The last recording from the late Whitney Houston has surfaced on the internet, and it's perhaps fitting that the song Celebrate- in which Jordin Sparks features- is a positive, upbeat one that speaks on enjoying and appreciating life.
Taken from the movie soundtrack of Sparkle- a remake in which the pair both star- its tracklist reveals it also features another Whitney Houston song, the gospel hymn His Eyes On The Sparrow, which is sure to be a real tearjerker. Listen to Jennifer Holiday and the Lauryn Hill/Tanya Blount renditions below.
I agree that is a nice upbeat song to remember her by.
ReplyDeleteBut I doubt very much any Whitney rendition could ever elicit a tear from my eyes.Still, I somehow remain a little hopeful somewhere deep in my heart.
Neither of the videos of the gospel song tugged at my heartstrings but because of this post I did go and look for other renditions and found Mahalia's cover. Personally I liked it way better.
What do you think of this one DD?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHn60T1WUsA&feature=related
I watched that one after I finished the post! lol! Yes. Amazing rendition! As for Whitney, only time will tell if her version will melt your cold, cold heart...lol!!
ReplyDeleteLOL Indeed! Perhaps she will, with this last effort , after 30 some years, finally melt my heart. For some reason I keep hoping she will because there is no denying the beauty of the voice itself.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know I'm not the only one who isn't moved by Whitney's voice, I felt I was alone on this for the longest time lol. Beautiful voice, very beautiful indeed but it was all about her voice in my opinion. She sang (in my opinion) in a way that showed her voice off instead of the song itself, which in my opinion is what music should be about. But she did have a great voice and could sing well.
ReplyDeleteits funny because I found her voice more moving as it declined. IMO Two songs on her last album were more affecting than anything she's ever done. But no one can deny the quality/skill of the voice.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pze_mdbOK8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tvxSNyN1ok . They didnt make me cry or anything, but I was moved.
Yes that is exactly my view of Whitney. But I guess I will have to check out DD's recommendation now. ;)
ReplyDeleteWell that figures since her voice really had declined. Made it impossible to just be showing off vocal acrobatics.
ReplyDeleteI can agree with it being somewhat moving when it comes to the first 2.5 minutes of "I Look to You" but then...she was lost in admiration of her own voice again.
Second song I found to be quite dreadful arrangement/instrumentation. Very unfitting the content of the song. Though I have a feeling that was possible in part an attempt to somewhat hide the decline of the voice? Never realized until I heard the stuff from this album ( I tend to go for live versions if I can find them and hadn't heard much from this period) exactly how much the voice had declined. Really sad to hear. Though admittedly when compared to other singers out there instead of her own pre drugs voice, it is still an amazing one.
However, the live video of her singing "A Song for You" so happens my most recent "give Whitney a shot" attempt and it once again proved my view rather than the opposite. To me neither album nor live version were moving.
But to be fair, I know the song from Shelby Lynne's rendition( I am tempted to add the link but feel maybe I am already doing that kind of thing too often) already who happens to be imo particularly excellent at the very thing I think Whitney lacks . And then after Whitney's live cover I listened to Amy's cover which is also infinitely more moving to me.
Here's hoping that last song will redeem her in my eyes! ;D
I'm not moved by her voice either!
ReplyDeleteI heard this a couple of days back and was surprised (in a good way) as I actually didn't expect much and wondered how their voices could or would work together.
ReplyDeleteDefinately a positive feeling comes from it for me and I am amazed, Whitney sounds almost contralto to me (her tone is extremely pleasant on the ear). You can also tell she has schooled Sparks somewhat vocally, she sounds stronger, clearer and more confident in her delivery than I have ever heard from her.
Not the most amazing song I have ever heard but worth a few listens for sure, even if it is just to remember old Whitters!
I look to you is one of my favourite Whitney songs period! It really is a gem, an overlooked one at that considering her catalogue!
ReplyDeleteWith loads of videos of it on youtube and this one of the link having had almost 17 million views, I am not sure you can call it having been "overlooked". ;)
ReplyDeleteThat gif made my day.
ReplyDeleteI guess he means when people normally think of Whitney's signature hits, they don't really think of "I Look to You," regardless of the number of views on YouTube (which have gone up considerably after her death, by the way).
ReplyDeleteYeh thats what I was getting at lol, but then I guess someone of her exposure its hard to be overlooked at best!
ReplyDeleteAgain though I am not gonna pretend that I am an expert of her material, as I only own the greatest hits ect. I was always more about Mariah and Celine!
I agree, the voice does indeed lack natural beauty, the problem is as you stated earlier, its often more about ornamentation (which she done exquisitely well may I add).
ReplyDeleteTake I will always love you, a VERY powerful rendition and moving up until the last chorus when she blasted any sentimentality with massive quaking notes. Don't get me wrong as I say I love Mariah who is more guilty there than Whitney ever was I just enjoyed the tone, timbre and elasticity of Mariah's voice more. When Mariah sang Butterfly it moved me even although she massively ornamented it I could feel her singing it from the heart. I guess thats due to her writing her material though, bonding a natural connection to the songs.
You are a tough cookie! The fragility in the voice showcased in those songs i still find touching!! The shoehorned in dance vibe isn't great i admit. I'd love to get your opinion on this....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6j4f8cHBIM ... lol
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56LHposVPOo
ReplyDeleteFeeling teary eyed?
Yeah, it probably also makes a big difference whether a singer is totally free to choose the material and of course whether they care about the lyrical content. Alison Krauss will not sing a song she doesn't feel she really wants to sing the words. Says anytime she sang a song she couldn't feel passionate about the words, she would dislike performing it quite quickly.
ReplyDeleteBut no doubt most singers will find it way easier to convey the emotion of their own than of someone else. Perhaps that is also part of the reason for Adele's success? I definitely find most of her covers not amongst her better work.
With the very obvious exception of "Make you feel my love" but then again, she says she connected that song very much to her friend Amy Winehouse.
Oh yes, the fragility in Whitney's voice is moving( helps if you understand powerlessness of the addic) but that is a feeling for Whitney's plight and has nothing to do with the song she is singing and I thought that was what we were talking about ...song delivery.I AM a tough cookie in some ways. But on the other hand...I cried at scenes from Little house on the Prairie, marchingbands and several national anthems. ;)
ReplyDeletere the video.
I made it all the way to the 2.20 mark but I was really pushing myself there. ;)
That being said, linguistically I find her quite funny. Saw her on Graham Norton a few weeks back and liked her. He was reading some stuff from her app and it was clever! I always like people who are clever with words. Especially so if they are witty to boot.
Musically it is of course utter headache inducing crap.imo
Can't say I teared up over that phonebook "song" but this is the one that sold me to Dion for sure
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDjOn-uAwTA&feature=plcp
And this is my all time favorite song by Celine ( of the ones I heard) . Anyway love that whole French album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IibOXaPFcA
Opie Ever I'm just testing Hannah's statement lol.
ReplyDeleteAh I love those songs, big fan of Celine. I tend to lean more towards her french works (In my opinion she sounds a bit more emotional as she's singing in her native tongue so it seems to resonate a bit more with her it seems, and overall I find french lyrics having more depth to them) in preference than her english songs.
yep, the way she plays with language and rhythm is something, as is her humour. But wasn't expecting that response from you tbh... You sure are an interesting character, Opie. :) Also, thanks for taking the time to contribute so thoroughly and thoughtfully on the blog. Its appreciated.
ReplyDelete@Serendipity HAHAHAHA!!! Wow! That is hilarious! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThat phone book song was awesome! I had no idea she actually did that.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNtBU_KETJQ&feature=g-all-f
ReplyDeletewell here is Whitney's last attempt to move Opie.
Didn't move me, but let us hear/see your opinion Opie lol.
LOL Yes I got that and it was funny there actually is a video around so you could test Hannah's statement.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you regarding loving the french songs best( and lyrics. That Brel song was a good example of great lyrics wasn't it? Though the translation was also beautiful )
Yes the lyrics on the Brel song were wonderful. I wish there were more english lyrics that were up to par with the french lyrics out there, not that there aren't phenomenal english song writers. It just seems that the French language has this very romantic and reflective depth to it that comes almost as a secondhand nature.
ReplyDeleteYeah I had completely forgotten about it 'til I saw your comment about her singing the phone book. She felt very awkward and bad about singing the person's information on live television though lol.
ReplyDeleteWho's your favorite English songwriter?
ReplyDeleteTaking the liberty to answer that question I would have to say Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits are a few of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteThanks I am well enjoying this blog so thank you for setting it up. :)
ReplyDeleteWhy would you not expect the answer I gave? And what DID you expect?
I appreciate all opinions, thanks for yours! As for mine, I have no idea (maybe Eminem, if that counts, hahaha). To be honest, I'm not really sure what constitutes a great songwriter/composer.
ReplyDeleteDD, that video you posted...damn, I don't have the words. Musical brilliance.
ReplyDeleteWhy would Eminem not count? He is a song writer isn't he? I kinda like him myself although I would never place him anywhere near the great songwriters category.But he wrote some good lyrics /songs imo.
ReplyDeleteWhat constitutes a truly great songwriter? Hard to define I guess. For me it is imaginative and original lyrics which speak to many people and can stand the test of time and melodies that continue to capture hearts. Songs which other artists and other generations will and can cover. And a substantial body of work. Two or three good songs aren't going to do it I would say.
Bob Dylan for instance wrote: The times they are a changing, blowing in the wind, Like a rolling stone, All along the watchtower, it ain't me babe, I want you, Just like a woman, Lay Lady Lay, I shall be released, I believe in you, Make you feel my love, Mr Tambourine Man, To Ramona, Knocking on Heaven's Door. And those are just a number of his greatest hits.
All songs you probably know even if you don't know you know them :)
Eminem just seemed like a silly answer! I will check out those songs tomorrow and I really appreciate your thoughts, by the way.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...
ReplyDeleteBob Dylan, Stevie Nicks, Joni Mitchell, and Alanis Morissette.
I like several others but these are towards the top of my favorites of english songwriters.
Didn't see this last night but they are on to you and your nefarious attempt to move me with Whitney! The video was quickly removed under the guise of "copyright"
ReplyDeleteHannah Here's another Dylan song. And check out that fine example of emoting. Pure, simple and stunningly beautiful cover.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vo7FOzcEio&feature=player_embedded
I think you misunderstood what I meant . ;)
ReplyDeleteThe voice I DO think incredibly beautiful, her renditions left me cold. For instance "I will always love you"...I heard no sentimentality there nor did I recognize any other emotion than self love. Check out Dolly Parton's own original rendition on the Porter Wagoner show ( the actual subject of the song).
Mariah's renditions I do emotionally connect with often. Dion even more. Hate to disagree with you Stuey but I do not think it had to do with not having written the songs herself. Myriad of great renditions were not written by the singers themselves.
I think it was her ego getting in the way.
Possibly. Ego or the drugs messing up her mind.
ReplyDeleteI get you now lol forgive me I just came off a 12 hour shift hehe! And yes Partons version is yards ahead.
As for the writing thing, you are probably right bearing in mind Dion doesn't write very often yet still manages to deliver spot on vocally and emotionally.
Yes, they probably did go up massively after her death and maybe this song being overlooked by many is due to that decline of her voice? I am sure die hard fans would prefer to focus on the career before drugs took their toll.
ReplyDeleteI just heard Streisand also from a 2009 album, sing Ne me quitte pas and as a long time fan, found it hard to hear the decline as well ( in her case due to age) and part of me wishes she would retire rather than possibly overshadow her greatest days with more recent and definitely way lesser work. ( though contrary to Whitney, Streisand's skill in delivery is as awesome as ever ;D )
Dion could probably sing the fucking phone book and I would probably break out into tears.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of you guys about the writing thing but I'm leaning more towards Stuey. I've never written a song or anything but I just feel like a singer would have more emotional connection to a song they've written (like it might be about something personal). But, like you said, Opie, there are a lot of singers who've covered songs and sung songs they haven't written and they put a lot of emotion into it.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Dion does. :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed Hannah! I really love everything she has sang - wether it be power ballad or uptempo stuff!
ReplyDeleteI wish she would get back into the studio though....I have missed her! She has never released a dud album yet.