Whitney joins the heavenly choir

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1. Daniel Wagner says

   February 12, 2012 at 7:44 am

   I shared the same thought about “I Love the Lord” on Facebook.  It’s a song (and a singer) I go back to now and then when I need to remember that he “pities every groan…”

    

   As I was reading Philip Copeland’s links from the archives, the “vocal health issues” one sounded familiar… hmmm.. sounds like what I would have said.  Oh, I did! (Too bad I can’t go back and fix the typos.)

    

   I wanted to correct my observation about Whitney’s voice. When I heard the news of her passing I went back to some earlier video footage such as her national anthem.  I think she had *great* vocal technique for Gospel style. (including easing off the hard belt and using light mechanism frequently) Sadly, it seems that the reason she could barely speak by the time she did “Preacher’s Wife” – by many reports and even some of her own admission – it was the hard living and abuse of her body that were taking their toll on her amazing gift.

    

   With eight more years under my belt, I am that much more aware of the inseperable link between body, mind, spirit and voice. Great technique will carry you farther, but eventually your voice will tell the story of how you’ve treated your body (and mind and spirit).

    

   So let your students hear and see early Whitney and see some marvelous Gospel technique – and perhaps learn to steward and have reverence for the God-given gift of singing.

    

   I don’t post this in a spirit of criticism – but as one who is humbled by the frailty of life and our vulnerability. “long as I live, and troubles rise….”

    

   Requiescat in pace, Whitney.

    

   Dan Wagner

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2. Tim Sharp says

   February 12, 2012 at 7:14 am

   I thought this was her finest moment:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcjP4LgW0Rw&feature=share

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