Search - Whitney Houston :: Just Whitney

Simply Whitney

Michael Kerner | Brooklyn, New York U.S.A. | 07/13/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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-"