Posted on 05/29/2023 4:46:12 AM PDT by Libloather
Fans at the Indianapolis 500 may have thought singer-songwriter Jewel's version of the national anthem was a little tone deaf.
Instead of doing a by-the-book rendition of 'The Star-Spangled Banner', the Alaska-raised Folk artist, 49, put together a more nuanced version of the anthem.
On a stage as big as 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing', the four-time Grammy-nominated artist put together a soulful version of the 200+ year-old song.
It was similar in style and tone to the national anthem she sang at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game in Utah, where she was born.
While it wasn't a complete departure from the notes as other versions had, nor was it a horribly sung version, some on social media objected to this rendition of the song.
She accessorized the look with a beige cowboy hat.
Jewel wore her strawberry toned tresses cascading down her shoulders in light curls.
She strummed on her dark green guitar and rearranged the entire song for a much slower and soulful rendition.
On Twitter, the version of the anthem sung generated a lot of reactions - with the general consensus being mixed.
That being said, there were plenty of Twitter users upset at the sound of the song.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Being a veteran, the Madison Rising version (and video) bring goose bumps up...It brings the actions that started our country to mind...
I don’t think either version is disrespectful at all...I just prefer one over the other...
Watch a rodeo. It might be sung on horseback but lots of respect and tradition will be shown.
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Style was the point. If you select a country singer, then you’ll get that. If you select a soloist or group from the services, you’ll get that. The responsibility falls before the first note is played.
For being a “pro” level entertainer, she plays and sings somewhere between a high level beginner to a low level intermediate. I certainly hope the corporate office who hired this mediocre (at best) performer didn’t get stiffed too badly.
Much more attuned to this crisp, up-beat version.
Not so sure about the choral aspects , though.
Disrespectful? No
A complete bore that was totally out of context for a great event like the Indy 500?? Absolutely
You had a great version of God Bless America which got the crowd hyped, and Jim Cornelius (spell) doing his great rendition of Back Home Again in Indiana
In between was this snoozer by Jewel.
Me too. HartleyMBaldwin. Me.too.. I’m at a point now where I am unsure what the National Anthem actually sounds like. Sigh.
I am, however, getting so old I might be allowed to sing it myself...as she walk off into the sunset whistling away.
That says it perfectly.
Dislike
I like “proud” with all the accidentals. Schoenberg would be happy.
Well done ... sadly oh so true.
Yodeling at the end. Perfect description, and I’m going to use it when appropriate.
Yes, a great rendition, but I also seem to recall she was criticized by some at the time for wearing a track suit and making the SSB into a “pop song”.
As you said, to each their own.
I also liked this version of the SSB by Lady Ga Ga.
Lady Gaga Sings the National Anthem at Super Bowl 50 | NFL
I was thinking Whitney Houston at the Super Bowl performance 1991.
Check out Whitney Houston super bowl performance 1991.
As a musician.....I just about spat out my coffee! 🤣
FReepers...you never know.
Keep on rocking....and avoid parallel 5th and octaves.
The irony is that very few singers have the vocal range to sing it. Often they have to drop it an octave to get through the high parts.
I think Jimi Hendrix opened the gates with his instrumental rendition at Woodstock, which is not bad at all. From that point, performers decided they could interpret it, for better or worse.
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