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Soundcheck / February 13, 2008 / The Anthem, With Soul

The Anthem, With Soul

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

This weekend marks the 25th anniversary of Marvin Gaye's stirring-yet-funky performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game. Journalist and radio host Harry Allen joins us for a look back at a historic moment for the national anthem and for a gifted, but troubled, singer. And, Bruce Hornsby saw Gaye's performance. The Grammy-winning artist tells us what it was like and shares his own experiences performing the anthem.

Weigh in: Do you have a favorite performance of the anthem? A least favorite?

Video: Marvin Gaye, "The Star Spangled Banner," 1983 NBA All-Star Game
Bruce Hornsby website


Comments

  • [1] Lenny from Da Bronx February 13, 2008 - 11:32AM

    Jordin Sparks represented at the Super Bowl although it was *totally* pre-recorded...

    There's also a really painful version of Michael Bolton where either he got off with the pre-recorded track or the sound system delay got the better of him:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZrK_kOk8Lw
  • [2] fuva February 13, 2008 - 02:14PM

    Marvin Gaye! Whew. Even D'Angelo tried to replicate this version at a boxing match...Some thoughts:

    - Nobody booed. Though folks were stunned, at first.

    - The Star Spangled Banner - the national anthem and supposedly a song for the people - is hard for most folks to sing. Marvin's version was the most participatory that it has EVER been; because if folks couldn't sing along, they could..CLAP...to the beat. It was the SSB interpreted through the inherent inclusiveness of Black musicking.

    Other Bad*ss versions:

    - Jimmy Hendrix - bluesy and accessible.

    - Whitney Houston - Potent with gospel flare.
  • [3] Aaron from Manhattan February 13, 2008 - 02:19PM

    best: Jimmy Hendrix

    worst: Rosanne Barr
  • [4] andy from manhattan February 13, 2008 - 02:21PM

    Hendrix was the first to open the door on interpretive takes on the National Anthem, wasn't he? He certainly was a good while before Marvin Gaye in personalizing it!
  • [5] fuva February 13, 2008 - 02:21PM

    Marvin added rhythm to it. But I don't see how "sexiness" was a factor. The correlation between rhythm and sex is WAY overplayed...One simply does not - ipso facto - imply the other. And the rhythmically inclined know this.
  • [6] wanda from kansas February 13, 2008 - 02:22PM

    WHY DO WE HAVE TO SING THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER AT ALL, BEFORE ANY MAJOR SPORTING EVENT ????
  • [7] John Rousmaniere from NYC February 13, 2008 - 02:23PM

    The first people's national anthem that I ever heard still give me the shivers -- Jose Feliciano in a World Series in the late 60s. Its genius lay in his blend of soul, improvisation, and simplicity. It was different all right. There were boos. But it worked.
  • [8] Casey from Manhattan February 13, 2008 - 02:23PM

    Jimi Hendrix' performance of the anthem at Woodstock was electrifying (no pun intended).
  • [9] Conrad from New York, NY February 13, 2008 - 02:26PM

    I recently saw the Marvin Gaye's version last year and I stopped cleaning my apartment because I was rivited. Definitely my favorite. Although Jimi Hendrix is close second. I am in the military for 20 years and I loved the reactions it got from some non-too open-minded officers when it was played in a deployment. It made me smile!!!
  • [10] alex from NYC February 13, 2008 - 02:26PM

    I second Jose Feliciano. It's online, here:

    http://www.josefeliciano.com/anthem.html
  • [11] michael connors from long island city February 13, 2008 - 02:27PM

    this is the greatest performance I've ever seen- sure to make you cry.

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=NhcZRFcjbhw
  • [12] Jenny from Great Barrington MA February 13, 2008 - 02:27PM

    my favorite was the James Taylor ver (with a brother, Liv?) at the US Open in about 2005 (guess). Great Show - thank you!
  • [13] Celia from NYC February 13, 2008 - 02:28PM

    Unless I've missed something, I'm suprised that Jose Feliciano's famous version has not been mentioned. I think it may have been the first non-traditional version performed at a sporting event. Excellent!

    And Homer Simpson's half-hour version on The Simpsons deserves an honorable mention!
  • [14] miguel from brooklyn February 13, 2008 - 02:28PM

    Jose Feliciano, sang the national anthem in 1968. Simply historic - do you have this clip?

    SOUNDCHECK SAYS: Good call. Here's a link to his performance (from Feliciano's web site):

    http://www.josefeliciano.com/downloads/starspangledbanner.mp3
  • [15] bn from bklyn February 13, 2008 - 02:36PM

    Wanda (#6) is RIGHT!!! What the hell is wrong with us, that we solemnize a cheesy marketing event like the Super Bowl or ANY SPORTING EVENT with the god damn national anthem? Why not sing it when you make a purchase at K-mart, for that matter? What on earth does the Super Bowl have to do with Patriotism!!?? Can anyone tell me?
  • [16] TishTash from Merrick, NY February 14, 2008 - 10:03AM

    I suppose the nationa lanthem is a little salute to the fact that we are able to enjoy a sporting event for a few hours. What's wrong with that?
  • [17] Howard from Washington Heights February 22, 2008 - 10:40PM

    Jimi Hendrix


This thread is closed.


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