I hope tomorrow he'll have something that has some personal talk.
Generic? You will be completely embarrassed when you see and hear the remarks again. They certainly were not "generic".
As to the old phonograph--blame the media. They played the audio via a cell phone to the studio. I just saw a video clip replay it and the audio was perfect. GWB was clearly moved as he loved and respected Ronald Reagan and knows better than most what he meant to America.
I'm watching Bush Sr talking, it's night and day. It's close, it's personal. I know it should be moreso than W, but the contrast is striking.