Surrond Sound at the Grammys

The nominees were announced the other day as part of the 2005 Grammy Awards. Not normally one that takes much notice of the Awards I did stuble across an interesting category. Among the list were the nominees for "The Best Surround Sound Album of the Year". The list featured 4 Surround Sound Super Audio CDs and 1 DVD Audio production released during the past year.

The Nominees Are...
Musically the nominated Surround Sound albums cover a wide musical spectrum with performances by Roxy Music, Ray Charles & Friends, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and Bonnie Raitt. Here is the list of nominees and the technical artists behind each 5.1 Surround Sound mix:


Avalon
Roxy Music
Super Audio CD Surround Sound
(Virgin CVIR 83871 SA)
Surround Sound Producer: Rhett Davies
Surround Sound Mix Engineer: Bob Clearmountain
Surround Sound Mastering Engineer: Bob Ludwig


Genius Loves Company
Ray Charles with Norah Jones, James Taylor, Diana Krall, Elton John, Natalie Cole, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, Michael McDonald, B.B. King, Gladys Knight, Johnny Mathis & Van Morrison
Super Audio CD Surround Sound
(Concord Records/Hear Music SACD-1033-6)
Surround Sound Producers: John Burk, Phil Ramone & Herbert Waltl
Surround Sound Mix Engineer: Al Schmitt
Surround Sound Mastering Engineers: Robert Hadley & Doug Sax


Mahler: Symphony No. 4
Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor & the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Super Audio CD Surround Sound
(SFS Media 821936-0004-2)
Surround Sound Producer: Andreas Neubronner
Surround Sound Mix Engineer: Markus Heiland
Surround Sound Mastering Engineer: Markus Heiland


Nick Of Time
Bonnie Raitt
DVD Audio Surround Sound
(Capitol Records 99316)
Surround Sound Mix Engineer: Ed Cherney
Surround Sound Mastering Engineers: James Guthrie & Doug Sax


Raise Your Spirit Higher
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Super Audio CD Surround Sound
(Heads Up HUSA-9083)
Surround Sound Producer: Martin Walters
Surround Sound Mix Engineer: Martin Walters
Surround Sound Mastering Engineer: Paul Blakemore

I think my vote will be in for the Ray Charles Disc!