Soaring Star-Spangled solos
As a sports fan, I agree that we can ”ask that whoever chooses the person who sings the National Anthem to challenge the singers with leading a group and not playing a solo” (”Star-Spangled Banner”, March 31). And as a sports event national anthem performer (solo harmonica), I agree that fans deserve a quality experience. But sometimes the experience isn’t the singing. It’s the listening.
On March 22 at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at the Scottrade Center, a local military serviceman sang a prideful and powerful solo anthem. No one near me sang a note. Just listening drew my soul to patriotic salute. I remembered Whitney Houston’s 1991 Super Bowl anthem. Years ago, I watched my pro basketball team tie a modern day record for fewest points in a quarter. Ouch. I don’t remember one play. But I’ll always admire that bluesy, twisting, improvisational saxophone solo anthem. Its musical uniqueness reminded me of our country’s own struggle for identity under bombs bursting in air.
I’m sure that those who choose anthem performers chafe at disappointments as much as we fans do. Well-led group singing is one answer. But sometimes great reverence, patriotism, and wild fan enthusiasm will soar out of a solo masterpiece. And when it does, it’s in the listening.
Rick Favaloro
Webster Groves
I once saw the Blue Man Group perform the Anthem. It wasn’t done for comedy purposes and they truly put forth an effort. It was one of the most interesting versions I have ever seen. Very memorable. During the finale the shot stremers out of the “instruments” for dramatic effect.
What I dislike is when franchises looking to make a quick buck use it to generate money (ie: the blues getting money from Boeing. That’s disgusting, in my opinion).
“Please stand for Pepsi-Cola’s presentation of our Natinoal Anthem.” Puh-lease.
Check out the “cactus cuties” on youtube doing the national anthem at (I think) Texas A&M basketball game. Awesome job plus you’ll note not a sound from the crowd til they were done, as it should always be done. I am tired of anthem singers that sound like an American Idol audition. I am old school or just ol;d fashioned but I think the anthem should be done as written with out whimsical improvisation or “personal interpretation.”….and without interruption.
I was a professional musician for twenty years (Commander Barkfeather was one of many stage names). One reason the anthem is so often butchered is simply because it is nearly impossible to sing. The enormous vocal range needed to attempt it is WAY beyond the capacity of average vocalists, pros or amateurs. Hence, halfway through, people find themselves dropping an octave, losing pitch, mumbling long forgotten lyrics, and finally succumbing altogether. Singing an aria from Don Giovanni would be easier. Count me as one who advocates designating “America, The Beautiful” (Oh beautiful for spacious skies…) as our national anthem. Besides having lyrics that evoke more pleasing aesthetic imagery, it’s easier to sing than “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”
I agree completely with Commander Barkfeather. The anthem should be changed. Particularly designated and standardized as the version Ray was kind enough to give to us.