Whitney Houston deserves the truth
February 12th 2012 03:15
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There are only two valid reactions to the death of Whitney Houston today: the sadness of someone who appreciated an exceptional musical talent, or the indifference of someone whose interests in life lay elsewhere.
When a star dies however, and a very big star has just died, some appalling rubbish is inevitably written by small-minded opportunists out for some fleeting notoriety. Their weapon of choice, indeed their only weapon, is the cheap shot.
I will not lend credibility to such leeches by repeating any of their self-serving dross, but I will note that it doesn't take the death, tragic or otherwise, of someone great to bring out the knockers.
I just read a eulogy to Whitney Houston which included the following reflection about the early days of her rise to the top of the music industry: "Her decision not to follow the more soulful inflections of singers like (Aretha) Franklin drew criticism by some who saw her as playing down her black roots to go pop and reach white audiences."
That's clever, because there is truth, if twisted, in the sentiment. The same thing could be said this way: "Houston chose not to follow the more soulful inflections of singers like Aretha Franklin, thereby taking her music beyond its black gospel roots to a wider audience."
But, hey, you're less likely to shock someone with balanced, reasoned fairness like that.
Whitney Houston admitted publically to having personal demons. But she was a once-in-a-generation singer with the voice of an angel. She was a true musical great, and donÃÂt let any small minds tell you otherwise.
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