Sometimes it takes momentous occasions for change to occur. I'm not speaking of slight change or even great overt change but a deeper, truer more organic change. A core shift. Winehouse was a blow to my heart, Etta was worse but Whitney...well what can I say about it other than life changing. When I think of an artist like Whitney Houston I not only see their breadth of work I see the humanity that lies beneath it. I think of her not only as a legend but as a living breathing, flawed and beautiful human being. The term "voice of God" gets thrown around a lot in this industry. I've heard Aretha described this way on more than one occasion and now the honor is bestowed on our most recent fallen soldier. (I won't even get into the fact that this title is most often linked to powerful female voices...that's a whole other blog completely). If Whitney is truly the voice of some other worldly power I can only say thank you. Thank you for giving her to us while you did. Thank you for letting us watch her glorious triumph and her soul shattering struggle. It's people like Whitney and Winehouse that remind us that talent is a blessing and a curse but that is it 100% ok to be HUMAN...to make mistakes and keep going.
When I think of Whitney Houston I think of myself at age 7 trying valiantly to in any small way recreate the sounds that came from her soul, her voice. I'm sure there are thousands of other little girls who can say the same thing. As I grew, truth be told, I was always more of a Mariah girl however like a guiding light to everyone Whitney remains a beckoning call for all vocalists. An impossible legacy to try to chase down but one completely worth the journey. There are some people who are clearly meant from birth to do what it is that they do. Whitney was certainly one of them. How could you hear that voice and not instantly think "wow". There are things that woman could do with her talent that no one has done or will ever do again. THIS is why we celebrate her. For being perfectly flawed and yet at other times just simply perfect. Think of how many weddings, first dances, first kisses, last kisses etc etc where shared to the voice of that woman. The ethereal quality of her being is undeniable.
I could go on forever speaking about this. I will leave you with the feeling I was left with after watching last night. A feeling that I want better for myself...that we should always strive for greatness no matter the pitfalls. I know that I have a lot of growing to do, musically and emotionally and I can't keep sitting by and thinking it's just going to happen. I need to become that little 7 year old belting Whitney Houston songs in her bedroom again. I need to go back to a time when no one said don't and I never said can't. Thank you Whitney for reminding me of my passion.
In death just like in life you are the star of the show.
