Topic: National Anthems

Since we are an international group here, I was wondering if anyone gets tired of their anthem being sung off-key or the melody totally unrecognizable?

What is up with American musicians not being able to sing on key and always doing vocal loopty-loops that sound like a bag of cats?

Sorry, I have been watching too much sports lately…
Thank you for letting me vent :-)

Re: National Anthems

I don't have a problem with musicians or singers adding a little flair to the US anthem. I do agree that changing it into your own song with re-written melody is not appropriate.

As far as off key, I think it sometimes may be attributed to the echos and pitch variations of a large stadium..? And probably some people are extremely nervous, even pros who have sung in front of a billion people.

I do though get annoyed with how some people act like its somehow disrespectful if the song is varied in any way. Like their whole day is now ruined for hearing it that way..

Re: National Anthems

I prefer a traditional rendition.
I think the rendition that Jim Cornelison is the best I've ever heard. Here's an example:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aJT9K2APv … JT9K2APvas

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Re: National Anthems

Of course you could have to sit through all 4 verses https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kuv1Mt6kMOU I'm pretty good with hearing one with feeling and the correct words.

Re: National Anthems

We should can it anyway.  Jimi Hendrix version I would've stood up in school groggy but erect! cool
Play it on a National Steel for crying out loud! tongue

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Re: National Anthems

Better than our boring durge of an anthem. At least yours is more upbeat. The Italians and Spanish have a far better idea for an upbeat tune.

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Re: National Anthems

I'm a traditionalist on this.  Watched a few bowl games this weekend.  The 4 ladies that sang before the Outback Bowl (Geaux Tigers!!!) was perhaps the worst version I had ever heard.  Ben Vereen's version before last nights Fiesta Bowl was horrible as well.

Re: National Anthems

I have a close friend who sings the anthem at sporting events. She tells me it is a daunting and very difficult song to sing correctly. A huge challenge vocally and a capella with the echo delay must be extra tough in a stadium. Hats off to those that do it well. Thumbs down to the hacks that fail. We've had plenty of those lately.
Rick

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Re: National Anthems

It doesn't really bother me, they have to get somebody to sing it. The great ones far outweigh the bad ones. The Vereen version was simply terrible and I felt bad for him. Couldn't they have found someone else? I turned to my son when he started and said this is going to be bad, he's a dancer and not really much of a singer.

Rockfarmer wrote:

I'm a traditionalist on this.  Watched a few bowl games this weekend.  The 4 ladies that sang before the Outback Bowl (Geaux Tigers!!!) was perhaps the worst version I had ever heard.  Ben Vereen's version before last nights Fiesta Bowl was horrible as well.

As corn through a goose, so are the days of our lives

Re: National Anthems

Yeah, I'm not a fan of the overdone vocal loopty-doos and the general bag o' cats sound either.

Whitney Houston could have done vocal loopty-doos, but I don't think she overdid it here. Just some major vocal talent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wvG5JQA5og

Re: National Anthems

Hearing Renee Fleming sing the National Anthem today, did my ears and my heart some good!

Re: National Anthems

Tx Sommelier wrote:

Hearing Renee Fleming sing the National Anthem today, did my ears and my heart some good!

The old opera fan approves! When asked if she was going to pre-record as most do, she said she only sings live and wouldn't know how to lip sync.

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Re: National Anthems

Tx Sommelier wrote:

Hearing Renee Fleming sing the National Anthem today, did my ears and my heart some good!

My 3 seconds of fame 5 degrees removed...Renee lives 10 miles away from my home town in the boonies of PA!!

Impressed yet?    tongue

Was proud of her.

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Re: National Anthems

PSmith1946 wrote:

Better than our boring durge of an anthem. At least yours is more upbeat. The Italians and Spanish have a far better idea for an upbeat tune.

I was with Billy Connolly years ago when he proposed changing our National Anthem to Barwick Green (The Archers theme music). Its bouncy, makes you smile and, you can get away with just going 'dum di dum di dum di dum...' if you don't know the words.......

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Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

15 (edited by ahsmith33 2014-02-18 09:25:00)

Re: National Anthems

If you missed it on Sunday, Gary Clark Jr. performed the anthem for the NBA All Star game in New Orleans. He didn't sing, strictly instrumental and a bit of a throwback replete with slide. I thought it was awful at first, but he seemed to do better towards the end and pulled it off pretty well. Eric Gales' rendition is the best instrumental version I have ever heard, extra special when I got to sit with him in the "green" room at FedX Forum in Memphis and listen to him warm up. Anybody see Gary's performance this past Sunday?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEMgj0jpVfk

As corn through a goose, so are the days of our lives