Christina Aguilera Has An Ugly Tone. There, I said it.

Post by: Diva Devotee

Can we finally admit that Christina Aguilera manufactured, Kermit tone is ugly? I've always known it, and I'm pretty sure I've mentioned a preference for her natural voice. However I don't think I've explicitly called it ugly before. So there you are, cards on the table.

What am I talking about, exactly? Let's use yesterday's (not the best) tribute to the glorious Whitney Houston at the American Music Awards to illustrate. The Voice I'm alluding to rears its fat head during the first verse of I Will Always Love You. Prior to that, though pitchy and not keeping time with the instrumentation*- both issues continue throughout- her voice was more naturally placed. The tone here was beautiful, lighter, youthful and sweet. It only made the off-putting sound that followed more startling. And to those who think this Kermit tone is not produced through dubious methods, note the spoken parts she interjects the medleys with. They are of a lighter timbre that is much more akin to her true voice.

Siti Nurhaliza & Whitney Houston Duet on "Memories"

The loss of Whitney Houston is still being felt today, four years after her passing. Being such an iconic vocalist, it's no surprise those she has inspired have wished to tribute her memory through their own work. A Diva who has done just that is Malaysian singer Siti Nurhaliza.

Taking Memories, one of Houston's lesser known recordings, the song has been reworked into a duet between the pair. The blurb from the video provides further insight into the project:

[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!

[Q&A] Could Selena Gomez Be The Next Whitney Houston?

Everyone has an email address, me included. And since it's out there for all to hit me up on (heeeeey!), it's inevitable that I get questions sent to me regarding Divas. So as of today, I'll be posting my answers to some of these questions under the new heading of Q&A.

Sometimes they'll be in-depth. Sometimes they'll be flippant. But one thing they'll always be, is posted with the mailer's consent.

If you want to ask me a question for this segment, you can do so @Divadevotee on Twitter, or via email [divadevotee@gmail.com].

[Battle Of The Legends] Whitney Houston Vs Mariah Carey Vs Celine Dion

Post Submitted by Dante

Battle of The Legends!!! You have...

Mariah Carey (Light Lyric Coloratura Soprano):

What separates Mariah from the other divas is her musicality, range, and crazy agility. Mariah has been known to write 95% of her music and produce a good amount, too. Mariah possesses a five octave voice, meaning the women can sing low tenor to high soprano if she wants to. Also, she has the ability to sing complex runs and riffs without wavering pitch or losing fluidity. But with all things greats comes with it's downfalls, she lacks consistency in a live setting, and low notes are often sung with a low larynx.

L.A. Reid Says He's Never Heard A Voice "As Good" As Whitney Houston's

Some of you might be aware that music bigwig L.A. Reid has recently released his memoir, Sing to Me. Having worked with some of the industry's biggest names, it's unsurprising the producer/writer/record label head would be including anecdotes about many of these famous names to shift product. (I mean, why else would anyone read it!)

Still very much a part of the industry- and not currently trying to burn bridges- he isn't spilling any tea just yet. However, that doesn't mean the book isn't full of good stuff. One such part refers to his first experience working with the the legendary Whitney Houston.

Lisa Fischer Vs. Whitney Houston: Who was the Better Vocalist?

The comparison between Whitney Houston and Lisa Fischer isn't one I've personally made before.

It was actually a YouTube video (featured below) that got to me to thinking about the pair in any sort of adversarial way. And the longer I ruminated on it, the more I realised Ms. Fischer's dark and rich voice was way more suitable an instrument to compare Whitney's to than say -the oft pitted against Divas- Mariah Carey and Celine Dion.

[Watch] Ariana Grande Covers Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" (Again)

We've officially now seen latest vocalist on the block, Ms.Ariana Grande, successfully cover the Holy Trinity of Divas. ( She's actually done this previous to now, but since I've started the train on this track, I'm going to roll with the flawed narrative anyway.)

Pharrell Puts Adele In The Same Vocal League As Mariah And Whitney!!! Is He Wrong, Though?

Pharrell Williams seems hell bent on getting a collaboration with British singer-songwriter Adele- run for you life, girl! How else do you explain him putting the Diva in the same vocal bracket as actual legends, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston?

Did Jazmine Sullivan Do Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing' Justice? Listen And Find Out!

Finally, the release date for Jazmine Sullivan's third album, Reality Show, is within reach! Due to hit the shelves on the 13th of this month, the Diva joined Vibe magazine to give us a little taster of what to expect from those powerful pipes with a Whitney Houston cover.

The big takeaway from this was the control Jazzer has. This isn't a new revelation- we know she is a technical and emotive singer- but it's still a marvel to see a voice under such tight lock.

Watch how this Philadelphia-based Diva handles the epic I Have Nothing below.

[Watch] X-Factor Does Whitney Houston

The X-Factor isn't something I usually watch. However, with this being the Whitney Houston Vs Elton John week (an odd pairing, no?) I thought I'd give it a go.

Thankfully, after watching the show, I wasn't in tears, flogging myself for not giving up my weekends to the alter of X-Factor anymore. Instead, I felt more secure in my decision, realising just how average most of the contestants were when there was no sympathetic backstory clouding judgment.

[Listen] Sam Smith Bravely Covers The Legendary Whitney Houston

I know we spoke about Sam Smith earlier in the week, but that's no way reason enough not to make another post -especially when he goes and covers the iconic Whitney Houston.

[Watch] Ariana Grande Covers Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing" @ "Women of Soul" Concert

Perhaps keen to move away from the Mariah Carey comparisons, Ariana Grande has now taken to covering Whitney Houston's material in her setlist. For her part in the Women of Soul concert, held at the White House, the Diva did her best to recreate Whitney's classic, I Have Nothing. But how did she fair? Take a look below!

The cover was good, but Arina's voice doesn't have the weight or gravitas that Whitney's legendary voice had. As such, the voice sounded to be struggling in parts, especially with its dynamics and a consistent tone, with the Diva trying too hard to mimic the original vocal. I was also surprised to hear quite a bit of tension in the voice- which is something I can't say I've noticed in Arina'a voice before.

The vocals improved greatly when it came to singing her own material, which consisted of a stripped back version of Tattooed Heart. However, her part in the closing ensemble- which featured Patti Labelle, Janelle Monáe, Jill Scott, Tessanne Chin and Melissa Etheridge- had the Diva coming in WAY too high, thus sounding like she didn't know the melody!! Either that or I've heard a different version of Proud Mary.

Still, I enjoyed watching this little video- especially since it was for a good cause.

[Review] American Idol Does Divas (Plus Theme: "Year They Were Born")

Season 12 of American Idol has officially become a sausage free zone, with the remaining five contestants all being of the female persuasion - it's almost enough to make me watch! This being the case, or not (I don't know how far in advance they pick these themes), yesterday's episode was Divas night! In honour of that, each singer was asked to pick a song by a famous female to perform in front of the judges. But how many were heroic enough to pick a Mariah Carey or Nicki Minaj song? Find out below- along with my two pennies on each performance!

(I've also posted each of their second performances of the night, which were supposedly chosen from their year of birth. Might help those of us who don't watch the show get a better grasp on the contestants.)

[Watch] Celine Dion Performs "Greatest Love Of All"

The Grammy organised tribute to Whitney Houston aired on US channel CBS, and thanks to the magic of Youtube the performances have hit the internet. The tribute I was most excited about hearing was that made by fellow member of the vocal trinity: Celine Dion.

Top Ten Biggest Selling Diva Singles (Ever) Of The UK

The OfficialCharts.com have released their list of the top ten biggest selling female singles of the United Kingdom. Having compiled the official UK Charts for just under 60 years, no one else is better placed to give us a reliable run down, figures included, of the impressive accolade.

Take a look at the list below:

[New Music] Whitney Houston Feat R Kelly "I Look To You"

The first song to be taken from The Best Of Whitney Houston album, which hits the shelves on November 13th, has hit Youtube. I Look To You, which was originally the title track of the departed Diva's last album, has been reworked and now features vocals from its writer, R.Kelly.

[Watch] Divas on Divas: What Our Divas Think Of Each Other

Ever wondered what our Divas have said about each other over the years? Well, wonder no more because Youtuber, Richfofo, has compiled a great collection of interviews where they've done just that!

Includes footage of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion, Cher, Janet Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.

Jennifer Hudson Performs Whitney Houston/ Michael Jackson Medley

It's sad that Jennifer Hudson is getting more column inches for her astonishing weight loss than that astonishing voice, of late. But here at Divadevotee, we are still checking for the singer, and found this clip of the star performing at 2012 Taste of Chicago festival.

I'm really glad that this tribute to Whitney Houston was kept light and celebratory, with the inclusion of some of her best up-tempo numbers. Up till now, most of the tributes have been pretty sombre (which is understandable considering it wasn't long ago we lost Whitney), but I've always preferred to celebrate a life lived, than mourn its passing.

Duelling Divas: " I Will Always Love You"

This is what happens when us normal, regular folk try to tackle the Whitney Houston version of I Will Always Love You:

Though the critically acclaimed song was written and released by Dolly Parton in 1973, it wasn't until Whitney Houston covered the song two decades later that it really took on the iconic status it now enjoys. In fact Houston's rendition was such a worldwide phenomenon, and so different from the original, that many didn't realise it was a cover or a Country song.