I responded on another forum to a Canadian guy asking for reactions to the opening ceremonies. I thought I'd copy my post here, since PG Music is Canadian and lots of Canadians frequent this forum.

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OK, here are my reactions, from the United States.

I don't usually watch the opening / closing ceremonies. I didn't see China's for instance (the one that cost a bazillion dollars that the announcers kept referring to).

My wife always watches. That was my mistake. I went to get a drink, and walked through the living room just as that little girl started singing the anthem.

I heard the voice of an angel. A world class singer of any age. I appreciate your post because I made a mental note to track her, and bam, you gave me her name. My instant reaction was that she would win American Idol, that she would really stand out in a sea of good singers. Plus, she is a beautiful girl. (You may laugh at my thoughts, but those were my real-time thoughts.)

I then watched a good bit of it, more than I should have. When I didn't watch, I shoveled in the audio while I was working.

The music was mellow, but it was the best (the highest quality) I have ever heard in a production like that. Blew away any Superbowl that I can remember.

I noticed that almost every singer was female. That was strange. But they were so good, so off-the-charts good, I couldn't believe it. I wondered if I was listening to recordings. It looked like it was live. (When a song started, I got up to watch.)

I liked the Bryan Adams / Nellie Furtado duet, especially the drum sound. I thought it was the Indians chiming in on the downbeat. It reminded me of the effect of Queen's "We Will Rock You". Stadium electric!

I was surprised that Gordon Lightfoot was not included. I heard Anne Murray's name called and Joni Mitchell was, of course, a recording. My thought was that they made a conscious decision to not include older Canadian stars, choosing instead to go with performers who still had complete control of their instrument.

At first I thought Joni's recording of "Both Sides Now" was the one used in "Love Actually"; similar, but not the same. Absolutely brilliant, the way the lyrics coordinated with the visual presentation.

I was amazed by the visual technology. After a while, I would leave, as I'd become bored. Not my cup of tea. (Not a comment on Canada, or how others react to such presentations.)

But the sound and the quality of the music and singing was the best I have ever heard. (I'm not a teenager.)

I wished it could have been us. (The U.S.) But it wasn't.

Canada should be very, very proud!