Collins Racks Up Grammy Nominations

NEW YORK--Phil Collins garnered eight Grammy nominations, including six for his socially conscious "...But Seriously" album, and veteran Quincy Jones and newcomer Mariah Carey got five apiece.

The nominees for the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards to honor the year's best recording artists were announced yesterday.

Collins, the Genesis-drummer-turned-pop-icon, was cited for best male pop vocal, song of the year and record of the year for "Another Day in Paradise," his single about the plight of the homeless. His multiplatinum "...But Seriously" was in the running for album of the year.

Carey, who rocketed to the top of the charts with her debut single "Vision of Love," was nominated for record of the year, album of the year, song of the year, best new artist and best female pop vocalist.

Jones' five nominations for "Back on the Block," a recording project that pulled together such legends as Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan with rappers and rhythm and blues stars, made him the most nominated artist in Grammy history. The veteran producer-arranger, who has won 19 Grammys, has now been nominated 74 times.

"No matter how many times you're nominated, it's always a thrill to be recognized by your peers," Jones said. "Back on the Block' was a labor of love for a lot of very talented artists and friends."

The winners will be announced February 20 at Radio City Music Hall.

Jones' "Black on the Block," Collins' "...But Seriously" and Carey's self-titled effort were nominated for album of the year, along with M.C. Hammer's "U Can't Touch This" and Wilson Phillips' eponymous debut.

Wilson Phillips, the three-member girl group with parents in the Beach Boys and the Mamas and the Papas, received four nominations. They will compete with Carey for best new artist and song of the year. It also received a nomination for best pop performance by a duo or group.

Joining Collins in the competition for record of the year were last year's winner, Bette Midler, for "From A category were Melissa Etheridge, Distance;" Sinead O'Connor for "Nothing Compares 2 U;" M.C. Hammer for "U Can't Touch This;" and Carey for "Vision of Love." Midler won in 1990 for "Wind Beneath My Wings."

Collins, who has won five Grammys, also was cited for best long-and short-form video; best pop instrumental performance; and best producer with Hugh Padgham. Padgham was nominated for best-engineered recording for his work on Collins' album.

In the classical categories, the late Leonard Bernstein '39 and the late Vladimir Horowitz were nominated. Bernstein, who won 10 awards, received five nominations while 20-time winner Horowitz was cited twice.

Sir Georg Solti, the conductor whose 28 Grammys are the most ever won, was nominated in the category of best orchestral performance.

Janet Jackson collected two nominations: best female rock vocalist for "Black Cat" and best female rhythm and blues vocalist for "Alright."

Other nominees in the rock vocalist Alannah Myles, Stevie Nicks and Tina Turner. Also receiving nominations in the R&B category were Anita Baker, Pebbles, Patti LaBelle and Regina Belle.

Nominees for the best new artist were Wilson Phillips, Carey, Lisa Stansfield, roots rockers the Black Crowes and the Kentucky Headhunters.

Carey, with co-writer Ben Margulies, and Wilson Phillips' Chynna Phillips and Carnie Wilson, also picked up nominations for song of the year, a songwriters' award. Prince also was nominated in this category for "Nothing Compares 2 U," the hit he wrote for O'Connor, along with Collins and Julie Gold for Midler's "From A Distance."

"Every single thing that happened this year has been incredible. This is just like a huge piece of icing on the cake," Carnie Wilson said. "I've always dreamed of this. When I was little, I used to imagine myself walking up on stage."

Wilson Phillips comprises the two daughters of Beach Boy Brian Wilson and the daughter of John and Michelle Phillips.

Veteran rockers Eric Clapton, Neil Young and Joe Cocker joined chart-toppers Jon Bon Jovi and Billy Idol as nominees in the best male rock vocalist category.

Best male pop vocalists included Collins, Rod Stewart, Michael Bolton, Billy Joel, James Ingram, and the late Roy Orbison, who was nominated for "Oh, Pretty Woman" from the soundtrack of the hit movie starring Julia Roberts.

Another song of the '60s was nominated as well: "Unchained Melody," which was redone by the Righteous Brothers last year. The song was cited in the best pop performance by a duo or group.

Other nominees in this category were Wilson Phillips, Bruce Hornsby and the Range, the B-52s, and last year's winners, Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville.

Nominees were chosen by more than 6000 members of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Ballots were returned last month.