Hear: Whitney still has it

2009/11/28

Shuib Taib

SHUIB TAIB reviews old favourites and Whitney Houston’s latest effort. Whitney Houston
I Look To You
Sony/BMG Entertainment

AFTER several years of keeping her fans guessing, Whitney has finally came out with her much-awaited studio album. At first listen, you will find that Whitney has lost some of the power associated with her vocals.
Yet, Whitney still delivers.
She shows very clearly on this album that you don’t need to sing high notes all the time to win listeners. Whitney’s beautiful lower range is fully exploited, making her songs less of a challenge should you decide to sing them at your favourite karaoke lounge.
The first cut, Million Dollar Bill, is a beautiful uplifting number written by Alicia Keys. It showcases Whitney at her mid-tempo best.
In Call You Tonight, another beautiful love song with simple melodies, Whitney’s sweet and sultry vocals blend well with the soft music.
I Look To You (written by R. Kelly) and I Didn’t Know My Own Strength (Diane Warren) are typical Whitney songs in the same vein as her ballads such as I Believe In You And Me (from The Preacher’s Wife album.)

Old classic A Song For You (Leon Russell), which has been recorded by well-established artistes such as Ray Charles and The Carpenters, and performed by Whitney herself at concerts, is also included. Originally a slow number, Whitney’s version is a faster tempo, club mix interpretation. Quite a dance tune, this one.
Whitney is in her element in Worth It. She is relaxed here, dedicating this song to “lovers holding hands in the car” where “there is nothing in the world like being with your lover”!
Akon is not overshadowed in Like I Never Left, his first collaboration with the superstar. Salute is another dramatic song that will be a sure winner with Whitney’s fans.
Selected Tracks: Worth It, A Song For You, Call You Tonight, Salute

Rating: HHHH


Memory Hit Goes International
Down Memory Lane
Warner Music Malaysia

In the 1970s, there weren’t many local songwriters who could compose good songs in English. Therefore, local and regional superstars often had to sing English cover versions originally performed by international artistes to satisfy fans.
This compilation will bring back happy memories of the 1970s and ’80s when bell bottoms, platform shoes, thick eye make-up and big hair were the order of the day.
Be enthralled by Anita Sarawak who gives solid renditions of You To Me Are Everything, We’re All Alone (Rita Coolidge) and Sophisticated Lady (Natalie Cole).
Frances Yip’s pronunciation is flawless in Save Your Kisses For Me, Things and If You leave Me Now.
Teresa Carpio, with her high-pitched vocals, impressed me with her rendition of Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. She teases in Shame, Shame, Shame, a song she collaborated on with George Lam.

D.J. Dave’s whispery style is commendable, especially in Change Of Heart (Samantha Sang).
Then there is Tracy Huang whose saccharine-sweet voice is evident in Feelings and Kiss Me Goodbye. In Abba’s Dancing Queen, Huang shows that she can soar too.
And what about our very own Sudirman who excels in Michael Jackson’s One Day In Your Life. Sudir also tackles Culture Club’s Do You Really Want To Hurt Me and Broery Pesulima’s Sabar Menanti re-recorded as My Morning Star.

Sharifah Aini gives a heartfelt delivery in I Don’t Want To Lose Your Love (John O’Banion). Then there is Gracie Rivera who delivers Woman In Love, a pleasant outing.
Also on the album are Malaysia’s Frankie Cheah (Solitaire, Love Story) and Jennifer Yen (All Out Of Love, Summertime Feeling).
Selected Tracks: You To Me Are Everything, One Day In Your Life, Change Of Heart, Smoke Gets In Your Eyes

Rating: HHHH