For me audience approval is all important , and here you have Smokey Robinson himself really loving Natasha singing his classic, that has to mean it's a great version of the song. .
Wow these comments are terrible! How can you tell someone to sing their own song at a TRIBUTE to another artist? Like really? Just wanting to say something rude? Ppl I swear smh! I still enjoy this performance! She did great! Smokey def seemed to think so and that's all that matters!
She's got a good voice but I just don't like her rendition of the song. This is supposed to be kind of a sad song But she tries to make it a happy song of love so it's just kind of defeating the purpose
What vocal control and power, she did this song her way, really the only way she could have done it. She owned this song this night and it showed and everyone knew it, Awesome.
She did an amazing job with this song. For those criticizing her "upbeat" version, it doesn't diminish the song. Listen to the lyrics. It's about the facade and masquerade. Whats being shown vs whats felt. This version strengthens that facade. The original song is about the inside emotion. Natasha's version speaks to the masquerade. Thats my take. LOVE what she did here. The riff at the end (which she slayed) I interpret as her letting the inside emotion out.
What a breath of fresh air...How did I not know her?...Natasha, I won't forget that becautiful version of the "Tracks of my tears"...Very difficult to represent motown being white, but Wow! You did it and then some...
I watched this the night it first aired on PBS and like most, I was like...(yawn) then she started wailing and Smokey gave the okay...and we all knew it was gon' be all right. Natasha nailed this song to the dang wall. (Of course, all respect to Smoke for birthing and giving us this one.)
She's great. I would love to hear a cover by Joss Stone. Must be nerve racking performing a such a beautiful song in front of the master of it let alone in front of the US President
yeah .... Natasha blows us away ... even this cover song formerly sung by Aretha .... it is the best performance I can imagine .... and so thought the audience ??? as well as Smokey Robinson ? ..... Natashas new album is "Strip Me Away" .... YES !!! I'll go for it .....
Smokey wasn't sure until she sang "So take a gooood look at my face". Then he gave a look of approval. Natasha even got a smile out of grandma. I don't understand her smile and movement at 2:50 though. She looks good and moves well, but it doesn't seem to match that part of the song.
I agree! Now that is something special, it's right up there with Smokey's version, but has her own stylish interpretation and Anita has the power to take it effortlessly anywhere and everywhere she wants! I think Natasha was a little overawed by the esteemed presence of so many legends in the audience hence a couple of dips here and there, but it was still a great effort.
Great voice and feeling. However, she smiled and danced too much with the song. It is not a happy sunshine song, hence the name, Tracks of My Tears. Still, great sound.
took her a while to warm in to the song, but once she did, you could see Smokey enjoying it. How tough would that be, to sing one of Smokey's songs in front of him?
A version that seems to be forgotten by many is Johnny Rivers cover. Unlike this he can do it naturally like Smokey and doesn't have to try to make something else out of it.
