CJ REPORTS

Posted by Cj on April 14, 1999:

IWALY:
She was on top of her game vocally. It was great to hear her belt out IWALY. Compare this performance to her try at it on "Classic Whitney" and any fears which that embarrassing night may have caused concerning the future of Whitney's voice were blown away with the beautiful high notes.

Ain't No Way:
I LOVED Ain't No Way (also a vast improvement over Classic Whitney) and I'm Every Woman. She displayed not only her vocal prowess, but her amazing ability to adlib and marry her voice with another's. Both Chaka Kahn and her heir apparent, Mary J. Blige had great chemistry with Whitney.

My Love Is Your Love:
Treach could have stayed home... I really don't think this is a song that CAN be done well live. Its more of a headphone groove.

Overall impressions on 'Divas Live' Show:
Ok, I think its time this was said: Whitney needs a personal stylist. I don't know who's idea it was to do her hair like that or dress her in those horrible outfits... Throughout her entire performance, I LONGED for the blonde do she sported on Oprah, or the classy bob she worked at the Soul Train Awards. That red leather number was the best the she wore... as disastrous as it was. The silver beaded half skirt THING was frightening... and the green fur coat, UnH UNH.
IF ONLY, IF ONLY, IF ONLY someone had consulted her on her wardrobe this would have been a PERFECT night. Whitney's masterful vocal performance was done a disservice by someone's poor judgment in fashion.

Coments on the other Divas:

Tina - Still knows how to work "Proud Mary". "Let's Stay Together" was a great treat.

Cher - She sang two songs and was GHOST. She wasn't even there for the IEW closing. She lipped "Believe" as expected, and I doubt if "Turn Back Time" was live either.

Elton - Wasn't he supposed to be a special GUEST?? He got more time than Whitney!! The songs he sang didn't even fit with the estrogen filled climate of the evening. "Like Father Like Son"?? What's that about?

Leann - I thought she was going to be a huge waste of time, but she turned out to be quite enjoyable. Someone should work with her on that "twang" she has. She may one day grow into the diva title.

Brandy - It was not working for her tonight!! There was NO spark to her performance. Her voice was flat and deep and filled with air. It sounded as if she had been smoking and screaming at the top her lungs all day (Diva behaviour, no doubt... but TERRIBLE for a vocalist). I hope whatever harmful thing she is doing to her voice ceases. Its much too early for her to be losing her voice. It was so sad to see her lingering on the stage while the other diva's were making their exits, as if she had stolen the show.

Mary - She truly seemed moved by her performance with Whitney. That's what I like about her. She's a great interpreter and she FEELS what she sings. Tacky-get up... as usual.

Chaka - great chemistry with Whitney.

I do appreciate that VH1 made Whitney the HEAD DIVA. They certainly made us wait for her, and there is no doubt that they saved the best music for last. Its too bad that she didn't capitalize on this night, and LOOKED as great as she sounded. Now we sit back and see what this appearance does for (or to) albulm sales.