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Sunday, February 12, 2012

Whitney Houston 1963 - 2012

by Michael

Whitney's voice, mere hours after her death, has already proved it can outlive her body. Even if her humanity couldn't handle that tone, posterity certainly can.



Whitney's singing came under a lot of fire in her last few years, but I hope it's not too early to hope for a critical reappraisal. In the 80's and 90's, Whitney's instrument was a natural marvel. She didn't have to do anything with it. She opened her mouth and there it was; making sounds bigger and better than any other sounds in the world. Interpretation? Nuance? Whitney's singing couldn't contain those things, because the songs she sang couldn't contain her magnificent voice. But on Whitney's last record, and in the concerts she gave to promote it, none of that was true. Singing "I Look To You," she wasn't just a voice. She barely had a voice. She was a woman. A little sad, more than a little tired, and -- if her endless, loopy onstage banter was any sign - absolutely that those natural gifts upon which she had built her career and identity had abandoned her forever. All of this came through in her singing. If music is judged by how much weight and wisdom and emotion can be supported by a single sung word (and I like Patti Smith and Maria Callas, so I think it is), then in those last concerts Whitney made some of the most beautiful music of her life.

40 comments:

Jodi said...

MICHAEL - I so agree with all you wrote about Whitney. Some of her best music was in her early years, especially when she belted out Gospel music. May she rest in peace ♥

Maureen said...

Good morning HODI!

I wonder what Whitney's life would have been like if she never married Bobby Brown. I hope that her legacy to her daughter was her talent,not her drug and alcohol abuse.

Jodi said...

I often wonder the same MO....my heart is breaking for her daughter.

Maureen said...

HODI...haven't seen you around too muc. How are things in WI? Are u having the cold and snow we are?

Jodi said...

Well diggers ass cold....nips snapping off cold....so yes cold, and we are supposed to get a couple more inches of the white shit tomorrow!!

Jodi said...

The older I get the less I like winter. Can u tell?!!?

Unknown said...

lmao@ nips snapping off!!

Unknown said...

I just read this:

The Hilton is the scene for Davis’ annual gala. On Thursday, Houston dropped by the rehearsals to offer vocal tips for Brandy and Monica, who were slated to be one of the evening’s headliners.

Press, including The Times, were in attendance for a junket with the reunited R&B divas and Davis. Though Houston greeted people her with a warm smile, she appeared disheveled in mismatched clothes and hair that was dripping wet with either sweat or water.

The visibly bloated singer displayed erratic behavior throughout the afternoon -- flailing her hands frenetically as she spoke to Brandy and Monica, skipping around the ballroom in a child-like fashion and wandering aimlessly about the lobby. It was mentioned by a Grammy staffer that security personnel received calls of the singer doing handstands by the pool.

Lynn D said...

Morning Glories!

Okay don't anyone shoot me, but I find it interesting how the everyone is so sad and concerned now that she is dead. I am reading all of these tributes of how everyone is shocked and stunned about her death etc...

Friday night I was flipping channels and Joan Rivers new fashion show was on and they had a picture of Whitney Houston up and they were shredding her. They were mocking what she was wearing making jokes about her being high etc.... I have seen this every time she made an appearance of late.

Now everyone is shocked that she is dead. Why? To me it looked like the crowd in Hollywood and the entertainment industry were shouting jump and when she did they are shocked?

I think she had incredible talent, but what is sad to me is that she was 48 years old and she is dead.

Tinka said...

10

Tinka said...

Good Morning Jodi - Congrats on being first. It's nice to see you here this morning. You are one busy lady.

Tinka said...

Good Morning Maureen - I never could see how Whitney loved Bobby Brown. I think he was one reason why she couldn't stay 'clean'. I remember reading how much she wanted another baby by him. I used to worry she would get Aides from him because of his drug use and 'running around' with so many women.

Zona said...

MICHAEL: Sometimes it's hard for me to separate an entertainer's personal problems from their talent..and when I would hear Whitney Huston on the radio I would think what a shame it was that her life took the turn that it did. Every time I hear "I Will Always Love You" or any of her other songs..I'll think of Whitney Huston's amazing talent and her incredible smile..and be sad for the loss..our loss of this great singer..gone much much too soon..

Zona said...

JODI: It was 82 here yesterday..ugh..

MO: Have fun today! :)

LYNN: It never changes..they make fun until the person is no longer here..seems to be a lesson that goes unlearned..

TINKA: I never understood her relationship with BB either..I really do think it was the beginning of the end..just so sad..

Gotta run like the white rabbit..I'm late..I'm late for a semi important date..lol..

Have a good day everyone! :)

Tinka said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Maureen said...

There was a reality sow with Whitney and Bobby a number of years ago. I only watched 1 or 2 episodes, but it was painful to watch. Whitney appeared totally out of it and Bobby treated her like crap but it appeared she really loved him...for no apparent reason. I felt sorry for her and even worse for their daughter.

hollywood cashed in on the tragedy that was Whitney Houston even back then. Shameful.

Tinka said...

Good Morning Zona - We were typing at the same time.

Whitney's singing of Dolly Parton's song "I will always Love You" still gives me chills. I liked the song when Dolly sang it in "Best Little Whore House in Texas" but when Whitney sang the song it became such a hit.

Maureen said...

I think we would have read this same story with Britney Spears had her father not stepped in and against Britney's wishes forced himself into her life to protect her. Why didnt anyone protect Whitney? Same with MJ and Lindsey.

Tinka said...

Good Morning Michael - Thank you for writing a tribute to Whitney. I always want to remember her when she was healthy. I hope I never come across on Utube how she looked at the Davis Gala. It is so sad.

I loved Whitney in "The Preacher's Wife". I watch it every Christmas.

Tinka said...

We had a fun time shopping for Valentine's yesterday. We got a pink monkey for our little Granddaughter that sings "Shout" and a little white dog that sings "I love you" for our baby Grandson. The kids are going to love them but they may drive the parents crazy. Today I am tired and I am going to just take it easy. Maybe play on my farms. That would be different.

Jack just brought me my breakfast on a tray so I must thank him.

Have a great Sunday everyone. I am going to light a candle for Whitney when we get over to the church.

Just_Lin said...

HOdi How beautiful you are in first today. Oh, wait....are those your nips on the floor?

Just_Lin said...

Michael Thank you for the blog today. What a huge talent she was and so pretty, too.

Just_Lin said...

MO Addiction is such an evil thing. I'm sure Whitney loved her daughter but every time she chose drugs, she put her daughter second (or last). That's the bottom line. However, we don't really know for a fact that drugs were involved in her death, do we? It sounds like it but there is no official cause yet so we are making assumptions.

Just_Lin said...

LynnD I think there were plenty of people who were sad and concerned long before her death. You can't help someone who doesn't want to be helped, though, and I think there comes a time when people stop being sympathetic and are just plain fed up with it.

Just_Lin said...

Tinka Whitney's rendition of The Star Spangled Banner at the Super Bowl was the best it has ever been done, hands down.

Unknown said...

J/L...

u r right...

So many people don't survive addiction...and no amount of time in rehab can help...the addict has to know that it must stop. And in some cases I think there is a point of no return...when getting clean won't even save you...

Whitney had millions of fans and yes I was shocked by the news...

Its always so sad when addiction wins...

Streisand issued a statement: "She had everything, beauty, a magnificent voice. How sad her gifts could not bring her the same happiness they brought us."

I also think that Joan Rivers should retire and disappear.

Unknown said...

Lynn D...

I know exactly what you are saying...thats Hollywood!

If they smell blood they are going to attack...

I think thats why I didn't take the "SUPERSTAR" route...I couldn't have put up with all the crap...

So I am just a movie star (in my mind)...did anyone see my last movie...(in my mind)? It is called the "Tree of Life" (in my mind)....

I am nominated for an Oscar for best actor (in my mind).....yay!

Just_Lin said...

Michael Who will you be wearing on the red carpet (in your mind)?

Unknown said...

GUCCI!! (in my mind)

Tinka said...

Michael - Would you consider Vera Wang? Her clothes represent romance, sensuality and high spirit. Just might be the outfit for you.

Tinka said...

Good Afternoon Just_Lin - You are so right. Addiction is a dreadful thing. I am thankful that so far it has not touched my family.

Tinka said...

delete was mine because I made a mistake in the date.

Lynn - I really agree with your post. Where were her friends when she needed help? My favourite memory of her was her singing the "Star Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl in 1991. She looked so great, wearing a white track suit and a white head band. She looked young, fresh and sweet. Her voice was amazing. She was in great shape. Why did she ruin that? It is such a waste.

Dianne/Denver said...

Very nice blog, Michael. It is very sad. I've been watching Dateline tonight that has been all her life. It's just a shame for loss of such a young person.

Well, we r back to light snow today---ho hum. Couple of weeks and I will be basking in Texas sun and probably thinking its too hot. :).

Hope all of u r doing well today and getting ready to watch The Grammys. It should be an interesting show tonight.

Unknown said...

Tinka...

I don't think Vera Wang likes men very much. All she has done for them is an "off the rack" tuxedo available at The Mens Warehouse for a modest price or rental. Yes I said rental.

She has also marketed an eau de toilette water for men that smells like burning hair.

Tinka said...

Michael - Sorry I guess I made a wrong choice for you. I should have researched it more. I just saw the words "romantic, sensual and high spirited" and I thought of you. I wouldn't want you smelling like burning hair. Yuck!.

Tinka said...

Michael - I expected Tina to fly in with gagging sounds after she read my last post. LOL

Tinka said...

Michael - My dad always used "Bay Rum". There is no nicer cologne on men in my opinion. I don't think it is even available any more because some men on skid row were drinking it. I think it used to be made from soaking bay leaves in rum.
I found some in Jamaica and Dad was so happy.

Unknown said...

Tinka...

now that you have told me about bay rum I must smell it!

heres is a link with recipes...

http://artofmanliness.com/2010/01/21/diy-bay-rum-aftershave/

and this guy said he couldn't find any that smelled the way it should so he got a recipe....his first batch was too pepperminty...so he adjusted for got a perfect 8oz with this recipe...

2 oz. grain alcohol or vodka
2 oz. rum (the good stuff from the Islands)
3.5 oz. aloe vera gel
Teaspoon bay oil
4 drops orange oil
4 drops cinnamon oil
2 drops peppermint oil
and if you're feeling frisky, 3 drops allspice oil.

I am not seeing any for sale...but tons of recipes and videos on making it.....

I am going to make a batch!! Yay!!

if u like it I figure its gotta be good!!

Tinka said...

Michael - I feel so nostalgic just thinking about Bay Rum. Let me know how it turns out if you try the recipe. I won't do it because if I would succeed it would be for Jack. There is something kinky about having Jack smell like my Dad.

I don't think there is anything like Bay Rum cologne. Now that I see what the ingredients are I know why they banned it. Except for the aloe vera gel it does sound quite drinkable.

Tinka said...

40 Good Night All. Sweet Dreams. See you tomorrow.