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Fireworks over the Esplanade
By adamg on Tue, 07/05/2011 - 1:02am
Myron Freeman watched the Esplanade fireworks.
John Tammaro took photos:
Dennis Ebacher watched the fireworks from the Cambridge side of the river:
More photos:
Needham 300th Anniversary/July Fourth parade by Paul Keleher.
Copyright Myron Freeman, John Tammaro and Dennis Ebacher, respectively. Posted in the Universal Hub pool on Flickr.
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Comments
Reality? What's that?
According to CBS, you can see the fireworks from the right side of Quincy Market even though Beacon Hill is in the way. You can also see the fireworks over the river by looking from the field at Fenway Park over the press box (PS - CBS, that's not even the right way to look). Also, they come up behind the State House when you're standing across the road...which means the barge must have been parked on the Zakim this year.
I also have no idea whose rendition of the national anthem they used at the end of the fireworks, but it wasn't the one Francis Scott Key wrote...just awful.
EDIT: The idiot who decided to write her own national anthem is Sandi Patty.
Esplanade July 4th event "jumped the shark" years ago
I agree with Lionel Ritchie. It's time to bail out on this rapidly declining event. Although this year's show wasn't quite as bad as the year they had Dr. Phil and his soon to be ex-wife parading around holding hands (while divorce papers were being prepared back stage), my channel surfing revealed real stars like Little Richard in Washington and Beyonce in New York. Meanwhile in Boston, the D-list host and C-list entertainer (I give Martina McBride credit for jumping in on 72 hours notice and singing at the top of her range) seemed to be performing before a sparse crowd, at least in the section nearest the stage, as shown on TV. Can they not allow more spectators closer to the stage so at least it looks like Boston really is "the biggest 4th of July celebration" as CBS claims?
I liked Keith Ferguson as host last year. Perhaps some continuity in the hosting department (a 5 year contract for someone like Ferguson?) would allow organizers to focus on A-list singing talent while the host gains much needed experience and improves each year. Obviously the Pops are fantastic but hobbled by the ever-changing supporting cast. Right now, even the shaky C-BS coverage with a long period of a blank screen and later many of the fireworks being cut off by a camera too close to them, is worthy of a small town cable access production, not a national broadcast. The local coverage on ch.4 (8-10 pm) is no better with third place anchor team Jack Williams and Lisa Hughes as stale as two week old bread. If organizers can't improve this event, they should shut it down, for the good of the city and its national image.
It's just one long commercial
CBS is owned by Viacom, so whatever entity Viacom needs to be pumped will be pumped on the 4th. That country singer nobody had ever heard of? Yeah, Viacom owns CMT.
Shark indeed jumped, but don't blame McBride
I'm not a country music fan* but even I had heard of Martina McBride, and I thought she did a good job, not even considering that she stepped in a few days ago. The lead song was a perfect fit, and her second number is really a hit song.
But I agree that many other parts of the show as seen on TV were pretty lame. The area in front of the shell did indeed look rather sparse. For one thing, you have a crowd that's been sitting and waiting all day; when the concert started they stood up, and standing people occupy less space than sitting ones, so the crowd looked thinner. Also, there's the big TV stage about halfway back, and in the aerial shots you could see a big empty area stretching back from that stage, since people didn't want to sit where their view would be blocked.
Were there really 800,000 people watching in person? I've heard/seen that number twice, and I'm skeptical.
I think the pandering-to-a-national-audience factor really came through when I realized that they changed the program so that the 1812 Overture came before CBS joined in. It always used to begin the final buildup to the fireworks. Apparently the nation has no tolerance for light classical music.
==
*Although the BR549, Brad Paisley, Junior Brown, Chet Atkins, and k.d. lang in my music collection might disagree.
[I preface this by noting
[I preface this by noting that I haven't attended the fireworks in several years, so was unaware that things had changed.]
That explains something that really puzzled me: I was on the Cambridge side, and when the 1812 came in at a reasonable time, I was waiting for the big display. Which didn't happen. I think the fireworks lasted less than 5 minutes.
I wondered if someone had been killed on one of the barges or something, as there was arelatively silent period then. The PA system on Mem Drive was easily as awful as ever, if not worse, and I couldn't make out a word anyone said. Or sang.
But since a lot of people were hanging out, I stayed and something resembling music resumed. But eventually I called it quits and headed for the T.
Where I noticed that large numbers of people were heading towards the river, clearly knowing something I did not.
But I continued on to Central Square (having been stuck in the crowds in earlier years) and got off there to wait for a bus home. At which point the main display began (I could see about 1/3 of it from the bus stop) and continued until I reached home. At around 11 PM. Which seems rather late, the next day not being a holiday, and considering what a lot of people would have to go through to get home after the finale.
Jumped the shark. Yeah, I think so. When I was inside, in MIT's Muddy Charles Pub, the quality of the "entertainment" on the TV screens was fairly dreadful (IMHO). And this rescheduling of the main event - well, screw that. I shall give it a miss henceforth.
There have always been two fireworks displays
a small one accompanying the cannon fire of the 1812 Overture, and a later much longer one without live music.
However, the Pops used to follow the 1812 Overture with Stars and Stripes Forever, and then the main fireworks display would start upon the last note of the Sousa march. (Maybe there was a patriotic sing-along in there too, I can't remember anymore.) They should go back to this format, which would allow the fireworks to finish up by 10:15 or so.
The Red Line at Kendall Square has always been a madhouse after the fireworks. The station simply isn't built to handle such a large crowd. I've learned to either ride my bike, or walk to Lechmere and get a bus there towards Somerville.
My point was that the second
My point was that the second display followed quite closely on the first, with an appropriate musical bridge (I heard the Sousa piece at some entirely other time, as I recall), and the whole thing had no cohesion to it the other night.
It's been that way for a few years now
The 1812 Overture has been performed before 10 o'clock for a few years now. (Crowdsourced question: for how long?)
The format has become replaying the visuals of the cannon fire section -- performed before 10 o'clock -- for a few brief segments before/after commercials during the 10 o'clock broadcast.
2003
Out of curiosity, I searched the Globe's archives. The timing of the 1812 Overture changed in 2003 when the broadcast moved from A&E to CBS. I definitely remember it being before 10 (and, with "The Stars and Stripes Forever", immediately preceding the fireworks) in the late '90s when I was new to Boston and still excited about going to the Esplanade for July 4th.
I am curious about that. In
I am curious about that. In recent years, the few times I saw the fireworks it was from the steps of the Central Square Post Office -- you can see the right half, perhaps a bit more, from there.
But I seem to recall that they used to start around 9:20 (or perhaps the 1812 did), segue directly into
Be Kind to Your Web-footed FriendStars and Stripes, followed immediately by the big display. Am I getting that senile that this is all fantasy?If I recall this correctly, the show was quite satisfying, tightly timed. There was nothing tight about this year's timing (and I gather not for several(?) years).
That's how I remember it too
1812 Overture (with a few fireworks), then Stars & Stripes Forever, then lots of fireworks. And all finished by 10 pm, maybe 10:15 at the latest, so little kids can actually enjoy it. If anyone here has saved a printed program from an old (pre-CBS) Pops 4th of July show, maybe it can tell us for sure?
The Pops need to return to the idea that this is, first and foremost, a live performance being attended by a live audience (even if many of us are listening to it on loudspeakers across the river)
Boston Globe archives confirm your memory (and mine)
From the Boston Globe archives, July 3, 1988:
"The big event here is the Boston Pops free concert at the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade. About 200,000 people are expected to show up for the concert at 8 p.m. and the concluding fireworks display about 9:30."
the article goes on to say that in a departure from past tradition, an audience sing-along will take place between the 1812 Overture and the fireworks.
Ahhhh...CBS split from Viacom
Ahhhh...CBS split from Viacom years ago. They are not in the same corporate family at all. Nice try, read a paper.
It's *Craig* Ferguson
But anyway, I much preferred the show before it was nationally broadcast. Fireworks were at 9:30 or so, and lasted at least 30 minutes. At least I've got the routine down to get home before midnight.
Eighthman is correct, it's Craig Ferguson
I stand corrected, you're right, it's Craig Ferguson. Thanks Eighthman. I don't pay attention to the late night nonsense on TV or the names of the hosts, but I thought Ferguson provided the right mix of humor and seriousness last year. The fact that he's a naturalized citizen is also a great example to those foreigners who are contemplating whether to follow immigration law or take shortcuts.
Immigrants...
While Craig's history as a naturalized citizens adds an interesting flavor to the festivities, I doubt that his path to citizenship is really that useful in influencing other immigrants not to break the law. The vast majority of illegal immigrants wouldn't qualify for the types of work visa that Craig undoubtedly had. I haven't heard about an underground economy of Canadians sneaking into the US to perform under-the-table sets at our local comedy clubs.
Maybe to encourage those on Green Cards to become citizens, but they aren't the population you are likely referring to.
Agreed, as noted above.
Agreed, as noted above. 9:30-10:00 or so is just about right. I won't be worrying about getting home in future, since I won't be attending.
Ok so let me get this
Ok so let me get this straight. You think Little Richard is a bigger star than Martina McBride??? Little Richard is like 100 years old! And its actually Craig Ferguson, not Keith Ferguson, who hosted last year. Sparse crowd?? There were over 800,000 people in attendance and since it is a television show there needs to be room for the television cameras? Plus who wants to stand right under the stage and look up the entire show - wouldn't that hurt your neck. I'd like to see how you would come in and produce the show.
wel in my opinion its done
wel in my opinion its done for a reason...they want to show sparse crowd...nwo
Sandy Patty?
The fundamentalist singer? Oy vey. Militant Christianity and patriotism are not the same thing.
Dude, had she been Jewish or
Dude, had she been Jewish or atheist, would that be ok for her to sing the national anthem? No one is putting a gun to your head and telling you to buy her records? BTW is it okay with you if President Obama stays the President...I believe he considers himself a Christian...Oy vey!!
Nice retort, antisemite
Last I checked, the president wasn't a fundamentalist proselytizing his "my god is the one true god" message to anyone who would listen, aligning himself with some of the most virulently homophobic congregations in America and, oh, trying to "mainstream" his contemporary christian sound into a made-up version of Francis Scott Key's Star-Spangled Banner.
Patty shouldn't let the door hit her in either place the good lord split her.
LOL
Yo, bitter man--my point was who gives a rip what faith someone is or isn't for that matter. She was singing the National anthem. FYI her concerts are held at ticketed events or in churches. No one holds a gun to anyone's head and makes them go. U made the fact that she happens to sing about her faith a bad thing--that's just sad. Should I not listen to U2's amazing version because they weren't born here? Or should I not be inspired by Whitney Houston's Superbowl version during the Gulf War just because she made some bad decisions in the last few years? Or love Hendrix's version because he died of a drug overdose? NO--i love the song--I
love the message--I don't care who from this great big melting pot sings it! As far as the anti-Semite remark--not even gonna justify that. I will say that "Coming to America" by my Jewish brother, Neal Diamond rocks my world!!
Uh...
Sandy Patti gives a rip about what her faith is, otherwise she'd just be singing regular-ol' godless music like the rest of the music world. And the Fourth at the Esplanade wasn't a ticketed event, so folks who don't have jee-sus on they neck-u-luss had to listen to something even folks on this board said wasn't the national anthem.
Maybe Sandi wouldn't be so uptight about Jee-sus and stuff if she lived it up like she did in the '90s. Dressin' it down, sleepin' in cars, hittin' on (married) dudes... hard.
Primary mistake
No. It sounded like it, but it wasn't.
Why should it be a contemporary christian act?
Why have someone with ANY religious agenda? Keep it pop, like Ke$ha. She's got Jee-sus on her neck-a-luss.
Still enjoyed it mostly
I also found the odd juxtaposition of fireworks and "landmarks" to be jarring. No need for that, IMHO. Still, I thought the music selections and timing during the fireworks worked very well this year, despite the mangling of the anthem.
Hey, if I can't get my butt over to the river to watch in person, there is only so-much complaining I think I'm entitled to. :) :)
Same here
I wasn't about to go brave the crowd, so I made do with the slightly weird telecast. I did hear from some (mostly elderly) relatives from outside the area that they loved it. That's probably their target audience anyway.
Newton
We left the house around 8:10, got there maybe 20 minutes before the fireworks started, found a space a couple blocks away and a place to sit. Not as dramatic as Boston's, but a lot calmer.
We just walk up to the top of the hill....
...along Metropolitan Avenue. A nice view of Boston's firework display -- with about a 30-second sound delay.
Extra verse of Star-Spangled Banner
Curious about this, and armed with your helpful clue that mentioned Sandi Patty, I did a little Googling and discovered that she didn't write that verse (whose lyrics can be found online here among other places). All she did was sing it. If you don't like it, blame it on Claire Cloninger and the Statue of Liberty Centennial Committee, who commissioned Cloninger to write it back in 1986.
Despite it being 25 years old, I had never heard it before last night.
Pitting Nicks
Sure, but the only one known to sing it now is Sandi Patty (and with good reason). Cloninger may have written the words but she wrote them for Sandi Patty to sing (in all cases it has been sung and/or recorded). So, can I just hate them both for trying to replace a perfectly good national anthem with their own lyrics?
Why the name calling?
Sandi Patty recorded that version of the "Star Spangled Banner" back in 1986 for a tribute album for the re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty. Why is she an idiot for that?
Because we have a national anthem already
It's called the Star Spangled Banner and its lyrics were written by Francis Scott Key. Clearly between Patty, the songwriter, and the "Rededication Committee", they didn't like the second verse of our national anthem. Tough crap.
They are all complicit in altering our heritage to fit what *they* wanted out of it. There's nothing wrong with the latter stanzas of Key's poem...except they aren't nice and pretty allusions about lanterns. So, they have fundamentally altered the song for what? For their own vanity? So they could sing a happy go-lucky second verse?
People get upset when singers screw up the first verse of the anthem all the time, why is it so outrageous that I might be upset that someone has intentionally screwed up the second verse?
Star Spangled meh
heritage shmeritage. It became our national anthem in 1931. It's not like something George Washington sang to lead the troops into battle. It's like the pledge of allegiance. So much of this patriotic crap came out of 20th century propagandist efforts to get everyone riled up against the Commies, the fascists or just any sort of person not from 'round here. Plenty of heritage to feel patriotic and emotional about, but these lame-ass songs, poems and crass manipulations don't do it for me personally. So messing with the words to the anthem is sort of like flag-burning -- light up! It really doesn't amount to much when you consider the important things of this country.
(And can we pleeeease remove God Bless 'Mericuh from the seventh inning stretch???)
Not quite the same, John
It took so long to become recognized by Congress because Congress sucks and is slow on the pickup. This was a song that was recognized as a rallying anthem as far back as the Civil War...only a few dozen years after the poem was put to music and made a full song. In that regard, it's very *unlike* the pledge. It wasn't part of indoctrination but part of our military history. The Defense of Baltimore was a key turning point where instead of fleeing and letting the British have their way (see D.C.), Baltimore dug in and prevented the British from controlling the biggest port on the Chesapeake (and ultimately the entire capital region).
If you think the Star Spangled Banner is just some other jingoistic, neo-patriotic brainwasher, you're wrong. It's quite the opposite. It's a description of how well we pulled together and defended ourselves from outward attacks and survived. It's a song of resilience like most nation's anthems.
There's the other small fact, too
She's a sermonizing moron. Keep your songs of praise and worship out of my secular-to-deist holiday. If we have to sit through yet another rendition of the anthem, you could at least use the correct verses.
It's amazing that she can quote chapter and verse of the godbook (which has also been edited to within an inch of its life by various sects -- with whole sections just redacted), but she can't manage to wrap her mind around these lines:
On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
’Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
I don't care if you like her version better. I'd like "How Great Thou Art" better if it were replaced with the lyrics to "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker."
National Anthem - Idiot?? I don't think so
That VERY famous version of the National anthem is by world renowned singer Sandi Patty. The beginning chorus IS the traditional by Francis Scott Key. The second chorus is a more modern writing..and not written by Sandi Patty. If you don't like the version, thats ok but it is rather rude to call her an idiot when you have no idea who she is.
Just so you know..She is the most awarded female vocalist in Christian music history. She has been awarded 40 Dove awards 5 Grammy's plus multiple Billboard awards and inducted into the Gospel Music Hall Of Fame. She is a tremendous public speaker and speaks to thousands in conferences all across the nation. She is also an author of many award winning books.
It is this very version of the SSB that made her so famous, having been first used in the Statue of Liberty rededication ceremony in 1986. She sang this very version that you so despise at the inagural ceremony for Bill Clinton and Al Gore.
She is also a wife and loving mother of 8 who probably would not take kindly to you calling her an idiot.
And now you know.
Thanks for posting, Ms. Patty
Oh, I know who she is. She's aligned with actively homophobic churches that say that same-sex couples are ruining marriage, yet she's committed ongoing adulterous relationships with two married men.
Right...
So, what part of what you wrote keeps her from being an idiot?
To get famous off of disrespecting the national anthem? Some claim to fame...
I bet you applauded our current Congress for reading the Constitution aloud too, though, didn't you?
Barge on fire?
Drove along storrow dr at 5:30, the verysame barge appeared to be on fire.
How did you drive down Storrow Drive at 5:30?
I rode my bike down Storrow yesterday afternoon. It was totally closed in both directions.
AM
He is likely talking about this morning, note the post time.
I saw the barge fire on CBS,
I saw the barge fire on CBS, but it was weird, they had it floating over the Pru.
+1
*giggle*
Who's awesome?
You are.
Thought it was a great show.
Thought it was a great show. Boston Pops sounded fantastic. Good for the people of Boston and surrounding towns that over half a million people can get together in a small space on a hot summer night without incident. Sure it was better years ago before it was televised nationally, but regardless I'll take the traditional Boston celebration over the MTV-style pop star version in NY any day.
What was between Stars & Stripes Forever and the fireworks?
At least eight minutes elapsed between the end of the Sousa march and the beginning of the fireworks. What was happening on stage during that time? (I was on Memorial Drive at MIT, and no sound came from the speakers during those eight minutes.)
Boo, Hiss CBS
Commercials & more TV blather. CBS just did a horrific job and also messed with the evening for those who attend in person.
Commercials for the TV
Commercials for the TV broadcast go there.
If there have to be commercials at all, surely it would be better to put them during the concert (by skipping over a song here and there) but to return to the broadcast in time for Stars and Stripes Forever, allowing it to go directly to the fireworks.
As it stands, it's annoying for everyone -- no one wants to watch the ads on tv, and the people at the event are left in the dark for a while.
Let's see
There was about 10 TV ads, about 30s of dead air time on the CBS event splash screen, then about another 30-60s of Chiklis blathering about the start of the fireworks.
1976-Bicenteniel-The Bomb? anyone?
that was the year they were supposed to have "the bomb" the biggest fireworks explosion of all time. fire on a barge and "the bomb" was more of a whimper. the crowd was HUUUUUGE. those were the day where you could drink a few beers right in front of the hatch shell. jumped the shark after fiedler died. somebody told me all of this.
Later and Later Each Year
I suppose this is because the Networks don't want Boston's fireworks going off until all but Alaska and Hawaii are dark.
I used to see them from my Kenmore square house - they went off at 8:30 then. Then I would let the kids stay up when they were little - 9 or 9:30 - to see them from our hillside home. Now they climb on the roof to see them, but I'm in bed. 11:00 is too late for people who have to go to work in the morning!
8:30? I doubt it
Sunset on July 4 in Boston is at 8:24 pm, and there's twilight for at least 20 minutes after that. I can't imagine starting the fireworks before 9 pm if you want to get the full effect. That said, I agree that 10:30 pm is far too late on a 'school night' (even in the summertime)
Am I the only one who thinks...
...that watching fireworks on TV is a little like watching a test pattern? There's really no point to it.
Jesus
As if Clodfelter wasn't obnoxious enough before...
:D
Are you kidding, "Beer Guy"? I've been outed! How can I be obnoxious when people know my real name now?
(N.B. -- I chose to give my name to the Globe. I outed myself.)
no
Your self-importance is sure to go through the roof.
You don't mind if I call you Clod, do you? Good.
You wouldn't be the first
Whatever gets you through the night, Guy.
PS -- WCVB just asked to talk to me too.
Cool
Having googled you and saw what we are dealing with, I realize that UH is probably all you have. I'll refrain from raining on your parade. Let me just say this: switching from your scoot-scoot to a real bike might help make those manboobs melt away.
Maybe so
I've been walking more since my scooter's been broken (no, not because I sat on it). But don't worry, UHub isn't all I have...there's also Soxaholix.
Nice one Beer Guy
You should be proud of yourself. How do I become as cool as you?
Wow
What name should we try for Googling you? I assume you won't mind if we get all snark-snark when we find out some less-than-perfect thing concerning your physicality?
(If I'm missing something here - you and Kaz actually have a good relationship, and this is buddy-buddy sniping - forgive my intrusion. Doesn't seem like it, though.)
Suldog
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com
No, you ain't missing much, Suldog
I don't know The Beer Guy...or at least I don't know that I know him.
Feel free to intrude. I'm taking the high ground.
I stopped watching it years
I stopped watching it years ago after one of the earliest Keith Lockhart led performances. During his tenure, and the effort to make this a signature national Boston event, the orchestra has been reduced to the backup band to a collection of bland pop performers in a commercial driven program. They need to look back to the latter years of Arthur Fiedler, and early years of John Williams to remember what the Pops Orchestra is about, and what the concert, not the variety show it is today, is all about.
Boston 4th Spectacular
As a transplanted Bostonian, I was totally disappointed this year with the fireworks program. It seemed below the usual standards, as well as showing them from impossible angles over the city. If you are going to show Boston nationally, why not show the entire program, and not cut it up, and show it as one would see it from the Esplanade. It pales in comparrison with the Capital Fourth program.