Customer Reviews

Whitney Houston

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is Whitney Houston's absolute best album. This was her debut album back in February 14, 1985 and made her phenomenally successful. If you are a fan of Whitney's heartfelt music, then this and her second album "Whitney" is a must for your music collection. To date, this is Whitney's most successful studio, non-soundtrack album. The only album that tops this in sales is the Bodyguard soundtrack. This album has sold about 23 million copies worldwide, while her second album sold 19 million to date.

I found that 4 of the songs on this album are the absolute best. These 4 are: "Saving all my love for you," "How will I know," "All at once," and "Greatest love of all." My personal favorite is "How will I know."

Unlike today's much younger music stars who have no talent and are popular only with the teen crowd, here is a diva that truly has a sensational voice whether it was singing the "Star Spangled Banner" or "One Moment in Time" at the 1988 Summer Olympics or "I will always love you" from the Bodyguard Soundtrack or one of her hits from her earlier albums, Whitney is a true diva, and I AM A TEEN!

Did you know that Whitney Houston's debut LP, called simply Whitney Houston, had four number one singles on it? Did you know that, Christy? It's hard to choose a favorite among so many great tracks. But "The Greatest Love of All" is one of the best, most powerful songs ever written; about self-preservation, dignity. Its universal message crosses all boundaries and instills one with the hope that it's not too late to better ourselves. Since, Elizabeth, it's impossible in this world we live in, to empathize with others. We can always empathize with ourselves. It's an important message. Crucial really, as beautifully stated on the album.

I am shocked and grieving; Whitney Houston has died all too soon--she was merely 48 years old! The daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of 1960s pop diva Dionne Warwick and even the goddaughter of Aretha Franklin, Whitney was born to be a star; and that's the way I will always remember her. "You Give Good Love" and "The Greatest Love of All" were two of my very favorite Whitney Houston tunes; it's great to have them here.

And the rest of what we get is nothing short of bliss; this is Whitney's very strong debut album that showcases her vocal prowess and proves she was a superstar. Numbers I really like include "Saving All My Love for You;" this number alone is worth the price of admission and has Whitney singing like very few others ever could! "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do" is a fine duet with Jermaine Jackson; and I also love that dance beat as Whitney sings flawlessly on "How Will I Know." "All At Once" is very poignant; Whitney massages the lyrics to this ballad like a pro! "Hold Me" is another great tune.

This is very highly recommended for any Whitney Houston fan; and it even makes a fine starter CD for anyone just discovering the incredible artistry of Whitney Houston.

Thank you, Whitney! We will never forget you!

I have to agree that this is a five star album, being her best. But there is a reason I am giving this CD 4 stars. Hasn't anyone noticed that The Greatest Love Of All is not the version that was on the original LP. The version on this CD is the same song we always hear on the radio. The version on the original LP had a more simplistic feel, with soft piano chords and Whitney's voice brilliantly displayed. This original version from the LP is FAR SUPERIOR to version on this CD, or the greatest hits collection. Again, those versions of the song are the radio version. You have my word I am not lying to you. Actually, the LP version did appear on the original CD release from the 1980's. Mastering is one thing (as this CD really has to be remastered as well as the second album, both her best works), but not having the original version of a song that was released on the album is another. It's time to remaster the album as it was originally released, and to make everyone comfortable, put the radio version as a bonus from the prettiest female singer of 1980s and 1990s. Thanks for reading, Joseph

Sadly, Whitney Houston has spent the last few years digging herself into a deep hole that she'll probably never get out of, but she still has to be given credit for making one of the best albums ever; an album that argues strongly against the existence of the "skip" button. "Saving All My Love For You", "You Give Good Love", and "How Will I Know" were all huge hits and rightly so, but every song is absolutely beautiful, especially the funky gems "Someone For Me" and "Thinking About You" as well as the criminally underrated duet with Jermaine Jackson "Take Good Care Of My Heart." The next two albums that she made weren't quite as good, but she hadn't completely flushed everything down the toilet just yet. However, pretty much anything she made after 1990 is definitely bottom-drawer compared to her 80s material.

Before she succumbed to the bizarre life of a pampered and insolent superstar, Whitney Houston premiered her talent with this rapturous pop album. It has something for everyone, as evidenced by its string of hits. But every song is a marvel of production value, all of it showcasing the young and rangy gorgeousness of that still-pure voice. It makes me sad to listen to it now, given how Whitney's voice has debilitated over the last 15 years. But you will swoon over All At Once, one of the most well-crafted pop songs ever about lost love.

Model-turned-diva, Whitney Houston's self-titled effort rendered the music world breathless. It became the best-selling album by a female artist (selling an excess of 12 million copies in the U.S.--- Over 25 million copies world wide) and with good reason. The smash singles "You Give Good Love" and "Saving All My Love For You" propelled the album off the shelves. And the hits "How Will I Know" and "The Greatest Love Of All" followed...as did the Grammy nominations. Houston's first LP was nominated for Album of the Year at the 1986 Grammy Awards (where she won the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Saving All My Love For You") The following year "The Greatest Love Of All" was nominated for Record of the Year. But if statistics and accolades don't impress you... the 10-song album will. It includes all the aforementioned hits as well as 2 incredible collaborations with Jermaine Jackson. ("Take Good Care Of My Heart" & "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do") And more up-tempo ballads ("Someone For Me" and "All At Once") The album remains Houston's best solo studio effort to date. And eventually produced three #1 singles and four gold singles. It belongs in any and every "Best of the 80's Collection" and in the "Best Albums of All-time" category.

Whitney Houston exploded onto the music scene in early 1985, signing a deal with Arista Records, under the guidance of Clive Davis. Her self-titled debut, released that year was the beginning of a fruitful career and lapped up some of Whitneys very best work to date.

The debut extract would be the sparkling, vibrant ballad, You Give Good Love, produced by the divine Jermaine Jackson. Whitneys positively exquisite and exhilirating vocal delivery was astoundingly powerful, much in the shadow of the great, Aretha Franklin. Despite its glorious content, You Give Good Love bombed on the U.S charts and was therefore not even issued in the U.K through lack of interest.

The slice of disco-pop in distinctly 80's style was the angelic, How Will I Know, a rather sappy and girly tune that hardly had the credibility of the previous single, but emerged as a winner where it topped the U.S charts, whilst storming its way into the U.K Top 10 charts. How Will I Know was produced by Narada Michael Walden who would go on to produce more of her work on future albums.

Thinking About You was an electric affair with its startling electro-pop orchestrations whilst Whitneys vocal delivery is highly dynamic. More jamming pop follows with the upbeat, Someone For Me, where her rocketing vocal delivery is once again astoundingly strong.

The genius Michael Masser who had produced countless soul classics with divine soul diva, Diana Ross, was involved in most of the project and worked his magic again with this breathtaking singer. The ballad, Saving All My Love For You is so uplifting and timeless. The full force of her vocal techniques floods out on this tear-jerker of a classic. Her delivery on here is almost mesmerising.

She duets with Jermaine Jackson on the sugary, Nobody Loves Me Like You Do. There is a nice range of harmonies between these two fabulous singers and even a slight air of sexual chemistry between the two sizzles through. All At Once is another sweeping ballad where she is joined by a gospel backing choir on the exalting chrous. All At Once became another huge International hit to her credit.

Theres another duet with Jermaine Jackson included with the exotic, late night R&B number, Take Good Care Of My Heart where their vocals are propelled into full effect and both sound equally as magnificent as one another. A timeless collaboration though failed to hit the U.S top 40 charts when released as a single there.

Another one of Whitneys most definitive classics follows with her fantastic cover of The Greatest Love Of All where her wide range of spectacular abilities is displayed yet again.

Hold Me is a sickly romantic ballad on which she duets with soul crooner, Teddy Pendergrass. Despite the overly syrupy content the track is actually exhilirating on just hearing these two fine singers like captured on record together. Always makes for a dynamic combination.

This album is actually quite remarkable for a debut. Consistent, solid and high quality work from one of the greatest singers of our era, it is an indeed timeless classic and stands as some of her most memroable work.

Coming in at two solid years in the making Whitney Houston's

self titled debut album is one of two essencial albums in her

still very limited catalog!The songs most people remember from this album are the wrung out,heavily produced big ballads "All

At Once" and "The Greatest Love Of All",not the best songs here by a longshot but alongside Michael Jackson and Prince made her

one of the legnendary crossover singers of the period and probably THE most deserving female crossover vocalist of the decade!But those arn't the songs that bring me back to the

first flurry of Whitneymania.Those would be the slinky,dripping

groove of "Thinking About You",the funky bass-driven "Someone For Me" and the commanding dance-pop classic "How Will I Know".

So naturally it's the uptempo pieces that stand out to me but I

definately have room in my interests to accomodate the soulfully

shuffling "Saving All My Love For You" and her sultry duet with

Jermaine Jackson on "Take Good Care Of My Heart"-both songs

spurred a debate ammong some people I know who think Houston's

wonderful voice is often wasted on commercial drek,not even close to achieving the same variety as an album like this.So all

the songs are obviously carfully crafted with pop radio airplay

in mind but here Whitney journeyd pretty freely from smooth

R&B,dance,quiet storm balladry and even a nod at funk here and there (yes,I hear it).But sadly that variety has never really

been returned to.Oh well.

I'm not really a big fan of Whitney Houston but I do love this album. There's not a bad cut on here and Ms. Whitney shows what a dynamic and diverse singer she is.

"Saving All My Love For You" and "Greatest Love of All" have become WH's trademark concert songs and with good reason. Of all the songs on this album, they're my favorite mainly because they're such evocative ballads.

Not only can WH do outstanding renditions of pop ballads but she can also rock with the best of them. "How Will I Know" has a rock-soul edge to it that makes you wanna get up and dance.

WH also seems to bring out the best in other singers as evidenced by her duets with Jermaine Jackson and Teddy Pendergrass. Jackson has a good but balanced presence on "Take Good Care of My Heart" and "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do" and his singing style blends in well with Houston's. Houston and Pendergrass also complement each other well on "Hold Me."

For the serious and casual Whitney Houston fan this album is a must. The more you listen to it, the more you'll love it.