Whitney Houston's New Song! Whitney Houston with Jordan Sparks, Boyz II Men, Chamillionaire with Ne-Yo

"CELEBRATE"    WHITNEY HOUSTON with JORDAN SPARKS

This summer the motion picture, "Sparkle" starring Whitney Houston, Cee-Lo Green, Jordan Sparks, and Mike Epps will be released.  The movie is a remake of the 70's musical depicting the rise of a Supremes-type girl group.   Whitney plays Jordan's mom and they recorded the lead single just before her untimely death.   Her voice is vintage Whitney and the R. Kelly produced song is a upbeat celebration of life.

"WHEN YA ON"   CHAMILLIONAIRE and NE-YO

In 2005, urban radio stations couldn't resist playing Houston rapper, Chamillionaire's smash hits, "Turn It Up" with Lil' Flip and "Ridin" with Krayzie Bone.   He's famous for his legendary mixtapes and he's back with a new hard hitting jam.   Chamillionaire's style is clean but still maintains street cred.   "They only love you when you're on, the other time is when you're gone".    Hot track!   He's currently looking for a new record label after getting out of his Universal Records contract.

"DOING JUST FINE"   BOYZ II MEN

Life after a break-up, some people can easily move forward, I can't say it's been that easy for me.  Music has always inspired me in so many ways and this song has helped me in the past.  It came from their 1997 CD, Evolution, which was a commercial disappointment after the mega-selling discs,  Cooleyhighharmony and Boyz II Men II.   But record sales don't always translate to the quality of their work.  On this CD came some of the band's best ballads, "Dear God", "A Song For Mama" and my video pick were timeless R&B songs.   "Doing Just Fine" feels like a code phrase for  "I haven't moved on" and Wanya's vocals are perfection on this sad track.

   

New Footloose DVD Review: Gloriana, Whitney Houston with Enrique Iglesias, and Jeff Healey Band

"ALMOST PARADISE"    GLORIANA

Just watched the new Footloose DVD, the original is so iconic, required viewing for anyone who grew up in the 80's, and a guilty pleasure movie of mine.   The new version stars Julianne Hough (from Dancing With The Stars) and dancer Kenny Wormald.   There were no major changes in the script, you knew exactly what was coming next, yet this remake was a LOT of FUN!   Julianne's blue eyes and amazing body lights up the screen!  Dennis Quaid plays the role of preacher/Ariel's father, he's alright but John Lithgow really "owned" that role so well.   Kenny's version of Ren, complete with a little Boston accent, really grew on me during the film.   Miles Teller as Williard adds great comic relief.  Even the countrified soundtrack creates a little twist to keep you entertained although the new soundtrack doesn't come close to the original 1984 version.   If you're looking for a light-weight fun trip down memory lane, check it out!   I'd give it a 7 out of 10.

"COULD I HAVE THIS KISS FOREVER"    ENRIQUE IGLESIAS and WHITNEY HOUSTON

Enrique has had a tough life :)   The son of one of the world's biggest selling musical artists, Julio Iglesias.   Enrique records his first English CD and signs an unprecedented 50 million dollar contract for a new artist!   He marries tennis superstar and the #1 internet searched woman at the time, the outrageously beautiful Russian, Anna Kournakova.   Here he gets the rare opportunity to sing a duet with THE DIVA, arguably the best R&B singer of our generation.   Whitney sounds great with the Latin rhythms, it's a forgotten song by many but a great song in her catalog.

"I NEED TO BE LOVED"   JEFF HEALEY BAND

Jeff was first "discovered" by most of us playing as the bar band in Patrick Swayze's "Road House".  Who can forget first seeing a blind Jeff sitting down playing the guitar on its side and tearing it up like Stevie Ray Vaughn!  Jeff hit #1 with his ballad "Angel Eyes" which is so ironic.   "I Need To Be Loved" is from his Grammy nominated debut CD and it's a blues jam that demonstrates the underrated talents of the Jeff Healey Band.  

  

Whitney Houston: August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012, a video tribute

One of the greatest vocalists of my generation, Whitney Houston died at the age of 48.     I first heard Whitney on the Teddy Pendergrass duet, "Hold Me".  Seen her on her first tour when she opened for Luther Vandross.  Then saw her again in Tampa prior to her electric, greatest-ever(?) version of the Star Spangled Banner for Super Bowl XXV.   A true R&B superstar, let's hope she's remembered for her amazing gospel-tinged vocals, her string of #1 hits, and her influence on today's biggest female singers.

  

Here are 5 "lesser known" but classic Whitney videos.    R.I.P. 



2009:    "I Look To You"

2002:   "UNASHAMED"

1990:   "MIRACLE"

1986:  "IF YOU SAY MY EYES ARE BEAUTIFUL"  with Jermaine Jackson

1985:  "SAVING ALL MY LOVE FOR YOU" (1st time on Letterman)