[TPIN] Anthem

[Glenn Bengry]

Mates,
 
     Indeed the music of the anthem, is from a popular drinking song in the early 1800's  It is waltz music.  If we were to be purists, we would drink a lot of beer and sing in a lilting waltz style, substitute sh for the s sounds and we'd probably be close.  This music was chosen because it was pretty much known by everybody.  The poem, written by Key, an attorney and POW on board a British ship is full of wonderful patriotic spirit as the British were attacking Baltimore and Washington DC during the war of 1812, the only time in our history that we were invaded by a foreign army.  Would the flag still be there when the smoke cleared?
 
    There was a movement a while back to try to change our National Anthem to America the Beautiful.  Personally, I would support such a move, since the tune is singable, reverent, and beautiful. The current anthem is nearly unsingable.  The range is extreme.  I doubt it will ever happen.
 
    I agree that using the Anthem to call attention to the singer is plain disrespect.  But I never hear anyone in positions of power in the government, or important musicians make statements publicallly against such performance practices.  I think that is the only way we make any inroads against these lame performances.  The people that book such performers continue to do it.  Young copycat singers hear and see nothing but cheers and adulation from audiences.  They want that and so they copy.  They think that is the way it is supposed to be.
 
      When the Detroit Pistons hosted 3 games of the NBA finals a few years ago, someone high up in Palace management thought that they should show off some Detroit talent, so, in their infinite wisdom, they chose Kid Rock to sing the first game.  Well, Kid Rock decides to sing gospel style.  He's not the worlds greatest singer in the first place, but certainly no gospel singer.  It was weak and it was all about him.  Second game, they trot out Anita Baker who is out of shape and only has about an octave range in the first place.  I don't know why she would be willing to sing it in public if she can't sing the notes.  but she went out there for some unknown reason and couldn't even sing the high notes.  Strikeout number two.  Third night they bring out Aretha.  You'd think they'd have a no miss but she looked like she was lip sync'ing and got ripped in the papers.
 
    The Pistons are owned by Bill Davidson who is personal friends with Neemi Jarvi, and who personally sent the Detroit Symphony on a European tour couldn't figure out how to put out a single respectable NA performance in three tries even though they could have had any musician in the world and have great musical advice right in the house(Neemi was courtside)  What does that tell us?
 
    By the way, on the DSO european tour, Jarvi played a piece which is like the anthem to us.  He messed around with the traditional tempo.  The audience booed.  That is the only way we'll hold the musicians to a standard. 
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