Posted on 04/20/2008 9:36:57 PM PDT by Hildy
Since you have no regard for people, you shouldn't call yourself a Christian.
I’m sorry that I don’t care all that much for Kelly Clarkson’s voice or musicianship. If she were singing in my local high school I would applaud warmly and sincerely as it is perfectly appropriate to support amateur efforts and not judge them by high professional standards. OTOH, when someone is presented before one of the most eminent persons in the world as though she were among the pre-eminent professional musicians and voices in this country, then it is certainly appropriate to question whether that is so.....especially when she is singing such a distinguished song with a long history of such strong spiritual and artistic associations.
You are the one determined to trash and insult anyone who does not agree with you, so I suppose we may also question your “regard for people.”
btw, did you listen to the version linked I posted at #40? Do you actually believe that Kelly Clarkson’s performance can be favorably compared with Barbara Bonney’s performance? I could listen to Barbara Bonney many times more but I would not willingly listen to the Kelly Clarkson version again, ever. It’s not that I can’t imagine worse, but it’s the worst I’ve heard (for Schubert’s “Ave Maria”) and there are much better options available. So sorry if we disagree on that, but why did you have to make it nasty?
#40
Just as an example, this version is so much better than what Kelly Clarkson sang:
(the YouTube poster mis-labels this as “Opera” but it is not actually from any opera)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bosouX_d8Y&feature=related
Sorry to get off topic, but damn I think she is cute. I know the press dogs her, but she really is cute, bug butt and all...
Yes, the video you posted was very good. I’ve heard a hundred versions like this. There are very good operatic singers out there who can sing this song very well. This was a youth rally at a time that the Catholic Church is trying to be accessible and attract young people. The kids in that audience would have fallen asleep if a singer like this sang it. I’m sure the Pope has heard this song sung by many a great singer. that’s why this was so wonderful...it was a modern take on it geared to a new generation of Catholics. And there’s nothing wrong with that...
and therein lies my problem with you. The absolute SNOBBISHNESS that this is the only way to hear this song. That’s YOUR opinion that she can’t sing. Millions and millions seem to disagree with you, but yet, you’re right and everyone else is wrong. Your condescending remark that Clarkson is amateurish proves my point even more. I’m just thinking you don’t like anything that’s not old fashioned .and you know..that’s ok...but to say someone can’t sing because you don’t like their “style” is immature and a huge pet peeve of mine.
You must mean this version (click here). Beautiful! I don't think I've heard it sung that way before.
Here's another version you may like, too.
Yes quit so. Thank you very much for the links. Is that your parish? Looks to be doing well. I wish FSSP could have a chapel here, but the one priest just roves around. LOL!
I agree with you. I’m Catholic and I like Kelly Clarkson as much as I like any celebrity. I also think she was a good choice for the youth rally. I don’t think she was a good choice to sing Ave Maria. She wasn’t awful, I’ve heard worse, but she wasn’t all that good either. IMO :)
Good point and well said.
I like you Hildy, enjoy posting with you. But what is this?
People have problems with Catholics, why? Because of stupid music?
You two must have some history? Am I interfering?
Enchante rocks.
Kelly Clarkson did ok. Certainly not the best we could have. I wondered why she was even there. If she brought in the youths, great, but even my kids don’t listen to her for the most part.
She did ok with Ave Maria. It’s a tough song/hymn. I can think of many others who could have sang so much better.
I’m a catholic. She wasn’t so bad but she wasn’t all that great either.
I like her voice and some of her songs, and she did ok with the Ave Maria but so not great.
It’s sorta the way I think about the National Anthem. So many can carry if off, yet we keep getting this mediocre celebrity who can’t sing the damn thing.
I can think of a couple in our Choir who could have given this performance so much better, imo.
She did ok. I did cringe at parts.
Well that post came out of nowhere.
LOL! See, I told you the sex threads were the best. There’s so little to misunderstand in those - one either likes it or they don’t and the middle is easy to figure out ;)
Kelly Clarkson was ok but not great.
Oh for heavens sakes. She isn’t a slut, lol. And even if she is, which we don’t know, the girl has a decent voice.
Your post is facetious. Right?
Posts just get nasty, I think.
I’m not sure why exactly. Differences of opinion maybe. For anything.
You should check out any of the education threads, now they get really nasty.
I think Kelly Clarkson did ok, not great. Wonder why she was chosen. I like some of her songs and thought she did an ok version of the Ave Maria but not great, and a couple of our local church singers could have done better imo. Maybe she was chosen due to her pop celebrity?
LOL! I think she’s cute too.
I don’t think that’s the case, Hildy. Enchante isn’t like that, imo.
Maybe you two have a history and I should shut up?
I think Clarkson did ok and it was a youth rally. She was ok and I’m sure some of the kids/teens were thrilled. It wasn’t a great rendition of Ave Maria, imo. I like some of her songs, most, but wasn’t thrilled about her rendition of Ave Maria. Maybe because I’m not used to that version. I also can’t stand most versions of our National Anthem.
My brother’s Pipes and Drum band does a fantastic version of Amazing Grace called Cajun Grace. Not sure many would enjoy that version but I love it.
It’s a new day and I apologize for my harsh words...You’re both correct, the tone was not necessary for the topic.
There is nothing personal between me and enchante. I don’t even know if we’ve ever communicated before. This is a particular pet peeve for me on Free Republic when it comes to art and entertainment. Someone doesn’t like a vocalist or an actor. FINE. That doesn’t mean they’re not good, doesn’t mean they can’t sing..doesn’t mean they can’t act. it just means you don’t like their style.
As far as the Catholic thing, the perception is of rigid Catholics. In my opinion, this stirs that stereotype. Also it is unnecessary to call someone a strumpet. Unless you know them personally and can attest to promiscuous behavior, it is hard enough for young girls today, famous or not, to keep their reputations intact and lead good lives.
That’s all.
I ask your forgiveness for my behavior.
Thank you, Twink, I think we are at similar places about this. I don’t have any history with Hildy that I’m aware of, i.e., I’m sure we have never had an exchange like this, but maybe she doesn’t like something I’ve said elsewhere, I don’t know. Your wise comments are much appreciated!
After I’d watched the initial video I would have passed the thread by without comment except for the early statements from a couple of posters ala “don’t you DARE say anything critical about this performance” etc. I have to admit that when someone says (in effect) that I am forbidden to state my honest belief, that will always get my dander up.
I am perhaps more critical of the selection of Clarkson simply because I was expecting SO much better when I saw the headline about someone singing “Ave Maria” for the Pope. Having heard far better renditions in far less lofty settings, I simply wasn’t prepared for this. fwiw, I had only the faintest idea who Kelly Clarkson was before this thread - I knew she was a pop singer but had never heard her sing and didn’t know anything about what she sings.
Hildy is quite wrong imho to say that snobbery has anything to do with my reaction. I’m not an opera buff and I’ve only attended a few operas in my life. I sang in a high school choir but otherwise I have only a rudimentary musical background as a listener. I was simply expressing a personal, visceral reaction to the sound of a voice when (in my opinion) I’ve heard so much better. It is a learning experience (even at my advanced age of 48) to realize yet again how much people can differ in matters of aesthetic taste and preference. To my (untrained) ear the audio of the Barbara Bonney link I posted is far superior to the Kelly Clarkson version, but Hildy disagrees and I am interested to learn that the difference is not as obvious or at least not as indisputable as I’d thought.
fwiw, I do enjoy a lot of rock and pop singers but I guess I don’t expect them to be able to sing “Ave Maria” well and I think that puts demands on the voice that few pop-style singers can handle. IMHO.
I had no particular pre-conceptions when I started to listen/watch except that I expected it to be outstanding, among the best that could be heard in this country, so I suppose that my disappointment fed into my criticism when there were a couple of people acting here like this was the greatest performance ever. Whatever, those who find it enjoyable should listen to the Kelly Clarkson version all they like, but it sure doesn’t do it for me.
New day, and I too am sorry for my over-reaction. I had not seen your post above while I was writing mine, but I think my reaction was driven too much by expecting that whoever was singing “Ave Maria” for the Pope would be the best I’d ever heard, whatever that might mean to me.... Anyway, I don’t have any particular animus against Kelly Clarkson and I don’t really know so much about music, I just “know what I like” and so forth, so let’s agree to live and let live! :^)
And thanks to Twink for being such a kindly peacemaker. Maybe there is hope for the world after all! :^)
Ping
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