Soulful Whitney

Date: January 09, 1993
By Lynn Saxberg

From The Ottawa Citizen
Submitted by: Larry A.


The Bodyguard
Original Soundtrack Album (Arista/Warner 07822-18699-2)


If Whitney Houston's acting debut in The Bodyguard had failed miserably, she could have sought comfort in the soundtrack. And it's not only because of her six songs, which make up half the material on the disc, qualifying it as a bona fide Whitney release.

The album has already yielded three hit singles -- Houston's remake of Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You , saxophonist Kenny G and Aaron Neville performing Even If My Heart Would Break and Joe Cocker and Canadian Sass Jordan doing Trust In Me.

Even If My Heart Would Break is a wonderful song, with Neville, leader of the Neville Brothers, giving his legendary lungs a workout, echoed beautifully by G's tenor sax.

Houston's well-rounded contribution to the soundtrack offers three soulful ballads, two upbeat dance tracks and a gospel number. Emotion floods love songs such as the Parton number and I Have Nothing. Her voice soars, but it's overwhelming at times.

A highlight is the ballad Run To You which sparkles with highs and low. She also performs a rousing pop-styled rendition of the traditional hymn Jesus Loves Me, aided by a chorus of background vocalists.

Her dance-pop inclination blends well with soul influences on a remake of the Chaka Khan single I'm Every Woman , but Queen of the Night , a bad-girl dance track, doesn't fare as well.

Also included on the disc are a catchy, be-happy rap number by The S.O.U.L. S.Y.S.T.E.M. called It's Gonna Be A Lovely Day and Curtis Stigers performing a slick version of Nick Lowe's (What So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding , needlessly adding angelic background vocals and horns.