This issue pretty much goes back to the Super Bowl in 1991 when Whitney Houston’s version of “The Star-Spangled Banner” blew everyone away. Patriotism was at a high because of the Gulf War and so many people fell in love with her “live” version of the anthem.
But was it live? Or was it a pre-recorded track to make sure everything went well on such a large stage?
I don’t know the real answer. I think it was recorded, but was too lazy to search through Google that much. All I know is that this flap, which has been re-visited many times, has surfaced yet again because the quartet that played at the inauguration this week has revealed that they used a pre-recorded track.
This does not mean that Yo-Yo Ma and his pals have perpetrated a fraud on the American people. It just means that it was pretty freaking cold out that day, and no one should expect a perfect performance in 30-degree weather.
So if anyone thinks this is a big deal, they have to make a choice. Either deal with the fact that sometimes you get a backing track to compensate for environmental factors and simple human imperfection or be willing to accept a less than perfect performance without bitching.
Because of the flap over the oath stumble (get a life, people – that’s about as political as I will get here), I can’t imagine what some whiners would say if the quartet had missed some notes because they were playing in freezing temperatures. I haven’r heard complaints, but you know those people exist.