It's been well documented that 1997 was the Year of the Woman in Rock Music. With the success of a summer-long sold out tour, Sarah McLachlan, Shawn Colvin and Paula Cole took to the Grammy stage Monday to run through what will be a highlight ensemble performance when the GRAMMYs hit the stage Wednesday night. The Lilith Fair Tour veterans will each perform a snippet of their biggest hits of 1997, climaxing by joining together during McLachlan's song "Building A Mystery." Using a mostly universal set-up with all three acts, the stage change-over is minimal. Backed with guitars, an organ, bass, drums and a back up vocalist or two, the flow was as smooth as their vocals. Leading off the performance was Paula Cole, who buzzed through a version of "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone", which is nominated for both Record and Song of the Year. Paula closed her set with a beat-box performance backed by her drummer. After quickly moving the risers, Shawn Colvin walked on stage with an acoustic guitar, effortlessly strumming through her breakthrough hit, "Sunny Came Home", also nominated for both Record and Song of the Year. Up for Best Female Pop Vocal, McLachlan was joined on stage by Cole and Colvin, during her run through of "Building...". Playing acoustic guitar, McLachlan solidly closes the set with Cole and Colvin providing back-up vocals. The song ends with an emotional impact, and the bond between these artists' palpable music is clear. Working out the kinks through numerous takes, each singer was ready to bring their individual talents together into a commanding performance. -Scott Rubin

Paula Cole Shawn Colvin Sarah McLachlan