[goodtimesintv]

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYfF9VKMp4w

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

This woman has incredible talent. The work that she did with Tony Bennett was fantastic.

That being said, there is a difference between talent and taste and much of what she has done in the paste is not my taste.

The SB anthem was, in my humble opinion, OK. For the most part she did a nice job, but there were still too many times where she sang too many notes and added little unnecessary runs. She didn't do as many as some of the others, but still a bit too much for my liking.

The thing that many of these singers need to understand is that just because you can do something that doesn't mean that you have to do it.

Mariah Carey doesn't have to show us that she has a four octave range in every song that she sings.

This version was not as bad as some, but still too many vocal gymnastics that are meant to show off the ability of the singer and do not enhance the song or give meaning to the subject matter.

Just my opinion.

[Polar Bear]

I respect your opinion, Doc. But I thought her personal touches maintained respect for the anthem and even added some positive emotion. I liked it very much.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

I respect your opinion, Doc. But I thought her personal touches maintained respect for the anthem and even added some positive emotion. I liked it very much.

This was one of the best NFL Superbowl National Anthem renditions. Not as good as Whitney Houston but still very good. The 11 best Super Bowl national anthem performances of all time | FOX Sports

[Ecuadog]

Kudos, Lady GaGa. One of the best.

[CritterLover]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

This woman has incredible talent. The work that she did with Tony Bennett was fantastic.

That being said, there is a difference between talent and taste and much of what she has done in the paste is not my taste.

The SB anthem was, in my humble opinion, OK. For the most part she did a nice job, but there were still too many times where she sang too many notes and added little unnecessary runs. She didn't do as many as some of the others, but still a bit too much for my liking.

The thing that many of these singers need to understand is that just because you can do something that doesn't mean that you have to do it.

Mariah Carey doesn't have to show us that she has a four octave range in every song that she sings.

This version was not as bad as some, but still too many vocal gymnastics that are meant to show off the ability of the singer and do not enhance the song or give meaning to the subject matter.

Just my opinion.

Completely agree, but you stated it much better than would I. Vocal gymnastics I do not appreciate at all in certain songs. I want to hear our National Anthem sung beautifully, but, for lack of a better term, "normally." I just didn't care for her rendition at all, but she is very talented.

[zonerboy]

I agree somewhat with Dr Winston. Too many times celebrity pop stars modify the rhythm or the notes of the National Anthem to suit their own particular style and thus make the focus on themselves rather than on the song. I suspect some also do this to disguise their lack of vocal range and inability to hit certain high notes. But overall I felt that Lady GaGa's embellishments were rather minor and served to enhance the spirit of the song rather than detracting from it.
I thought she was terrific, but that's just my opinion. And I'm no musician.

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by goodtimesintv

Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYfF9VKMp4w

Another song from the "Cheek To Cheek" album with Tony Bennett. Won the best jazz album of the year award. One would be surprise how great she really is, in this venue.

https://youtu.be/O1OdWOLWeCM

I initially was never interested in her art when she wore the outrageous customs and thought she was a niche performer. Boy, was I wrong!!!

A very talented performer who will be around for a long time. IMHO

Seems like a down to earth person who gets along well with other performers. Also, she has comes from a close knit Italian family. I love the story of how she tells Tony Bennett her father used to have all of his records and she use to sing them, before cutting the above named album.

BTW - Sports fans don't like long renditions with riffs prolonging the song further as they start cheering, long before the song is over. I thought she did a great job. I still think Whitney's version is the greatest version ever sung and I remember Kate Smith well. IMHO

[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by shanson99

My Dad always said that nobody can sing The National Anthem like Kate Smith, but she has been gone for a long time. I did think Lady Gaga did a good job.

If I remember correctly, Kate Smith was famous for singing "God Bless America". I'm sure there are a few Philadelphia Flyer fans around that remember.
https://youtu.be/rEJo7x9y3D4
Here is a great clip of her performing it. I even think that Ronald Reagan is briefly in it.

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by N44125

Plus the Blue Angels Flyover was just iceing on the cake. Great!

I saw a special awhile ago about what goes into it to get the timing exactly right. No small feat since the flight starts miles away.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Shimpy

I saw a special awhile ago about what goes into it to get the timing exactly right. No small feat since the flight starts miles away.

I'd love to see or read about that. I've always wondered...very cool.

[waynet]

I thought she was great. As good as I have heard since Whitney Houston. Also hand on her heart was a nice gesture.

[shanson99]

Originally Posted by BarryRX

If I remember correctly, Kate Smith was famous for singing "God Bless America". I'm sure there are a few Philadelphia Flyer fans around that remember.
https://youtu.be/rEJo7x9y3D4
Here is a great clip of her performing it. I even think that Ronald Reagan is briefly in it.

Damn, you're right! My Dad loved it when Kate sang God Bless America. Anyway, Lady Gaga did a good job singing The National Anthem. That was a great YouTube clip. I loved it.

[tedquick]

Her runs were only slightly distracting, yet wonderfully executed. Her level of feeling, shown both musically and by her physical expressions will make it a classic. As was mentioned in an earlier post, her hand on her heart added yet another level. Note, she had to “carry it out” very slightly for the Blue Angels to arrive and she did it remarkably well. I thought the overall performance was exceptional.