NC2K

Is it just me or does anyone else get turned off by these overly stylized renditions of national anthems? Case in point; the opening ceremony for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver Canada.  I have nothing at all against the talented young vocalist Nikki Yanofsky since she is a remarkable and excellent little chanteuse.  However, her rendition of the Canadian national anthem was so syrupy, slow tempoed, Muzak™ and lullaby-ish that I found myself yawning uncontrollably. Seriously it was all I could do to keep from hitting the mute button my tv remote.  I don’t know who or why someone gave this 16 year old the green light to use such artistic license with “Oh Canada” but I was appalled. A country’s national anthem should be sung and performed with great spirit and reverence. It should instill a feeling of national pride, honour and dignity.  If you look up the definition of anthem you’ll find descriptive words such as sacred, praise, devotion, patriotism, loyalty, allegiance and moralizing. All of which were missing in the performance last night.  This is not the first time I’ve felt this way when I’ve heard other over stylized versions of “Oh Canada” or “The Star Spangled Banner”. It makes my innards wither when I hear some of these R&B, Gospel or Country & Western singers go overboard at sporting events like the Super Bowl.  Some things are tradition and are meant to stay that way to preserve reverence.  To me this is one of those items that is just not open to artistic interpretation for the sake of creativity.  Could be an age thing (mine) but somehow I suspect not.