Sound Bites: Audio Reviews


"Just Whitney" (Arista Records, $18.98) - Whitney Houston

With all the drama surrounding Whitney Houston in recent years - her marital discord, drug use, missed concerts and skeletal appearance - it's easy to forget the supernatural voice that made her a star.

"Just Whitney" is Houston's attempt to put the focus back on her music. But given what's on this disc, it probably won't hold anyone's attention for long.

The problem isn't with her dynamic voice, which still sparkles, though it sounds a bit raspy at times and doesn't soar as high as it once did. It's the choice of material that demotes Houston from timeless diva to run-of-the-mill R&B songstress. Though her previous songs have been criticized as schmaltzy or pop fluff, they had an appeal that, when combined with Houston's regal voice, made them classics.

It will be hard to find any classics here. Ballads such as "Tell Me No," "Things You Say" and Houston's remake of "You Light Up My Life" have little soul or spark. They typify a good portion of the songs - nice to listen to, but that's about it.

Perhaps the best of the bunch is her latest single, the sexy, dreamy "One of Those Days," which owes its hook to the Isley Brothers' "Between the Sheets." Also good is the soulful "My Love," on which husband Bobby Brown is a formidable duet partner, and the sunny "Love That Man," which could be an R&B "Stand by Your Man," with its theme of loving a man despite times of trouble.

At times, the themes are more interesting than the songs, given Houston's lifestyle. "Tell Me No" speaks of keeping resolve in the face of constant criticism, while "Unashamed" touts a no-regrets attitude.

The last song, "Whatchulookinat," which Houston co-wrote, may provide some unintentional laughs as she blames the media for "trying to dirty up Whitney's name." With her recent admissions, Houston's done a good job of that herself.

- Nekesa Mumbi Moody, AP Music Writer