Cissy Houston performing "I Am Not Old" - TAKING MY TURN - PBS Great Performances

Cissy Houston performing "I Am Not Old" from the PBS Great Performance Series presentation of TAKING MY TURN, the award-winning, critically acclaimed musical with lyrics by Will Holt , music by Gary William Friedman and adaptation/direction by Robert H. Livingston, the same team that collaborated on the hit show THE ME NOBODY KNOWS.
TAKING MY TURN was one of the first musicals to deal with aging. The spoken words were collected from interviews with people "in their prime", which became the basis for the non-linear book.
The amazing cast of Broadway and recording veterans including Margaret Whiting, Cissy Houston, Marni Nixon and Tiger Haynes.
TAKING MY TURN opened Off-Broadway in 1983, and won the 1984 Outer Critic's Circle Award for Best Lyrics/Music and a Drama Desk nomination for Best Musical.
PBS Video Courtesy Sonny Fox Productions.
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[@yonkcity]

R.I.P., Mrs. Emily Cissy Houston!

[@DaOrigTruthSeeker]

Cissy had one of the best Sopranos outside of opera. She really had great feeling in her voice. I really enjoyed this footage....she was something special. Whitney got it honestly.

[@needtoknowbasis3499]

what?

[@DaOrigTruthSeeker]

Cissy knocked that one out the park. Her voice is just amazing and versatile as can be. Both Cissy and Whitney had very elastic voices. Apple didn't fall too far from that tree.

[@everybodylovestoney1697]

Oh wow!! You can hear where Whitney gets her tone from when Cissy sings the first 45 seconds saying "He strengthens, he strengthens!" Whitney sounds so much like her! CHILLS...

[@johnnyjensen6067]

She sure know where Whitney Houston got her lungs from!!! What a great singer!

[@towandasherrod2987]

Yes loud

[@adrina911]

She sung this song to death! Cissy can sing!

[@tanya4534]

I sound exactly like this when I sing...........................................................in my dreams.

[@MarcosIsABaritone]

That is a Diva's Diva. THE DIVA's momma!

[@DeishaGuy]

They all looking up at her like...Damn, lol Hilarious. I would have jumped up and started screaming. Anointed voice for sure.

[@longbranch11207]

DeishaGuy i know right

[@kimt.1022]

+DeishaGuy LOL! Oh, indeed!

[@classyvxbe]

My favorite performance of hers!❤ Rest in Peace Cissy 🕊️💜

[@jamesrick80]

Phenomenal, her voice doesn't break in transitions just like her daughter Whitney Houston, just wow...one of best vocals on KZbin

[@iluvmyboba]

" I will never grow old." Amen and a Amen. Cissy Houston is a gifted vocalist. The strength and control in her voice is amazing. She definitely taught that to her daughter.

[@catalinarose3306]

YES

[@MrSoulshock4444]

OMG what a voice! she's so underrated

[@ChosenRellll1111]

Those Head Voices and runs and 2:19 Wheeew 🔥🤦🏽‍♂️🎤

[@princessarianna100]

That last part though!!!! Amazing!!!!

[@markusjayy6425]

That’s where Whitney got it from I promise. I literally jumped.

[@shadaviongrant7605]

Cissy Houston, the gospel diva. We know exactly where Whitney got her vocal talent from. She certainly had the talent back then.

[@alonsoc6136]

I always come back to hear Cissy. And I always cry. ♡♡

[@ChosenRellll1111]

Who’s here 2019 and Whitney sure does get her agility and melisma from her mom

[@executivewoman678]

Her voice seams to be singing 2 notes at one time. Talk about God given talent!

[@MsTexas73]

Cissy showing how it’s done! Yes ma’am. I’ve always loved her voice and her vocal control. A wonderful powerful voice. ❤️💫✨

[@kimt.1022]

Wow! Brought me to tears. Beautiful! Soulful! Powerful! Thank you, Ms. Cissy Houston, thank you.

[@SolidBoy82]

oh my...those vocal runs were incredible!

[@KingD-light]

Sang Mama Cissy ❤️💕

[@deelee6721]

Omg I ran across this and I'm glad I did. Amazing sent chills down me

[@djenkcs]

A range out of this world , that's all I can say!!!!!!!!

[@love4myclarks7]

I did not know that Whitney got the voice from her mother. You can clearly hear the resemblance, and the brilliance. Beautiful. to God be the Glory

[@thetruthsideswiththeoppressed]

Cissy sure took her time with that entrance while “Taking Her Turn”. 😂😂. She sure showed her daughter how to make an entrance as well. Everyone knows Nippy always made legendary entrances.

[@jayquanjenkins8308]

Dramatic, elastic, powerful vocalist. Whitney didn’t have a choice ❤️

[@AnandajiRev.AllenReed1111]

One of the best

[@fernan322]

Amazing this voise !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@RashaJay4816]

Whohooo...yes I hear Whitney. Brilliant, Cissy! Power and style.

[@idiosyncraticparadise1655]

Wow ! She belted this mug OUT !!! I was in elementary school in the 80s Cissy outfit reminds me of my teachers , Nostalgic !!

[@ABLISTHEBEST]

You can definitely see whitney in this, her trademark wobbling jaw vibrato, her breath control & her passion

[@deborahholcomb2978]

💕Beautiful " Queen " Voice ‼️💕 ❤Now I understand how Daughter Whitney Genetically inherited her Mother's Outstanding Vocal Talents ❤

[@allanhernandez2508]

FANTASTIC!!

[@catalinarose3306]

This NEVER FAILS TO MAKE ME CRY ♡

[@jayraynido]

SAANG, Cissy!

[@AmandaSANDYStevenson]

I loved this show!

[@DaOrigTruthSeeker]

Yes she did....what a powerful voice. My first time hearing this and she devlivered.

[@divaslive6953]

Both Whitney & her mom is a lady if CLASS, VINTAGE, GRACE and talent rolled into one..... 💗💙💛

[@allanhernandez2508]

I watched and taped this off of PBS when it was aired.

[@SuperHurricane75]

Damn she sounds so good!

[@mizscoleman]

I saw an interview with Cissy Houston during which the interviewer said some people thought she was jealous of Whitney's success. Without hesitation she replied, "Why would I be jealous? I made her what she is." I know thats right! Let'em know Mrs. Houston.

[@skip031890]

She was definitely jealous. Whitney made herself. If Cissy wants to claim responsibility for Whit's career, then she should have been able to get her own career off the ground but she couldn't. 🙄

[@KajiVocals]

@@skip031890 That’s stupid.

[@kklustra]

@@skip031890What you're NOT going to do is spread falsehoods unchecked. So allow me to check you, boo. - "Get her career off the ground? " What are you even talking about!? Cissy Houston was a legend in the music industry LONG before her daughter made waves in '84/'85. She and her siblings were the Drinkard Singers, a famous gospel group that performed and recorded throughout the 1950's and early 60's. Cissy Houston founded and was the top voice of The Sweet Inspirations a girl group nominated for a Grammy in 1968 for their hit song SWEET INSPIRATION. Cissy Houston was one of the highest paid, in-demand session singer's of the 1960's, 70's and 80's. Cissy Houston's successful night club act at places like Sweetwaters, Mikell's and Reno Sweeney's in NYC was legendary. Cissy Houston was THE first-call singer that other master recording artists trusted and relied on in the studio. Luther Vandross actually NEVER recorded (From his 1st to his last) an album without Cissy Houston. Some of the other artists that worked with her? Here's a VERY short list of the hundreds of artists that called on her to work her magic with them in the studio - Beyonce', Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone, Dionne Warwick, Bette Midler, Nancy Wilson, Whitney Houston, Paul Simon, The Drifters, Quincy Jones, The Neville Brothers, Elvis Presley, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Ashford & Simpson, The Band, Dusty Springfield, Carmen McCrae, Chuck Jackson, Ester Phillips, Connie Francis, Herbie Mann, The Rascals, Gene Pitney... What was important to Mrs. Houston as an artist, was good consistent singing work. She said she never wanted to be a "Star." Here is a successful professional singer of over 65 years. Here is Cissy Houston. And here you are talking about "Getting her career off the ground." Ha...what is your career, sir/ma'am?

[@saadiqtua7461]

You don't know Whitney and Cissy enough. Whitney even said herself that if it wasn't for Cissy she wouldn't have been what she is now. @@skip031890

[@shadaviongrant7605]

In this video where Cissy Houston sings I am not old she could have singed opera if she wanted to

[@frsh6272]

I always thought she should have sung opera, she sang the high notes in Aretha's "Ain't no way".

[@longbranch11207]

Edward E they shaded her without giving her props

[@frsh6272]

longbranch11207 Why you say that?

[@longbranch11207]

CAUSE SHADY DELETED CISSY HIGH NOTES OFF THE ORIGINAL AIN'T NO WAY.

[@frsh6272]

longbranch11207 Oh ok, I just always thought opera would have been her arena. She probably would have been like Leontyne Price.....

[@jo-annzinni3511]

Cissy is a Star, Whitney had a great singing ability. There are great singers and singers who sing great. Cissy is a great singer. Whitney sang great. Thank you both for your gifts. 💜😘😇🎶🎵

[@willpoole88]

That's last note was so Whitney lol I see where she gets it from

[@ChosenRellll1111]

Im here again 2024 anyone else!? 😩💙☝🏽🙏🏽

[@saadiqtua7461]

Im a BIG Cissy fan!!

[@bernerborisholland8034]

Big fan too! Played one of her songs on our wedding ❤

[@DippyHippie]

Cissy died today….10-7-2024😢

[@bernerborisholland8034]

@@DippyHippie oh no, thats so sad. R.I.P. dear Cissy. I'll play your songs forever! 💕

[@ChosenRellll1111]

@@DippyHippie my heart just broke! 😰😫

[@donnellmoore1872]

now that gave me life y'all can't fuck with the Houston family they will blow y'all edges off and good luck tryna grow them back lol😂😂

[@charlita25]

Wow 😲

[@corgeousgeorge]

OKAY MISS CISSY!!! YOU BETTAH DO THAT THAAAANG!!! YAAAASSS! In many ways Whitney had so much of the same tonal qualities. Very interesting!

[@kwilcox1126]

Yesssssssss

[@Bushwick2678]

Like Mother, Like Daughter ❤️

[@alnliaccastro6600]

Woa!!!

[@Bahia82]

I know im late, but that would be difficult, because of the two different generes they are in. WHitney and mariah are both pop, but opera and gospel is totally different!! lol. BTW do u have any patricia carey recordings?

[@nesq4104]

Amazing

[@robertmonthe9750]

She displayed in this clip a good registration. Chest to middle to head voice .......

[@carltonbrown8304]

Yeeeeeeeeeeessssssss

[@Ela-eh3hm]

Legends birth legends ❤️ #BringThemToThierFeetThenDropThemToThierKnees #WhitneyLearnedFromTheBest

[@tlbp1480]

Cissy definitely had a gift and a unique voice. I can hear Whitney's riffs and runs in here, though (obviously) Cissy was a soprano, while Whitney was a mezzo.

[@luzmarball5392]

I see now where that marvelous Whitney got her one-of--kind gift...

[@ParaLarry]

Rest in peace, Cissy! ❤️

[@jackiedavis4298]

Ok MS. HOUSTON ❤ BRAVO 👏 👏

[@stephaniewilliams3460]

👏🏽👏🏽 😊

[@mamashouse2]

This is singing’ truth in power of words’

[@ChosenRellll1111]

Yes!! Every single one!!! ☝🏽❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️❗️

[@longbranch11207]

yesssssssssssssssssssssssss she betta sing, what? cissy was not to be fucked with

[@chrissangit]

she killed it real quick!!

[@stuartlee6622]

OMG !!

[@LS-bk7ib]

Sing it WHITNEY’S MOM 😂😂

[@antb419]

That note @ 2:10 was sickening!! Wow !

[@kklustra]

The End!

[@apolloorlando8867]

On her BEST day, Whitney never came this close to perfection. Cissy believed every word and let loose. Unbelievable.

[@chimierc5920]

LMAO

[@urblack7954]

LOLLL

[@tariqreid1445]

Girl bye

[@baobabs727]

No

[@baobabs727]

Best thing I've ever heard from her live.

[@carlamonsalve8773]

DIVA!!!!

[@leightondumas8699]

🔥🔥🔥🔥❤️

[@fergiza1]

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.... my DIVA`S MAMI, other DIVA!!!

[@chrissangit]

i hear Whitney in her a bit!

[@aleenabradford7455]

+chris tucker i mean she birthed Whitney so if anything your hear her in Whitney

[@lovethwillock8952]

chris tucker She taught Whitney how to sing.

[@robertmonthe9750]

Those operatic notes ressemble Whitney’s own

[@MrMbell2]

Only in the 80s would they write an intelligent play like this. I dont think Broadway is this good anymore and I'm 29.

[@lordvoldemort5725]

Rest In Peace. ❤😊

[@Dedicated2WendyWilliams]

what year is this??

[@christinaandrea6146]

AMEN

[@antd8259]

At :11. Whitney sounds just like her.

[@khafrebevins3025]

At the 3:00 mark and on it sounds like Whitney’s singing

[@heidiwerkland8800]

👍

[@jnshot97]

Cissy and Leontyne Price are first cousins

[@darkfeather6857]

+jnshot97 That's interesting...I wonder why Whitney never mentioned that especially in her early days when she kept touting Dionne.

[@tonnymitch4016]

jnshot97 I doubt that.... Leontyne Price has never been mentioned as being kin to Whitney or her family. It would’ve been mentioned back in the early 80’s when Whitney first stepped on the scene. Especially if she mentioned Aretha Franklin as being like family. Then with how much they always mentioned Dionne as being her cousin.

[@deshaunx776]

Tone Mcneely You are incorrect. It has been mentioned many times publicly, including Dionne Warwick's autobiography. Dionne also spoke about it when both she and Ms. Price were honored at Oprah's Legend's Ball. As it happens, they are not blood relatives, but cousins by marriage. Still, they used to see each other at Drinkard family functions. Remember that CIssy's maiden name is Drinkard, and she is Dionne's aunt.

[@achosenvessel6563]

DeshaunX: you are the first person who got it right......👏

[@AIKAN1974]

it is true......on cissy's side....leontyne grew up downsouth and they werent close but they are cousins........dionne wrote about it in her book. When they would see each other they would say 'wassup cuz.'

[@godislove7046]

2:50 I hear Whitney

[@Bobby-4200]

🪦 ❤

[@PreciousMariah22]

since Mariah and Whitney is always compared with each other. I also want to compare Cissy Houston and Patricia Carey. Their mother :D sorry for my english

[@marcharrison1]

Cissy is a mix of Whitney and Dionne

[@Daniel-tl6hx]

Cissy is Cissy, Whitney is a mix of her mother and someone else not the other way round

[@jnshot97]

Cissy's mother is her Aunt

[@detrickwright6098]

Damn I know why.

[@direfranchement]

Cissy's chest and middle voice were always so strident and ugly, perhaps much of the reason she was never able to forge a successful solo career. Her head voice was pretty and could be employed very effectively (as heard in Aretha's recording of "Ain't No Way"). Whitney's voice was exponentially more beautiful.

[@nunyabiz3668]

I think her chest core is well developed. I just think that her vibrato was very dramatic in chest, which can be out of place sometimes. Her phrasing isn’t always my absolute favorite either, but I think if she sang “straight” more, her tone would be clear and beautiful.

[@direfranchement]

@@nunyabiz3668 So you know, I saw an interview of Whitney as a young woman, probably from the late 1980's, where she remarked that if one listened to Cissy at the same age as she (Whitney) was then, it sounds like the "same voice". I thought she was probably not the best judge of this with an inherently biased view as Cissy was her mother, but recently I've heard recordings from the Drinkard Singers only LP, a live album from 1958 when Cissy was 25 years old. There are a couple of places where I can understand what Whitney was trying to say in the interview. One of the issues with Cissy's singing that I find is that she employs a lot of squalling and growling, effects that cover or obscure the quality of the voice. Apparently, she had an admiration for Ward Singers star Marion Williams, and as a soprano, worked to emulate Marion's vocal stylings as she was very popular in gospel circles in that era. Without the growling and squalling, her voice does sound similar to Whitney's, but not as clean or polished even in her straightest singing.

[@nunyabiz3668]

I agree. She does utilize a lot of growl and squalling techniques in her singing that negates the beauty of her organic tone. I also tend to lean more to the modesty of Whitney’s upper belt chest placement, because she sounds more tonally even throughout than Cissy and alot of other gospel singers. Headvoice is another prime example of where I prefer Whitney’s sound. Although Cissy could produce more output in headvoice, and I think she also had more ease with phrasing in headvoice, Whitney’s seemed more agile, and her vibrato was perfectly placed, while Cissy’s vibrato in headvoice seemed a bit uneven to me at times. No doubt she was a gifted vocalist, but I’m not huge on her style.

[@sharkkeeper01]

Finally someone else said it

[@godislove7046]

Mmm

[@SuperHurricane75]

Sorry, she sounds better than Whitney! To me....

[@lord123571]

Sorry but no.

[@ceciliadavies2456]

Let's not compare the two please. Let's just appreciate and cherish them individually and collectively.That is like comparing yellow gold to white gold! They are /were both unique giftings in their own right. Good things never last in this world.

[@ChosenRellll1111]

Don’t cause confusion two different eras held down by two legends stop ✋🏽 comparing causes division your to old!

[@urblack7954]

No you're old.

[@karlaeyzaguirre5950]

Maravilla del mundo Cissy Houston

[@jeffjenkins9053]

FANTASTIC!!!