Joey Dundore Cares: Joey D. Music/Videos
The Star Spangled Banner
(Joey Dundore Cares)
(Also known as "The National Anthem")
This is a great song with a story behind it for me! I remember hearing David Sanborn play it on alto saxophone in the movie, "Forget Paris" with Billy Crystal. Billy Crystal was an NBA referee, and David played the song before a game in the movie (the "game" was in NYC, so they were playing the Nicks) I loved the way he played it. I did the best I could to play it the way he did.
When I was in High School, I asked to play the star spangled banner for a basketball game. A friend of mine said, "You should rock it out for a really long time!". He was a guitarist and was referring to Jimi Hendrix's version. So taking what I got from David Sanborn's version, and putting some of my own things into it, I played it at the basketball game.
I played it tooooo long!! It may have literally taken 7-10 minutes. I started to get boood, and then I finished it. I took it home and watched it, I thought it was too long, and even more so, my parents thought it was too long...which is funny because when your parents tell you something is wrong, then there has to be. I mean these are the people in your life who listened to the thousands of squeaks when you first played the instrument, and still support you!
Needless to say, I learned from it. I played the Star Spangled Banner later at a football game. I made sure it was short and to the point. I learned then that it is not ok to jam out on really any song unless you make it fit into the melody. And more importantly, when it comes to playing patriotic songs, you better play them right, because if you don't, even if you don't realize it, it could be disrespectful. And too many men and women have died for this country to do that...accidentally or not.
I hope you like it!
-- Joey