Justin Bieber with Rihanna. No best new artist Grammy for the talented tyke. Oh, but the company he keeps!

I don't consume music like I used to. It has become my habit to download all my favorites and put them into killer playlists. Then I plug into my ipod bubble and coast. In the car it's XM Radio-- 40's on 4, Real Jazz, and 80's on 8. In other words, I don't get around much anymore. By the time the Grammys roll around I'm so far out of the hip zone that nearly every tune is funky fresh.

The best thing about this approach; I get to hear some of the best popular music the industry has to offer neatly packed into one performance laden, star-studded night. I never fail to find a new gem and rediscover an old favorite.

Lady Gaga exceeded eggspectations arriving in grand style as an unhatched...something or other. The new song she performed, Born this way, sounds way too much like Madonna's Respect yourself. It did nothing for me, but her stagecraft was over the top-notch as usual. 

                    A new discovery this year: Janelle Monae.

Her opening acts were only okay, but Monae's alternative rock-tinged soul hit the mark.

                                An old flame rekindled: Eminem

This was one of the highlights of the show. I'm not a big Dr. Dre fan, but Eminem was brooding brilliance. Thankfully Rihanna was able to overcome bronchitis/laryngitis to perform last night. She was in good voice too. I've never been able to sing with laryngitis. Rihanna, do tell, who's your throat man?

Happy surprise: Esperanza Spalding is Best New Artist-- I first saw her perform at the White House nearly two years ago when the Obamas hosted a concert in honor of my very favorite artist, Stevie Wonder. Ms. Spalding did a sublime rendition of "Overjoyed". Thoroughly smitten from that instance of her, I had a feeling she was going places. She; a jazz bassist, honey-voiced angel who is like no other artist on the scene today. She; in a category which included Drake and Justin Bieber. Shocking indeed!

Justin Bieber, Usher, Jaden Smith--I've yet to be afflicted with Bieber fever, but he was at his plucky best last night, basking in the glow of his mentor. Usher was smashing as always, and Jaden is a chip off the old Smith. Of course the camera cut to his parents rapping and dancing along with thier pop-locking protégé . When Will shouted, "that's my baby, that's my baby!", I was moved near to tears. Regardless of the scale, a proud papa is a proud papa.

Katy Perry--Her vocals were spot on, but the projection of her own "big day" in the background was an unfortunate choice. Katy dear, the Grammy stage is no place to display your personal wedding album.

Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, Yolanda Adams, and Martina McBride — Aretha Franklin Tribute--I want to be kind here. Though I appreciate the nod to diversity, not every singer is appropriate for an Aretha tribute. Real talk; Jennifer Hudson and Yolanda Adams blew the other ladies to smithereens. They just have stronger pipes. You can't mix a pair of Southern Baptist gospel birds like Adams and Hudson with the likes of Martina McBride and Florence Welch...really?

John Mayer, Norah Jones and Keith Urban--"Jolene" was a great song choice for a mini-tribute to Dolly Parton, but they might have fared better leaving Norah on her own with the guys backing her with vocals and guitar. Norah was dreamy, John and Keith were superfluous. 

Mick Jagger--I know this is sacrilege in the rock and roll world, but I've just never been into the Jaggman. The Stones are tops, and at my age I appreciate the figure of an aging rock star who can still strut it out. However, I would have preferred to see Paul McCartney or David Bowie.

Gweneth Paltrow, Cee-Lo and the Muppets--I love Gweneth Paltrow the actress, but what I don't love is mediocre singing on Grammy night. Sure, she has a good voice and carried off a tricky performance reasonably well, but a stage siren she ain't.

Barbara Streisand, Diva Supreme. I have some cred here. I'm the only person I know who can sing every word of Yentl and recite most of the dialogue to Funny Girl. I know my Barbara. She still has the voice, but I must take exception to the song choice. Though I love "Evergreen" and have certainly plowed through more than one drunken rendition on a karaoke night or two. The song did not fit in with the ultra-modern milieu of the evening. She didn't ask me, but I would have suggested something more spirited and up-beat like "Happy Days are here again". Haven't you been watching the news Babs?

The producers put on a smart show this year. The performances were thrilling and they chose a real musician for best new artist when they had a pop-idol phenom in the running--proving there is hope for the industry yet.

 Album of the year-The Suburbs, Arcade Fire.

 For a list of Grammy winners...Grammy.com