The Star Spangled Banner [Single, Original recording reissued]

Whitney Houston | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 2, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single, Original recording reissued
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B00005QEYR
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #6 in Music > R&B > Contemporary R&B
  • #8 in Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > Contemporary
  • #14 in Music > Pop > Adult Contemporary > General AAS

Editorial Reviews

Whitney Houston, The Star Spangled Banner

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whitney gives all her talent to bless America, October 4, 2001

By 

D. Lynch "dl257" (Delanco, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Star Spangled Banner (Audio CD)

In 1991, in the midst of the Persian Gulf War, Whitney Houston was called upon by the NFL to sing the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV. Emotions were extremely high that evening as she took to the field to sing. Her rendition of the song brought the crowd to it's feet with many in attendance and at home to tears. In what may be the classic rendition song Whitney shows how the Star Spangled Banner can and should be sung. Also on this re-released CD benefitting NYC fire fighters and police officers is a wonderful version of America the Beautiful also by Whitney Houston.

This American treasure will not be avaliable for long, get it while you can; before you miss a great oppertunity to share it with future generations.

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars STELLAR PERFORMANCE--Standard That Can't Be Beat, July 18, 2004

By 

txbibliophile "txbibliophile" (The United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Star Spangled Banner (Audio CD)

Few people actually recall the moment in history when this IMPECCABLE PERFORMANCE graced the lives of not only a few million ardent football fans in America, but also a significant contingent of members of the U. S. Armed Forces deployed to the Middle East, Operation Desert Storm, January 1991, for the liberation of the Emirate State of Kuwait. In the small hours of a winter morning throughout the Persian Gulf, many of us, then serving in the military, were treated to the live satellite transmission of what promised to be an exciting game: the NY Giants vs. the perennial SuperBowl favs, the Buffalo Bills. One week and a few days into the air campaign against the Republican Guard Iraqi ground forces, but after a full six months stationed "in theatre" with the greatest international Coallition Force ever assembled, our troops were war-weary and longing for home.

Nothing distinguishes Americans, nor unites them, quite like the hearing of their national anthem being played; usually, a mere single verse, with lyrics over two hundred years old, written amidst one of the heated battles of the Revolutionary War. Which other free societies actually sing, hand on heart or standing at attention, the words of their national anthem? What other people so love to be identified by something so simple as a melody and words about a flag? Who in the wide world are so proud a people as Americans regarding their national theme?

Whitney's superior performance, accompanied by the very capable Florida Orchestra in Tampa, signified a seminal moment in American popular music and a high standard for live musical performances (not to mention an immense showing of unsurpassed beauty and grace and natural talent she brought to the National Football League's annual soiree). Listen to this performance, and you will never quite accept anybody else's.

However, when Whitney sang our song to us, the American people, to the hundreds of thousands of us serving our nation, to help liberate another, half a world away, in that moment, she represented the best in all of us.

History will be very kind to Whitney, as well it should. Her voice is the mark of excellence. Her music, like the world's best art, is timeless, one of kind, and entirely irreplaceable. One will never go wrong with the music of Whitney Houston in one's collection. It's all a masterpiece. History will be good to Whitney, but history will have to wait. She has many more standards to offer.

By the work of Providence and the sacrifice of many excellent Americans, our Star-Spangled Banner yet waves. Kuwait is yet free. And for one stellar January evening, as two worthy teams met in friendly competition, when the rockets red-glared over the desert, we all heard Whitney sing to us, uniting us in a moment that will last forever, in a memory which will always preserve the best in all of us. 07/19/04

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whitney Sings Her Soul Out, December 19, 2001

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Star Spangled Banner (Audio CD)

Just as Operation Desert Storm was about to begin in the Middle East, Whitney performed this live version of our National Anthem at the Superbowl and she was magnificent. With jets flying over, the patriotic fervor of the football audience only fueled the wonder of this glorious Star Spangled Banner. Ms Houston made a very difficult song to perform seem absolutely easy. The power of her voice matched the power of her country. Today, with our current struggle with terrorists, the song gains even more meaning. God bless Whitney and the USA.