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Whitney Houston, who was the quintessential singer of the past couple decades or more, has passed at the age of 48. She was and still is the barometer of any singer trying to enter the music industry these days. Even with the massive changes in the music industry, every singer in every singing contest ,such as, American Idol, The Voice, X-Factor, etc. & in the music industry in some way or fashion were attempting to re-create that special connection in musical artistry that only Whitney could do. Whitney was just was born with that “it“ factor. I, for one, am shocked and saddened. I know she struggled throughout her career with drug issues but it still does not replace the fact that this legend, our songbird is gone. Honestly, I don’t think there will ever be anyone else like her again. To me, she was iconic and a revolution to modern pop music in comparison to Jimi Hendrix who was a revolution in rock music. She was the best. When I think of a singing diva, I think of Whitney.
Whitney Houston, who was the quintessential singer of the past couple decades or more, has passed at the age of 48. She was and still is the barometer of any singer trying to enter the music industry these days. Even with the massive changes in the music industry, every singer in every singing contest ,such as, American Idol, The Voice, X-Factor, etc. & in the music industry in some way or fashion were attempting to re-create that special connection in musical artistry that only Whitney could do. Whitney was just was born with that “it“ factor. I, for one, am shocked and saddened. I know she struggled throughout her career with drug issues but it still does not replace the fact that this legend, our songbird is gone. Honestly, I don’t think there will ever be anyone else like her again. To me, she was iconic and a revolution to modern pop music in comparison to Jimi Hendrix who was a revolution in rock music. She was the best. When I think of a singing diva, I think of Whitney.
I first learned of her passing while being out with a friend eating Thai food tonight. At first, I thought it was a hoax that is so prevalent on Twitter these days but when I confirmed through the associated press such I had to stop eating. I’m sure you will all say, why? As a musician-music producer your whole career is predicated on the hope that you will gain an opportunity to work with someone as special as Whitney. And though it may have seemed a longshot considering her recent issues with her singing voice, I had always held out hope to work with her in the future. I know maybe a pie in the sky dream but I dreamed it and now it’s gone. Though I am disappointed another great has gone on, I am happy for all the things that Whitney did give. She sold more than 170 million cds, provided us with Oscar level performances in several movies & was a humanitarian. Can you imagine selling even a 10th of such? Can you imagine even touching the hearts of a 10th of such?
Whitney has been with me for the past two decades and half with her brilliance. I remember being in college when she first came out with her first self-titled album which was an album full of modern day classic standards from “Saving All My Love For You” to “You Give Good Love” to “The Greatest Love of All.” Frankly, up until hearing Whitney, I never thought anyone could sing a version of “The Greatest Love Of All” on the same level of George Benson but Whitney brought her own unique signature approach to the song and the game of music. Shoot, every singer in Berklee College of Music at that time was singing Whitney Houston songs!!
I will never forget a fellow college classmate and friend, Anthony, from Queens, NY (wonder where he’s at now) who was what I considered the epitome of a Whitney Houston fanatic. He would be prancing around singing her songs all day long like “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” to “So Emotional” to “Love Will Save the Day.” In fact, he played her second album, especially the single “Love Will Save The Day” so much I almost through it out the window. But even in all that I couldn’t hate nor deny the fact that Whitney Houston was beyond special. This was only her second album and already to me she had established her voice as an iconic voice of an era no different than Aretha, Chaka Khan, Billie Holiday, or Gladys Knight had in the past.
All I know is Whitney represented deep emotion and singing excellence in every performance in her heyday. My favorite song from her is “I have nothing”. For me, that song still makes me cry (I rarely cry so don’t think I’m a punk but it hits me sonically for whatever reason and I’m not ashamed to admit such)when I listen to it. Why? It is a singing clinic and it’s the pain, ups & downs of love that only Whitney can convey to us all. When she sings we feel everything she says line by line. Besides, to me this is perhaps the toughest song for any aspiring singer, let alone, professional singer to take on. Personally, no one who ever attempts to sing that song in the future will make me feel the way I felt when I first heard that song.
To me, there are two types of gospel/soul/pop singers: A. singers who sings w/ an inborn ability, unique interpretive skill, musicianship, & a unique-signature sound ala Aretha or Gladys Knight; B. singers who sing from a deep well of pain, emotion and sincerity, stellar technique, clarity, interpretive skill, natural-inborn ability, & a unique-signature sound ala Whitney Houston. To me, Whitney Houston was the modern day torch singer. No matter what image she hid behind with a great smile & ability, you always knew that this gift of song came from a place of depth & emotion. Whitney was so honest & open on wax and that’s why her passing is so deeply felt.
Whitney Elizabeth Houston, you will be so missed on the eve of the Grammy’s. Your legacy will continue to live on through all that you have given us & all those unreleased tracks that will be made available in the near future.
Sleep and rest, Whitney, our beautiful songbird.
Sleep deeply.
No more pain.
No more worry.
No more sorrow.
You will always represent love to me.
You are so missed. I’m so blown……
Condolences to the Whitney Houston family.
DBXXL:
THE HARDEST WORKING MUSIC PRODUCER AND ALL AROUND ENTREPRENEUR IN THE GAME!
FUTURE SHIIII!!!!!!!!!!
Whitney has been with me for the past two decades and half with her brilliance. I remember being in college when she first came out with her first self-titled album which was an album full of modern day classic standards from “Saving All My Love For You” to “You Give Good Love” to “The Greatest Love of All.” Frankly, up until hearing Whitney, I never thought anyone could sing a version of “The Greatest Love Of All” on the same level of George Benson but Whitney brought her own unique signature approach to the song and the game of music. Shoot, every singer in Berklee College of Music at that time was singing Whitney Houston songs!!
I will never forget a fellow college classmate and friend, Anthony, from Queens, NY (wonder where he’s at now) who was what I considered the epitome of a Whitney Houston fanatic. He would be prancing around singing her songs all day long like “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” to “So Emotional” to “Love Will Save the Day.” In fact, he played her second album, especially the single “Love Will Save The Day” so much I almost through it out the window. But even in all that I couldn’t hate nor deny the fact that Whitney Houston was beyond special. This was only her second album and already to me she had established her voice as an iconic voice of an era no different than Aretha, Chaka Khan, Billie Holiday, or Gladys Knight had in the past.
All I know is Whitney represented deep emotion and singing excellence in every performance in her heyday. My favorite song from her is “I have nothing”. For me, that song still makes me cry (I rarely cry so don’t think I’m a punk but it hits me sonically for whatever reason and I’m not ashamed to admit such)when I listen to it. Why? It is a singing clinic and it’s the pain, ups & downs of love that only Whitney can convey to us all. When she sings we feel everything she says line by line. Besides, to me this is perhaps the toughest song for any aspiring singer, let alone, professional singer to take on. Personally, no one who ever attempts to sing that song in the future will make me feel the way I felt when I first heard that song.
To me, there are two types of gospel/soul/pop singers: A. singers who sings w/ an inborn ability, unique interpretive skill, musicianship, & a unique-signature sound ala Aretha or Gladys Knight; B. singers who sing from a deep well of pain, emotion and sincerity, stellar technique, clarity, interpretive skill, natural-inborn ability, & a unique-signature sound ala Whitney Houston. To me, Whitney Houston was the modern day torch singer. No matter what image she hid behind with a great smile & ability, you always knew that this gift of song came from a place of depth & emotion. Whitney was so honest & open on wax and that’s why her passing is so deeply felt.
Whitney Elizabeth Houston, you will be so missed on the eve of the Grammy’s. Your legacy will continue to live on through all that you have given us & all those unreleased tracks that will be made available in the near future.
Sleep and rest, Whitney, our beautiful songbird.
Sleep deeply.
No more pain.
No more worry.
No more sorrow.
You will always represent love to me.
You are so missed. I’m so blown……
Condolences to the Whitney Houston family.
DBXXL:
THE HARDEST WORKING MUSIC PRODUCER AND ALL AROUND ENTREPRENEUR IN THE GAME!
FUTURE SHIIII!!!!!!!!!!