National Anthem

[kallend 2,150]

So comparing styles:

Last week I attended an event at the Pritzker Military Library in Chicago. The national anthem was sung by an enlisted soldier (female) iN a lovely clear voice, just as written. Really nice.

Today watching NFL the anthem was sung by some 2nd rate female entertainer in a warbling voice, with trills and octave jumps, and it sounded just dreadful. Why do these people think they can improve it?

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[CanuckInUSA 0]

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Today watching NFL the anthem was sung by some 2nd rate female entertainer in a warbling voice, with trills and octave jumps, and it sounded just dreadful. Why do these people think they can improve it?

She couldn't possibly have been worse than Roseanne Barr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkhbpeL-8sY

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[NWFlyer 2]

I've always thought that the National Anthem is a pretty good indicator of how talented / trained / disciplined a singer actually is. It's not an easy tune to sing, and it seems lots of popular artists would struggle with handling it faithfully as written, so the "solution" seems to be to try to "make it their own" to cover up the fact that their vocal chops really aren't all that.

Or, if their chops really are "all that," they take it to an extreme and feel the need to belt it out in an overly-showy manner. It's rare (and nice) to hear a well-sung, straightforward version of it.

This is taking nothing away from anyone who's brave enough to perform it (respectfully) in public; it's far more than I'd ever be able to handle with my "should really only sing in the shower" voice.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[monkycndo 0]

I was at the game when Roseanne sang. It was painful to hear.

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[Namowal 0]

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So comparing styles:

Last week I attended an event at the Pritzker Military Library in Chicago. The national anthem was sung by an enlisted soldier (female) iN a lovely clear voice, just as written. Really nice.

Today watching NFL the anthem was sung by some 2nd rate female entertainer in a warbling voice, with trills and octave jumps, and it sounded just dreadful. Why do these people think they can improve it?

I find the surprise octave jump to be especially annoying. It's the music equivalent of typing in caps:
"O'er the land of the FreEEEEEE!"
Not sure if it's showing off or, as others have suggested, one of many tricks singers use to hide that they'd have trouble singing the song the way it was written.

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[CarpeDiem3 0]

I vote for the "lovely clear voice, just as written".

I hate it when they do "Ohhhhh say can you seeaheeeaheeeaheeeaheeeaheeeah..."

[CanuckInUSA 0]

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I was at the game when Roseanne sang. It was painful to hear.

Still having those recurring nightmares?

Try not to worry about the things you have no control over

[popsjumper 2]

I think it's the showmanship and ego factor. Some are overly concerned with the "look at me" syndrome...quite common for full-time entertainers, eh?

Play it again straight, Sam

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[jackwallace 3]

I'm old enough to remember when Frank Sinatra forgot the words.
If you can find it, there was a band called Uncle Bonzai from Seattle. They sang the anthem at some sports game and added in an echo, with their voices. That got multiplied by the public address system. What a mess.

U only make 2 jumps: the first one for some weird reason and the last one that you lived through. The rest are just filler.
scr 316

[quade 4]

My acceptance of an artist "soul fucking" a song is highly dependent on the situation.

In all cases it should be at least minimally respectful of the idea of why the song is being sung at that particular time and place. For instance, at an actual government function, more serious and clean. At the Bread and Circuses? I'm not so certain it has to be quite so restricted. We are, as it turns out, not simply a land of strict military decorum. We do, in fact, celebrate creativity.

Can you imagine a world that would deny us the Hendrix version?

All of the above said, Roseanne should have gotten way more grief than she did. That was simply disrespectful no matter how you look at it.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[CarpeDiem3 0]

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...We do, in fact, celebrate creativity. Can you imagine a world that would deny us the Hendrix version?

All of the above said, Roseanne should have gotten way more grief than she did. That was simply disrespectful no matter how you look at it.

You can't imagine that some people might find the Hendrix version disrespectful,
in the same manner that you found Roseanne's version? You seem to have a double standard.

Just keep the song true to the original, and then noone has any room to complain.

[Snowwhite 0]

I have been been asked on numerous occasions to perform the National Anthem. It is not an easy song, but it is an important representation of our Country. I take it seriously. When asked to sing it, I am usually at the funeral of a soldier, or at the Memorial service for our Fire Fighters or Police.
I try to take a minute or two to think about what the Author,Frances Scott Key,was thinking while he was in prison writing it,, or listen to what Whitney Houston belted out when she sang it.
Don't embelish. The Holy Spirit knows what it should be.

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[quade 4]

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...We do, in fact, celebrate creativity. Can you imagine a world that would deny us the Hendrix version?

All of the above said, Roseanne should have gotten way more grief than she did. That was simply disrespectful no matter how you look at it.

You can't imagine that some people might find the Hendrix version disrespectful,
in the same manner that you found Roseanne's version? You seem to have a double standard.

Just keep the song true to the original, and then noone has any room to complain.

Both are protected under the First Amendment.

There is no way to view the Roseanne version as anything other than disrespect to the song and country as a whole.

The Hendrix version was a protest against the war in Vietnam. To some people, that's disrespectful to the country as a who,e, but I believe most people see it as NOT being against the country, but rather the leaders of it, while at the same time being very respectful of its citizenry at large.

Also, again, consider the venue.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[airtwardo 7]

"That we still had a flag"


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyCc1DzRAgQ

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[airtwardo 7]

TOP 10 ~


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YMc87XQ4gM&feature=related

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[oldwomanc6 60]

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TOP 10 ~


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YMc87XQ4gM&feature=related

"Oh, Canada!" " I need the words"

lisa
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[skycatcher68 7]

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I try to take a minute or two to think about what the Author,Frances Scott Key,was thinking while he was in prison writing it,

Key wasn't actually a prisoner during the Battle of Baltimore; he was on a British ship as a guest negotiating for the release of prisoners. However, he was not allowed to leave the ship during the battle out of fears that he had gained too much information about the British fleet. He was quickly sent on his way after the battle.

What if the Bible had been written by Stephen King?

[quade 4]

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I try to take a minute or two to think about what the Author,Frances Scott Key,was thinking while he was in prison writing it,, or listen to what Whitney Houston belted out when she sang it.
Don't embelish. The Holy Spirit knows what it should be.

Then why sing it at all?

He sure as hell never intended for it to be sung and certainly not to an old English boozing song.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[FlyingRhenquest 1]

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Quote

Today watching NFL the anthem was sung by some 2nd rate female entertainer in a warbling voice, with trills and octave jumps, and it sounded just dreadful. Why do these people think they can improve it?

She couldn't possibly have been worse than Roseanne Barr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkhbpeL-8sY

Or Jimi Hendrix! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMhq1L0cJf0

Anyone remember that performance personally? It was a year before I was born...

I'm trying to teach myself how to set things on fire with my mind. Hey... is it hot in here?

[CarpeDiem3 0]

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Both are protected under the First Amendment.

Nobody's arguing that. We're talking about what the majority of people find acceptable and enjoyable.

[quade 4]

If you don't find the Hendrix version enjoyable, ok. If you find it offensive, you need to get over it. It's a rock and roll classic. One of the iconic moments in rock and roll history.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[ryoder 1,590]

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If you don't find the Hendrix version enjoyable, ok.

I just watched it and discovered my memory of it was more enjoyable than actually hearing it again.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[oldwomanc6 60]

That sentiment is true of most things.

lisa
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FB 1023
CBDB 9

[JohnMitchell 16]

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When asked to sing it, I am usually at the funeral of a soldier, or at the Memorial service for our Fire Fighters or Police.

Bless you for doing that. What an solemn, sad honor.

I'm not tearing up, really.

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listen to what Whitney Houston belted out when she sang it.

There was so much joy and pride in her version, wasn't there?

[ryoder 1,590]

While searching YouTube, I found this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbhkLmO6djo

Not bad really, and does sound like how Frank would do it.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.