Product Description
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DVD includes 'Whatchulookinat' Video, 'Love To Infinity' Megamix
Video and 'Whatchulookinat' Behind The Scenes Footage.
.co.uk
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Just Whitney is the follow-up to Whitney Houston's career
reinventing comeback album, My Love Is Your Love (
/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000DFRS/${0} ), and it finds the former
soul-pop star settling comfortably into the role of R&B elder
stateswoman. As with its predecessor, the R&B big s have been
wheeled out to ensure the slickest production an artist of her
standing can buy. So while instant hits are thin on the ground,
the efforts of Babyface (
/exec/obidos/artist-search/Babyface/${0} ) and Destiny's Child (
/exec/obidos/artist-search/Destiny ) collaborator She'kspere
ensure that the likes of "Tell Me No" and "One Of Those Days"
roll to superior and enduring grooves, while the Missy Elliott (
/exec/obidos/artist-search/Missy%20Elliott/${0} ) penned and
produced "Things You Say" is gorgeous down-tempo smoulder.
Above all though, Just Whitney is an uncharacteristically
personal album. Clearly prompted by press reports of breakdowns
and alleged drug problems, strident first single
"Whatchulookinat", with its defiant "the same spotlight that gave
me fame's trynna dirty up Whitney's name", makes plain her
feelings towards the press. Likewise, gospel-tinged duet with
husband Bobby Brown (
/exec/obidos/artist-search/Bobby%20Brown/${0} ), "My Love", ably
quashes rumours of their marriage's demise. Unwelcome as Houston
no doubt finds such trials and tribulations, the effect on her
music is unquestionable. Just Whitney has more substance and soul
than any album in her 120 million-selling back catalogue,
assuring that in the oversubscribed world of R&B, Whitney is
still very much a contender. --Dan Gennoe
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Review
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Once upon a time there lived an extremely gifted pop princess
who possessed beauty, poise and a set of vocals that would make
the clouds smile. Critics were perplexed by this seemingly
perfect specimen, and swiftly termed her bland and banal.
However, a bad-boy husband, 120 million album sales, and rumours
of a dubious lifestyle ensured that Whitney Houston never leaves
the headlines.
With one of the most exceptional voices in contemporary music,
her latest album, aptly titled Just Whitney sees the diva return
to her former glory with a combination of high-voltage ballads
and smooth-liqueur R&B.
'Love That Man' sounds suspiciously like an ode to her much
criticised hubby. Here Whitney comes across as soulful and
sincere as she ooohs and aaahs in the right places. The mid-tempo
track harks back to 80s soul with its simple bass line, and
unfussy production.
'One Of Those Days' also has a slight retro feel to it, cleverly
sampling the Isley Brothers' Between the Sheets. Modern day women
will be able to relate to this one, as Whitney croons about the
need to withdraw from the pressures of day-to-day living for a
spot of girlie pampering.
Whitney has been experiencing her own fair share of
pressure-cooker environments recently. For evidence, look no
further than 'Whatchulookinat', an assertive, defiant statement
against her critics. The gentle vocals, which appeared on
previous tracks, have now been replaced by an authoritative
Whitney stating: 'Unashamed by the life that I lead, the choices
I've made, the things I have done, my belief in the one'.
The most welcomed return on Just Whitney is the incorporation of
big love ballads; with the melancholic "On My Own" providing one
of the album's highlights. The big-band orchestral feel to this
track provides the perfect platform for Whitney to deliver
vocally. Climaxing with one of those highly sustained notes sung
in an octave that only the likes of Mariah, Celine and Aretha are
capable of, she renders this track truly awesome.
The moral of this story is always stick to what you do best.
Whitney's return to big ballads will hopefully ensure that this
pop princess will be able to lead the rest of her life like a
clichéd fairy tale - happily ever after. --Keysha Davis
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