Christina Ag. and the Anthem... just one man's opinion

Steinar Gregertsen · Post by **Steinar Gregertsen** » 7 Feb 2011 6:35 pm

As a 'foreigner' I obviously don't have the same emotional connection with your National Anthem, I just hate to hear a singer's (or any musician's) ego get in the way of a good song.

David Kurrasch · Post by **David Kurrasch** » 7 Feb 2011 7:29 pm

Maybe I'm a little biased, but I like this Texas girl's version of the anthem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLvmIld6jlI

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 7 Feb 2011 8:00 pm

Thank you, David. Now, THAT is what I'm talking about.

You go, girl.

Since Sunny is a dear pal of mine for more than a few years, I was hoping she wouldn't diva-up the Anthem. But I would have called her on it had she done so. So I'm proud of her.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 7 Feb 2011 8:02 pm

Hated it ! and the half time "show" too

William Lake · Post by **William Lake** » 7 Feb 2011 9:12 pm

I'm not American, but I am also deeply offended when singers think the anthem is about THEM and not the country for which it stands.
I believe Jose Feliciano was the first to F**k it up.

Marc Friedland · Post by **Marc Friedland** » 7 Feb 2011 9:22 pm

Christina obviously has very good control of being able to execute vocal gymnastics and I agree that to a large extent they’re out of place when singing the National Anthem.
I don’t know her personally, but I’m willing to bet that her flubbing the words was a mistake she’s sorry occurred and she certainly meant no disrespect to anyone.

Don’t forget about last year’s Super Bowl when Carrie Underwood sang it beautifully.

Here’s the link to Carrie Underwood’s version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofJk9vGEQnE

For the past couple of years I’ve had the pleasure of being Kelly Aspen’s 6-string guitar player here in Northern Colorado. She often gets invited to sing the National Anthem at sporting & special events in the area.
Here’s the link to Kelly Aspen’s version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IO0hHEVq8E0

-- Marc

www.PedalSteelGuitarMusic.com

Leslie Ehrlich · Post by **Leslie Ehrlich** » 7 Feb 2011 9:32 pm

There's a simple solution to this problem. Have a brass band play the national anthem and let everyone in the crowd sing along (regardless if they can remember the lyrics or not).

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 7 Feb 2011 9:46 pm

Bill McCloskey wrote: I think Ray Charles version is one of the best I've heard, and he certainly makes it sound like Ray.

Actually, I find Ray Charles' version of it to be the most effective, stirring version of it that I've ever heard.I could listen to that man sing nursery rhymes and I'd be spellbound, no lie.

Tony Glassman · Post by **Tony Glassman** » 7 Feb 2011 11:14 pm

Jim Cohen wrote:
Bill McCloskey wrote: I think Ray Charles version is one of the best I've heard, and he certainly makes it sound like Ray.
Actually, I find Ray Charles' version of it to be the most effective, stirring version of it that I've ever heard.I could listen to that man sing nursery rhymes and I'd be spellbound, no lie.

Ray Charles, maybe George Jones get artistic license with the anthem........but no one else.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 8 Feb 2011 6:06 am

well, reading above

She not a bad singer and she's not un-American...

She may not be the singer WE like and using her own style is not un-American, she was invited to sing because of her style. Her style goes along with the Black Eye'd Peas...consistent genre...

She did say she got totally caught up in the moment and knew she flubbed the lyrics and tried her best to stay the course...which of course was off course..

All I can say is I have never been asked to sing the NA in front of a Super Bowl TV audience so it's highly possible the world has still not seen the worst performance yet...

t

Don Poland · Post by **Don Poland** » 8 Feb 2011 6:48 am

Wally Taylor wrote:I would have preferred to hear The Catus Cuties perform our National Anthem. They do it with dignity, grace and real honest to goodness talent.

I totally agree with that!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 8 Feb 2011 8:28 am

Out done by 12 year olds. That's REAL talent. They smoke both The Peas and CA. Listen to that ending.

William Lake · Post by **William Lake** » 8 Feb 2011 9:09 am

Thank you for that link. I listened to a few of the Cactus Cuties tunes, and they are amazing. Great harmony. Wow!!!

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 8 Feb 2011 9:46 am

I just felt like doing this, this morning...

Our National Anthem

Ben Lawson · Post by **Ben Lawson** » 8 Feb 2011 9:57 am

Nice Herb. Thank you.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 8 Feb 2011 10:06 am

Very nice, Herb!

We also have Tony's arrangement:

Click Here

John De Maille · Post by **John De Maille** » 8 Feb 2011 3:00 pm

Her rendition was totaly unacceptable to me. I think she should be shamed into donating her fee to the Disabled Vets. I'm getting old and can't stand this crap anymore. Just an old Army Ranger speaking his piece.

scott murray · Post by **scott murray** » 8 Feb 2011 3:32 pm

for all the flack he receives from a large percentage of the steel guitar community, i think most would agree that Jerry Garcia did a fine job singing the anthem, along with Bob Weir and Vince Welnick of the Grateful Dead: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MH8ObibNCoo

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 8 Feb 2011 3:44 pm

An excellent job by Garcia and Co., done correctly and with respect.

My wife, who's in no way a Dead fan, was walking past just now and asked who it was singing the Anthem. When I said "the Grateful Dead," she said "that's the best version I've heard in quite a while."

That says something right there.

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 8 Feb 2011 4:27 pm

I got curious and started checking out on YouTube the various performers of the Anthem at Super Bowls past. On the whole I prefer an unembellished rendition, as in the Sunny Sweeney, Cactus Cuties, and Grateful Dead clips above. But, though I've never been particularly a fan of Cher, to my surprise I found myself feeling that her performance is an example of artistic license that isn't abuse. There are some departures from the original melody, and a few embellishments, but for me they enhance the effect of the song, rather than detracting from it and making it all about the singer herself.
JMO.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6WVkXaz ... re=related

Joe Miraglia · Post by **Joe Miraglia** » 8 Feb 2011 4:53 pm

Do you remenber Roseanne Barr at the ball park?

Wally Taylor · Post by **Wally Taylor** » 8 Feb 2011 6:34 pm

Well, I had forgotten Roseanne Barr until you brought it up again. Several people should have been put up against the wall for that "performance"!

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 9 Feb 2011 8:06 am

Roseanne Barr - best to let sleeping hogs lie …..

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 9 Feb 2011 4:04 pm

Well said, Barry...

Just watched the Sunny Sweeney video. Great job. She is so sweet.

I have actually heard some Christina Aguilera stuff that was OK. Now, the Black Eyed Peas, YUCK!!! Although, there was one part where one of the African American guys (gotta be P.C., you know) was actually singing, and not rapping, and it sounded like he actually had a decent voice if he would actually switch to singing instead of rapping. And Fergie wasn't totally nauseating to look at.

I did enjoy the half-time show though. The presentation (minus the music) was very good. It always amazes me the amount of work the dancers put in to make the show come off right. That has to be a huge undertaking.

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 9 Feb 2011 7:01 pm

Someone get a rope .