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Review: Whitney Houston – The Deluxe Anniversary Edition
Published by Krysten Hughes on Monday, January 25, 2010 at 9:05 am.
Millions fell in love with Whitney Houston’s music. Literally, millions. Notably one of the world’s top selling music artists, Whitney has sold over 150 million albums and singles worldwide, with 55 million certified albums in the United States. At twenty two years of age, I myself have always been a huge fan of her love songs, and she has far too many beautiful hits for me to include all of my favorites. Just to name a few, “Where Do Broken Hearts Go”, “I Believe In You and Me”, “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” and of course she killed it with Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”
Whitney Houston’s image was one that presented elegance and sophistication, which enhanced music sales even more. Her natural God given talent came through so beautifully through her singing; she was exceptional to say the least. Many fans like myself, appreciate her gift she presented to the world.
Showcasing her grand debut, Arista Records/Legacy Recordings will release Whitney Houston: The Deluxe Anniversary Edition. The re-mastered CD/DVD package, which will be released tomorrow, January 26, includes all ten of the original tracks, four of which took Whitney to the top of the charts. The best part of The Deluxe Anniversary Edition is five bonus features, rare television performances and music videos. The self titled album alone sold over 25 million copies worldwide, and has been deemed as one of her greatest works. Whitney Houston: The Deluxe Anniversary Edition is a simple, yet sweet reminder of the twenty one year old young woman who stole America’s heart.
Who can forget “You Give Good Love”, the album’s first single? The ballad quickly climbed to the top of both the R&B and pop charts. That was the kind of song that made young women still searching for love, believe it to be possible. It was “Saving All My Love For You” that took Whitney to the level of stardom. For some, her sultry lyrics detailing a secret love affair with a man who had a family was unfavorable. Still, she appeared on top shows like The Late Night with David Letterman in 1985 and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. The following year at the 28th Annual Grammy Awards, she won Best Pop Vocal Performance for that very single.
The song I most enjoyed from Whitney Houston was “How Will I Know”. The up tempo beat called for dancing while cleaning up on Saturday mornings, singing with your makeshift broom turned microphone. Some of you might be old enough to remember watching her perform that song at the 13th American Music Awards, hosted by Diana Ross in 1986.
“Greatest Love of All” was another chart topping classic featured on her debut album that garnered worldwide success in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and more. She went on to win the American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Video, and was nominated for a Grammy and a Soul Train Music Award.
Real Whitney fans will be able to appreciate Whitney Houston: The Deluxe Anniversary Edition bonus tracks, which include dance remixes, an Acapella version, and even a live audio performance of “Greatest Love Of All” from Radio City Music Hall in 1990. Most memorable is the video footage from the DVD. Conversations with Whitney Houston and Clive Davis, executive producer and founder of Arista Records, are heartfelt and honest. Also, live performances from The Merv Griffin Show in 1983, Arista Records 10th Anniversary celebration in 1985, and the First Annual Soul Train Awards in 1987.
Although the last decade or so of her life seemed sketchy at best, her music that preceded the drama still lives forever. She is so gifted, that nothing will really erase the memories in the minds of her fans. To watch her sing the songs was so incredible that they must have been inspired by her own experiences, coupled with her talent. Her fans wish her the best because she gave us her best that have lasted now, 25 years. She will still go down in history as a legendary singer because she gave that much as she quickly rose to the top as a crossover artist. Whitney Houston’s Deluxe Anniversary Edition is well deserved! You go ‘head girl!
