I just heard Lee Ann Rhymes (sp?) yodel the National Anthem. Why not just sing it 'straight"? I think butchering it is awful.
I was in Charlotte last week for the all star race. Darius Rucker sang it there and did an excellent job of just singing it.
On a side note, Jake Owen did a concert before the race. He's way more talented than I imagined. I highly recommend him in concert if you are in to country rock. He did a perfect imitation of John Anderson songs too.
I don't care for it either. Just a hopeless romantic, I guess. Traditional things mean a lot to me. The U-S of A's National Anthem means a lot to me; but at my age I just wince a little and endure all the "butchering" I hear.
I'd rather hear Springfield's Madison Elementary 6th. grade choir sing the Anthem flat than someone's artistic rendition.
Hey, at least it wasn't Rosanne Barr...
Glad I missed that.
I am of the belief that the National Anthem should be preformed with a standard and controlled voice and it is not the platform for a voiced massacre.
I have gone out of my way to avoid hearing her music. She went from having a beautiful multi octave voice to competing with all the other screamers who call that singing these days.
There are many performers that have the vocal ability to cover many differing forms of music and when called upon will step up and will sing the National Anthem with respect of the song, those singers I enjoy.
Perhaps if composers/singers/musicians aren't satisfied to sing the national anthem straight, they should create a new patriotic song; if they're as great as they think they are, it will become popular.
Lee Greenwood has already done that, in my opinion quite well, with "God Bless the USA".
And then there is the Toby Keith song. 😉
Another favorite.
James
> Hey, at least it wasn't Rosanne Barr...
THANK YOU MR. PADEN!!!! THAT WAS THE FIRST THOUGHT I HAD!!!
> Darius Rucker sang it there and did an excellent job of just singing it.
I would imagine so. Darius is awesome. I love to sing along with a lot of his stuff.
The best singer I've ever heard do that song was some little 13 year old girl at the California Motor Speedway circa 2000. I was in serious running tears toward the finale. She didn't try to embellish it with over hiped crap like yodeling and/or pitch changes like in other's meager attempt to make it "their own rendition". She just let it wail. And Golly mercy could she! Ain't heard nothing like it before or since.
My ex was supposed to have perfect pitch and I wouldn't doubt it. (sure got my attention the night I met her - she was on stage that night) She was also seriously impressed but just not as moved as I was.
IF you're going to embellish
the National Anthem then at least honor it. The best performance I have ever seen was by a Marine choir. Other than that a barbershop quartet at Atlanta Motor Speedway a few years ago. I'm glad I'm not the only one who describes what is done as yodeling.
Andy
You should check out the start of a Chicago Blackhawks game. The guy that sings for them is absolutely incredible. I'm sure he's on you tube
IF you're going to embellish
In general, I agree that the anthem should be sung "straight up". Still there have been a few innovative renditions which still honor the song and the country. Probably my favorite is this one:
IF you're going to embellish
Here is the first rendition that I heard that people had their 'problems' with the performance.
[flash width=420 height=315]//www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/x1ZQawbo4Mo?hl=en_US&version=3[/flash]
geez, I have no problem with her A cappella solo rendition but I guess others do. But I don't know who she is and what 'baggage' she may be having with the American public. That is not yodeling...
Might have a problem with the flyover though?
[flash width=560 height=315]//www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/jRzEYzFDBA0?version=3&hl=en_US[/flash]
for those who think that the anthem should always be done "by the book" without embellishment:
I don't know if there is a standard for what instruments accompany the singing of the anthem.
A traditional military band is not always present and was certainly not represented at Woodstock.
Hendrix was awesome with guitar and it spoke more for him than his own words. I am glad he played and did not sing the anthem.
😉
