[Watch] Whitney, Luther, Dionne and Stevie Slay 1987 Soul Train Awards

Having Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, Dionne Warwick and Stevie Wonder on one stage was always going to result in an iconic moment in musical history. Singing That's What Friends Are For at the 1987 Soul Train Music Awards, the foursome did what came only naturally and served-up unashamedly potent vocals.

So why am I showing you this video, now? Ignoring that I only recently discovered it, there are a few things that had me wanting to put 21st century pen to paper. First up, some love for Dionne Warwick. Her delivery is easy and free of clutter, but it belies the skill that is going on with her dynamics, pitch and annunciation. She is the definition of an effortless singer, and as such, is often overlooked and underrated. Get into her!

[Duellng Divas] "Baby, It's Cold Outside"

Since it is the season, I thought this latest addition to the Duelling Divas series should be somewhat related.

We've already had a Christmas battle [See: O Holy Night], so this time I've found a winter classic that is pertinent to the coldest season of the northern hemisphere, but isn't holiday related. A bonus of this pick is that it's been covered by such a wide range of singers, over such a large period of time, that we'll get to deal with Divas who don't usually get a look in on the blog.

Before we get to the music, here's a quick blurb from Wiki on the song:

Rest In Peace, Hal David

A death that passed many of us by on the first of the month (September, 2012) was that of Hal David. A genius of  a lyricist, he wrote many a great song over the decades- even though you probably weren't aware of him or his contribution to music. Well, regular commenter (and also, post writer) Opie wrote a few words regarding his passing in an email, and I thought I'd share them:

Songwriters, where would our Divas be without them? Would we remember the great Divas if their wonderful voices weren't singing words and music which touch our hearts across time?

This week saw the passing away, at the ripe old age of 91, of one of the great lyricists of popular music, Hal David.

His words to the enduring tunes by Burt Bacharach surely served the following Divas well?

In celebration...