Star Spangled Banner [2001] [Single] by Whitney Houston (CD, Sep-2001, Arista)

"In celebration of the greatest nation on earth, let us join together in song." (From the back of the album cover). Quoting from the back of the album cover - "The Star Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful" were performed by Whitney Houston for the National Anthem Ceremony at Super Bowl XXV on January 27th, 1991. The program was produced by Bob Best for the National Football League and broadcast by ABC Sports.
The songs have been released by Arista on several CDs. The first release in 1991 donated royalties and profits to the American Red Cross Gulf Crisis and to benefit U.S. military families. The second release in September 2001 (the one reviewed here) donated royalties and net proceeds to the New York Fraternal Order of Police and the New York Firefighters 9/11 Disaster Relief Fund. "The Star Spangled Banner" is also on Disc Two of the two disc CD set "The Essential Whitney Houston" released by Arista, Legacy and Sony in 2011. A collector will probably want to own all three releases of the (same) song because of the associated American events - I have all three releases among an extensive collection of other Whitney CDs. Whitney Houston made these two songs her own with her powerful interpretation and performance of these American anthems. It is a genuinely uplifting experience to listen to one of the greatest voices singing words of inspiration and loyalty. What a voice. The world has lost a brilliantly gifted star. Enjoy her legacy.

I thought the recording was great! Great quality and a super singer. Whitney Houston has a beautiful voice and her version of SSBanner was one of the best versions every performed. My daughter is a voice student and this made a great stocking stuffer.

Sometimes historic performances are only recognized in retrospect. It takes time and distance to realize that a high watermark of some kind has been reached. It was definitely reached on January 27, 1991, after Whitney Houston stepped onto the giant football field here in Tampa, Florida's Raymond James Stadium and, accompanied by the Florida Orchestra, sang a rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner"; the recognition was instant. It instantly brought chills to me all over to hear her sing this live right in front of millions of her fans and football fans and the entire world and me. I was thinking at that very moment, "Oh God, I really hope they put this on a CD for sale." And so it happened. I went out and bought 4 copies and sadly my house was broken into a few weeks later and my CD's and other items were stolen and I wasn't able to get another copy of that great CD. They were all gone from the shelves. And now here it was again for sale and I was able to hear her sing this once again in my car no matter where I go.

This record by Whitney Houston was one of her best. She sang it at the 2001 Super BOWL. It was recorded on a 45 rpm single and made a top hit. I would recommend it as a collectors item.

Because it is Fabulous, Incredible The best rendition ever. No one else has or will do one better than Whitney Houston.