Whitney Houston

I sort of can't believe that I'm about to write a post about a tragically cut short pop star's life. I have to say that I usually find such behavior odd if not downright silly and sad.  I certainly didn't have an overwhelming response to Michael Jackson's death. I remember his music vividly. Thriller was the soundtrack of my youth. I remember sitting in the small cafeteria at Irondequoit High School. That was my homeroom and the school's radio station would play music in the morning. And one morning they played Beat It. I can see the details of the room and the windows and kids starting to dance to it while sitting in their chairs. It did truly thrill. But somehow his otherworldly life kept me from feeling any kind of emotional attachment to him or his music. I'm sure the fact that I was up at the O'neill Musical Theater Conference when he died contributed to my dispassionate response to his death. It's a cocoon up there with no tv and spotty wireless service so the overwhelming response to the news that he died was very muted. I didn't see a paper, didn't have tv to watch, and could only get on Facebook sporadically. 

But Whitney Houston is a whole other story. First of all her voice is just one of the greatest of all time. And interestingly I didn't really appreciate it when I was younger. I mean I loved her music, but I don't think I understood how monumental a talent she was from just listening to her records. It wasn't until I discovered videos of her live performances that I understood her unbelievable talent. Besides that voice-- that once in a lifetime (if not several lifetimes) -- incredible voice, it was just her absolute command of her star presence. Seeing her live in person or a live performance on video-- you realize how much recording kept her reigned in. Recorded she sounded amazing, flawless, stunning. Live she was primal, unbridled, thrilling, and devastating. And yes she riffed, but not nearly as much as the younger singers who idolize her do. And when she did any stylization, it seemed to come from her gut and her soul. It didn't come from her vocal chords just to show off. (Note: I think you're amazing Christina Aguilera but most of the time you're just getting off on your own voice). If you watch the following video, I dare you not to be overwhelmed. This video beyond any (in my opinion) is incredible evidence that she is more than the best voice of her generation. She is one of the greatest voices of all time.

This next clip not only shows her extraordinary voice, but it is a crazy demonstration of her understanding what it means to be a star. She just knows what the audience wants and she gives it to them-- basically fueling them into a frenzy. And just watch what she does in the second half of the song around 4:30 or so. Any other singer doing those over the top theatrical gestures would be laughed off the stage. Not her. She thrills with it. She must have known she had the voice of a goddess, and I think she knew that her audiences expected her to be one. So that's what she gave us.

RIP indeed.