) until last week,” director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson says with a knowing laugh. (His Oscar win came directly after Will Smith slapped Chris Rock.)
