Whitney's "I Will Always Love You": Hog Calling at its best.

[Taomist]

@WordMan

…I accept the transition from Dolly’s reflective to Whitney’s triumphant/overcoming the heartache tone as part of that. I prefer Dolly’s interpretation, but thought Whitney put a different-but-legitimately different spin on it…

…But man it got overplayed.

Exactly this.

[Magiver]

@RealityChuck

There was an article in Slate a few years ago that seemed to hit upon what the problem was with Houston’s rendition: Basically, it does not build to a crescendo; it puts all it’s strength into the very first line and keeps it there. The problem, then is a lack of contrast in the song. When you’re singing everything as powerfully as you can, it gives no respite and also reduces the emotions that can be portrayed.

I don’t like vocalized music. I’d much rather listen to instruments. With that said, WH had a fantastic voice and the song demonstrates that, even if it wasn’t sung with the best interpretation.

[dropzone]

I prefer Dolly’s, even if it was about leaving The Porter Wagoner Show. (shudder)

Whitney, in everything I’ve heard, lacked nuance. Whitney’s cousin, Dionne Warwick, does not. There is a difference between putting all the notes in the right place and being able to sing.

[Sister_Vigilante]

@astorian

I think there’s a racial/ethnic component to how people feel about Whitney Houston’s rendition of that song.

No, no, I’m not suggesting anyone who hates her recording is a racist! I hate it myself!

I’m just recognizing that what the OP dismisses as “hog calling” is part of a vocal style that Whitney learned while singing gospel in all-black or mostly black churches. And the prima female vocalists in a black gospel choir learn to do a lot of trilling, ululating and vocal gymnastics.

People who grow up in such churches LOVE that style. People who don’t often find it, well, excessive. Some people (especially black fans) hear Whitney sing “Iiiiiiiiiiiiii… will always love YoooouuuuuuuuUUUUUUooooo…” and think it’s magnificent. Other people (primarily white) will hear it and think, “Just sing the song, and stop showing off!”

Whitney sang the song exactly the way she wanted to… and we either like it or we don’t. It was a HUGE hit, so obviously somebody (make that MILLIONS of somebodies) loved it. I just wan’t one of them.

Whitney had a great voice, no question, What she didn’t have was restraint. And since she had huge success WITHOUT learning restraint, where was her incentive to change?

I’ll quote this for truth. I skimmed the rest. I feel that you got it right. It seemed to me (a white girl) that Whitney was just trying too hard, while when Dolly sang it, it seemed to just come out of her mouth so naturally, like it was nothing. I preferred that.

Arsenio Hall (he’s black if you didn’t google it) had Dolly on his show right after Whitney’s version came out and deliberately had her sing the same song. I saw it when it aired the first time. I’m sorry if being white makes me think that Whitney tried so hard while Dolly just did it like it was nothing. But that’s what it looks like to me.

[dropzone]

Perhaps “I Will Always Love You” is a bad point of comparison, as it is also Dolly’s masterpiece.

[ASanders]

@Ferret_Herder

Dolly Parton’s version is lovely and poignant. Houston’s is a vocal exercise.

+1

[well_he_s_back]

Sister Vigilante - I think it’s sad you have to point out your race when making your comment. I think you have a right to your opinion no matter what. Are all black people required to love Whitney’s version as point of honor or club membership or something?

[VinylTurnip]

@Shodan

Sorry - Whitney’s cover is a spectacular vocal performance, and one reason why it is a shame she died is that we will not get more of the same.

Not that it lessens the tragedy, but I doubt we’d get anything close to that from her again even if she had lived. Her voice seemed to be thoroughly wrecked.

[Andiethewestie]

I think the overplayed Houston version is a product of a schlocky over-produced “stand and deliver” orchestration, but I can’t minimize the power of that voice. She was one of a kind. Tragic to end it all before seeing 50.

[Cat_Whisperer]

@dropzone

<snip>
Whitney, in everything I’ve heard, lacked nuance. Whitney’s cousin, Dionne Warwick, does not. There is a difference between putting all the notes in the right place and being able to sing.

I don’t think that is specifically a Whitney thing - it seems to be more of a modern thing, where belting and melisma are more important than doing justice to a song.