(February 25, 2023) Whitney Houston was one of those people who could transform singing entries from the Yellow Pages into a Grammy winning vocal performance. She was that great and that is why she is likely your favorite singer’s favorite singer.
Houston achieved popular fame and critical acclaim as a R&B and pop singer. She had rare ability to cover the biggest hits and make them her own. There are still people out there who believe she’s the original singer of the “Greatest Love of All.”
Whitney Houston loved gospel music, which should not be surprising considering that her mother was a world class gospel singer before becoming a go to backing vocalist as a member of the Sweet Inspirations.
(February 25, 2023) Whitney Houston was one of those people who could transform singing entries from the Yellow Pages into a Grammy winning vocal performance. She was that great and that is why she is likely your favorite singer’s favorite singer.
Houston achieved popular fame and critical acclaim as a R&B and pop singer. She had rare ability to cover the biggest hits and make them her own. There are still people out there who believe she’s the original singer of the “Greatest Love of All.”
Whitney Houston loved gospel music, which should not be surprising considering that her mother was a world class gospel singer before becoming a go to backing vocalist as a member of the Sweet Inspirations.
The gospel songs that Houston performed after her breakout in 1985 showed that she could have been a gospel or contemporary Christian star. However, a 1981 recording of a 17-year-old Whitney Houston is confirmation that Whitney was a generational talent. The song “He Can Use Me” is a ballad that fuses deeply religious lyrics and church choir backing vocals with a blues inspired arrangement. All those elements provide the platform for a lead vocalist who can use their vocal instrument to minister.
Whether the singer is staying on script or improvising as the spirit leads, there is no place for a vocalist to hide of a cut like this. A singer who is lacking would be exposed. It’s safe to say that Whitney Houston, even at 17, was more than ready for primetime. She takes listeners to church.
“He Can Use Me” is one track on the upcoming album I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston,” which is set for release on March 24. The album will be available on CD through Gaither Music Group and on all digital platforms through Arista/Legacy Recordings in conjunction with the Estate of Whitney E. Houston.
In addition, a documentary, also titled “I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston” will air at 8 p.m. on March 24 on UPtv and Aspire TV. Check out “He Can Use Me Here.”
By Howard Dukes