Junos celebrate Canadian music

Even though Nelly didn't win, it was a great night all around

By Chris Santos, SOTR

Apr 14, 2002

Does St. John's know how to party or what? The top Canadian artists took time out of their busy schedules to attend the 31st annual Juno Awards at the Mile One Stadium in St. John's Newfoundland& Labrador. There was a lot of hype for this show - being that it was the first time the Junos were held in Newfoundland. The award show is usually held in Toronto and in recent years, Hamilton, Ontario.

The big winner was Diana Krall who won Best Vocal Jazz Album (The Look of Love) and also beat out Nelly Furtado for Best Artist and Best Album. Nickelback also had a strong showing taking home Junos for Best Rock Album (Silver Side Up), Best Single (How You Remind Me) and Best Group.

The line-up of performances was nothing short of amazing. It's really nice to see that the caliber of Canadian artists has been ever increasing since the worldwide success of Celine Dion, Shania Twain and Sarah McLachlan. Juno performances last night included Nelly Furtado, Barenaked Ladies, Diana Krall, Nickelback, Sum41, Alanis Morissette and Amanda Marshall.

Nelly put on a sharp performance which started right after the Swollen Members performed 'Fuel Injected.' Nelly was joined by the Toronto-based shebang dance crew - the same dancers who were in her latest video. As the break dancers pulled off some impressive moves, Nelly put on a good performance with her live version of 'Shit on the Radio' which has a faster beat than the album version. The Swollen Members came out again with Nelly for a high energy finish.

Barenaked Ladies acted as hosts for the evening, keeping everyone entertained throughout the show. They did a comedic segment in the artists section of the audience, going up to different artists and doing their own 'Ladies' version of their songs. Sitting with her manager, Chris Smith, Nelly found the rendition of 'I'm Like a Bird' completely hilarious as she cracked up listening to her Grammy Award winning tune being performed with an accordion.

Other highlights of interest included a standing ovation for pairs figure skaters Jamie Sale and David Pelletier who were presenters; a traditional Newfoundlandish opening of the show by locals Great Big Sea, and Nelly's DreamWorks labelmate Rufus Wainwright winning for Best Alternative Album.

Here is a complete list of winners

Best single:

How You Remind Me, Nickelback.

Best-selling album, foreign or domestic:

Hotshot, Shaggy.

Best album:

The Look of Love, Diana Krall.

Best artist:

Diana Krall.

Best group:

Nickelback.

Best new group:

Default.

Best rap recording:

Bad Dreams, Swollen Members.

Best pop album:

Morning Orbit, David Usher.

Best R&B/soul recording:

Don't You Forget It, Glenn Lewis.

Best-selling francophone album:

Les Vents ont change, Kevin Parent.

Best instrumental album:

Armando's Fire, Oscar Lopez/

Best new solo artist:

Hawksley Workman.

Best songwriter:

Jann Arden for Never Mind and Thing for You (co-songwriter Russell Broom) performed by Jann Arden.

Best new country artist/group:

Ennis Sisters.

Best country artist/group:

Carolyn Dawn Johnson.

Best rock album:

Silver Side Up, Nickelback.

Best vocal jazz album:

The Look of Love, Diana Krall.

Best contemporary jazz album (instrumental):

Live, Francois Bourassa Trio & Andre LeRoux.

Best traditional jazz album (instrumental):

Murley, Bickert & Wallace: Live at the Senator, Mike Murley.

Best children's album:

A Classical Kids Christmas, Susan Hammond.

Best classical album (solo or chamber ensemble):

Bach Arrangements, Angela Hewitt.

Best classical album (large ensemble or soloist with large ensemble accompaniment):

Max Bruch, Concertos 1 & 3, James Ehnes violin, Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, Charles Dutoit conductor.

Best classical album: vocal or choral performance:

Airs Francais, Ben Heppner.

Best classical composition:

Par-ci, par-la, Chan Ka Nin.

Best alternative album:

Poses, Rufus Wainwright.

Best dance recording:

Spaced Invader, Hatiras.

Best reggae recording:

Love (African Woman), Blessed.

Best music of Aboriginal Canada recording:

On and On, Eagle & Hawk.

Best roots & traditional album (solo):

Far End of Summer, David Francey.

Best roots & traditional album (group):

Cordial, La Bottine Souriante.

Best blues album:

Big Mouth, Colin Linden.

Best gospel album:

Downhere, Downhere.

Best global album:

The Journey, Alpha Yaya Diallo.

Best producer:

Daniel Lanois (co-producer Brian Eno) for Beautiful Day and Elevation by U2.

Best recording engineer:

Randy Staub for How You Remind Me and Too Bad by Nickelback.

Best album design:

Sebastien Toupin (art director), Sebastien Toupin, Benoit St-Jean, Michel Valois (designers), Martin Tremblay (photographer) for Disparu by La Chicane.

Best video:

Jealous of Your Cigarette, director Sean Michael Turrell, performed by Hawksley Workman.

Special achievement:

Michael Cohl.

Lifetime achievement:

Daniel Lanois.