Whitney Houston -- RIP

I happened to be in the middle of a writing project when I learned of Whitney Houston's passing this evening. She was 48 when she died, but the accounts of her final, addled years made it seem she was long gone before today.

I had the good fortune to see Whitney Houston perform at the top of her game. At that performance, she was the backup act to Jeffrey Osborne. She looked terrific, in a yellow dress that didn't quite reach her knees. I always thought the promoters wisely paired the acts, as JO was highly professional and all business. His crossover audience also neatly dovetailed with the big plans in store for Ms. Houston.

Whitney came from gospel royalty. Her mother, Cissy Houston, made her name with sacred music. Whitney's godmother, Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, also happened to be a splendid gospel singer. (For a fascinating post script to the Houston strum und drang, read Aretha Franklin's comments about Whitney at a recent Radio City Music Hall event.) At her finest, Whitney could bring gospel fire and skill to tried and true lyrics. Suddenly a song's human drama, commingled with belief in the divine, became transfigured into something beautiful and moving. Whitney's vocal range, ability to musically emote, and raw energy made her best efforts worth listening to over and over again.

Recently, I attended a nonfiction reading in which an author made an observation about song lyrics that lacked "subtlety." What the author didn't understand was how the singer's voice could lift everyday words  into those very areas of "subtlety." I had a very similar argument with a writer after the Whitney Houston/Jeffrey Osborne concert we attended. My companion's mantra was the primacy of the word; I championed the voice.

Tonight, I lament with words the loss of Whitney Houston's voice, her heart, and her soul. If only my words could sing!

Songwriter/performer Nick Ashford -- RIP

Nick Ashford, the "Ashford" of the songwriting/performing team Ashford and Simpson (photo), recently passed away from cancer at age 70. The Associated Press obit appears in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

I saw Ashford and Simpson walking together on New York streets a few times during the height of their songwriting fame. They strolled as one, sensing each other's physical presence while talking or not speaking. Seeing them in person as a couple enjoying an early summer afternoon, rather than as "are you ready" performers, lent a gentle perspective to their songs.

Their songwriting skills are what I remember best about Ashford and Simpson's music. Singers from Ray Charles to Whitney Houston used their material to create terrific music. The duo wrote hits, such as "You're All I Need to Get By," that Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell brought to such completely satisfying, moving interpretation. Ashford and Simpson also performed their own work, which I believe helped them understand what made a song something special. That grasp, formed through intuition, experience, and training, is something no algorithm can duplicate, yet alone master.

Ashford is survived by his wife, Valerie Simpson, and their two children.