Boston Concerts

As the official song of the NCAA Men’s College Basketball song this song sees its fourth cover by American Idol alumni and Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson. As the winning team of the 2010 Season the audience witnessed the first female to deliver the anthem.

David Barrett originally wrote this tune back in 1979 after watching the legendary Larry Bird play. It took several years, but finally Barrett approached an old college friend that in turn gave a demo to CBS. Among the debate a decision was made, and CBS decided to use the song in future NCAA Men’s College Basketball Championships as the winning team cut down the nets.

From 1987 until 1994 Barrett provided the vocal performance of the song. It was full of the passion and intensity that he wrote into the original song. After that time, Teddy Pendergrass delivered the song broadcast from 1994- 1999. From 2000 – 2002 Barrett’s version was reinstated until the legendary Luther Vandross recorded a version that played from 2003 – 2009. In 2010 Jennifer Hudson performed and recorded the anthem.

Where the others succeeded Hudson fails. Her vocals are on key and flow in tempo just fine. But where artists before her found the passion and power in the song, Hudson simply sings the song. The arrangement over times over powers her typically powerful voice as well.

Perhaps the problem is the lyrics and original tempo are more identifiable with a male vocalist, and Hudson is notorious for over produced power ballads. Where here vocals are done more for the showmanship of what they can offer and less for the emotion and passion they carry.

Overall what is delivered is an unimpressive and stale version of a song that will likely upset a number of people. What is here is an uninspired, trite mess packaged together with a name that producers thought would spark interest. But it is sub par at best.

Grade: C