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Being a Rush fan, I'm glad CBS aired "O Canada" when Geddy Lee sang it at Camden Yards (1993 All-Star game, if memory serves).
CBS = class
Fox = well, Fox (maybe their target audience doesn't like Canada? :roll: )
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yea, how come they show Geddy ( in '93) but not Gord (in '04)? I was originally upset cause we don't have cable and I wouldn't be able to see this but now I'm kinda glad. I'd be just as pissed as everyone else that I had to sit through some crap pre-show and not get any Gord as payoff. Oh well, I guess I know the first two emails i'm sending tomorrow (FOX and Hip Management).
I think there's also a little self-interest ( and I really feel guilty about this)cause if they really made it big in the US cause of Gord singing the anthem then I wouldn't get to see them in some small club in the States this next tour (i still feel guilty about this). However, I really would like to see them succeed as much as possible in any market and it sucks that they didn't get the shot they should have from Gord singing in the All-Star game.
All for now,
Aaron
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ok -- i can understand everyones disappointment that they didnt show Gord doing the national anthem -- i kinda figured Fox wouldnt air it sooo i listened to it on MLB.com and you know -- it wasnt great -- it was O Canada and YES it was Gord doing it BUT trust me -- it wasnt as good as everyone getting sooo upset over it (although, i may be just as pissed had i not heard it on the website -- soo i understand the anger)
Had FOX actually aired it we may be discussing how great it WASN'T!!
BUT being a Hip fan -- i just might spend the $3.95 on the archive of the game just to have it -- if i do, i promise i will upload it OR if someone else wants to spend the money on it go to MLB.com.
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Wow what a joke...
Here's my letter to good ole Fox...
"As a baseball fan in Canada watching the All Star game I would have to say that I was completely disgusted that you did not show our national anthem being sung by one our countries most celebrated singers - Gord Downie.
Do you not take us seriously up here? CBC takes this stuff seriously and would would always show the American national anthem being sung at such events as an NHL All Star game or even a playoff game.
You let allot of people down in Canada... Oh yeah that's right...what does it matter what we think. you are the U.S broadcaster for the game. Well in case you forgot we pick up the feed and if I am not mistaken Eric Gagne - a Canadian - was playing and our 2 Canadian teams were being represented.
I hope you are ashamed and that you never consider pulling such an insulting stunt again."
The anger grows... :nooooo
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Is it possible that I'm the only one that actually saw Gord sing it?
Ok guys,
Here's the deal. I'm overseas in an er... exotic port of call and I got to to watch it on ESPN international.
I'm not sure that you guys are gonna like what I have to say about Gord's rendition, and I'm willing to admit that maybe after a few listens his interpretation would grow on me. It was also 3:20 am, so my memory is a little muddy.
At the same time, I havent laughed so hard in a long while as surely these Houstoners had NO idea what on Earth this freak was doing out there.
The whole thing was just very...strange.
Gord comes out wearing a white American League jersey (if I remember -I put more than ten bucks in the tank last night- it coulda been NL) buttoned up right to the top - he was looking really weird and had that crazy "I might be half insane" look, that I guess the most familiar to all of you might be in the Courage video, or when he's like mumbling to himself in that high schoolboy voice...I can't really explain it.
Anyway, and sorry to say it, the rendition was weak. It was completely acapella with no accompaniment. He tried to pull of this high voiced, respectful version, but it just didn't work. Lots of voice cracks (and not the good ones), very few higher notes successfully hit, and the end "for thee" just kinda petered out. It was definitely not a forceful Gord singing with authority.
It was the standard English version with no French.
You could just tell about halfway through that Gord knew it wasn't going well and you gotta give him credit for pushing through. I think - being the total pro that he is - that he even managed to enjoy himself in spite of the situation.
Again, none of this mattered to me as I was the only Canadian watching it with a few Americans and foreigners, and, after I finally got them all to shut up to watch this guy and they were all "This guy is BRUTAL!" Again, I think you might be dissapointed with the version. I was just laughing so hard - the irony of the situation was overwhelming - you guys gotta see the clip.
Of course, the Americans got theirs two seconds later when that HORRID American Idol Girl just destroyed the US anthem.
For some reason, having complete trust in Gord, I can't get this feeling out of my head that he did the whole thing "on purpose" and that the irony of being on the biggest American stage and belting out this skimpy little version of Oh Canada was well, so Tragically Hip.
Again, I think you might be dissapointed with the version, so don't expect too much, but it is possible however that in the comforts of your own home or in the backyard by the lake with a few pops that it actually will sound pretty mellow in an "Into the Night" kinda way.
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Boy, I am so happy I am not the only one who feels this way.
What a disgusting display of arrogance, ignorance and corporate greed on the part of Fox sports and MLB. As an American, I would like to apologize to my Canadian friends for what happened. It is inexcusable. I am not a baseball fan, I can take it or leave it. I sat through that pregame...waiting...waiting...and waiting. They could have not taken longer to announce the lineups and order. Geez.
Then, when that ass clown "idol" botched up the anthem (I can take bad singing, but if you don't take the time to learn the words, man, I have no respect at all for you at all), I noticed the Canadian flag rolled up next the displayed U.S. flag. I looked at my wife and said hey look! Its up next! We patiently waited...for what...was to be...a damn commercial! Son of a bitch.
Just my pennies.
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I was over at my friend, Sarah Jane's, house last night - and we were really anticipating hearing Gord Downie sing O Canada. Neither Sarah nor I are particularly crazy about sports - but Sarah's dad is a huge baseball fan - so we had asked him to let us know when Gord would start singing the anthem. When Sarah's dad had told us that Fantasia was starting to sing The Star Spangled Banner - we went into the room - waiting for Gord to start singing O Canada. I was really bummed but it turned out that Gord's O Canada wasn't aired at all. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised - but I happen to feel very strongly about wanting Canadian music to get more recognition in the US. Think we should maybe start a petition to FOX? And also be sure that FOX understands that it's not only Canadians that are upset about this - that Gord has international fans, as well?
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I have the audio recorded to mp3...will post on thehundredthmeridian.com
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It saddens me to here that this version was so weak. I am still yet to hear the mp3 for myself. However, there was something altogether magical about hearing and seeing Gord sing the anthem on Canada Day.
cratch: ....im not....Just the typical disrespect Canadians get from our "great" neighbours to the south. Just think what would happen if we "forgot" to air the American national anthem (WW 3 anyone?). :rambo: Anyways Im sure Gord did us Canadians proud its to bad that no one in CANADA got to see it!.
