Houston’s comeback album now streaming live online
So, exactly how much faith does executive producer Clive Davis and Arista Records have in Whitney Houston’s comeback album, “I Look to You?”
In a gutsy move, they’re now streaming the entire 11-song cycle online on the former Atlantan’s website. Yes, Davis and Houston have now brought their previously private listening parties to the fans who are eagerly anticipating the August 31st release.
Atlanta’s own Akon steps in as producer on “Like I Never Left” (where he also provides vocals) and “I Got You,” a mid-tempo song about former lovers co-written by Houston.
Our initial impression?
All the classic, fan-friendly elements from Houston’s career have been masterfully hard-wired into the project: diva-like dramatic anthems, dancefloor-ready, high energy material and a nod to modern studio sounds. The only thing noticeably absent: Houston’s trademark soaring vocal flourishes.
And the only potentially serious misstep on the project?
A cover of Leon Russell’s standard “A Song for You.” The intent, we’re guessing, was for Houston to communicate directly with her two decades of fans via the first-person show biz confessional. But when the ballad gets high-jacked into a Stargate-produced dance track, the stab at intimacy is lost.
Our personal fave moment on the disc? On the dance track “For the Lovers,” when Houston calls out her detractors, singing: “To all the haters in the place? I ain’t singing to you!”
Interestingly, in a move that perhaps speaks volumes about the current state of the record industry, there’s a link on Houston’s website where fans can pre-order the disc via the TV shopping channel and website QVC.
Listen to the album here.
Here’s what Billboard had to say about the tracks.
So, take a listen to the tracks and then come back here and let us know your take on the entire album. Is Whitney back? Do you miss the vocal acrobatics? Most importantly, will you be adding the disc to your Houston discography later this month?
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44 comments Add your comment
Jamie
August 25th, 2009
12:10 pm
I will for sure be buying this CD! I actually really like A Song for You but I think everyone should take a listen to Call You Tonight, Worth It and Salute for starters. This might just be one of my favorite Whitney Houston CD’s. I think every song is really good..
Fal
August 25th, 2009
12:20 pm
Will definitely be buying this album. It is dabomb!!!! Sure there may not be vocal acrobatics however she still sound great and it is a good album. So many nuggets potential of being hit singles!
I Got You, Call You Tonight, Salute and Worth It amongst my early favourites!!!
Weedney
August 25th, 2009
12:29 pm
Ugh… Just Whitney is much better than this album (from what I’ve heard from the leak). Not gonna buy this one. Not a COMEBACK worthy album. No beltings, no big-voiced Whitney. She hits those notes and runs repeatedly. Booooring… next album please…
Jamie
August 25th, 2009
12:47 pm
I LOVE this album! ASFY is one of the best Whitney Records ever! Cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy!
Macy
August 25th, 2009
1:31 pm
Sadly I don’t like the album. She butchered a classic song. Should’ve left ASFY the way it is. Xtina’s sh%ts on her remake. And what’s with her muffled voice? The Voice is now The Noise.
vic
August 25th, 2009
2:23 pm
Whitney’s the best! And as for the haters, she aint singing to you so u kn ow what to do!
patrick Kirkwood
August 25th, 2009
2:40 pm
Great album! Thanks for sharing your gift to the world, again Whitney!!!
Reign
August 25th, 2009
3:28 pm
I’ve only heard 2 of the songs. “I Look to You” is just OK to me. It has a spiritual base so everyone thinks it’s all that, but it’s just OK. And that one produced by Swizz Beats and written by Alicia Keys is HORRIBLE. I was cringing all the while listening to it. Ugh! Her voice sounds like her Aunt Dionne Warwick and that’s not a bad thing, it’s just that the voice doesn’t work with the song. The song is pop and her voice is more mature. She’s back but not near as angelic a voice as she once had. I don’t even want to hear the other songs. I am happy for her though and I’m glad she has fans that will support her no matter what. And I’m definitely glad she’s healthy and happy!
james
August 25th, 2009
3:32 pm
Love parts of the album…. There actually is some “belting” just not tons, which in this day an age an album like that would not do well…. Salute is the best song on the cd … And I love the start of a Song for you… not sure why they decided to go disco at the end…. The song builds and builds, amazing, but i just didnt like the disco ending…
Mike
August 25th, 2009
3:49 pm
Has anyone actually done “A Song For You” justice since the Carpenters covered it?
Me
August 25th, 2009
4:09 pm
I’ve been a Whitney Fan since 1986 with her first CD. Listening to this CD with her being gone so long, I can appreciate her attempt to stay true to herself and not make the music of today. Ofcourse I would like more acrobats with her voice because she use to do it like no other but the music industry has changed and you have to realize this is a business; hence she is trying to pay her bills. I can listen to the CD all the way threw and enjoy every song. Maybe I am bias cause i love her sooooo. My homegirl!!!! Not a big fan of the second half of ASFY but the beginning is great. I think she did an exceptional job on this project. WELCOME BACK!!!!! Whitney fans know she gives the acrobats in the live performances and sometimes deviates away from the original flow of the song in a live video performance. Wait till you see her in concert.
NativeAtlantan
August 25th, 2009
4:14 pm
Ouch…my ears are bleeding…Cher-redux…can you say “digitally enhanced”?
Texas Boy
August 25th, 2009
4:44 pm
I will not buy Whitneys new CD,nobody buys CD’s anymore.
Tracey
August 25th, 2009
5:03 pm
Texas Boy I buy CD’s. Whitney has the best voice and no matter if you buy the CD or not she will still make a come back. “hater”.
WhitneyCantSingAnymore
August 25th, 2009
5:29 pm
LMFAO! Its just been leaked a few hours ago, and she’s already getting negative reviews? How funny is that!? Well, I’ve listened to it, and almost, if not all, songs are boring and forgettable. Definitely not worthy of her previous work. And its impossible not to mention that her voice is gone. She better stop with all this grammy talk, cause she aint gon’ get none! I won’t buy it, cause its bad, in my opinion. And I heard that Wal-Mart refuses to sell it in store. Fyi, I USED to be a big Whitney fan, until she turned to drugs…then I lost ALL respect for her. And the consequences for her actions are clearly noticeable, and almost brutal for people with ears.
D
August 25th, 2009
6:20 pm
Baby Girl IS BACK !!!!!!!! And it is more than worth the wait. C’mon you haters, she had to take a break to be human .
Bustre
August 25th, 2009
8:13 pm
I think “Lady Blue” would be better suited for the album, or “Back to the Island”.
Bustre
August 25th, 2009
8:16 pm
None the less, I wish you well.
Javier
August 26th, 2009
12:02 am
The album is great…almost all songs can be a single…
Lucas
August 26th, 2009
12:04 am
I will buy this album, i heard the songs and sounds very well…
Sarah
August 26th, 2009
12:22 am
The album is surprisingly good. It makes you realize how few people actually know how to sing on the radio these days! Whitney’s voice has changed but she can still belt it out. And she hit quite a few high notes too!! Welcome back.
phredd
August 26th, 2009
8:02 am
I was pleasantly surprised! I had rather low expectations but upon listening, I found myself enjoying it and listened straight through from beginning to end. Yes the voice isn’t what it used to be, but it’s still better than what hear on the radio these days. And as someone else pointed out, big notes and belted ballads aren’t in favor these days anyway. It’s nice to see that her sound is a mature one and that she’s not “Obssessed” with trying to compete with chirpy pop-tarts half her age. I will most definitely buy it! Welcome back, Whit!
Babidoll
August 26th, 2009
10:01 am
I love Whitney. I love the new CD. I’m going to buy it. And I look forward to seeing Whitney on Oprah Sept 14!! She’s back!!!
Secret Weapon
August 26th, 2009
10:21 am
Great CD!! I wish Whitney the best. To all the haters, God has a way of bringing us up when we fall. She deserves the best and I am sure she will make a great comeback. Love all the songs!!!
Chris
August 26th, 2009
10:42 am
I really enjoyed the CD. I think Whitney has made a come back. I will definitly by the CD.
rambeaux
August 26th, 2009
12:22 pm
Weedney was booted off the symphany. shim (yes he’s a she) is mad, and sad…he’s smad. we are jammin her album downtown nw on peachtree street. se ya in da skreets Weedney! Oh, that’s right…they re-poed your ride.
RGA
August 26th, 2009
1:31 pm
I thought the CD was good. Not as good as her earlier works, though. Her voice is not quite what it was. She does belt out a few good “power” notes, but not like her other hits. Is it me, or are there more backup singers than before? I am a Whitney fan and have some of her CDs, but considering she has been “gone” for so long, it’s hard to get that great voice back to where it was. It’s good to hear her again. She has been missed.
Gary B.
August 26th, 2009
1:43 pm
This CD is a disaster ! It sounds very dated, Whitney’s voice sounds strained and rough, and there was not one good song on the entire project that caught my attention. In my opinion, this cd will be the biggest bomb of the year
Monique
August 26th, 2009
2:15 pm
I think Whitney’s new ablum is ok. My favorite one was the one with Heartbreak hotel on it. I will not be buying as for now I only like one song.
ogre
August 26th, 2009
2:20 pm
i liked her better when she was runnin around alpharetta makin a fool out of herself with that bafoon husband of hers
Kristi
August 26th, 2009
2:22 pm
I actually like most of the songs on the album. True, you don’t necessarily hear all of the higher registers she used to hit but her voice is still great. I have and always will be a Whitney fan. Side note: I did not like the rendition of “A Song for You.”
Liz
August 26th, 2009
3:57 pm
I know that she has been through a lot of turmoil in her life but that is just not the Whitney we all knew and loved. She sounds just like another girl who can sing. There is nothing special about her sound. Maybe her voice can be re-trained. I understand she is older now but her old sound was off the chain and now she is rather ordinary. I hope that she will continue working hard and make a good comeback. Many say Bobby brought her down, others said she didn’t have far to fall. Good luck Whitney.
Foots
August 26th, 2009
4:14 pm
Mike — I’ll need to hear the Carpenters version, but Donny Hathaway killed it in 1971.
A Realist
August 26th, 2009
8:18 pm
A Song For You – Donny Hathaway’s version is the measure by which all other versions of the song are judged. Any legitimate musician/vocalist that has heard many versions of the song will agree with that assessment. I definitely liked Karen Carpenter’s voice and their version of A Song For You, but the Carpenters version CAN’T EVEN TOUCH Donny Hathaway’s version.
Kim
August 26th, 2009
9:31 pm
This album sucks!!! Whitney’s days are over. This is not a comeback by any means. I would have appreciated her more if she would have just stayed Bobby’s ex wife and not tried to re-enter the music industry. What a disappointment!
acziggy
August 26th, 2009
10:40 pm
..of course the album isn’t like her previous ones.. she hit the scene in the latter 80’s when vocal powerhousing was the norm. And a singer’s voice does age… ask any opera singer! No, the upper register isn’t earth-shattering but Whitney is a singer’s singer and what she does with a “little” technique is so far above what most on the
radio do now that it is a non issue. Let’s just see how the music public responds.
bea
August 27th, 2009
12:04 am
She’s not hitting the high notes & doing a lot of big belts on this one, but from a great singer you get a great delivery. AND for all those who don’t like this rendition of “A Song For You”, check her live performance from her 1991 Welcome Home Heroes concert. This lady has always been amazing & they don’t call her The Voice for nothing. She paid her dues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NotAQuickie
August 27th, 2009
12:15 am
This album is great & fits very well with today’s music. It is a shame that because of the precedent set by WHITNEY, people are being overly critical of her vocals on this album. If you’re just looking for a quick fix of trills, high notes, and over-singing, there are plenty of forgettable acts you can listen to currently in the pop market. Incidentally, you may want a quick listen to Whitney’s earlier works to hear how to sing like this PROPERLY because she did it FIRST. It’s like saying Billie Holliday had no range, or Ella Fitzgerald’s scatting got messy, or Michael Jackson’s dancing got sloppy…just absurd to think they have anything to PROVE. GREAT work Whitney!!
rayray
August 29th, 2009
9:34 pm
I just bought the album, I love love it. Whitney is Hot. Noboby can sing like they did 20 years ago. so why expect it. look at Aretha, Patti, all are great.
KwnnBie
September 1st, 2009
11:11 am
LOVE this album. I am almost in tears. Whitney is my all time favorite! I have longed for this day…thank you LORD! We knew that You could do it. Thank You for giving us our Whitney back!
johnnie
September 1st, 2009
7:37 pm
this is a good piece of music! especially ‘worth it’. if you ar a true fan of music, you have to enjoy this album. wait until the remixes then all of you critics will be dancing to a different beat. she is the ‘diva’ and she will always shine! YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!
william hicks
September 1st, 2009
7:54 pm
God love you whitney and so do * I be good
WhitneyFan
September 3rd, 2009
9:00 pm
Disappointing comeback. Best song on the album was Million Dollar Baby written by Alicia Keyes. She ruined A Song For You by making it a disco version which truly ruined the sincerity of its lyrics. Years of smoking cigarettes and smokinig pot have impaired her voice. She can still sing, but her voice lacks the depth and quality it once had. I am looking forward to her second album. This one sucks.
EL
September 7th, 2009
1:16 am
I know I’ll get ripped for this but hey, I’m just keeping it real. Why do Atlanta peeps always call folk “haters” when they don’t like Atlanta artists or someone disagrees with them?
Anyways, as for Ms. Houston, the voice is shot. Who saw her on Good Morning America? She didn’t have the BET audience there to placate her. Clive Davis should have known better. Whitney is done. It’s cool to support her and all because she’s been through some tough times. But let’s not be foolish, people. The songs are whack. They are indeed boring and forgettable. I won’t say the album is great just because she’s being all religious. That doesn’t magically make the music or her voice sound better. It’s mind boggling what passes for good music these days.