Music
Whoopie Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg
Born: Caryn Elaine Johnson
November 13, 1955
Birthplace: New York City, NY
“We’re not great communicators as human beings. If you have some air in your stomach, wouldn’t you feel more comfortable if you let it out? Imagine how great the world would be if we communicated these things.”
~ Whoopi Goldberg
She Lets it All Out
by Michael Holloway
If any one person in the world could be defined as a great communicator, then Whoopi Goldberg would be a clear winner, in my opinion. How ironic, someone whose professional name was inspired by a fart gag, would talk about how wonderful it would be if everyone could be so free with their bodily emissions. Goldberg has shown time and again that she is never afraid to let it all out, physically, mentally, and verbally.
More than a Fart Gag
Though she chose the name Whoopi because of her favourite childhood prank, the infamous whoopee cushion, Goldberg has also shown she is much more than a vessel filled with hot air. She is a beautiful, intelligent, and incredibly humorous woman; and while most people know her as a gifted actress and talk show host on the ever-popular “The View,” it is Goldberg’s often untapped musical gifts which made me a devoted fan.
In “Sister Act” and its sequel “Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit” released in 1992 and 1993 respectively, Goldberg showed her range as a singer is equal to, and in my opinion, even surpasses her amazing acting abilities. Both films were also released as CD soundtracks. Even if Goldberg never sang another note, both albums stand-up as stellar artforms; even without the movies to bolster them.
Line Up Outside Her Shower
Goldberg has insisted many times that the only way people would hear her sing is if they queued up outside her bathroom while she took a shower. Even today, she remains reticent about her voice.
If she were to release a solo musical album, without it being a soundtrack or a film to support it, I am confident it would go over big with fans.
Goldberg has a voice that can be high octane or tenderly subdued. A quality also reflected in her acting range, switching easily between raucous comedy and heartfelt drama.
Catalyst Jenifer Lewis
If not for Jenifer Lewis, fans might not have had the opportunity to hear Goldberg sing at all. Lewis, a former member of Bette Midler’s infamous Staggering Harlettes troupe had much confidence in Goldberg’s ability to sing.
Although Goldberg suggested she was no singer and should be dubbed, she reluctantly recorded her own vocals at Lewis’ urging. She won a Golden Globe for her efforts.
Another’s Loss was Her Gain
Ironically, it was Midler herself who was originally going to play the lead role of a lounge singer on the run from her homicidal mobster boyfriend. One who has to hide out in a convent under the watchful eye of a rather distrustful head nun, played superbly by Maggie Smith. A script had been developed for Midler who turned it down after she lost interest.
The script was re-written by Carrie Fisher, Eleanor Bergstein, Nancy Meyers, Jim Cash, Jack Epps Jr., and Robert Harling, after original screenwriter Paul Rudnick left the project following Midler’s departure. Rudnick refused to have his name attached to the new script, so he created a pseudonym, Joseph Howard, for his screen credit.
Original ScriptAs a rare treat, here is the original scriptfor fans of “Sister Act” to enjoy. In this version, Delores Van Cartier, played by Goldberg, was originally going to be named Christy Van Cartier, to be played by Midler.
Goldberg performed brilliantly in an ensemble cast, also featuring the aforementioned Maggie Smith, as well as Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena (singing voice dubbed by Andrea Robinson), Mary Wickes, and Harvey Keitel. The sequel featured the above cast, with the exception of Keitel, and added popular character actors Barnard Hughes, Michael Jeter, and James Coburn.
Who is Alex Martin
Goldberg’s own daughter Alex Martin appears in the second film in a small role as one of the music class students being groomed for a huge music competition by Goldberg and the other nuns. Martin cracks the hilariously comic line to another student, “Yo mama’s so fat, when she sits on a rainbow, skittles pop out.”
Despite being a huge Midler fan, I cannot honestly see anyone other than Goldberg in these movies. She is simply brilliant as the flashy Delores and her incognito alter ego, Sister Mary Clarence.
Brilliant
Goldberg shines in the equally brilliant CD soundtracks for the “Sister Act” movies, which feature the songs in their entirety. Having been previously cut for length to fit into the movies. Some of Goldberg’s finest vocal works are given justice in full-length versions on the soundtracks; including the following for the first movie: “The Lounge Medley,” Hail Holy Queen,” “My God (My Guy),” “I Will Follow Him,” and “Shout.”
Meanwhile, the second movie featured Goldberg performing “The Greatest Medley Ever Told,” “Dancing In The Street,” “Ball Of Confusion,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
Several guest performers, other than the cast members, also contributed songs to the soundtracks. These included: Fontella Bass, Etta James, Dee Dee Sharp, C&C Music Factory, and Lady Soul for the first movie; and Aretha Franklin, Hi-Five, and Nuttin’ Nyce for the second. Also, the sequel helped boost the careers of several then-unknowns, Jennifer Love-Hewitt, Lauryn Hill, Valeria Andrews, Ryan Toby, and Tanya Blount among other notable young musicians, also featured in substantial acting roles.
Sow’s Ear or Silk Purse
In “Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit”, Mother Superior (Maggie Smith) told Goldberg “You are the perfect example of how a sow’s ear can be turned into a silk purse.”
Goldberg begrudgingly replied, “I probably wouldn’t put it quite like that.” Although I agree to a certain extent (who wants to be referred to as a sow’s ear), I think Mother Superior was absolutely correct when she stated that Goldberg’s career can also be seen as a silk purse, especially her singing. Taking raw talent and molding it into a musical masterpiece gave Goldberg’s career a notable sparkle, which I hope she will consider polishing and sharing with fans in future.
The Power Is Yours
One of my childhood joys was the animated TV series Captain Planet And The Planeteers, in which Goldberg voiced Gaia, Spirit Of Earth with a memorable blend of compassion and wit.
Gaia is the Spirit Of Earth. She can no longer stand the terrible destruction consuming our planet and sends out five magical rings to five special youngsters around the globe, and they become the Planeteers, fighters against pollution.
To Kwame from Africa, she bestowed the power of earth. Wheeler from North America was given the gift of fire. She felt Linka from the Soviet Union would be the right person to control the wind. From Japan came Gi who accepted the gift of channeling water. Finally, from Brazil came Ma-Ti whose power of empathy would prove to be the most powerful and unifying power of all.
Together, the magic of the five rings could summon the elemental Captain Planet to their aid, while Gaia guides the Planeteers on their struggles to save Earth and sometimes offers her help when it’s needed.
A decidedly left-of-centre view of the world and it’s woes, this series was seen as inspirational by some (including me) and mere liberal propaganda by its detractors. However, it still remains a fun and well-intentioned endeavour in teaching young people the importance of respecting and conserving our natural resources. Goldberg gave Gaia her vibrancy and soul, and the character remains one of her best performances ever in my opinion.
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