Whitney Worship Webpage: 'Just Whitney' Related Articles

Whitney Houston: 'One Of Those Days'
submitted by: Sarka
source: The Network Mag
Date: January 17, 2003

By David A. Mitchell
The Network Mag

With a career that spans back to the mid-1980s, Whitney Houston undoubtedly is one of the most accomplished superstar recording artists of all time. From her eponymous self-titled album, which featured what we call the love classics "You Give Good Love," "Saving All My Love," and "The Greatest Love Of All," fast-forwarding seven years later, to what many may regard as Whitney's finest hour, The Bodyguard soundtrack, which included "I Will Always Love You" (one of the biggest selling singles of all time), "I Have Nothing" and the remake of Chaka Khan's "I'm Every Woman," Whitney has soared into musical history stratosphere.

In between all of those milestone achievements, there was a string--no, more like a chain--of hit singles to come from Ms. Houston. Her discography also includes her second mega selling album, Whitney; the very soulful and triple-Platinum I'm Your Baby Tonight; two additional soundtracks that followed The Bodyguard: Waiting To Exhale and The Preacher's Wife; her last full-length studio album, 1998's My Love Is Your Love; and a double-disc greatest hits package. In all, Whitney has charted with more than 35 R&B and pop singles, with the majority either going top 10 or all the way to the very top.

Which brings us up to date. On December 10, Arista Records will unleash a collection of 10 new Whitney tunes. The CD, titled Just Whitney, is the first album for Ms. Houston under the "new Arista regime," overseen by the label's President and CEO, Antonio L.A. Reid. Whitney exclaims that it was great working with L.A. for this record because they have a strong working relationship that stems back to her I'm Your Baby Tonight album, where Reid co-produced several of the songs, including the title track with his then creative partner, Kenneth Babyface Edmonds.

Just Whitney consists of some today's hottest songwriters and producers handpicked by Whitney and Mr. Reid. They include two past Whitney producers Kenneth Babyface Edmonds and Missy Elliott, as well as new Whitney hitmakers--but no strangers to writing and producing smashes--Kevin She'kspere Briggs, Teddy Bishop and Gordon Chambers.

The current single, "One Of Those Days," produced by the Atlanta-based She'kspere (and contains an interpolation of The Isley Brothers' "Between The Sheets"), is surging up the Urban Mainstream and Urban Adult charts. The song is clearly an across-the-board smash, with Top 40 radio on deck to take the single home. The video is already a favorite at BET's 106 & Park and VH-1 and premiered on MTV's TRL November 22. Directed by Kevin Bray, the clip features cameos by Mr. Biggs himself, Ron Isley and Whitney's husband, singer Bobby Brown.

Just Whitney features a number of R&B and pop gems waiting to be embraced by devoted audiences. Ever since Whitney and Bobby recorded "Something In Common" in the early '90s, fans have yearned for another hit track from the inseparable pair. They'll be delighted to know that the duet "My Love" truly delivers. With Bobby making an impact singing "Thug Lovin'" with JaRule right now, "My Love" may soon be in demand at Urban radio. In addition, Brown is listed as one of the album's producers, assisting his wife on the creative side and co-producing the international hit, "Whatchulookinat" (which may have gotten a lukewarm response in the States, but was No. 1 in airplay in Spain and top 15 in Denmark, Italy, Greece and Poland). "It was a wonderful experience working with my husband Bobby," says Whitney. "We have the same taste in music and he was very hands-on with this project."

Another standout single is the bluesy "Things You Say," produced by the inimitable Missy Elliott. Whitney gets some vocal assistance from Tweet on the chorus. It's sassy, sexy--with a whole lot of sangin' goin' on. R&B fans will truly be blown away!

One component about Just Whitney is that it certainly delivers on the power ballads. A throwback to the Bodyguard's "I Have Nothing" or "I Will Always Love You," Whitney reminds us all why she reigns supreme when it comes to pouring one's heart, soul and vocal chords into her new diva-esque climatic offerings. All produced by Babyface, they are "Tell Me No" (with co-writes by Kandi Burruss, formerly of Xscape), "Try It On My Own" (with co-writes by Carol Bayer Sager), and a anthemic interpretation of (Debby Boone please step aside) "You Light Up My Life." The listener will decide his or her own favorite, as will sports and inspirational programs looking to find their next "One Moment In Time."

Other Just Whitney favorites include "Dear John Letter," produced by She'kspere, detailing the inevitable ups and downs of a relationship and its ultimate end; and "Love That Man," an R&B dance tune, showcasing the funkier side of Whitney.

When asked her favorite tunes from the latest collection, Whitney responds that, "I love all of the songs, but 'My Love' and 'Tell Me No' are close to my heart and I'm sure they'll be singles." Asked to reflect on a career that spans nearly two decades, and Whitney will tell you that her favorite songs that she has personally recorded are "The Greatest Love Of All," "I Will Always Love You" and "I Go To The Rock," from The Preacher's Wife soundtrack. "I think these songs define themselves," she says.

With a career that is full of awards, films, multi-Platinum albums and a string of hit records, Whitney isn't one to predict the future. She is enjoying her career and all that comes with it. Simply said, "I'll leave it in God's hands!"