canbelto Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 Many good performances throughout the ceremony and the virtual concert tonight Lady Gaga's rendition of Star Spangled Banner has to stand out. One of the best renditions I've ever heard of this difficult song. Link to comment
Helene Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 I was partial to the bugler who played Taps and Amanda Gorman reading her poem. Link to comment
canbelto Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 (edited) I also really enjoyed the Broadway stars singing "Seasons of Love." I thought JLo's rendition of "This Land is Your Land" didn't hold a candle to this version though: Edited January 21, 2021 by canbelto Link to comment
lmspear Posted January 21, 2021 Share Posted January 21, 2021 When JLo started singing the first thought I had was, "Is she going to include the verses about trespassing and the relief office?" I was totally disappointed that the last verses of "This Land is Your Land" were omitted. I can't stand the mindset that recognition of a bad situation in your country equals hatred of it. I know the decision was probably made for reasons of time, but it would have been so much more effective to hear all of "This Land" instead of the attempt to hide the end by making it medley. Link to comment
canbelto Posted January 21, 2021 Author Share Posted January 21, 2021 I also loved this: Link to comment
dirac Posted January 22, 2021 Share Posted January 22, 2021 Lady Gaga has pipes. Other items on the day's menu okay, if predictable. "Hallelujah?" "Amazing Grace"? lmspear writes: Quote I was totally disappointed that the last verses of "This Land is Your Land" were omitted. I can't stand the mindset that recognition of a bad situation in your country equals hatred of it. It just makes my blood boil when that song is presented as feelgood patriotic pablum. Link to comment
canbelto Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 18 hours ago, dirac said: Lady Gaga has pipes. Other items on the day's menu okay, if predictable. "Hallelujah?" "Amazing Grace"? lmspear writes: It just makes my blood boil when that song is presented as feelgood patriotic pablum. I don't think it is. At least I know that die-hard conservatives who hate that song. Link to comment
pherank Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 19 hours ago, dirac said: Lady Gaga has pipes. Other items on the day's menu okay, if predictable. "Hallelujah?" "Amazing Grace"? LG needs a conductor who can respond to her phrasing - the band had no swing, and just sounded plodding. "Hallelujah" is just a weird choice - the chorus is spiritual/religious in theme, but the actual lyrics don't remind me of Americana or presidential inaugurations: Your faith was strong but you needed proof You saw her bathing on the roof Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya She tied you to a kitchen chair She broke your throne, and she cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah Personally I've heard enough "Amazing Grace" for a long while. Link to comment
Petra Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 On 1/21/2021 at 3:06 PM, lmspear said: When JLo started singing the first thought I had was, "Is she going to include the verses about trespassing and the relief office?" I was totally disappointed that the last verses of "This Land is Your Land" were omitted. I can't stand the mindset that recognition of a bad situation in your country equals hatred of it. I know the decision was probably made for reasons of time, but it would have been so much more effective to hear all of "This Land" instead of the attempt to hide the end by making it medley. I thought "This Land is Your Land" was an odd choice for JLo and doesn't really suit her in terms of style or content - but I totally teared up when she quoted from the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish. That came from her heart. Amanda Gorman - she looks like a baby ballerina! I didn't care much for her poem itself (I'm not American) but her poise and presentation were incredible. Also see the generational change between her hairstyle and those of VP Harris and Michelle Obama. Link to comment
canbelto Posted January 23, 2021 Author Share Posted January 23, 2021 The original lyrics to "This Land is Your Land": This land is your land, and this land is my landFrom the California to the Staten New York Island,From the Redwood Forest, to the Gulf stream waters,God blessed America for me.[This land was made for you and me.]As I went walking that ribbon of highwayAnd saw above me that endless skyway,And saw below me the golden valley, I said:God blessed America for me.[This land was made for you and me.]I roamed and rambled and followed my footstepsTo the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts,And all around me, a voice was sounding:God blessed America for me.[This land was made for you and me.]Was a high wall there that tried to stop meA sign was painted said: Private Property,But on the back side it didn't say nothing —God blessed America for me.[This land was made for you and me.]When the sun come shining, then I was strollingIn wheat fields waving and dust clouds rolling;The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting:God blessed America for me.[This land was made for you and me.]One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steepleBy the Relief Office I saw my people —As they stood hungry, I stood there wondering ifGod blessed America for me.[This land was made for you and me.] Link to comment
dirac Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 19 hours ago, pherank said: LG needs a conductor who can respond to her phrasing - the band had no swing, and just sounded plodding. "Hallelujah" is just a weird choice - the chorus is spiritual/religious in theme, but the actual lyrics don't remind me of Americana or presidential inaugurations: Your faith was strong but you needed proof You saw her bathing on the roof Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya She tied you to a kitchen chair She broke your throne, and she cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah Personally I've heard enough "Amazing Grace" for a long while. Agreed on all counts. "Hallelujah" has taken on something of the status of a secular hymn, and I'm guessing that's why it was chosen, even if it's mainly about sex. (You can just listen to the "hallelujah" part.) I think John Cale said that when he asked Cohen if he could cover the song, Cohen sent him enough pages of lyrics to fill the Sunday NYT, so there's a lot from which to pick and choose. Link to comment
dirac Posted January 23, 2021 Share Posted January 23, 2021 10 hours ago, Petra said: I thought "This Land is Your Land" was an odd choice for JLo and doesn't really suit her in terms of style or content - but I totally teared up when she quoted from the Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish. That came from her heart. Amanda Gorman - she looks like a baby ballerina! I didn't care much for her poem itself (I'm not American) but her poise and presentation were incredible. Also see the generational change between her hairstyle and those of VP Harris and Michelle Obama. Signing on to this, as well. The poem didn't do much for me, but Gorman is plainly a talented kid. These inaugural poems tend not to show off their authors at their best anyway, and her enthusiasm was contagious, if I may use the word. Link to comment
canbelto Posted January 24, 2021 Author Share Posted January 24, 2021 I loved Demi Lovato too Link to comment
Marta Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 On 1/20/2021 at 9:53 PM, canbelto said: Many good performances throughout the ceremony and the virtual concert tonight Lady Gaga's rendition of Star Spangled Banner has to stand out. One of the best renditions I've ever heard of this difficult song. I agree completely. I watched it several times. She was phenomenal both technically and expressively. Link to comment
dirac Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 On 1/22/2021 at 6:28 PM, pherank said: LG needs a conductor who can respond to her phrasing - the band had no swing, and just sounded plodding. "Hallelujah" is just a weird choice - the chorus is spiritual/religious in theme, but the actual lyrics don't remind me of Americana or presidential inaugurations: Your faith was strong but you needed proof You saw her bathing on the roof Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya She tied you to a kitchen chair She broke your throne, and she cut your hair And from your lips she drew the Hallelujah Personally I've heard enough "Amazing Grace" for a long while. From the department of Inappropriate Contexts for Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah": My local radio station has switched to an all-Christmas music format for the season and for the first time in my experience this song is part of the lineup. I guess nothing says Christmas like an ode to the orgasm by a Jewish guy. Link to comment
Kathleen O'Connell Posted December 2, 2021 Share Posted December 2, 2021 59 minutes ago, dirac said: From the department of Inappropriate Contexts for Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah": My local radio station has switched to an all-Christmas music format for the season and for the first time in my experience this song is part of the lineup. Maybe if you're very, very naughty Ms. Santa will tie you to a kitchen chair ... 😈 Link to comment
dirac Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 Interesting image. The Bidens must really like this song, because it got trundled out again for this year's "In Performance at the White House" holiday special, performed this time by Andrea Bocelli and his.....9-year-old daughter mostly in Italian while the Bidens sat by smiling appreciatively and presumably uncomprehendingly. Good news: This special is back! Bad news: The Bidens' notion of acknowledging classical music during the hour was bringing in Bocelli and his son. Link to comment
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