Houston Gospel Singing Timely

Date: December 16, 1996
By James Kopniske

From Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio)
Submitted by: Larry A.


Pop music diva Whitney Houston is back again this holiday season with yet another soundtrack, "The Preacher's Wife."

"The Preacher's Wife" is her third soundtrack album project this decade. And if history serves her, it will be another multiplatinum-selling album.

This soundtrack is, however, unlike her previous two. The main reason: Gospel music is dominant. Another reason: Houston performs on all but one of the songs, unlike her other albums that featured a peppering of pop and R&B's best artists.

"The Preacher's Wife" is the soundtrack for the Penny Marshall film with the same title starring Houston and Denzel Washington. This album contains a blend of pop and gospel and has lush, full vocal arrangements featuring two choirs and an array of background vocalists including Bobby Brown, Shanice Wilson and Babyface.

The first single release, "I Believe in You and Me," is already a sensation on the radio. Pop highlights include "Step by Step," written by Annie Lennox. This is a strong dance number with a catchy chorus that appears twice on the album in an original version and remix.

A vocal collaboration treat is "Somebody Bigger Than You and I." It features vocals by Brown, Johnny Gill, Ralph Tresvant of New Edition and the feminine vocals of Houston and Faith Evans. This number mixes deep R&B bass lines and a searing church organ.

"You Were Loved" is reminiscent of the "Waiting to Exhale" album. It is a flowing R&B ballad that has great potential as a single release.

Gospel is definitely strong on this album, especially "Joy" and "He's All Over Me." Houston's vocals are roaring and charged along with the Georgia Mass Choir's rich, full sound.

"The Preacher's Wife" is a strong, spiritual album that will prove to be hot this holiday. It is not like the pop/R&B flavored "The Bodyguard" or "Waiting to Exhale," and may not sell the millions that they did, but it will hold its own.

Houston's vocals are superb as always, but have a special feel. Gospel provided her musical roots and she pays homage to her musical upbringing in this album. This would make a special gift to anyone who is a fan of Houston or gospel.