Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Two nights ago, fellow Denver musicians, the Fray, performed our national anthem before the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship between Kentucky and Kansas. I'll admit it didn't sound good. And I'm sure they'd be the first to admit the same. Musicians make mistakes. And yes, it was a mistake. They didn't intend for it to sound like that. I believe that Joe was playing a wrong note in the one of the chords (Ab instead of G) which was causing it to clash and not sound right. Sometimes with live performance, nerves kick in, and I'd say even panic can take over and it's hard to get out of when you are in the moment. I've been there. I had many panic moments early on, stepping onto the stage with RCPM, trying to fill the shoes of the brilliant guitarists that came before me. One of my first shows ever was playing in front of 10,000 people (opening for Kid Rock) in Tempe, AZ. It was a cold night and my fucking guitar went out of tune on the first song. It sounded like shit. I frantically tried to figure out which string it was mid-song. It threw me off. I missed some parts. I got a weird look from PH and Roger. I can't imagine playing the anthem live on TV in front of millions and have something go wrong. But the Fray are getting lambasted for their performance. I cannot believe the personal attacks and vicious things I am seeing being hurled at these guys. It's really harshing my mellow. Let it go people.
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5 comments:
That's a great point JD! It's easy to point the finger when other people mess up because it makes us feel better about ourselves, but when we remember times that we have been there, it makes it a whole lot easier to be gracious. I'd like people to extend that grace to me when I mess up!
Truth. Wise words and I agree.
Are people upset because of a few flubbed notes? I thought it was the disrespectful rendition that bordered on tyranny. They turn a powerful, triumphant anthem into a coffee shop sing-along.
The Star Spangled banner is a composition of great harmonic sophistication, the likes of which have not existed in pop music since the days of Steely Dan and Stevie Wonder. It is no wonder that it is incomprehensible to those whose harmonic vocabulary has been formed by listening to modern pop. That is why Hendrix one-noted his way through it- the chords and contrapuntal bass are too complex for the modern popular ear. The bass line alone in the original version is a work of art.
Well said, Jim. I think folks don't realize where their heart is coming from sometimes, (well, plenty of times), but perhaps especially when critiquing artists and public figures. Having never been in that kind of 'spotlight', it's even easier to fall into the trap of uncompassionate judgementalism. My Mom always said, "Just imagine that the other person is you, and act according to how you'd feel if someone did/siad what you're about to do/say. It's simple."
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