Customer Reviews

Just Whitney

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As I write this it actually has'nt been too long since I heard of the news of Whitney's passing,having not yet seen 50. She'd faltered badly during the 90's and stalled after a significant comeback which found her emphasing a more urban sound. This unforunately wound up being one of Whitney's final albums and her first of the new millenium. Much as with MJ's Invincible,Prince's The Rainbow Children and Madonna's Music from this same period,all showcased these 80's era pop icons looking to stage comeback after a decade of somewhat mixed results for them. Whitney Houston of course comes straight from the soul/gospel school of vocalizing. Of course the way many of her contemporaries were sounding,it was beginning to look as if,between that and her personal problems her time had finaly come to pass. Well not if she had anything to say about it.

At this point Whitney had more of a difficult reputation in the press than anything. No big movie roles,no albums in a little while and erratic public displays. While her life seemed to be crumbling around her,she released what I'd say is the best and and most consistant albums of her career. One of the reasons is not only her interest in pursuing more funk oriented music but also better taste in production. Basically this is a lean,mean album all around. The old school style sophistifunk of "One Of These Days and especially "Love That Mean" really leading the way. On some of the modern,slick dance shuffles "Tell Me No" and "Dear John Letter" it's clear her voice has diminished some with the wear of her life. But again her dogged defiance in defending her mistakes make for a more than interesting listen. That comes through as well on "My Love",a midtempo duet with her (still) husband Bobby Brown.

On "Unashamed" her doggedness is just a little much to bare even if it is powerful urban contemporary R&B/hip-hop musically. Same goes for the other old school groove "Whatchulookinat",dominated by it's "tabloid junkie" style lyrics,kind of retread what MJ had already done in the mid 90's. The ballads "Try It On My Own" and a cover of "You Light Up My Life" actually are the better of her usually overblown ballads. In that sense,the somewhat diminished production and her lesser voice work in her favor. So yes the bombast and growl of Whitney's old voice is now gone,replaced with a still recognizable but more nuanced tone. It won't be to everyone's taste. But the music here is probably underrated by a lot of people. Even myself perhaps. I'd even go as far as saying perhaps Whitney's later albums are not at all the worst of her career. They just have a different flavor. And I wonder now that she's not with us anymore if these albums will be objectively re-evaluated,without the pollution of her backstory getting in the way.

Just Whitney is excellent it has some up-beat jams like "One Of Those Days" , "Love That Man","Dear John Letter" are a hip-r&b songs with the beat that makes you dance.Then there's the jam tunes like" Things You Say",her duet with Bobby Brown on "My Love" shows they care,and love each other.There's the ballad's
"Try It On My Own","You Light up My Life","Unashamed",and Tell Me No" were she really expresses the way she feels.Then "Watchalookinat" the single were she fights back at the press for the rumors that is a good song

This album is excellent,it makes u feel like you are in a relationship
go out and by the album :)

I loved it, who said Whitney's voice is gone? This album proves she is still Whitney. I reccomend it! Her soulful voice and lyrics shines through. It has a positive edge to it you go WHITNEY!

In recent years, we've all become so enmeshed in Whitney's so-called "problems" that we've not focused on her music for years. This latest release proves that Ms. Houston still has it GOIN' ON! That Voice...just keeps getting better with time. All of the elements that made us fall in love with her are still there...and the woman can still hit those high notes. This album deals with some personal issues, but has a message for everyone..."One of those days"..."Unashamed"..."Tell Me No"...they're sure hits. Miss Whitney...YOU GO GURL!

There is no doubt about the fact that the past several years have really been very difficult for Whitney Houston. She had a lot of personla and professional turmoil to deal with in her life, from her marriage to Bobby Brown ending to the death of her father John Houston, to issues with personal demons. But back in 2002, there were so many people who already had disregarded Whitney as an outrageous joke, because of the issues with drug problems, a difficult but troubled relationship with her dad, whom had sued his daughter for $100 million for breach of contract (yet John had sadly died and his lawsuit was tossed out of court), and a difficult outlet for R&B Soul in the music industry, where Rap & Hip Hop had overexposed the music market. Still, that honestly hadn't stopped Whitney Houston from making a strong effort, and that was what led to Just Whitney.

Just Whitney, Whitney Houston's 2002 album, her last studio effort has been re-released in anticipation to her upcoming comeback album I Look To You in September. The collection of songs focused on the heartbreak and fallout Whitney had to ordeal in her life, from being a tabloid target, to the end of a difficult and struggling relationship to her dad, and many other issues with her family life. The album was also the first release Whitney recorded without Clive Davis, mainly because Clive was focused on his work with J Records, and acts like Alicia Keys & Rod Stewart.

Nevertheless, that hasn't stopped Whitney from delivering a strong album. The record though is a bit shorter than My Love Is Your Love showcased, but still managed to strike while the iron is hot with some really great songs including One Of Those Days, which was a great and down to Earth sample of The Isley Brothers classic Between The Sheets, the elequent Try It On My Own, which was very soulful and simply elequent from the heart, and which Houston dominated from with a uplifting performance on the David E. Kelly created FOX show Boston Public back in 2003, the driven and hard-hitting Whatchulookinat, which was a smack in the face with the targeting Whitney had to deal with being the tabloid target, and simple and deeply-moved cover of Debbie Boone's You Light Up My Life. The songs still sound great to listen to, and feel soulfully from the heart.

All in all, while Just Whitney wasn't as well-received by so many people in favor of her earlier records, Whitney Houston still delivered a great album, and I definitely loved it. If you are still a hard core fan, and if you haven't yet found the record on C.D., than I absolutely suggest you get this album to tide you over in the meantime, in anticipation for I Look To You, and hopefully you'll look forward to Whitney's return in September.

Album Cover: B

Songs: A-

Price: A-

Remastering: B+

Overall: A-

Media can do so much damage to wondrous talents and witnessed this since my teens in the sixties when Judy Garland was labeled a has-been by the media & music industry in 1965...yet when experiencing her tremendous Opening Night performance at Los Angeles "Greek Theatre" 9/13/65, this was to be the greatest concert experience ever for this now forty-plus year concert goer yet strangely next day neither The Los Angeles Times or Herald Examiner reported on this memorable riveting event...learned at a young age to judge for yourself! Forget the negative press and savor & enjoy "Just Whitney", awesome collection and one of the amazing singers finest...two-disc set, worth it's weight in gold, includes sublime DVD that is a totally wondrous musical fantasy and Baby Face produced CD is richly varied, filled with a variety of great songs & performances, who could ask for anything more?
"One Of Those Days" starts the groove right with Whitney in superb form in wonderfully flowing song that is infectious and should have been a huge blockbuster hit...riveting "Tell Me No" is a great Whitney anthem with an edgy tremendous vocal being one of her finest and guaranteed to wear out that repeat mode..."Things You Say" is wildly romantic and engrossing while the great self-penned Bobby Brown duet "My Love" is winning with a nice flow to it.
A funky romantic jam "Love That Man" is a cooker that has a hit sound to it while "Try It On My Own" is one of Whitney's greatest ever anthem performances...solid classic is thrilling to experience both vocally and emotionally defining what this magnificent singer is all about. A great funky jam "Dear John Letter" flows like honey while a hypnotic "Unashamed" is dark and exotic...great sadly overlooked collection should have been a huge blockbuster & for shame to the music industry not giving support to this collection of versatile great performances. "Just Whitney" should have had multiple Grammy Awards and sold more than just a few million...perfect example of why the music industy is in the pit!
Many have recorded "You Light Up My Life" but never has anyone gone to the core of this song until this beautifully moving version that is a performance filled with so much feeling and emotion that can easily bring one to tears. Bravo to Whitney Houston for this wondrous collection filled with sublime performances...lady, you are something else!!!
Closing this masterpiece is the engaging hit "Whatchulookinat", wild rhythm cooker should have gone to #1 but so much bad press kept this great song from going to the top where it belonged...listen to these lyrics! To the media, please stop taking apart this legendary talent and just enjoy...thank you Whitney Houston for sharing your great gift and please keep it coming & love and miss you lots and look forward to more great music delivered as only you can!

This cd was excellent when it first came out. I was hesistant at the time to buy it because it was kind of critically panned, but I think it was because she had broken away from the machine and was producing on her own. This cd may be one of her best, but because it wasnt industry pushed like her last cd, many are not even aware of how good it is. I am just buying a replacement because I lost the old one. She really put her emotions into this cd and you can feel through the songs her emotions, not just what the producers wanted. This cd rode with me constantly a whole summer and i have great memories listening to it. Whitney thanks for the music and God bless your family. RIP

I truly appreciated this CD. In my opinion Whitney's best work. It was a shame that it did not get the advertising she needed. This could have brought her another award nomination and a possible win. Her latest CD is good, but this one was just dynamic. Remind of the young Whitney we all love.

There are often times where so many of fans, indefinitely forget about artists from the past, largely because of what seems to be hot on radio today, or for because of personal issues and problems that somebody might have. That has been that case with Whitney Houston. Although she has recorded some of the best songs on radio and on television, many people would rather use her as a punching bag because of her personal problems, whether it is somebody from the National Enquirer, or sketch performer Debra Wilson from MAD TV. Nevertheless, it still remains a sad situation. Her last record though still shows that she is still standing and her voice will always remain a gem for so many.

Just Whitney, Whitney Houston's 2002 record, is a bit shorther than her '98 record My Love Is Your Love, but the feeling of voice on this record remains as strong as ever. The album revolves around what was going on through Whitney's eyes at the time from her personal vices, to a public family feud involving her and her late father, John Houston. The songs here still sound great and down to Earth such as the somber Try It On My Own, which Whitney performed on the FOX televsion show Boston Public, the upbeat One Of Those Days, and a elequent cover of Debby Boone's You Light Up My Life to name a few. This edition also includes a DVD of two music videos including Whatchulookinat', a song Whitney recorded, slamming the negativity she received over the past several years, and another video as well.

Despite the pain she has gone through, I would still rather listen to Whitney Houston, over a overexposed, manufactured artist like Jennifer Lopez or Kelly Clarkson from American Idol anyday. I absolutely still enjoy this record, and if you're still a die hard Whitney fan than you'll enjoy it to.

Album Cover: A-

Songs: A

Price: B 1/2+

Mastering: A-

Bonus DVD: B

Overall: B+

well her voice may not be as strong as it used to be but she is still the best female singer of all time. the best song i like is "one of those days". theres a lot of people talking about her right now and theyr'e just haters. I hope this isn't her last cd. anyone who likes Whitney Houston will like this cd. but i am on the side of people who say she should go back to her original producers that helped her make great songs such as "how will I know", and " I will always love you" but if she just keeps making albums she will be in great shape. Whatever you do Whitney don't retire because you have millions of fans. there is always someone to bring you down but just keep doing what you doing. Come back to 106 and park again to.