Star Strangled Banner

[Luke]

Ok, given I maybe have had a few adult beverages,so I still feel a rant coming. Am I the only person that cringes when people try to make the National Anthem sound like an audition for some reality show? It seems most sporting events begin with the Anthem. It also seems that every person they have "perform" has to put their stamp on it.

I know it is not an easy song to sing,from personnel experience. If you want to yodel or sing notes high enough that only dogs can hear, then why not do it to America the Beautiful or God Bless America?

The exception to this rant is Billy Joels performance during the television concert after 911. He did the song as written.

The Jimi Hendrix Woodstock version was done as an instrumental, rendering it in a
different category.

Rant over, time for another adult beverage.

[Ryan Ruck]

Nope, I agree 100%. By far the worst offender in this category has been Christina Aguilera at this recent Super Bowl. Not only did she do exactly what you describe but she botched the lyrics on top of that.

[Backstop]

Not sure how faithful this is to the original, but I think this is the best:

[Luke]

While not as offensive as some, this is what I am talking about. The last time I checked, the National Anthem was not written as a rhythm and blues tune. I have always heard the tune was from an English drinking song. That is not to say Whitney Huston is not a good singer. Just different strokes I suppose.

To be true to the tune I guess we need (cringe) a bar full of drunken Brits in a sing along. Somehow I think it would lose something in the translation.

Mr. Keys lyrics are the key point to the anthem.

[Backstop]

Luke, do you have an example that you like - maybe from youtube or something?

[Luke]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzFbD--z1cw

I am not sure how to embed youtube stuff. I hope this link takes you to the video. This was just kids at this years Bristol race.

If I had to pick a favorite "professional" I would have to say Jim Nabors. I haven't found it on youtube.

Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs could do a good job, he sings opera.

[Ryan Ruck]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzFbD--z1cw

I am not sure how to embed youtube stuff. I hope this link takes you to the video. This was just kids at this years Bristol race.

If I had to pick a favorite "professional" I would have to say Jim Nabors. I haven't found it on youtube.

Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs could do a good job, he sings opera.

Ask and ye shall receive Luke.

YouTube: Mike Rowe Singing National Anthem

[Backstop]

I like it.

[Luke]

New York firefighter, Daniel Rodregus. I don't think that is how it is spelled. Sang God Bless America at tonights NASCAR race in Richmond.

[Ryan Ruck]

Like the Hendrix version for what it is. Like Luke said, it is different from what the sung version is supposed to be.

By the way Luke, I hope you didn't watch the start of the Tea Party Republican Debate. The singer did a decent enough job initially but could help but adding some unnecessary warble. At least she was easy on the eyes!

[Backstop]

Man, I thought her version sucked, she didn't sing well, and she wasn't attractive at all.

[Luke]

Hey Peterle, The Hendrix version of the National Anthem is in a league of its own. It is an instrumental version, no lyrics are sung. In Jimi's case none was needed. I believe James Marshall Hendrix was a member of the 101st Airborne for a while. I do not know what his discharge status was, but it seems that he broke an ankle during a parachute jump? What makes the Hendrix version such a classic was that I believe he created many visual images using an aural vehicle. Close your eyes, turn the volume up and at times you can easily visualize "bombs bursting in air",\.

If my memory doesn't fail me it seems that Jose Felizano did an acoustic instrumental of the National Anthem that was not too shabby.