Thursday, July 18, 2013

When You Believe...


I went through a brief Whitney Houston phase when I was a teenager.  I used to listen to her debut album all the time as I rode my bike to and from the barn where I boarded my horse.  As I got older and Whitney got flakier, I stopped listening to her music as much.  But even at the end of her life, I admired her voice.  Whitney Houston, in her prime, had a huge, pristine voice that came directly from her God given genetic makeup.  

Some time ago, Whitney recorded a duet with Mariah Carey, another naturally gifted singer.  I never really went through a Mariah phase.  She was popular when I was in college and by that time, I had pretty much stopped listening to pop music.  I do like a few of Mariah Carey's songs, but generally I prefer Whitney's voice to hers, even as I recognize how beautiful her voice is.

I love both singers on "When You Believe".  They really made this a moving duet, even though their voices are breathy and a bit over-embellished.  I was listening to it this morning and feeling kind of inspired.  So that's why I'm blogging about it today.  This is a song that not many people could pull off the way Whitney and Mariah do.  It gives me goose bumps, tears in my eyes, and a huge lump in my throat.  I'm such a sap.  

Today on SingSnap, there's a duet challenge.  You're supposed to sing a song with someone from another country.  I may do one with the Norwegian guy I ran into the other day, if he wants to join in.  If it turns out decently, I'll post it.   


2 comments:

  1. That would be cool to do one with the Notwegain guy. is she were into the sort of thing, I could convince my mmom to reord something with one of her cousins feom Ireland.

    I like Mariah's and Whitney's duet of "When You Believe," but, for whatever reason, my favorite version of the song is by Chloe Agnew.

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    Replies
    1. I haven't heard Chloe Agnew's version. Might have to find it.

      One of my old English professors listened to my duet with the Norwegian dude and was all surprised. I reminded her that Dr. Stinson (my recently deceased advisor) used to tease me for studying music for fun. And she responded, "You can obviously do anything--as Dr. Stinson knew . . . "

      I'm so glad I went to Longwood.

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