Whitney Houston - I Look To You (Album)

[Gillyberto]

http://i25.tinypic.com/2zfiibl.jpg


THE WAIT IS OVER : RELEASE DATE AUGUST 31

[HeatSeeker]

I'm predicting 350-375k for its debut week

[Aaliyahfan]

Robbie Williams and Whitney Houston are set to make their respective comebacks with a series of concerts at the O2 arena early next year.

AEG, the US entertainment giant that owns the 20,000-seat venue, has been searching for “marquee names” to fill some of the 23 dates in early 2010 when Michael Jackson was due to perform.

With both Williams, 35, and Houston, 45, releasing long-awaited new albums this year, they believe they have found two artists with the profile and repertoire to sell out *several gigs at the east London venue.

The move will save millions for AEG, which has failed to book new shows for 20 nights this year, left open after Jackson's sudden death last month.

An AEG source told the Standard: “Robbie's eagerly-awaited album will be out soon and he is likely to be touring Europe next year. It will be perfect for him to start with shows at the O2.
“Whitney Houston has been on the O2 arena wish-list for a while — she has the voice and hits to sell the arena out several times over.”

Williams's new album Reality Killed the Video Star will be released in October, with the singer's manager David Enthoven promising fans “a big pop record with four or five smash hits”. It will be Williams's first album since his 2006 flop Rudebox, and follows two successful comeback tours and albums from his former band Take That.

Houston was one of the biggest-selling artists in the late Eighties and early Nineties, before drug and alcohol addictions derailed her career. Her new album I Look To You is being released next month and will be her first release since 2002's Just Whitney.

This month she announced her comeback at the Mandarin Oriental in London before a VIP crowd of record executives and entrepreneurs including Topshop's Sir Philip Green and music guru Clive Davis.

Both singers will perform their greatest hits in addition to material from their new albums.

[crazycool]

I don't think Whitney will dissapoint with this album.
I can't imagine there being 3/4 singles with this era or lots of continued promotion, but this will a HUGE seller.

[Wayne]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Look-You-Whit ... 963&sr=1-1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/I-Look-You-Whitney-Houston/dp/B001AQTWF2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1250233963&sr=1-1)

SNIPPETS! :D

[crazycool]

They sound very promising IMO.
Of course, have to wait for the full songs to make a proper judgement.

[HeatSeeker]

The content might be good (hopefully!), but Whitney's voice is no longer there, which means it can't be that good.

[James]

sounds decent to me. Can't really judge on snippets though.

I actually think she sounds in pretty good voice, obviously not in comparison to her voice 10-15 years ago but the way it has been over the last 3 years.

Pleasently surprised :D

[Wayne]

Brand new Promo Pic: http://www.jrecords.com/whitneyhouston/ ... hoto_2.JPG (http://www.jrecords.com/whitneyhouston/whitneyhouston_pressphoto_2.JPG)

[James]

[center:3ahs99fe]WHITNEY’S I LOOK TO YOU: IN HER WORDS


In the twenty-five years since she recorded her history-making debut album,
Whitney Houston has become a superstar, a legend, an icon. One of the bestselling
female artists of all time, she has sold over 140 million albums
worldwide. She has been cited as an influence by the likes of Mariah Carey,
Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, and Leona Lewis, and last year, Rolling
Stone listed Houston as one of the “100 Greatest Singers of All Time.”
But when her longtime mentor Clive Davis, currently Chief Creative Officer of
Sony Music Entertainment Worldwide, first approached her about recording
her first album since 2002’s Just Whitney, Houston didn’t think that she
wanted to get back in the game.

“When Clive called me and said, ‘Are you ready?,’ I said, ‘Ready for what?,’” she
recalls. ”

Fortunately, though, Davis was persistent—and the result, almost three years
later, is the remarkable new album I Look to You. The disc matches Houston
with some of the hottest writers and producers in pop and R&B (including R.
Kelly, David Foster, Akon, Stargate, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz) for a set of
songs full of her signature vocal power and passion. The album is built on a
strong message of survival and perseverance, and reflects the hard-earned
lessons of the high-profile personal challenges Houston has encountered in
recent years.

A key song for the project was “Nothin’ But Love,” a propulsive dance groove
co-produced by Fernando Garibay (Britney Spears, Lady GaGa). “If there was
anything I wanted to say after some of the things I had gone through,” Houston
says, “it was that I had nothing but love, regardless of the situation. Maybe
that’s just the way I was raised, or maybe I had just gotten to the point of, it’s
all behind me now and I’m moving forward.”

Davis, the album’s Co-Producer, brought R. Kelly’s composition “I Look to You”
to Houston, and her reaction was instant—though she hadn’t been given all the
information. “I heard the song, and I loved that it was so short and sweet,” she
says. “And then I got to Chicago, and Robert told me there was still another
verse to write and a bridge! So he stood there with me in the studio and wrote
the second verse right off the top of his head. He closed his eyes, we kinda
leaned on each other. As he was singing, I was praying, and the words just
came out.”

The song (one of two Kelly contributed; he also delivered the defiantly funky
“Salute“) would go on to give the album its title, and she credits Davis with
understanding what the lyrics would mean to her. “When Clive heard ‘I Look to
You,’ because he knows my background in gospel, he knew that song would
put it all in check for me,” she says.

The relationship between Houston and Davis goes all the way back to 1983,
when he signed the young artist to Arista Records. He oversaw the development
and marketing of her thirteen-million-selling debut, Whitney Houston. After all
these years, he remains so close to the singer that she refers to him as “my
father in the industry.”

“Clive and I are partners,” says Houston. “He still loves music, still loves lyrics
and melodies. He’s one of the few people who still has that gift of knowing what
song fits with what voice. Clive is able to go beyond the personality and see
what’s inside a person, what really motivates them.”

“To be reunited with Whitney is so fulfilling,” adds Davis. “The album provides
the most exciting challenge I’ve ever had and whatever happens, I know it’s
very special. Its music and her voice will once again impact millions all over the
world for many years to come.”

Even with a few strong songs in motion, though, Houston still wasn’t sure that
she had found the direction she was looking for. Surprisingly, it’s the most
light-hearted moment on I Look to You—the disco-flavored roller-skating jam
“Million Dollar Bill“—which she considers the turning point.

“I worked with Alicia Keys on that one,” she says, “and it was probably the
most fun, but it also felt like I was working with someone who understood me,
who could relate to me, singer to singer. At that point, I knew that it was
coming together, that this was the album that I wanted, and that it was going
to get done after two-and-a-half years in the making.”

Akon, another 21st-century hitmaker joined forces with Houston for “Like I
Never Left.” She notes that the singer was a favorite among the friends of her
daughter, Bobbi Kristina; “they all had his songs as their ring tones,” she says.
Houston praises the “island feel” of Akon’s work, and adds that when she heard
“Like I Never Left,” she thought, “that sounds like it could be an album title for
me.”

Perhaps the most memorable recording session came on the powerhouse ballad
“I Didn’t Know My Own Strength,” written by Diane Warren. The song reunited
Houston with producer David Foster, who worked with her on the
incomparable soundtrack to the 1992 film The Bodyguard, one of the biggestselling
albums in history. Foster’s home was damaged in the Malibu fires of
2007, and when Houston came in to record her vocal, he was working out of a
small apartment.

“Basically, I recorded in an office, next to the bathroom, with some sheets up
near the microphone,” she says. “It was totally different from doing ‘I Will
Always Love You’ in a beautiful studio, or ‘I Learned From the Best’ in David’s
beautiful home. But when I listened to my vocal, it was real, it was
passionate—which is most unusual when you’re singing next to a bathroom!
“I wasn’t thinking only in terms of myself,” she continues. “I was thinking
about other people and other struggles. I thought about becoming a single
mother, I thought about my mother, my cousin Dionne, my sisters-in-law. I
thought about people with sicknesses, people who triumph in the face of
adversity. The simplicity and strength that came out in my singing made me
know how strong that song could be for a lot of people.”

One of the most welcome elements of I Look to You is hearing Houston
reconnecting with the dance floor and delivering uptempo songs with finesse
and joy. Even the album’s lone cover—Leon Russell’s immortal “A Song For
You,” which has been recorded by greats from Ray Charles to the Carpenters to
Donny Hathaway—begins at its traditional, stately pace but then breaks out
into a celebratory, irresistible club beat.

Houston says that she enjoyed bringing that side of her singing out again, but
that her heart will always be with the slower, more emotional numbers. “I love
the uptempo songs, but I’m a balladeer,” she says. “I can take a ballad and it
gets in my heart, and I can understand where it’s coming from.”

Most of all, Whitney Houston believes that she is a link in a chain of vocal
tradition, and that I Look to You is one more extension of the sounds she was
raised with. “I hope that the gospel tradition in my voice—which is just my
soul—that it comes out, and that it is heard and felt by those who come after
me.”

In Stores & Online August 31st![/center:3ahs99fe]

SOUCE: http://urbanbridgez.com/ubgblog/2009/08/20/whitneys-i-look-to-you-in-her-words/



Thought this was quite a nice read :)

[HeatSeeker]

Brand new Promo Pic: http://www.jrecords.com/whitneyhouston/ ... hoto_2.JPG (http://www.jrecords.com/whitneyhouston/whitneyhouston_pressphoto_2.JPG)

Not bad.

[Wayne]

Thanks for the interview James! :)

"Fortunately, though, Davis was persistent—and the result, almost three years later, is the remarkable new album I Look to You"

If the snippets are anything to go by, I'd call this far from remarkable. And I can't believe its taken 3 years! :o

[HeatSeeker]

Release the album and dish out the singles as quick as possible so that you can start work on your next album! And ditch Davis, dude's lost his touch :|

[Wayne]

In Downloads Central, there is a longer version of Call You Tonight (about a minute) - sounds soo good

[Wayne]

Album has leaked - link in Downloads Central! :D Once again, Vanity Edge - the benchmark in new music forums - is first with the link! :lol:

[James]

BOOOOOOOO I'm at work so can't listen yet. Excited though. Thanks for the downloads Wayne :D

[MrFreddy]

The album is pretty good. Although, the leak is not HQ, it's 128 Kbps... I'm gonna try to find an HQ. :)

[crazycool]

My word, the album is so good! Wasn't expecting this at all.

Wouldn't even consider myself a Whitney fan, but I'm loving the new album.

[James]

My word, the album is so good! Wasn't expecting this at all.

Wouldn't even consider myself a Whitney fan, but I'm loving the new album.


awwww thats good to hear!!! Still not had the chance to hear it :cry:

My friend called me earlier and he isn't really a Whitney fan at all and he said its great. He said he has had "Call You Tonight" on repeat for about an hour.

Can't wait to get home and listen

[James]

Another new promo pic....... LOVE IT

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/780368251e53f5ccf45892e21bfe9c56e7d0841d.jpg

[HeatSeeker]

Beautiful promo pic!

I haven't listened to all of it yet but I like what I hear so far. It's not spectacular, but it's better than I was expecting. I especially like "Nothin But Love". I hope I end up loving this album ^_^

[James]

So I finally listened to it............. I LOVE IT. Granted a couple of the songs are growers but I think it's a solid effort.

it's quite clear that the songs have been recorded over the past 2 years at different periods of her vocal recovery because the vocals are a little inconsistent.

Stand out tracks for me are Million Dollar Bill, Call You Tonight, For The Lovers and Salute.

I love A Song For You too but I think thats more of a shout out to fans considering her performance of it in 91 remains a fan favourite, the beginning of the song sounds exactly the same.......... and this song is very 'gay'! Love it! :D

[James]

[center:1bkj0ocz]http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m52/mrwhitfan/hmndmdm.jpg
NO WALMART FOR WHITNEY[/center:1bkj0ocz]

A few fans on Whitney fan site ClassicWhitney.com noticed that Whitney's new album had dissappeared from the coming soon section on their website and did a little bit of digging. They contacted WalMart and were advised that although 'I Look To You' IS available for pre-order on their site (MP3 Format) they will not be stocking the album at ANY of their stores.

The Whitney fans then went on a campaign to make this known, emailing blogs and media outlets. Here are a couple:

http://perezhilton.com/2009-08-24-wal-mart-swaps-whitney-for-miley

http://www.examiner.com/x-13907-DC-GLBT-Arts-Examiner~y2009m8d24-Weird-Whitney-HoustonMiley-Cyrus-switcheroo

http://www.gossip.ie/16016-wal-mart-swaps-whitney-miley

I think it's pretty clear why, Miley Cyrus is releasing her new album the same with and WalMart has the exclusive.

Although WalMart is a private company and it's their choice I think this is a little under-handed.

WalMart makes up about 20% of the album buying numbers, although I think WalMart would make up more of Whitney's considering the average age of her fan and that they are mostly physical CD buyers. Also this will impact the casual-fan buyer who happen upon the CD whilst shopping, which I assume is usually a big part of Whitney's sales.

On the other hand I think if Miley can go to #1 with only 1 outlet stocking her CD then she is a massive force to be reckoned with and Whitney (or anyone else I can think of in music today) standed a chance.

What do you guys reckon? Snide? Good business?

[Nichu94]

I've heard te album... it's cool I like it. But it has to grown on me yet...

I'm absolutely in love with Million Dollar Bill !

[crazycool]

It's crazy that Walmart won't be stocking this.
But I love Miley as well, so I'm not overly bothered.

If people really want Whit's new album, they will get in other shops. But sales won't be as good if there are no impulse buys at Walmart...

[Wayne]

Walmart not stocking the album is extremely underhanded, but what can you do? Whitney will just have to sell off the back of her name. Her fan base alone may carry this to number one, but I doubt it. She's doing Oprah which will obviously bolster sales somewhat

[James]

UPDATE

Some fans at certain Whitney sites have made contact with Richard Palmese Senior VP of Promotions at Arista who confirmed:

"Walmart has ordered over 100K units of Whitneys album for their stores."

There are still rumours that they aren't going to stock them on opening week and it's unclear when the order was made, prior or post drama but it may all just be a mis-understanding.

Does anyone know if 100k is a good number of units? I have no clue

[Wayne]

100k is a shipments figure, and considering that Wal Mart is responsible for over 20% of the physical albums market, it could be assumed that I Look To You's initial shipment is 500k, which would equate to Gold (RIAA). However, this is a patchy way of looking at it. IMO, 100k is a bit to average, when you consider Wal Mart's status

This 100k btw will have nothing to do with Whitney's shot at no1; 100k is not the sales, but the shipments figure.

[James]

i see, was just wondering if they have over/under stocked dunno what the usual figure is that WalMart would take on for new albums.

[HeatSeeker]

The album is mediocre overall. The lead single, "I Look to You," and the leak of "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" had me worried about this album, as they sounded very unoriginal and uninspired (even though they're supposed to be empowering). So, I wasn't expecting much.

"Million Dollar Bill" is my favorite track from the album, I liked it as soon as I heard it. It's got that great 80's vibe that only Whitney can bring. It's catchy and danceable. However, I feel like it's missing something--especially a greater ending. The sustained notes are nice but there is no belting ala "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" or even "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" and the final chorus sounds more or less the same as the others.

"Nothin' But Love" is also another song that I liked soon as I heard it. I was startled, however, when she began singing "For my family that raised me," it sounded very abrupt and masculine. Now, that's one of my favorite parts of the song--it sounds different from the rest.

And being outstanding is something very rare on this record. The singing sounds very similar throughout for the most part. There are no trademark Whitney vocal acrobatics or belting. It sounds like she's barely trying sometimes. THE VOICE isn't there, but then again, the restrained singing sounds elegant at parts.

There are a few decent album tracks here, the above mentioned as well as "Call You Tonight" and "Salute." Unfortunately, there is nothing that is remarkable, outstanding, or hit single material. It's a nice album to listen to while you're cleaning or doing homework, but there's nothing spectacular here.

I agree with He Wolf that even those uninspired-sounding ballads seem to have grown on me, and I don't mind listening to them here and there. I suppose the greatest flaw in this album is the absence of her powerful voice and close in second is the fact that the songs sound pretty similar to each other.

It will probably flop on the charts, because I don't think it will have a hit single to drive album sales, and I don't think it will be very well-received by today's young audience. It's more of an "adult R&B" album, that will probably be cherished by middle-aged Whitney fans and a few others, but forgotten and abandoned on Pop radio.

It's worth a listen, and it's not a bad album by any means, just very mediocre. No risks taken here. Perhaps, however, it will grow on me as I listen to it more. I'm not holding my breath, though...


Album Rating: 6.5/10

[James]

UPDATE ON WALMART DEBACLE

Here's a little update from a Whitney fan board, Whitney fans went crazy over this LOL


Name: Walmartkelly
Dept.: Corporate Communications
Job Title: Media Demand Manager

Me in 140 Characters:
I work at Walmart in media relations
Follow Walmartkelly
Name: Walmartmeeting

Me in 140 Characters:
Christi - PR Mgr @ the July Sustainability Milestone Mtg - Official WMT Twitter page & discussion policy: http://tinyurl.com/twitterwmt
Follow Walmartmeeting
Name: Walmartkevin
Dept.: Corporate Communications
Job Title: Sr. Manager

Me in 140 Characters:
Walmart Corp. Comms Sr. Mgr., working on corporate Web projects.
Follow Walmartkevin
Name: WalmartSpecials


Guys, I researched some Walmart folks on twitter and i tweeted Kelly early this morning re the issue with the cd: Here is her response on twitter:

Walmartkelly:
Walmart will in fact be selling Whitney's new album in all stores 8/31. We're excited about Whitney's new album!less than a minute ago from web

Walmart.com had unexpected tech issues, some CD pages are not showing up. We're working on it now. Whitney will be online & in WMT stores.2 minutes ago from web @marlin6 @perezhilton Walmart will in fact be selling Whitney's new album in all stores 8/31. We're excited about Whitney's new album!7 minutes ago from web ****************************

[Wayne]

A Song For You remains the standout on this better-than-expected album for me!

[gimme1mimi]

"Don't call it a comeback,no,i've been here for years" I LOVE THS PART.

Salute is the CLEAR CLEAR winner.For the Lovers is close,but salute is just fab.

I still think MDB is THE most boring song i've heard on the cd.

The lyrics of Nuthin but love made me spit my drink and i had a good laugh.It's still to grow on me and looks like it'll take some time.


1)salute
2) 4 the lovers
3) call you tonite
4) ILTY


MDB is filler sounding to my ears and so is IDKMOS.


After all this,I don't see a WW SMASH song on the album.

Rating: 7/10

[Wayne]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_h_9cwlEyveo/SpvyYYarFeI/AAAAAAAABKI/36POPR_ZAbo/s1600/whitneyonebony.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/music-rock-classi ... 7DPDXM6MP5 (http://www.amazon.com/music-rock-classical-pop-jazz/b/ref=sa_menu_mu1?ie=UTF8&node=5174&pf_rd_p=328655101&pf_rd_s=left-nav-1&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=507846&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1TFVE0VZ877DPDXM6MP5)

[Gillyberto]

HUGE disappointment! This is utter crap when you consider this is her comeback after almost a decade!

[Wayne]

I'm Every Woman - GMA 2009

[youtube:20t1o577]m62cA4EWvCk[/youtube:20t1o577]

Reviews aren't amazing :?

[Wayne]

[youtube:2jpt65dg]75LKXwRn8iM[/youtube:2jpt65dg]

Erm :?

[MrFreddy]

Everyone's saying her performance wasn't good, but I think it was. She may not have a voice like she did, but she still can sing.

And as for the album, I like it. I'm currently hooked on 'Salute', 'For The Lovers' and 'Like I Never Left' (I haven't listened to the demo that leaked ages ago). :)

[Baditude]

I'm so disappointed in this album. I'm not surprised though, considering that she's never been a great album artist. I love "Nothing But Love", though!

[Gillyberto]

I'm so disappointed in this album. I'm not surprised though, considering that she's never been a great album artist. I love "Nothing But Love", though!
I agree, I am very disappointed!

[gimme1mimi]

Okay,can we please consider the elephant in the room ??

IS whitney's new album better than her peers' ?

Madonna,MAriah and JAnet and celine ALL have released an album last year.

I'm sure MOST will agree that even Janet's album is better than Whitney's Comeback album.

I am comparing tracks from the album which i aCTUALLY know the tracks.

Touch My body
Bye Bye
IBLYLT
I stay in love
For the record
Side effects
Migrate
I'm that chick
I wish you well.

I SWEAR ALL these songs are WAY better than what whitney's "comeback" effort has to offer(except salute.Salute can give a run to some of these songs for their money.)

Same goes with Madonna.4 minutes,Giv it 2 me and Miles away ARE way better than ILTY.Hell even celine's taking chances was a decent song.Janet's Rock wit you shits on MDB.

So sad but Whitney's album DISSAPPOINTS . MAJOR

This not a provocation but I just feel dissappointed by what she's done in SO MANY years...wtf. :wifey:

[HeatSeeker]

Whitney Houston will be premiering not one, but TWO new videos in the upcoming weeks. The video for "I Look To You" is set to debut on September 10th. While the clip for "Million Dollar Bill" will be premiere on September 16th. In other Whitney news, Whitney will be performing "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" on The Oprah Winfrey Show at the personal request of Oprah herself.

It's about time! Who releases a music video this late??

[Amy.]

I wish that Nothin' But Love was the first single. It's definitely the best song on the album IMO.

Million Dollar Bill is quite a nicxe song but it's kind of bland and goes nowhere IMO

[stevyy]

My favourit songs off the album are:

1. I got you: BEST R&B slowjam Whitney's every done.
2. Nothin' But Love: dancy and very good
3. Salute: her "nearest" "WBT-Cover" amazing song.. she sings it really good.
4. I didn't know my Own Strength: Diane Warren did wonders here.
5. Million $ Bill: great song. Whitneys GMA performance made me love the song..
6. A song for you: I like the beginning more than the dance-section
7. Like I Never Left: amazingly soft.
8. Call you Tonight: Love the last bridge
9. I look to you: quite bland but still well sung.
10. Worth It: don't really like it
11. For the lovers: I'm honestly shocked that so many ppl like this song.. :?

I give the album 4/5 or B+!
The voice isn't there anymore (I admit that) but the songs and how she delivers them are still good. So why not giving her a chance?

[crazycool]

Ordered my copy! :D

[Wayne]

As have many! Should hit no1 in the UK! :D

Its still top 10 on Amazon UK!

[HeatSeeker]

Still #1 on US iTunes, woohoo!

[Wayne]

http://i26.tinypic.com/r05r4o.jpg
http://i30.tinypic.com/1jayqd.jpg

[James]

really looking forward to the Oprah interview, just hope I get to see it. The UK are about 3 years behind with Oprah on crappy DIVA TV. And Oprah is mean with youtube, it's difficult finding anything Oprah on there, Miss O just won't have it.

[britneyfan09]

Can't wait for the interview. This is my album of the year so far. Deffo an great record IMO.

[Wayne]

Thanks LostAvenger!

Rounding up all the global chart positions & sales so far:

USA - #1 311,000
Germany - #1
Italy - 17,200 (Estimations)
Canada - #1 10,000
Switzerland - #1 (Certified Gold - 15,000 copies)
Norway - #2
Sweden - #2
Argentina - #2
France - #3 - 9,627 copies (Physical & Digital)
Austria - #3 (Certified Gold - 10,000 copies shipped)
Croatia (International) - #7
Finland - #17
Japan (International) - #18 import sales only: 1,870 copies
Czech Republic - #21
Portugal - #25
Croatia (Overall) - #30
Ireland - #38
Poland - #39
Japan - #63 import sales only: 1,870 copies

On the international front, the album's done really well considering the only promo there's been has been for Million Dollar Bill & I Look To You on the radio.

[stevyy]

The album is really exploding in Europa..

btw my fave song off this album changes everyday.. today its I look to you (song)..

I'm also listening to Just Whitney alot and I think that her voice was quite in shape in 2002.

[HeatSeeker]

I think it will drop to 220k or less this week in the US =/

[Wayne]

Stills from her video :D

http://i25.tinypic.com/2cr84zp.png

Thanks topopMAC1! :D

[Wayne]

http://luvdc.blogspot.com/2009/09/video ... -look.html (http://luvdc.blogspot.com/2009/09/video-premiere-whitney-houston-i-look.html)

THE VIDEO! OMG

[HeatSeeker]

New music video for "I Look to You!"

[youtube:29cfhzhs]mdEEwnlaF84&feature=sub[/youtube:29cfhzhs]

I think the director should be fired. Whitney was great in it: she had the right passion and soul, looked stunning in her dress, and you could tell she was really feeling the emotions in the song. I like the simplicity but it's too simple, and the camera work could've been a lot better.

[James]

heres a pic from Million Dollar Bill video. Looks like they have spent a little more on this one and Whitney looks great. Her figure with some meat on it looks so much better

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/8966/299011961.jpg

[James]

and a little gif

http://i27.tinypic.com/10x69mg.gif

[crazycool]

Ordered my copy! :D

Arrived today in the post!

Very pleased with it. A great consistent album, and quite like the artwork too.

[HeatSeeker]

She's on Oprah in 55 minutes :cheer:

[HeatSeeker]

Oprah Ratings Soar Thanks to Whitney Chat

By Josef Adalian
Published: September 15, 2009
Oprah Winfrey still has plenty of Nielsen firepower.

Monday's 24th season premiere of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" -- which featured a heavily hyped interview with Whitney Houston -- notched an 8.0 rating/12 share in Nielsen's metered market overnight ratings. That's the highest single-day rating for "Oprah" in nearly two years, and up a healthy 45 percent over last season's premiere.

Press reps for Winfrey's show note that "Oprah" scored well despite being delayed or pre-empted in nine major markets due to CBS's neverending coverage of the U.S. Open.

The lure of Houston talking openly about her drug abuse and marriage to Bobby Brown helped "Oprah" do best in Houston's one-time home city of Atlanta, where Winfrey's show earned a 10.6 rating. Winfrey more than doubled her year-to-year premiere ratings in New York, while improving by 73 percent and 85 percent in LA and Chicago, respectively.

Winfrey figures to have strong premiere week overall. Today's edition of "Oprah" features more Houston conversation and a performance by the singer. Wednesday, Winfrey pays tribute to Michael Jackson, and Friday, Winfrey will be live in New York's Central Park.

[crazycool]

Oprah's interview with Whitney was fantastic. Such a great watch, and I respect Whitters so much more now.

[HeatSeeker]

Oprah's interview with Whitney was fantastic. Such a great watch, and I respect Whitters so much more now.

Completely agree. I like Whitney more due to the interview :)

[James]

yeah I loved the interview......


loved the perfomance aswell. You can really tell her voice is recovering. If she looks after it and trains it properly it could really improve.

[Wayne]

[youtube:2sg4fgyc]xITv6jYpq9Q[/youtube:2sg4fgyc]

I Didn't Know My Own Strength live @ Oprah! :grinlove:

[HeatSeeker]

It was a great performance for Whitney :grinlove:

[stevyy]

I love the performance.. very emotional.. + she looks fantastic.

[Amy.]

Love the performance, hate the song though.

Nothin' But Love should have been first single.

[stevyy]

Love the performance, hate the song though.

Nothin' But Love should have been first single.

nothin' but love was the first song from the album i loved from the beginning to end.. just some hours later I realized that I got you is even better.

[Neil]

I've given this album a few spins now, it really doesn't do anything for me :/
I feel like the production is missing something on most of the tracks.

[Wayne]

Grammys 2010: An early look at album of the year
source:Los Angeles Times

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_b ... art-2.html (http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2009/08/grammys-2010-an-early-look-at-album-of-the-year-part-2.html)

Grammys 2010: An early look at album of the year
Grammy deserving: Initial reactions to "I Look to You" are positive, although not glowing. Houston's weapon was her voice, and it's lost some of its thrill. A scaled-back Whitney, especially one paired with A-list producers, from R. Kelly to Stargate to Akon, isn't necessarily all that different from any number of pop divas. That all being said, "I Look to You" may play it safe, but it's a pleasurable listen from start to finish. "Million Dollar Bill" is blissfully retro, and "Salute" packs a feisty, kiss-off punch.

[Wayne]

WHITNEY HOUSTON TOURING THE UK AND MORE....


Pop superstar WHITNEY HOUSTON is to hit the road for her first tour in 11 years.

The singer has returned to the spotlight this year (09) following a much-publicised battle with drugs and the breakdown of her marriage to Bobby Brown.

She topped the U.S. album chart with her new release I Look To You and now she has announced she will follow up the record with a world tour - her first since the My Love Is Your Love tour in 1999.

Houston will begin her global trek in 2010 and has scheduled dates in the U.K., Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Belgium, with the rest of the concerts set to be announced in the next few days.

Houston says in a statement, "This is my first full tour since the My Love Is Your Love tour, and I am so excited to be performing for my fans around the world after all this time. I am putting together a great show, and cannot wait to perform the songs from my new album I Look To You along with some of your favourites."

[Wayne]

WHITNEY HOUSTON TOURING THE UK AND MORE....

SHOWS: (ticket prices are around 100 pounds!)

Thursday April 8: Manchester Evening News Arena
Sunday April 11: SECC, Glasgow
Tuesday April 13: LG Arena, Birmingham
Thursday April 22: Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Sunday April 25: 02 Arena, London

[Lophorina]

terrible album !!!! :!:

[James]

WHITNEY HOUSTON TOURING THE UK AND MORE....

SHOWS: (ticket prices are around 100 pounds!)

Thursday April 8: Manchester Evening News Arena
Sunday April 11: SECC, Glasgow
Tuesday April 13: LG Arena, Birmingham
Thursday April 22: Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Sunday April 25: 02 Arena, London


I have mine for opening night in Manchester FLOOR SEATS YAY

[James]

terrible album !!!! :!:

WHAAAAAAT? no way :wifey: :hairaising:

[Wayne]

^ LOL

I kind of agree to an extent! :oops: Its certainly nothing amazing - its an album of two halves, with absolutely exceptional singles so far, and some even more excellent album tracks (my personal favourite, A Song For You)

[stevyy]

nice that she toures again!

[Lophorina]

terrible album !!!! :!:

WHAAAAAAT? no way :wifey: :hairaising:

YES, for me :P

[James]

Well it's not been confirmed officially yet but it seems that "Worth It" is the new single.

Apparentally the label did a single teaser and this got the best response.

IMHO I think it's the worst song on the album. I do like it but I tend to skip this one more than any other.

Looks like another flop single to me :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[Wayne]

Aw lol! Well MDB isn't really a flop single - she was never going to get a massive hit singles in the US anyways! I don't like Worth It either tbh

[James]

I think if they have any sense about them they will release "Like I Never Left". I know it leaked a while ago but it think its obvious it has radio appeal US & UK

[James]

This just in LOL

from VP of radio/promo at Sony, some from Classic Whitney board emailed him


From: "Richard.Palmese@XXXXX[left blank]xxxxx
To: just_whitney2002@XXXXX[left blank]xxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 12:31:32 PM
Subject: Re: Whitney's next single "Worth it"?


That is not true. We are waiting on Whitney to decide what additional promo she will do.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: XXXXX[left blank]xxxxx
To: Palmese, Richard, RCA Music Group
Sent: Wed Oct 21 06:01:05 2009
Subject: Whitney's next single "Worth it"?

Hi Sir,
there are rumours going around that Worth it is the next single.can u confirm this? BTW any new information regarding whitneys upcoming promo plans in the US?
Thank u very much and God Bless!

[James]

NEXT UK SINGLE IS "I LOOK TO YOU" TO BE RELEASED 14TH DECEMBER


hmmmmm isn't this the same date as the X Factor finalist single is released? And they have announced this just after the X Factor show and Simon saying he wants her to come back. I wonder if she is performing on the final? I can only wish.

Well after the backlash from the last show I think it would be a good idea. And in her current voice she can kill this song

[Wayne]

http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/news/nationa ... lic+Demand (http://www.glasswerk.co.uk/news/national/6975/Whitney+Houston+Annouces+Extra+Tour+Dates+Due+To+P ublic+Demand)


The second single to be taken from the new album is the title track I Look To You which will be released on December 14th. In the twenty-five years since she recorded her history-making debut album, Whitney Houston has become a superstar, a legend, an icon. One of the bestselling female artists of all time, she has sold over 140 million albums worldwide and is the most awarded female artist in history with 411 awards to her name. Her longtime producer Clive Davis encouraged her to record her recent release I Look To You which has topped charts across the world.

There's the confirmation! :D GREAT choice

[Wayne]

Exclusive: Whitney To Perform On Dancing With The Stars / No New Single This Year
source:http://thatgrapejuice.net/2009/10/exclusive-whitney-perform-dancing-stars-single/

That Grape Juice can EXCLUSIVELY reveal that Whitney Houston will be taking the stage this season on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars.

The legendary diva, whose comeback LP ‘I Look You’ topped the charts last month, will be performing ‘Million Dollar Bill’ on an episode of the show to air in the next few weeks.

Speaking of ‘Milliom Dollar Bill’, due to Urban radio now showing the single more love, we can EXCLUSIVELY reveal that there will no be no new singles to be released from the album until next year. Confirmed. {I guess I’ll to keep my fingers crossed a little longer for a ‘For The Lovers’ and ‘Calling You Tonight’ dual release}

Keep it locked on That Grape Juice for more exclusive Whitney Houston news.

[Wayne]

Something to make James smile:

UK - BPI Certifications:

WHITNEY HOUSTON - I LOOK TO YOU (100,000)
Gold Certification (Album) Friday, November 06, 2009
SONY MUSIC (ARISTA)
Released Monday, October 19, 2009

Get that Platinum Whitters! :devil:

[James]

YAAAAAAAAY Whitters. So happy. All off the back of one UK Performance. I reckon after I Look To You is released it should go Platinum. Well i hope so

[Wayne]

The act most comparable to Whitney Houston nowadays is Celine Dion. She went Platinum with a few appearances (X Factor, This Morning, An Audience With....), and closer to Christmas too.

I think Whitney will easily ship enough to go Platinum, and then some! A 400k-500k album is what I originally predicted for her! I think she still has a shot at that!:biggrin:

[James]

whitney to perform at AMA's see here for details http://www.vanityedge.com/showthread.php?t=51&page=2

[crazycool]

No Grammy nominations for I Look To You.

[Wayne]

And that is a bit of a joke in my opinion; whilst I don't think this album is as good as maybe I Am Sasha Fierce...I don't think IASF is good enough to warrant the 8 nominations it got Beyonce (+ she got 3 for Cadillac Girls!!). I think that I Look To You deserved nominations in at least the R&B category - I mean Million Dollar Bill is a brilliant song. It just screams Grammy!! I bet Clive is well annoyed, seeing as he pushed the album back to meet the Grammy deadline!

[crazycool]

Yeah, Beyoncé got far too many!

I was shocked I Look To You didn't even get Best R&B Album à la Jennifer Hudson's debut did.

[James]

I never expected it to get Album Of The Year or anything but a nomination in an RnB catagory is more than called for I believe. I mean it's a solid album.

The grammy's are notoriously stingy to Whitney. I mean arguable the best voice in pop music for the last 25 years and she has 6 Grammy's???? Whats all that about??

[crazycool]

^ I agree. Same with Mariah, nearly 20 years in the business and only 5 grammy awards. Whereas Alicia Keys has god knows how many!

[Wayne]

According to fresh reports, comeback queen Whitney Houston is already readying the follow-up to 2009’s Platinum seller ‘I Look To You’. Set to embark on a four-month world tour, which kicks off in Seoul, Korea on February 6th, Houston (46) is said to be hitting the studio for recording sessions with hit-maker Bryan Michael Cox. {Source 1} {Source 2}

Granted it’s currently unconfirmed as to whether Nippy’s recent and upcoming recording sessions are indeed for a new album (or a re-release), it’s great to see her keeping things moving. After a tumultuous few years, Whitney seems to be easing herself back into the saddle, with her vocals having improved a hell of a lot compared even to this time last year. Therefore, prepping a new record – which I’d imagine won’t hit stores until late this year, early next – seems like a wise move. It’s all about keeping the momentum moving.

That said, it’d be criminal if ‘For The Lovers’ doesn’t get a release sometime in ‘I Look To You’s shelf-life! That song epitomises ‘the business’. Don’t believe…take a listen:

[Wayne]

Whitney won the NAACP awards for best video - I Look to you.