Was Gwyneth Paltrow's CMA Performance Better Than Taylor Swift's?
The Girl's Got Game?
Last year, country pop singer Taylor Swift won a bunch of CMA awards including Female Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year, but was Gwyneth Paltrow's CMA performance better than Swift's?
One of the reasons Oscar winning actress Gwyneth Paltrow is such a good actress is because she prepares seriously and professionally for every role. For her role as a fallen country music star named Kelly Canter, in the upcoming film Country Strong, filmed in Nashville, Gwyneth threw herself into the role, as most really good actresses do.
As part of her preparation for the role, she studied and got advice from people like singers Faith Hill and Beyonce. However, as Paltrow stood on the Bridgestone Arena stage at the 44th Annual Country Music Awards, with singer Vince Gill at her side, we got the genuine article. As in the movie, it's Gwyneth who is singing.
Said Entertainment Weekly critic Ken Tucker, "Was she as good as Miranda Lambert singing Loretta Lynn's Coal Miner's Daughter? Of course not, but some things are just near-perfection. But Paltrow performed her song as well as any number of other pop-country acts did theirs, if not better than a few of 'em. (Rascal Flatts, I'm listening at you.)"
Rascal Flatts aside, was she even better than Taylor Swift? Swift sang Back to December, from her new album Speak Now. It was an impressive visual display as she sat at a black grand piano in a long white gown with snowflakes falling down from the ceiling. However, there were still a couple of times when Taylor's voice failed her during the live performance, a problem with live performances that she's exhibited in the past.
Said one commenter after watching Taylor Swift sing with Stevie Nicks at the 52 Annual Grammy Awards, "I don't consider Taylor Swift(less) much of a singer and even less of a country singer. Many true country fans, and the singers themselves, feel the same way."
California born Gwyneth Paltrow has no country background, but her impressive voice impressed even those who are country through and through. Says CMA 2010 big winner Miranda Lambert, "She sounded really country, I think. She seems very genuine."
Since Gwyneth Paltrow's CMA performance got good reviews, will there be more of the same?
Once Country Strong has left the theaters, will Paltrow give up country music or continue with it? In any case, the star is taken with Nashville. With regards to relocating to Tennessee, "My dream is to have land somewhere outside of Nashville and have a big organic farm outside of the city." Not sure how British hubby Chris Martin of Coldplay fame feels about that.
Sources:
CMA Awards 2010, November 10, 2010, ABC
Miranda Lambert: Gwyneth Paltrow 'sounded really country', USA Today
Ken Tucker, Gwyneth Paltrow sings her brains out at the CMA Awards, Entertainment Weekly
Country Strong at Wikipedia
Gwyneth Paltrow Looked To Beyonce & Faith Hill Before CMA Live Debut, Yahoo OMG!
Gwyneth Paltrow: I've "Lost My Appetite" Over CMAs Debut, Yahoo OMG!
Jolie du Pre, Was Taylor Swift Off Key with Stevie Nicks?, Associated Content
Published by Jolie du Pre - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment
Jolie du Pre is a full-time freelance writer, a published author and editor and a Featured Celebrity News Contributor. Contact her at joliedupre@gmail.com. View profile
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16 Comments
Post a CommentOverall, nice article Jolie and I agree with Sandra. I don't call myself a Taylor follower but I do like her music. You have to admit it, she is a talented writer. Is she the best singer? Not so much. But I've heard many other country artists live that don't sound so great...like Brad Paisley, Rascall Flatts, Sarah Evans, and many others. But I still like them and buy their music. People are too hard on Taylor. She had an absolutely wonderful performance at the CMAs. As for Gwyneth, she has a good voice but looked REALLY uncomfortable. I wish she could have relaxed and had a little fun with her performance. Can you blame her though? Talk about pressure. So for Taylor vs Gwyneth....Taylor definitely gets my vote.
@Sandra - Thanks for your comment. I always appreciate your insights.
Well Gwyneth Paltrow had the element of surprise on her side. Not to mention people weren't expecting much. So she exceeded all expectations with her performance. She was good. Taylor Swift continously has to meet expectations and has to be compared with her previous performances. My personal opinion is that Miss Paltrow fit right in the scene.
@Ashley - For your information, I happen to like Taylor Swift. In fact, most of my Swift articles praise her. I'm questioning what MANY COUNTRY FANS and non-Country fans have said. If you don't want to read anything that questions Swift's vocals, that doesn't mean the questions aren't out there. But I appreciate all points of view, even ones that attack the writer. LOL
@CaladorCP - Thanks for your comment. You state with clear and concrete reasons why you feel Swift's performance was better.
actually she sold one million in the first WEEK. I liked taylor's performance better. They both did good though.
A lot of people say Taylor is a bad singer, but I don't think so. Taylor IS a good singer and has had many good performances. Not that she hasnt had her bad ones too. @ Lerch, she doesn't have "behind the scenes writers," in fact she wrote all of speak now by herself. and for being "all hype no substance", plenty of people relate to her songs (hence her LEGION of fans) I call that substance. She sings, writes, performs, plays guitar and piano, and connects well with her fans. How much more substance do you need?
Pretty sure Jolie du Pre didn't talk to any country fans...I love Taylor Swift...and if she didn't have country music fans why else would she sell 1 million albums (in the first month) if she wasn't liked.
I went to her concert in 2009 and it was the best concert I have EVER been to (better than i.e. Shania Twain, Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts...I love them all but Taylor's was better, sorry!).
I think people like Jolie du Pre are jealous of Taylor and are just trying to find ways to bring her down. So I agree with Jenna...FAIL!
Did gweneth get a standing ovation? Nope...just Taylor Swift.
If you watch the rehersals, taylor was PERFECT but you get nerves and the added pressure of the crowd and the bad sound to make her sound a bit off.
GPs vocals were not "Country Stong" at all. FAIL.
@Kelly - Yes, Taylor is amazing, do doubt. But part of what I do is read and ask questions. Far too many people have complained about Taylor's live performances for me to ignore it as a celebrity writer.
Taylor Swift did great in that performance actually. I admit a lot of her live performances aren't that great, but that one was