Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Paul McCartney, pals serenade Obamas at White House
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (0)
Save
Email
Print
Reprints
Most Popular
Most Shared
WRAPUP 8-BP gets 'wake-up call' and $32 bln in spill charges
27 Jul 2010
Passenger jet with 152 on board crashes in Pakistan
3:16am EDT
Yahoo Japan to switch to Google's search engine
27 Jul 2010
Old Spice guy cast in Jennifer Aniston film
1:11am EDT
Analysis: South China Sea spat fresh threat to Sino-US ties
27 Jul 2010
New health policy: encouraging friendships?
27 Jul 2010
Special Report: Is immigration a desert mirage for the GOP?
27 Jul 2010
BP gets "wake-up call" and $32 billion in spill charges
| Video
12:40am EDT
N Dakota, Alaska lead US job creation, study says
26 Jul 2010
UPDATE 2-Lufthansa cargo plane crashes at Saudi airport
27 Jul 2010
UPDATE 1-Canon says may raise camera sales forecast
20 Jul 2010
New health policy: encouraging friendships?
27 Jul 2010
WRAPUP 8-BP gets 'wake-up call' and $32 bln in spill charges
27 Jul 2010
Passenger jet with 152 on board crashes in Pakistan
3:16am EDT
Yahoo Japan to switch to Google's search engine
27 Jul 2010
Winemakers shun social media grapevine
27 Jul 2010
Mental health experts ask: Will anyone be normal?
27 Jul 2010
Hackers to get eavesdropping lessons on cell calls
27 Jul 2010
Obama tells military: prepare for North Korea aggression
24 May 2010
Pollution makes quarter of China water unusable: ministry
26 Jul 2010
Paul McCartney, pals serenade Obamas at White House
Digg This
Tweet This
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Facebook
Related News
Obama enlists Bill Clinton's aid on economy
Wed, Jul 14 2010
Canadian rockers Arcade Fire maintain DIY mystique
Tue, Jul 6 2010
Google, Bing search engines turn to music
Tue, Jul 6 2010
Enrique Iglesias mixes things up with new album
Mon, Jul 5 2010
Larry King's worst interview moments
Wed, Jun 30 2010
Related Topics
Fashion »
Entertainment »
Television »
Music »
President Barack Obama smiles next to Paul McCartney at the White House in Washington June 2, 2010.
Credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque
By Barry Garron
Tue Jul 27, 2010 9:08pm EDT
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Whatever your opinion of President Obama, there's no question he has spectacularly revived the number and quality of musical performances in the White House.
Look no further than "Paul McCartney: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in Performance at the White House," taped early last month and screening on PBS on Wednesday, the fourth "In Performance" show thus far during his young administration.
Yes, Sir Paul is English. But the award is not restricted to U.S. citizens. Named in honor of brothers Ira and George Gershwin, the award is given to a composer or performer whose lifetime work exemplifies the standard of excellence associated with the Gershwins. The first one, in 2007, was won by Paul Simon. The second was awarded last year to Stevie Wonder.
McCartney probably needs another award about as much as Jesse James needs another tattoo. However, in clips before the start of the concert in the East Room of the White House, he appears humbled and grateful for the recognition. After those introductory clips, mostly showing the artists meeting one another and rehearsing, the program moves into the actual concert.
One by one, some of today's top musicians applied their personal style to songs by McCartney -- and, in some cases, also by John Lennon. Performers include Wonder, the Jonas Brothers, Jack White, Faith Hill, Elvis Costello, Emmylou Harris, Lang Lang, Dave Grohl, and the duo of Herbie Hancock and Corinne Bailey Rae. There even is a short but hugely entertaining bit of stand-up by Jerry Seinfeld, who related McCartney's lyrics to the stages of his personal life.
With each additional number, McCartney's genius as a songwriter grows more evident. In fact, part of that genius is reflected in the fact that his music can be covered in such different styles, each showing new facets of the composition.
There were plenty of highlights: Wonder's enthusiastic rendition of "We Can Work It Out," Hancock and Rae's delicate and haunting performance of "Blackbird," Lang Lang's classical finesse applied to "Celebrations," and Costello's sweetly sentimental version of "Penny Lane."(Don't bother looking for McCartney's dig at former White House occupant George W. Bush: "After the last eight years, it's great to have a president who knows what a library is," he said. A PBS spokesperson reportedly said the comment occurred after the planned program had concluded and after President Obama left the room.)
In any case, the biggest highlight was the return of all the artists to the stage, along with the first family, for the long chorus that concluded McCartney's delivery of "Hey Jude." Hearing so many memorable songs performed so brilliantly almost can make you forget all the monumental issues facing White House occupants the rest of the time.
(please visit our entertainment blog via www.reuters.com or on blogs.reuters.com/fanfare/)
Fashion
Entertainment
Television
Music
Add a Comment
*We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language or appear to be spam and review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Reader Feedback
Analyst Research
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Labs
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
FindLaw
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Wednesday, 28 July 2010 Seville to become as hot as Tucson by end of century: study
Sanctions-hit Iran defiant but 'ready' for nuclear talks
Chatroulette.com cracking down on perverts
US-TECH Summary
TNK-BP profits soar as Hayward awaits Russian exile
Air France-KLM returns to profit, sees break-even this year
Stieg Larsson passes 1 million Kindle milestone
Iraq arms inspector Blix warned of weak war evidence
|
Europe clears huge US airline merger
Ask.com to ask users to help answer queries
Croatia completes two-thirds of EU accession talks
|
Dutch court gives go ahead for teen sailing attempt
Lufthansa cargo flight crashes, burns in Riyadh; pilots safe
NATO: 1 missing sailor killed in Afghanistan
Unisys posts higher quarterly profit, shares jump
Britain rejects bid to extradite Bosnia ex-leader
Apple to deliver cut-price computers to Taiwan after error
African Union adds 4,000 troops to Somalia peace force
|
Browse online for beautiful sperm and eggs!
Haitian singer Wyclef Jean weighs presidential bid
|
Goodbye mouse: Apple's 'Magic Trackpad' goes on sale
Apple refreshes Mac desktops
Lexmark profit rises sharply
In Iraq, US military chief touts 'stunning' progress
Convicted Khmer Rouge prison chief to appeal: lawyer
Koreas mark truce, but drills underscore tensions
Bangkok to stay under emergency rule after blast: PM
Japan, China agree to speed up gas fields talks
Giant, dog-sized rat documented in East Timor
India hikes rates for fourth time this year
Apple refreshes Mac desktops
|
Rebooted Starcraft aims to draw new gamers
Stieg Larsson passes 1 million Kindle milestone
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Jersey Shore's Snooki, The Situation juice the NYSE
Sweden's Larsson first to sell one million Kindle books
Spain's Catalonia on verge of banning bullfighting
'Martyrdom of St Lawrence' not a Caravaggio: experts
Unisys posts higher quarterly profit, shares jump
|
Nepal to host first gay pride march: lawmaker
Japan unveils budget austerity guidelines
Centuries-old bathhouse provides relief from Gaza turmoil
India's Reliance Industries says profit up 32%
Obesity fears inspire Mexican office exercises
Philippines' San Miguel in $1.63 billion capital boost
Yoko Ono opposes parole for John Lennon's killer
Philippines overstocked with rice: govt
Taiwan smartphone maker HTC unveils brand in China
Mobile data 'to drive SE Asian telecom sector'
Fujitsu launches 'easy-easy' computer for elderly
Redford and Estevez films to make debut at Toronto
|
Yoko Ono opposes parole for John Lennon's killer
|
Haitian singer Wyclef Jean weighs presidential bid
|
Jersey Shore's Snooki, The Situation juice the NYSE
|
US lawmakers beat back Afghan war challenge after leaks
France 'at war' with Al-Qaeda in North Africa: PM
Afghan bus hits roadside bomb, 20 dead
Google in talks to build Facebook competitor: report
Passenger jet with 152 on board crashes in Pakistan
|
Alcohol eases rheumatoid arthritis: study
U.S. hostage in Darfur says conditions desperate
|
US faces prolonged sluggish growth prospects
Disney buying Playdom for at least $563 million
We can build United States of Africa, Gaddafi says
|
Ansel Adams garage sale photos worth USD200m
Microsoft condemns Japan-Google alliance
Bomb blast kills 25 bus passengers in Afghan west
|
Venezuela to offer plan, Uribe wants rebel fight
|
GameStop to buy online play hot spot Kongregate
General wants Afghan militants branded terrorists
|
Tonga commits troops to Afghanistan to create jobs
Yahoo Japan to switch to Google's search engine
Argentine students crack three-decade-old murder mystery
At least 6 dead in blast at China factory
|
Afghan govt: Bus hits bomb, killing 25
Bomb kills five pensioners in Baghdad's Sadr City
|
Conditions still apply for nuclear talks
NATO: 1 missing sailor killed in Afghanistan
Daniel Craig stars in Hollywood's first Millennium Trilogy
Google in talks to build Facebook competitor: report
|
French first lady makes acting debut in Woody Allen film
Australian PM hits back at pre-election leaks
Hackers to get eavesdropping lessons on cell calls
|
Vietnam police fire tear gas at protest: official
Passenger jet with 152 on board crashes in Pakistan
Yahoo Japan to switch to Google's search engine
|
U.S. general wants Afghan militants branded terrorists
British PM launches charm offensive in India
Disney buying Playdom for at least $563 million
|
At least 6 dead in blast at China factory
Pakistani plane crashes with 150 on board
Six dead, over 300 hurt in China pipeline blast
S.Korea, US naval drills continue
Seoul shares rangebound; LG Elec tumbles
Ex-top diplomat Condoleezza Rice opts for Mozart concerto
Hitachi promises stable parts supply to Nissan
Philippine police use Facebook in murder arrest
Iraqis flock to Kurdistan to beat the summer heat
Seoul shares edge up on banks; LG Elec falls
E.Timor President: no refugee centre plans
"Other Guys" director Adam McKay opens up on Ferrell, comedy
Panasonic unveils 3D consumer camcorder
Mexican capital aims to be oasis for gays
Old Spice guy cast in Jennifer Aniston film
BRIEF-Moody's report: Fundamentals support Korea's A1 rating
Top ABC executive resigns as network hits dry up
Taiwan stocks rise, HTC up on China move
Paul McCartney, pals serenade Obamas at White House
Britain's finance minister rings bell on India ties
"House" star Hugh Laurie getting blues on album
Taiwan Formosa to delay exports, boost safety checks
Soundgarden plans Chicago club show next week
Korea Hot Stocks-Daewoo Motor shares up on restructuring plan
Paul McCartney, pals serenade Obamas at White House
|
Old Spice guy cast in Jennifer Aniston film
|
Ex-top diplomat Condoleezza Rice opts for Mozart concerto
|
House star Hugh Laurie getting blues on album
|
Other Guys director Adam McKay opens up on Ferrell, comedy
|
ABC's top programmer out as hits dry up
|
Soundgarden plans Chicago club show next week
|
PAKISTAN
Cameron warns Pakistan over insurgent funding
Police search home of L'Oreal heiress daughter
Palestinians set to reject direct talks for now
|
Daniel Craig to star in Millennium Trilogy
Twelve killed in Iraq as Shiite pilgrimage ends
Mortars kill seven pilgrims in Iraq holy city
Maradona dropped as Argentina coach
Worried about bombs? Work and live at Baghdad airport
|
Spain's Catalonia region bans bullfighting
Telefonica to buy Vivo stake from Portugal Telecom
Bus hits roadside bomb, killing 25 in Afghanistan
Germans struggle to cope with Love Parade tragedy
|
Fuel crisis as Greek truckers step up strike
British army almost seized up in Iraq, Afghan wars
|
EU's Ashton wants Iran talks soon, nuclear focus
|
Freak wave damages Japan supertanker off Oman
|
Spain's Catalonia votes to outlaw bullfighting
|
Pressure mounts for direct Mideast talks
North Korea urges US to end 'hostile policy'
U.S. Navy says cause of Japan tanker explosion unknown
Japan to delay report 'to avoid S. Korea row'
Philippine massacre suspects plead not guilty
Indonesian clerics forbid TV gossip shows
Once goofy Zac Efron gets serious about movies
Japan hangs two, announces review of death penalty
RIM seen unveiling iPhone killer next week
|
Hundreds protest against Buddha Bar in Indonesia
China stages major military exercise: state media
Researchers use Twitter tweets to measure moods
|
Steel giant ArcelorMittal reports strong profits
British PM pitches for jobs, trade in India
'Crouching Tiger' producer Hsu honored in Taiwan
Pakistan plane crashes, all 152 on board dead
Pakistani stocks end up; rupee weakens; o/n rates flat
Stieg Larsson passes 1 million Kindle milestone
|
BAE clinches $779m order for Hawk trainer jets
S.Korea's LG sees 33% drop in second quarter profit
Airline body says Asian growth boosts air travel
Asia stocks higher on Japanese earnings
FACTBOX-Details of Airbus plane that crashed in Pakistan
Japan bank Sumitomo Mitsui sees profit nearly triple
Once goofy Zac Efron gets serious about movies
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights