National Anthem performances

[royalfan5]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/060804

At the bottom of this article the author links some great anthem performances. The Edmonton one almost make me want to be Canadian, it's pretty sweet. I think a great National Anthem rendition really sets the tone for a sporting event, and that more emphasis should be placed on quality in this area.

[AllAboutThe'O']

The one rendition of the National Anthem that stands out IMHO was the one they played before the '91 NHL All-Star Game at old Chicago Stadium. Like the Whitney version, this one came out on the heels of the Gulf War, but what made this much cooler than Whitney's version was that the fans were going nuts, cheering wildly as the last notes of the anthem were played (funny, I couldn't even tell you who performed that anthem) while huge American flag banners were unfurled on the balconies.
Another IMHO: I think the best Super Bowl anthem was the one performed by Neil Diamond before the '87 Broncos-Giants game at the Rose Bowl. Ray Charles' "America the Beautiful" before the Ravens-Giants 2001 game is up there, too.

[jk the sooner fan]

jewel sang it at a super bowl (i think) in san diego - it was pure greatness

[StoopTroup]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/images/030717roseanne.jpg

[TUSooner]

This morning whne I was walking my dog, I heard morning colors wafting over from the US Navy base where I used to be stationed.* That simple Navy arrangement that I played a zillion times still sounded best to me, but it also made me think kindly of the trumpet soloist (name?) who used to play it for the Dallas Cowboy home games. Simple and sweet.

*I might have looked a little silly standing at attention with my pooch on a leash and my hand on my heart, but whatever.

[King Crimson]

the Boston instrumental version before the Fiesta Bowl one year was pretty bad, IMO. yes, that Boston.

[critical_phil]

no Oleta Adams?

[StoopTroup]

Anthem (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tTvw8ddIrM)

[jk the sooner fan]

Anthem (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tTvw8ddIrM)

oh wow

[soonerloyal]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/features/images/030717roseanne.jpg


Dear Gawd...that was a pie in the face to every veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces - AND every American who respects our National Anthem.