Chicks' night out

It was a night for sweet vindication at the 49th annual Grammy Awards, where country trio the Dixie Chicks capped a tumultuous three years of political controversy and career uncertainty by winning trophies in all five of the categories for which they were nominated, including the big three -- album, record, and song of the year.

Mirroring the national mood displayed in the recent midterm elections, the Chicks won song of the year for "Not Ready to Make Nice," a defiant response to the backlash over the group's criticism of President Bush on the eve of the Iraq war. They beat, among others, the evening's expected sweetheart, Mary J. Blige, and ubiquitous British newcomer James Blunt, who was shut out entirely. The group also performed a heartfelt rendition of the song on the telecast.

"For the first time in my life, I'm speechless," said singer Natalie Maines. She recovered her voice by the time "Taking the Long Way" -- a pop-flavored album recorded in California with rock producer Rick Rubin that was banned outright by some country radio stations and shunned by many country music fans -- won the Grammy for album of the year.

"I think people are using their freedom of speech, and using their voices, here tonight, like this loudmouth did," said Maines.

After years of well-documented substance abuse and self-esteem issues, R&B veteran Mary J. Blige also emerged triumphant (if not as dominant as her eight nominations had promised) to win three awards. Rock survivors the Red Hot Chili Peppers were big winners as well, scoring four statuettes at the Grammy Awards, broadcast live last night from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Blige won best R&B song for "Be Without You," best R&B album (for "The Breakthrough"), and best female R&B vocal performance. "For so many years I've been talked about negatively, and this time I'm being talked about positively by so many people," said a tearful Blige, who went on to thank 55 people, including Jesus and the tape delivery guy, in her acceptance speech.

The Chili Peppers, nominated for six Grammys, won a quartet of trophies including best rock album for "Stadium Arcadium" and best rock performance by a duo or group for "Dani California." "Start a rock band. We need more rock bands," instructed drummer Chad Smith from the podium.

"Mind is blanking. It's amazing," eked out John Mayer, who took the honor for best pop vocal album for "Continuum."

Following in fellow "American Idol" alum Kelly Clarkson's footsteps, Carrie Underwood -- who parlayed her 2005 "American Idol" win into country music stardom -- won the coveted best new artist award. She also won best female country music performance for her song "Jesus Take the Wheel," further cementing the television show's hit-maker status.

The Grammys debuted its own "American Idol"-style contest this year with "My Grammy Moment," a competition to sing a duet with Justin Timberlake decided by public vote. The winner, Robyn Troup, who found out (from "Idol" reject Jennifer Hudson) along with the rest of the world at 10:45 that she was the winner, performed "Ain't No Sunshine" with the double-Grammy winner.

While they weren't nominated for any awards, rock trio the Police opened the Grammys with a jazzy update of their 1978 breakthrough hit "Roxanne." "Ladies and gentlemen, we are the Police and we are back!" bellowed frontman Sting, grinning and yoga-toned in a black leather vest, who reunited with guitarist Andy Summers and drummer Stewart Copeland for the group's first public performance in more than 20 years. The band is expected to announce plans for a world tour today.

Also contributing to the retro vibe were Tony Bennett and Stevie Wonder, whose remake of Wonder's "For Once in My Life" beat out two of the year's hottest hits -- Nelly Furtado and Timbaland's "Promiscuous" and Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" -- for best pop vocal collaboration. And Smokey Robinson and Lionel Richie defied the years with back-to-back performances of "Tears of a Clown" and "Hello" before passing the torch to 17-year-old R&B newcomer Chris Brown and a decidedly old-school, white-suited Christina Aguilera, who sang "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" in front of a James Brown backdrop.

Gnarls Barkley, the duo of Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo, did take home a pair of awards early in the evening, including one for alternative music album ("St. Elsewhere"). Dressed in pilot uniforms and backed by an orchestra and choir, they recast their smash hit "Crazy" as a symphonic epic during a live performance.

Ludacris beat out double-winner T.I., the Roots, Lupe Fiasco, and Pharrell for best rap album of the year.

Two icons took top honors in the folk categories: Bruce Springsteen won the traditional folk album Grammy for "We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions," and Bob Dylan won in the contemporary folk/Americana category for "Modern Times." Dylan also took home a trophy for solo rock performance.

Rick Rubin, who worked on three of the albums nominated for best album this year, won a Grammy for producer of the year.

New Englanders walked away with a handful of Grammys this year. Local composer Osvaldo Golijov, who was at home with the television turned off, won best contemporary classical composition for "Ainadamar: Fountain of Tears," and best opera recording for the same work.

"I'm very honored and happy also because the piece has such a Boston feel," said Golijov.

Seekonk's Bill Harley was honored for best spoken word album for children, and former Boston Pops conductor John Williams -- who's been nominated for an astonishing 59 Grammys during his career -- took awards for best score ("Memoirs of a Geisha") and best instrumental composition ("A Prayer for Peace").

Joan Anderman can be reached at anderman@globe.com. For more on music visit boston.com/ae/music/blog.