Off topic: Super Bowl National Anthem

[Rich]

Originally Posted by GoodwillRef

Sing the song like it is our National Anthem...it is not up to your personal interpretation...I hate singers who stray and use notes that aren't even there. Give the song the respect it deserves.

As long as they keep it under 1:25 or so. It's not a funeral dirge. We had a band last week that finished it in about a minute. I want to take them from school to school with me.

And I thought Aguilera was trying to look like Cyndi Lauper. Terrible look, terrible voice. Too bad, cause now we'll be forced to go back to lip synching both the anthem and the halftime show (which is getting terrible reviews cause of the sound quality -- hey, at least they were actually singing! It's not a sound studio and isn't going to sound like one).

[bainsey]

Actually, Christina is a natural blonde, though probably not that tint we saw yesterday.

Solid mechanics, bad execution.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bainsey

Christina is a natural blonde.

Reminds me of a quote by Bond, James Bond:

(Link) View more Jill St John Sound Clips and Tiffany Case Sound Clips

[Welpe]

Billy is now embedding sound clips in his posts.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Billy is now embedding sound clips in his posts.

2012 is right around the corner, right?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Billy is now embedding sound clips in his posts.

Cool, Huh?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

2012 is right around the corner, right?

I saw a sign at a game last weekend:

Class of 2012:
The Last Class

[APG]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Billy is now embedding sound clips in his posts.

Unfortunately.

[BBrules]

They should have had the Cactus Cuties do it. They are right there in Texas, and sing better.

YouTube - The Cactus Cuties sing The National Anthem Original Video

[Larks]

No wonder she screwed up....check out the audition video...

YouTube - National Anthem USA

[Camron Rust]

That was probably the worst anthem since Rosanne Barr. Utterly irritating.

The best in recent memory...the 2009 Orange Bowl by Arturo Sandoval. His performance was both stunning and chillingly gripping, not an "everybody look at me" performance.

YouTube - Arturo Sandoval National Anthem, 2009 Orange Bowl.

[Rich]

Personally, I'm quite fond of the rendition done by Philadelphia Flyers anthem singer Lauren Hart.

She's the daughter of the long-time (now deceased) voice of the Flyers Gene Hart, she's a breast cancer survivor, and she's easy on the eyes, too.

Bonus material, she sings O Canada before the anthem here.

YouTube - O Canada / Star Spangled Banner sung by Lauren Hart

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

The 2009 Orange Bowl by Arturo Sandoval. His performance was both stunning and chillingly gripping, not an "everybody look at me" performance.

Watched the video. Thought, "This is good", until I got the the end of the song, and changed my mind to, "This is really great". Thanks for sharing.

[BillyMac]

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

That was probably the worst anthem since Rosanne Barr. Utterly irritating.

The best in recent memory...the 2009 Orange Bowl by Arturo Sandoval. His performance was both stunning and chillingly gripping, not an "everybody look at me" performance.

YouTube - Arturo Sandoval National Anthem, 2009 Orange Bowl.

I agree on both counts. The clip you posted by Sandoval was very good - the octave jump at the end was nothing short of stunning.

One of my personal favorites is the performance by Josh Groban at a Lions/Packers game - Thanksgiving of 2001 if I remember correctly. I was less enthralled with the version he did at the 2010 Rose Bowl, accompanied by the base guitarist from Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Minor variations to fit a particular performer's vocal style don't bother me, but I really hate it when they butcher it. That said, it's not an easy piece of music to perform. Speaking as one who in years long past has had the honor and privilege to perform it a number of times (including 1 NBA and a couple WHL hockey games), I have always done it straight.... the way it was written.