Ain’t No Way!
“What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?…
Or does it explode?”
The above quote is from Langston Hughes’ poem, ‘A Dream Deferred’ and I thought about the recent passing of Cissy Houston, Whitney’s mom. Perhaps like the poem, she had a dream or certain aspirations for her life, but though the seed was planted in her, it exploded and came to full fruition in her daughter, Whitney Houston. Thus, it did not dry up like a raisin in the sun.
She taught Whitney to make each song her own and to not try to replicate anyone else while using her ‘head, heart and gut.’ As a result of her teachings, we have a timeless and lengthy discography of Whitney Houston’s that many still enjoy each day.
But, Cissy Houston had gifts as well. I re-listened to her singing backup in Aretha Franklin’s rendition of ‘Ain’t No Way.’ She had some serious chops herself which she displayed by hitting the high notes while singing along with Aretha’s sister Carolyn Franklin, the songwriter.
That took me to a YouTube clip with Carolyn in the recording studio showing Aretha how the song should go. Aretha let Carolyn and the musicians know that she had to make it her own and that she had to feel the words. And wow, did she ever? Looking at that scenario took me back to the recent movie, Respect which came out in 2021.
From there, I segue into my memory of the movie which I viewed twice on the big screen. To me, the movie did not get its props, meaning that it did not receive the respect that it deserved. Aretha Franklin hand-picked Jennifer Hudson to play her in the bio-pick and she did an awesome job. Perhaps, some of its truths stepped on someone’s extended toes. Who knows?
Anyway, take a listen to the finished product with sister Carolyn Franklin’s prolific words, Aretha Franklin’s soulful feeling, the musicians minted unity and Cissy Houston’s operatic range. I am certain that the three of them are entertaining many in heaven and just maybe they will let Whitney join in!
Lynn M.
October 12, 2024
