Monday, September 01, 2008
Star-spangled Bungle
The RNC Telethon began with the worst rendition of the national anthem I've heard in a long time, and nearly all modern renditions are awful. This singer missed at least 30% of the notes by a mile; the background harmony was vaguely jazzy but out of sync. If MC McCain wanted to emphasize competence, this wasn't the way to do it.
Where's Simon Cowell when we need him?
By contrast, I happened to catch the start of Jerry Lewis's Telethon a couple days ago. He began with the best rendition of the anthem I've heard in a long time. It was a young sister act, the 'Cactus Cuties'. They used old-fashioned barbershop-ish harmonies ... reminiscent of previous sister acts like the DeMarco Sisters ... and perfect rhythm, no jazz at all. Every note was perfect, sweet and true.
Here's an earlier performance by the Cactus Cuties, with slightly less perfect rhythm. ¶ 1:26 PM
Where's Simon Cowell when we need him?
By contrast, I happened to catch the start of Jerry Lewis's Telethon a couple days ago. He began with the best rendition of the anthem I've heard in a long time. It was a young sister act, the 'Cactus Cuties'. They used old-fashioned barbershop-ish harmonies ... reminiscent of previous sister acts like the DeMarco Sisters ... and perfect rhythm, no jazz at all. Every note was perfect, sweet and true.
Here's an earlier performance by the Cactus Cuties, with slightly less perfect rhythm. ¶ 1:26 PM
