Brandy Performs Two Eleven Medley And Whitney Houston Covers In Nashville
Brandy Performs Two Eleven Medley And Whitney Houston Covers In Nashville
6/15/2013 6:35 PM ET
During her support tour for her latest album, Two Eleven, Brandy hit the stage at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville. In addition to original material, Brandy sang several Whitney Houston classics including "I'm Your Baby Tonight," "How Will I Know" and I Wanna Dance with Somebody."
Brandy also wowed the crowd with a bevy of originals, including "Top of the World," "Who is She 2 U" and "He Is."
Two Eleven, B-Rand's sixth studio album, was released in August 2012, debuting atop the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart and at number three on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 65,000 albums its first week. The LP couldn't sustain its momentum and sales have failed to impress recently.
Updating the Classics: 10 Greatest Cover Songs
Written by TriniTrent | Filed under Aretha Franklin,Flaming Features,Mariah Carey,Patti Labelle,Whitney Houston
great cover songs TheLavaLizard
Tina Turner, Nina Simone and Mariah Carey
We’ve learned of several amazing cover songs by our favourite artists via our Music Minute and Way Back Wednesday segments but which of those tunes is truly the greatest of all? Enter this week’s Flaming Feature as we countdown updated versions of hits that have become classics in their own right and in some cases, even overshadowed the originals!
Whitney Houston’s octave-warbling rendition of “I Will Always Love You” cemented her place as a global superstar but is it really the best cover of all time? Were Ike & Tina Turner bold enough to shimmy pass the competition and top the list? Check out the lineup of the greatest cover songs below to find out:
10. Johnny Cash – “Hurt”
In 2003, Johnny Cash was in the twilight of his career and was largely unknown to young music fans whose favourite artists included ‘N Sync and Britney Spears. However, when the Country and Rock & Roll legend covered Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” during the last year of his life, he became an unlikely icon for the MTV generation.
Cash’s interpretation of “Hurt” was almost as haunting and emotional as its accompanying video, which depicted scenes from his tumultuous life. His death seven months after the release of the song made his rendition even more memorable as it became a chilling tale of his final moments. By the way, Cash’s wife June, who also appeared in the “Hurt” video, also passed away that year.
9. Patti LaBelle – “Over the Rainbow”
The Academy Award-winning “Over the Rainbow” instantly propelled Judy Garland into the history books as an icon of both film and song when she performed it in the standout scene of The Wizard of Oz. So, just imagine how difficult it would be for any artist to rival such a highly respected composition. Well, any artist except Patti LaBelle.
With a mix of Gospel and Soul, LaBelle revamped “Over the Rainbow” and made the song the centre piece of her concerts. Instead of the a little girl’s plea for a brighter day, LaBelle’s version of the “Over the Rainbow” was a gut-wrenching cry for salvation and earned her standing ovations on every stage imaginable as a clear testament of her talent.
8. Peggy Lee – “Fever”
Peggy Lee was never a fan of over the top vocal gymnastics or contrived melodrama. Rather, her trademarks were her subtle phrasing and unique tone, and both were brilliantly showcased on her cover of Little Willie John’s R&B hit “Fever” in 1958.
However, unlike the original, Peggy’s “Fever” was distinctly Jazz and the altered lyrics added a special twist to the already catchy tune, which peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100. Dozens of artists, including Beyonce, Christina Aguilera and Sarah Vaughan, have since covered “Fever” but none have captured the essence of Peggy’s natural, nonchalant sex appeal on the track.
7. Mariah Carey – “Without You”
Although she prefers to write her own music, Mariah Carey has proven on many occasions that she can do just to almost any song. One of the best examples of that was her cover of Badfinger’s “Without You” (circa Harry Nilsson), which propelled her from US star to a force on the global charts.
Released in 1994, Carey’s “Without You” became her first #1 song on the Official UK Singles Chart and remains a staple on the talent show circuit almost two decades later. The diva’s interpretaron of the song was dark and emotional, and she captured the meaning of the lyrics by singing her chilling lower register. No wonder Carey prefers to cover songs by male artists. She is one of the few females who can match them note for note.
6. Etta James – “At Last”
Here is one of several songs on this list that you may not have known was a cover: Etta James’ “At Last”. Originally appearing in the musical Orchestra Wives as performed by Glenn Miller’s orchestra, Ray Eberle and Pat Friday, “At Last” was already quite popular on the Billboard Pop chart where it peaked at #2 in 1952.
James, however, made “At Last” a classic that has stood the test of time as the theme song of weddings and corny movie scenes. Her rendition of the track was so great that it was honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999. You’d never guess that James’ cover only peaked at #47 on the Billboard Hot 100.
5. Nina Simone – “Feeling Good”
Forget Jennifer Hudson’s overbearing cover of the Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse-penned “At Last” because Nina Simone did it best. The song appeared on legend’s classic I Put a Spell on You album in 1965 and has since replaced the Cy Grant original as the standard.
Simone recorded several covers during her lifetime but as a result of Hudson’s Weight Watchers campaign, her Blues meets Jazz take on “Feeling Good” has regained popularity in the media. Thankfully, most talent show contestants follow Simone’s arrangement instead of bellowing the lyrics as if hungry for a Happy Meal.
4. Ella Fitzgerald – “Summertime”
“Summertime” is one of the most covered songs of all time but nobody has come remotely close to matching the pitch-perfect greatness of Ella Fitzgerald’s version. The tune first appeared in the Porgy & Bess Opera production of 1935 but when the First Lady of Song put her spin on it in 1957, it became a favourite on the Jazz circuit.
Several singers, such as Fantasia, Leona Lewis and Chaka Khan, credit Fitzgerald as an influence on their careers and they often cover her version of “Summertime” as tribute. Yet, regardless of how well they perform the song, none have surpassed her “original.”
3. Ike & Tina Turner – “Proud Mary”
Another cover song to add to your list of shockers is Ike & Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary”. The famous tune was first released as a single by Creedence Clearwater Revival in 1969 but when Ike, who was one of the founding fathers of Rock & Roll, applied his genius to the composition in 1971, it became popular for a completely different reason than being just another catchy song.
Ike brought the music and Tina brought the energy, and together they scored their biggest hit as a duo with “Proud Mary”. The duo performed the song everywhere and Tina became increasingly popular for her incredible routines as well as her bold vocal performances, which have been imitated by drag queens in every major city across the globe.
2. Whitney Houston – “I Will Always Love You”
As part of our Way Back Wednesday subseries earlier this month, I asked you to name Whitney Houston’s signature song and “I Will Always Love You” won by a landslide of votes. However, similar to 99% of the late songbird’s discography, the record was actually written and even previously recorded by someone else.
Dolly Parton first released “I Will Always Love You” as a single in 1974 but her pleasant Country version of the song was swept away and drowned in the sea of Houston’s massive vocal range less than two decades later in 1992. The latter’s cover dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for fourteen weeks and for better or worse, became her signature song. Indeed, the popularity of Houston’s version was bittersweet because when she was unable to hit the notes in the final years of her life and it served as a reminder of how far she had fallen from grace.
1. Aretha Franklin – “Respect”
How many singers on this list can say that they turned a lukewarm hit into an anthem for entire generations of minority groups, specifically women and people of colour? Aretha Franklin covered Otis Redding’s “Respect” in 1967 and gave the Civil Rights Movement a much needed soundtrack as its members marched for political, cultural and social change.
The Queen of Soul demanded R-E-S-P-E-C-T and she got it from audiences around the world when it peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as #10 on the Official UK Singles Chart. Franklin’s “Respect” was honored with the Grammy Hall of Fame Award (1987) and inducted into the US National Recording Registry by the Library on Congress. Not too shabby, huh?
What is the greatest cover of all time? What is the best tune from those listed above? What song was missing? Vote in our poll and share your opinion!
Under the Radar: Great Live Performances You Never Saw
Written by TriniTrent | Filed under Jojo,Mariah Carey,Patti Labelle,Way Back Wednesday,Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston SNL TheLavaLizard
Alec Baldwin and Whitney Houston
It’s time to put our singnature song subseries on hold as we return to the normal format of Way Back Wednesday. To help us refocus on the true purpose of this feature, let’s take a stroll down memory lane as we highlight great live performances by our favourite artists that you probably never saw!
Ask yourself: If a diva hits a high note and nobody is around to hear it, does she make a sound? Thankfully, there is always a camera hidden somewhere to capture every great moment of music history and with the power of YouTube, we can enjoy several wonderful showings by a range of artists.
From Saturday Night Live rehearsals to performances off Broadway, I’ve lined up a few great performances for your review. Some of these artists have long since passed – Phyllis Hyman, Whitney Houston and Etta James – but their legacies live on. Watch them in action below:
Chaka Khan, Etta James & Gladys Knight – “Ain’t Nobody’s Business”
JoJo – “You Know I’m No Good”
Mariah Carey – “Vanishing”
Minnie Riperton – “Can You Feel What I’m Saying”
Patti LaBelle – “Forever Young”
Phyllis Hyman & Hinton Battle - ”I’m Checking Out” & “Do Nothing ‘Til you Hear From Me”
Whitney Houston – “Sweet Thing”
Some artists truly shine when they are alone in their element without the glare of the media spotlight. For instance, Mariah Carey’s rendition of “Vanishing” during her Saturday Night Live rehearsals was brilliant and she showcased her incredible ear while directing her singers as she belted the tune.
Of course, this rare footage also showed us the darker side of some performers. Just take a look at Chaka Khan while she slurred her words and clearly forgot her lyrics. Was she high or simply drunk? I’ll let you make those assumptions while I mind my business over yonder.
What was the best performance among those listed above? Who else should have been mentioned? Vote in the Way Back Wednesday poll and share your opinion!
Yesterday we discussed the current lack of talent in the music industry, so what better time is there than the present to highlight three examples of artists who represent true greatness? For that, we shall take a look back at the most gifted singers of our generation: Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
Among the best-selling artists in the history of recorded music, Dion, Carey and Houston are often ranked as the very best singers of all time. Of course, such a standing is debatable – personally, I consider Aretha Franklin better than all – but their incredible talents have always been indisputable.
Fans of Dion, Carey and Houston refer to them as The Vocal Trinity, which was a term reportedly coined by Simon Cowell in the early stages of American Idol, and they have inspired countless singers following their lead. Hence, this week’s Way Back Wednesday will acknowledge some of the contributions of each diva and their impact on the music industry.
Celine Dion
Unmatched as the best-selling Canadian artist of all time, Dion has a glassy voice and lungs of steel. Her piercing soprano voice is one of the most impressive instruments in recorded music as she belts to melodramatic climaxes with pitch-perfect precision and stunning clarity. Basically, she is a modern-day Barbra Streisand without the scary fingers.
Although she has always been the least adventurous among the big three – both vocally and artistically – Dion held her own throughout her career by staying true to the Adult Contemporary/Pop audience that made her a global star. Indeed, while Carey and Houston detoured further into R&B territory during the late 1990s, Dion remained comfortable in her lane, and she happily secured the former fans of the divas who were still seeking conservative ballads about love and heartbreak.
Mariah Carey
Carey’s catalogue of hits is definitely the most musically diverse when compared to those of Dion and Houston. She has performed Pop, R&B, Jazz, Soul, Gospel, Hip-Pop – a subgenre that she helped to pioneer – Country, Doo-Wop and even Reggae, and I’m sure a Calypso album will be recorded in the near future. However, what is most impressive is that Carey has co-written and co-produced all of her songs with the exception of covers, and is the only member of the top trio who has always been fully involved in the creative process.
Still, the only facet of her artistry with which Carey experiments more than various genres of music is her singing. She has an enormous five octave vocal range and always finds exciting new ways to use it in her songs as an almost frightening vocal chameleon. No wonder Carey’s records are almost impossible to cover by other singers; they just can’t keep up.
Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston has passed but her legacy lives on. Armed with the most powerful voice of the trio, she inspired her peers with her moving performances. That would was emphasised because unlike the awkwardly stiff Carey and Dion, who always tries too hard to make an impression, Houston was a natural onstage as she sang with poise and conviction.
Despite the troubles of her latter years – drugs, strange public appearances and that Being Bobby Brown reality show – Houston will always be remembered for the better days of her short life. A legend before the age of thirty years, her voice still echoes through the works of the younger acts that she influenced. Plus, “I Will Always Love You” plays at least six times a day on Adult Contemporary radio.
Who is the best of the big three divas? Why is she better than the others? Vote in the Way Back Wednesday poll and share your opinion!
that wasn't stanning for the "trinity"
he only really stanned for Mariah
he basically said Celine has no versatility in her catalogue
and he not only brought up Whitney's drug use, but he posted the performance where she badly lip-synched on "Im Every Woman"
that wasn't stanning for the "trinity"
he only really stanned for Mariah
he basically said Celine has no versatility in her catalogue
and he not only brought up Whitney's drug use, but he posted the performance where she badly lip-synched on "Im Every Woman"
The performance was a little shade thrown at Nippy but he didn't say anything that was untrue. I mean:
Quote:
Whitney Houston has passed but her legacy lives on. Armed with the most powerful voice of the trio, she inspired her peers with her moving performances. That would was emphasised because unlike the awkwardly stiff Carey and Dion, who always tries too hard to make an impression, Houston was a natural onstage as she sang with poise and conviction.
He is right about Celine. Her discography (Whitney's too) wasn't exactly stellar or diverse.
The performance was a little shade thrown at Nippy but he didn't say anything that was untrue. I mean:
He is right about Celine. Her discography (Whitney's too) wasn't exactly stellar or diverse.
yea that stuff is true I guess
but it wasn't really needed IMO
that blogger is always giving backhanded compliments to pretty much every artist except Mariah in this articles
yea that stuff is true I guess
but it wasn't really needed IMO
that blogger is always giving backhanded compliments to pretty much every artist except Mariah in this articles
That's not necessarily true. He throws a lot of shade Mariah's way as well (although he stans for her). I feel the shade isn't necessarily the problem, it's his way of trying to underplay artists like Whitney to make Mariah look better i.e. the fact that Whitney never wrote her songs, etc.
I love all these ladies and hate it when he does this but he does throw a lot digs at Mimi as well.
Whitney Houston’s life came to a tragic end on February 11 2012 but if she lived, today would have been her 50th birthday. So, rather than dwell on the negative aspects of her short life, let’s measure her influence on the music industry via the many singers that she inspired with her incredible voice.
Houston launched her career in 1985 with her self-titled debut album and took the charts by storm. Clearly groomed for greatness by her already famous family – mother Cissy Houston, godmother Aretha Franklin and cousin Dionne Warwick – Houston’s voice boasted a wisdom far beyond her years.
As a seasoned performer who honed her skills in the New Hope Baptist Church and by singing background for other great acts, such as Chaka Khan and Jermaine Jackson, Houston commanded the attention of audiences wherever she went. Every note was under her complete control as she licked each lyric with splendid melodrama and rocked concert halls with the enormous size of her voice.
However, beyond her vocal performances, Houston was an icon of the ever-changing visual era of music. Following in the footsteps of Prince and Michael Jackson, she was among the first black artists to enjoy airplay on MTV. In fact, the only African-American female act to have a video in heavy rotation before Houston’s “How Will I Now” was Donna Summer with “She Works Hard for the Money”.
As we continue to acknowledge Houston’s many contributions to popular culture, let’s see how her impact is reflected in the works of the artists she inspired. Check out the list below:
10. Mariah Carey
Before establishing herself as the only singer of the last 30 years to rival and in some ways surpass Houston’s impact, Carey was initially compared to her fellow diva when she burst onto music scene in 1990. Of course, their singing and music were so different that such a parallel was swiftly denounced as ludicrous by anyone with a functioning brain, but there were many obvious similarities in how they were marketed. Still, despite their gruelling chart competition, Carey never denied that she was a fan of Houston’s work and was visibly shaken by her death in 2012.
Shameless plug: Read my extensive article about the Carey and Houston comparisons here.
There were few instances of a direct Houston influence on Carey’s music but the best example is “Now That I Know” from the latter’s Music Box album of 1993. Personally, I always considered the tune as a jab at critics who claimed Carey wasn’t a weaker singer than Houston – notice how she sang the bridge of the tune exactly like Houston but in a higher key – but I sense I’ve allowed myself to be manipulated by the media fodder.
9. Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera’s singing is based on the knotty melismatic styling of Mariah Carey’s catalogue of hits, but she was undoubtedly influenced by Houston’s work as well. In fact, when she isn’t imitating Carey, Aguilera blatantly emulates Houston’s riffs and runs with far less impressive results.
In her prime, Houston had the ideal voice that was the very definition of pristine. It was clear, rich and powerful, and every note rang unwaveringly as she moved through her range. Aguilera’s voice has similar power but unlike her predecessor, she has little understanding of how to use her instrument and only sounds as though she is simply trying to copy someone great. Maybe that’s why Lance Bass once tried to compare Aguilera to Houston; he probably thought that with enough practice, she would eventually reach that level.
8. Jennifer Hudson
From the moment Jennifer Hudson first stood on the American Idol stage, she proclaimed her admiration for Houston. Yes, the mammoth-voiced singer sounds as though she is more of an Aretha Franklin or Patti LaBelle fan, but she still credits her career to Houston’s impact on her life.
Hudson’s talent eventually caught the attention Clive Davis and after her breakthrough performance in Dreamgirls, he took her under his wing as the latest addition to his pantheon of divas. Eventually, Hudson got the chance to meet Houston and paid tribute to her on several occasions, both before and after her death. She even got the Houston stamp of approval when she belted “I Will Always Love You” at the 2012 BET Honors!
7. Tiffany Evans
Some of you may not be familiar with Tiffany Evans but when you hear her sing, it is impossible to deny the similarities between her and Houston. Indeed, this 21-year old singer is so immensely talented that she expertly handled a cover of “I Have Nothing” that easily ranks among the best versions of the song, and probably only second to that of Houston herself. Just imagine the heights Evans could reach if given the right material and direction from someone of Clive Davis’ calibre (not including Mathew Knowles).
6. Monica
Monica has been compared to several artists, such as Gladys Knight and Mary J. Blige, but her biggest influence is undoubtedly Houston. If you listen closely to her music, you will even hear the late diva’s signature sound, and Houston even joked that she stole one of her famous runs for her latest Brandy duet, “It All Belongs to Me”.
Since the 1990s, Monica has performed several of Houston’s hits in concert and repeatedly paid homage to the woman who helped to guide her career. Her favourite Houston song? Well, judging by the fact that she always finds a way to sneak it into her setlist, I put my money on “You Give Good Love”.
5. Kelly Rowland
If Kelly Rowland learned proper breath control, she would finally fulfil her destiny of becoming either the Houston or Donna Summer of this generation. Although she has right look and a good voice, she simply lacks that final ingredient to be a world-class singer. Regardless, traces of Houston can be heard every time Rowland musters enough air to support a solid belt and reminds people that beneath that timid exterior, there is an artist with real talent.
4. Celine Dion
Celine Dion started her career long before Houston but she fell madly in love with the singing her US counterpart from the moment she heard “Saving All My Love for You”. Hence, it was no surprise that after quickly memorising every one of her performances, Dion became known as the white version of Houston and yet another tool used by Columbia Records in the ongoing war against Arista.
Originality has never been Dion’s strong point and she is arguably the most successful karaoke singer in the world. Yes, she is a very talented vocalist but how are her covers ever much different from the previous versions, other than changes to the production by David Foster? Feel free to listen to any Dion take on a Houston song and you will hear her mirror the arrangement note for note.
3. Tevin Campbell
Slap a pair of testicles on Houston, shave her head and dress in an oversized shirt, and who will you get? Tevin Campbell, of course. Those of us who remember the early 1990s know how R&B fans reacted when they first heard this high tenor on the radio and wondered if Houston had a younger brother.
Indeed, Campbell’s tone was remarkably similar to that of Houston and her executed many of her runs as if she taught them to him herself. Sadly, the public fascination with him ended as the 1990s progressed and the excitement for his similarity to the diva faded. Ariana Grande’s team better take note.
2. Deborah Cox
How many people could say that they were mentored by person who made them want to sing? Luckily, Deborah Cox is one of them and thanks to Clive Davis’ knack for developing talent, she was paired with Houston as Arista’s pet project.
Cox and Houston sounded frighteningly alike, and as the latter’s voice and drive to make music began to fade, Davis groomed Cox to be the next big star. Unfortunately, her success was short-lived but she still got the chance to duet with Houston on the song “Same Script, Different Cast”.
1. Brandy
Similar to Beyonce with Tina Turner and Mariah Carey with Aretha Franklin, Brandy proves that artists can also be extreme fanatics for their favourite singers. She has always been obsessed with everything associated with Houston and when she first met her, Brandy burst into tears and ran away screaming in disbelief.
Brandy absolutely loves Houston and even named her latest album Two Eleven to commemorate the passing of her idol. No other singer was as distraught as Brandy by Houston’s passing and for months she couldn’t even hear the latter’s music without breaking down.
Thankfully, Brandy has finally come to terms with Houston’s death and now happily performs tributes in her honor. More importantly, she sings in each song in her own way that still can be linked to Houston’s style with a special, unique twist.
Which artist was most heavily influenced by Houston? Who is missing from the list? Who should have been omitted? Vote in our poll and share your opinion!
JORDIN SPARKS recalls a magical moment with her late movie mum whenever she's felling low, because WHITNEY HOUSTON made her feel special on the set of their film SPARKLE.
The singer gives Houston full credit for giving her the confidence she needed for her film debut, revealing she even showed up on set on her day off to give her co-star a boost.
In an interview with Queen Latifah on her U.S. daytime talk show, Sparks says, "It was my first role and it was a lot to take on - I was scared. I was like, 'Please God, please let me not suck'.
"But when we were shooting the final scene, and I sing One Wing, Whitney came to set. She came just to support. She didn't even have to be there, she didn't have to work that day.
"After we wrapped, she took my face in her hands and was like, 'You are everything we could have dreamed of for this role. You are perfect.' And I just lost it because I was so nervous that I wasn't doing the right thing. I will never forget that moment."
Houston died from a drug overdose in a Beverly Hills hotel suite in February, 2012, five months before Sparkle was released.
I Look to You came on shuffle last night and I haven't been able to stop listening since.
Also receiving a bit of life from It's Not Right But It's Okay. I sense a Whitney kick coming on.