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Letters To the Editor
Concert date: 6/29/99 Toronto, ON, Canada.
This is what was e-mailed to Jane Stevenson, Toronto Sun reporter/WH hater:
Date: Thu, 01 Jul 1999 00:26:21 -0400
From: Carlos C.
To: jstevens@sunpub.com
Subject: Whitney in Toronto
Hello,
I attended the Whitney Houston concert at the Molson Amphitheatre that
you reviewed on June 30, 1999. Are you sure you were at the same
concert? Whitney did not lack any soul and I thought that your rating
of 3 out of 5 was totally inaccurate. I really enjoyed the show and
thought that Whitney did an amazing job of entertaining the somewhat
almost valium like audience that she had to entertain!
It has been 11 years since she has played here in Toronto, not the 5
years that you originally specified in your inaccurate review! If you
don't have all the facts, why post a review!
Can you please do a retraction to your review based on this feedback?
And another picture would also be very much appreciated!
An avid reader of your daily!
From: Gregory B.
To: jstevens@sunpub.com
Subject: WH review
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 16:17:24 -0400
I just read your heavily biased and ignorant review of the Whitney concert last night. It seems to me that you are giving her praise with one hand and taking it back with the other. I am wondering if we were at the same show last night. Whitney was absolutely amazing last night and her fans all felt that way. Her voice was in great shape and more soulful than ever. What is soul to you? What were you expecting last night that you did not get?
I spent $153.00 on my ticket last night and I sat front row centre and it was worth every cent. Whitney delivered. Unlike most of the performers of today , she is not about production. she is one of the true greats left. If this is your review of this concert I truly hope when you review lyp-syncing Cher and talentless Britney Spears you do it with the same negativity and and sarcasm that you did for this concert. It is unfortunate that people who did not get to see Whitney last night and read your review will have nothing to cmpare it to. I guess that is the power of the media. I would think you guys would be more responsible than that. Thank god that Whitney doesnn't have to answer to the likes of you and that her numbers say it all. She is ther number one Diva.
Yours respectfully,
Gregory.
From: Rachel The Webmaster
To: jstevens@sunpub.com
CC: editor@sunpub.com
Subject: Were we at the same concert?
Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 14:06
Hello,
I picked up the Toronto Sun this morning with glee, seeing Whitney Houston's picture on the cover page. I went straight for the review. I couldn't believe what I read. Where we at the same concert? I'm not so sure.
Whitney Houston was vocally at the best she's been in years. Yes, years! She hit every high note with ease. Her rendition of "Saving All My Love For You", "Until You Come Back" and "Why Does it Hurt So Bad" were simply flawless. All the soul and the strength she exhumed was reminiscent of her early years.
Whitney Houston brought the entire crowd to their feet when she sang "It's not Right but it's Okay", "How Will I Know" and "I'm Every Woman". Did you not see that? Did you not *feel* it, either?
Whitney Houston had many choreographed numbers, which were excellent (ex INRBIO, "In My Business")! Where were you when this was going on?
What about the way she interpreted her record-setting hit "I Will Always Love You" so well that it brought many people to tears? Were you not impressed with a performance which was -- in many aspects -- even *better* than the original record? Did that not move you in any way? Is your heart made of stone?
Whitney's daughter Bobbi-Kris joined her mother on stage to sing her part in the song "My Love Is Your Love". This was not a ploy! The song features her daughter on record, and Whitney simply wanted to complete the live performance of this song by having her daughter do her part, instead of having a playback tape. Is that so bad?
Your review seemed biased. You even took Whitney's speech out of context to portray her as a "b*tch". It's not right and it's NOT okay!
Honestly, I have seen Whitney Houston several times in concert. I am not one of those "blinded by love" fans who glaze over anything negative. Give the woman her dues! The one and only Canadian stop of the "My Love Is Your Love" World Tour was breathtaking. Spectacular. Astonishing. Moving. Or as the lyrics go "so amazing, unbelievable". [from the song "Oh Yes", which she performed]
Finally, I think it's very sad that you were unable to feel WH's soul, see her enthousiasm, nor hear her vocal clarity and strength. To rate that concert with 3 stars is blantant ignorance. I think a retraction is in order.
Yours,
Rachel D.
Ottawa, ON, Canada.