At the BET Awards last month, Cissy Houston took part in a show-stealing tribute to her daughter, Whitney, that featured a medley sung by Monica and a poignant eulogy given by Mariah Carey. Nobody was expecting quite so much star power at Houston’s free show at Wingate Park in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, on Monday. But the fact that it promised a “tribute to her daughter Whitney Houston” on the billing suggested that the 78-year-old singer might at least, y’know, mention her late daughter’s name somewhere along the line.
Houston did do that. Eventually. But for the rest of her 40-minute set, before a mostly elderly crowd, she delivered timid gospel numbers and talked near constantly about spreading the word of Jesus — as though she were delivering a Sunday morning sermon.
After a sprightly and energized performance by opening act Vickie Winans, the gospel star, a more subdued tone was set within seconds of Houston arriving onstage as she began croakily singing standards such as “Make a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord.” At times she also seemed slightly confused, turning to her band on a couple of occasions to ask what song they were going to play, before nervously proceeding.
But Houston did eventually re-create something close to the gusto and glory that made her a celebrated and sought-after talent during her ’60s and ’70s heyday. On the more up-tempo new track “Walk on by Faith” (from the EP of the same name released in May), she managed to find the natural vocal flair that has always run through the family.
Finally, the time came to acknowledge Whitney, although anyone who had dozed off for a second would have missed it. After more reassuring direction from her band off-mike, Houston quietly mumbled: “Now, I’m going to pay tribute to my daughter, Whitney” — before getting into a version of “My Life Is in Your Hands.”
It was by far the emotional and musical peak of the show; Houston looked close to tears as she delivered the song’s chorus, and the rousing finale bought the crowd to their feet in appreciation. For the first time, Houston seemed to be entertaining her audience instead of just offering spiritual guidance.
But the high point of the evening also revealed itself to be the conclusion. Houston stuck around to bring things to a close with “I Shall Dwell in the House of the Lord” before disappearing from the stage in the same muted fashion in which she arrived.
Anyone who came to Wingate Park looking for religious inspiration would have found it in plentiful supply, but those who came looking to pay their respects to one of the greatest American pop singers would have wondered if they’d gone to the wrong place. I certainly did.