[High Praise! to The Morning Spew]
I’m fairly particular about how America’s national anthem should be played. I think it should be done with reverence and respect. It should be about the SONG, not the singer, and I generally have no patience for histrionical, self-absorbed “celebrities” who mangle it because they’re trying to “make it their own.”
For example, I think SarahK did it exactly right on IMAO podcast #6, back in the day.
That said, I heartily endorse Madison Rising’s version. Somehow they’ve figured out how to make their own particular flourishes enhance rather than detract from the power and beauty of the song. Bacon to them.
[YouTube direct link] (Viewer #327,060)
Copious bacon!
Um…wow! That was awesome. If that doesn’t get your blood flowing, you’re a dead communist America hatin’ leftie loser. Downloading now.
Some inappropriate chord and melody changes grated on me. Otherwise, terrific, especially the improv sections.
Couldn’t disagree more — it’s not a rock song.
My grandfather, many times removed, wrote the Star Spangled Banner. I suspect he would be highly irritated to hear this version.
Listen to the Cactus Cuties, on YouTube, for a decent version.
The National Anthem always gives me chills when I hear it. This one gave me both chills AND a bacon rush!
Ranger Bill – I understand, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.
Cactus Cuties are good, too:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284
On the other hand, I’m familiar with some of Madison Rising’s other work, and I know the band is patriotic without being ironic or self-conscious about it.
I give them credit for loving their country unashamedly in a cynical age.
Harvey — I’ll take my hat off to a patriot, any time.
not bad, but he wussed out by dropping an octave for the final “free”…
if you can’t hit the high note, don’t sing it…
Awesome version of the song!
You can tell that the whole way they did it was to highlight the fact that we are America, and we are friggin awesome.
Good choice of film clips too.
Some historic, some current, showing continuity.
Now I’m all misty. Much Bacon!
It should also be done in 3/4 time (which this performance isn’t), and much faster.
does nobody remember Whitney Houston, Jan 91?
http://youtu.be/Z1QmeEdFOSc
Idahoser – Whitney Houston is EXACTLY the kind of selfish performance of the anthem that grinds my gears. To me, it was all “look at what I can do with my voice.” I thought she was just showing off.
Contrarily, I think Madison Rising asked themselves “how can we add even more power & glory & in-your-face America-is-awesomeness to this song?”
Personally, I liked MR’s answer to that question.
AWESOME! I usually hate it when people “change it up” but I’ve always liked the Jimi Hendrix version. I think this one emphasizes American awesomeness and would be an excellent version to get the younger crowd fired up. And sorry, Harvey, I never got the impression that Whitney was showing off, I think it was just her singing style–that was one version that won’t soon be forgotten. Carrie Underwood is no schlub, either.
Mike – Ok, I admit it. I’m a Whitney hater. There should be a legal limit of no more than 5 notes per syllable.
And if there were, Whitney would’ve been locked up for life.