It doesn’t matter if you like pop, country, rap, jazz, metal, rock or any other type of music. Every once in awhile, a voice comes along that transcends genres and generations. One that is impossible to ignore, forget, deny or begrudge because it is just that incredible. Whitney Houston had one of those voices. And while we live in a world filled with skilled musicians and amazing performers (as last night’s Grammys proved), very few people have or will ever have the kind of rare talent that was Whitney Houston.
It would be easy to harp on the many well-publicized personal battles that Whitney endured over her nearly thirty year career but I won’ do that. I’ll leave that to the media. Instead, I’ll tell you about my favorite version of Whitney…while trying not to insult any other musicians too much.
First, let me start by saying, I enjoy a show! I enjoy almost any kind of musical performance- high school musicals, karaoke bars, jazz lounges, stadium sized concerts, Broadway shows, epic music television events…you name it, I’ll watch it. However, while watching The Grammys last night, I realized that as much as I’m mesmerized by choreographed dance routines and grand visual spectacles, I’m most captivated by the simplistic performances. Those are the ones that make me stop, look up from my computer or walk away from the dishes in the sink, to really pay attention.
In fact, the more I see them, the less I’m impressed by pyrotechnics, crazy hair colors, dramatic costumes or insane sets. It may be partially because I feel like many of today’s stars are just trying one up one another in shock value but also because when it comes down to it, it’s the beat, the words, the voices and the instrumental intricacies that are what I really look for when it comes to music. And don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t appreciate an elaborate performance but it probably is why I prefer the Adeles and Whitneys of the world to the Katy Perrys and Nicki Minajs.
And while I would call Whitney Houston a great all-around performer, doing the requisite dance steps here and there, I think she shone brightest on a nearly empty stage with just her voice, the melody and a microphone. So kudos to Grammy producers (and Jennifer Hudson) for paying tribute to the superstar in a simple yet powerful way. I think Whitney would have appreciated the magnitude of such a minimal performance on music’s biggest night.
Adele
Katy Perry
Rihanna
Taylor Swift
WATS A GR8 LOVE SONG DATS KINDA SLOW AND GOOD 4 2 PEPS DAT R RELY IN LOV…….
One of the best performances was the beautiful voice of Ms. Hudson. Why is such a outstanding person and entertainer not more popular as a singer. Oh, she is doing well as a model for dieting,but she is an outstanding voice. She will also be beautiful on the big screen.
I grew up listening to Whitney Houston. It is a shame that these new comers dont’ follow her foot steps. I don’t know what’s happening with this new fad of music but don’t like it. Her mom should be very proud depsite the problems she had. Regardless, she is up in heaven singing her heart out.
There are alot of beautiful voices out there but no ones could compare to Whitney Houston power and strength of vocal cords.Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey are about neck and neck in line for no.2s.She was a beautiful lady I had met at a hotel years ago before she was a star and I was a maid ,she was about 18 or 19 and was with her aunt Dionne Warwick, she was playing at a music circus and Whitney was with her . She was a very nice young lady and very sincere . I would talk to daily. AS I followed her career she differently was sincere and a pleasure.It is to bad she was taken so early It is sad.
ADIEU WHITNEY!, ADIEU THE LOVE SONGS-TRESS!, ADIEU TO THE MOST POTENT MUSICAL GEM, IN SEVERAL GENERATIONS!!!, .. BAR NONE!… And, MAY THE ALMIGHTY GOD, COMFORT AND CONSOLE YOUR DAUGHTER, FAMILY AND LOVED ONES, IJMN, AMEN!!! ………………………………………….. Apparently, we can be rest assured that, the Heavenly Choir Roaster has just gotten better and incredibly enriched, with WHITNEY joining the Line-Up!. Move over MICHAEL, SAMMY DAVIS, FRANK SINATRA, DINAH WASHINGTON, ETTA JAMES, JAMES BROWN, SARAH VAUGHN!, … WHITNEY IS NOW IN THE BIG HEAVENLY-HOUSE;… and She’s gonna raise the Rooof, and Glorify The Heavenlies! R.I.P WHITNEY!, ..:” WE WOULD ALWAYS LOOOOVVVVVEEEEE YOOOOOUUUUUU OOOOOOOH..!!!”
I hope Whitney only died because her body aged too fast, and not because she again used drugs. She did have a memorable voice, even so I don’t like pop music. But I’d rather listen to her all day, than to any of those newcomers for 1 minute. Those newcomers just don’t have the class and style. I am not a vindictive person and do not wish bad on anybody, but I do hope Bobby Brown will be guilt ridden for the rest of his life because wothout him, I am convinced Ms. Houston would still be alive. Yes, she chose to take drugs, but it mostly takes someone to introduce you to this scene. For her, it was Bobby Brown. And I do hope the music industry will diss him forever.
ADIEU WHITNEY!, ADIEU, THE MOST POTENT MUSICAL GEM, IN SEVERAL GENERATIONS!, .. MAY THE AMIGHTY GOD, COMFORT AND CONSOLE YOUR FAMIOLY AND LOVED ONES, IJMN, AMEN!!!
As for me my vote will always go to Whitney, absolutely no other singer I can think of compares to her. There was a vote on one of the web sites a week or so ago and she came in 2nd to last? I was shocked, but that’s just the way I feel about her voice and the way she sang with such power and feeling. I still get excited when I hear” I want to dance with somebody”. I still sometimes cry when I hear love songs! I love you Whitney Houston, may God rest you soul.
Whitney was a great singer, if not the greatest ever. To the haters: “What goes around, comes around”
Love you Whitney.
All of these artists stink to be fair! Every hour of every day people are dying due to famine and war and everyone goes loopy just because some ‘ex’ celebrity dies due to drug abuse. Its about time people got their priorities right!
I LOVVVEEEE taylor swift have some cds of hers, BUT I think ADELE has a voice that isn’t much heard of nowadays, RHIANNA is a GIFT of grt music,and KATY PERRY is just awsome!!!
I enjoyed Adele very much. For her to just stand and sing is simply perfection. It is not that I can’t appreciate theatrics and colors and movement everywhere, but….(this comment applies where you think it does.
I don’t disagree that Taylor Swift is not talented and yes she can stand and sing her heart out. But, I don’t feel the deep, profound experience of life in her voice, songs. Katy Perry-well, all the “hate” directed at Brand’s way by changing some of the lyrics (when he did NOT take her money)–why bother saying “take everything?” I think Brand gets some kudos for passing up 20 mil. Rihanna, meh, so, so. When I see her acting immature in her seat, it is hard for me to appreciate her person, granted she has time to develop with age. Whitney RULED!!
Adele is no Whitney Houston but her performance was simple and satisfying for me. I was surprised to see Rhianna wearing clothes and not showing all she has. Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj’s performances left me confused, what was the point??? Taylor Swift played it down too much and tried to be theatrical. she just needs to be pretty and sing her heart out.