For some, karaoke is an updated version of the old time “Piano Bar” that Billy Joel so eloquently elucidated–an opportunity for folks to get together, share in some musical memories, sing a little, and generally bond with each other.
For others, karaoke is more an outgrowth of listening to music alone at home, singing into a hairbrush in front of the mirror while fantasizing about being a star.
If you’re among the latter group, you may be frustrated by some of the karaoke re-recordings that are the industry standard. For a variety of reasons (financial, legal and practical), the vast majority of karaoke videos are made from musical re-recordings and numerous companies offer competing versions.
At one end of the spectrum are “midi-karaoke” files that some companies still try to hawk to kids, usually built in to a microphone. All are computer-generated and crudely arranged. Other companies employ skilled studio musicians to record highly professional versions. Most companies fall somewhere in between, using a combination of real instruments and synthesized approximations.
But when I was in my room, listening to those records and singing along, I wasn’t fantasizing about being on a stage with a drum machine and a very competent but uninspired journeyman guitar player. I wanted to be backed by Paul, George and Ringo dammit.
When there are multiple karaoke versions of a song available I try to pick the one that sounds the most like the original recordings for my catalog even if other versions are superior in some other regard (easier to sing, more clear lyrics, better graphics, less expensive, etc.).
Fortunately, a few companies have offered “original artist karaoke” and I’ve tried to acquire as many as possible. Compare three versions of my wife’s favourite karaoke song:
Anachronism Now 