I’m watching this myself now. In the meanwhile, let us know what you think in the comments section below:
Your thoughts?
Word has it Oprah’s much hyped interview with Whitney Houston is one of the talk-show host’s best yet. Watching this and seeing Oprah herself filled with tears at one point really drives this home. I know where I’ll be come September 14th and 15th. You?
Tidbit: Sources including Billboard and Hits Daily Double are reporting that ‘I Look To You’ is set to debut at #1 with sales in the region of 275, ooo – 300, 000 in its first week. A massive achievement for an album with no accompanying music videos or many promo spots. With Oprah the week after next and the Melina directed videos for singles ‘Million Dollar Bill’ and ‘I Look To You’ set to premiere any day now, it looks as if maybe Arista may just have an a proper strategy in place to ensure the album has legs.
Your thoughts?
With Diddy’s ‘Last Train To Paris’ LP set for release later this year, the album’s lead single ‘Love Comes Down’ featuring Dirty Money (himself, Dawn Richard and Kaleena) surfaced yesterday (but kinda went overhead). Put simply, I’m on the fence with this one – haven’t ascertained whether it’s ‘good’ different or hot mess ‘different’. Take a listen for yourself and let us know what you think…
Hit or Miss?
The big moment finally arrived for Whitney Houston’s masses of fans around the world today, as her big comeback performance as part of Good Morning America’s Summer Concert Series aired today in the US on ABC. Prior to reading our take on what went down, peep the performances below of new single ‘Million Dollar Bill’, ‘My Love Is Your Love’, ‘I Look To You’ and the classic ‘I’M Every Woman’:
Regular readers of That Grape Juice will know just how genuinely excited we are about Whitney’s comeback. However in staying true to our stance on not sugarcoating ish, this was not Whitney’s best performance…not by a long shot. Clearly hoarse and exhausted, her vocals did little to alleviate the murmurings about her voice being at worst ‘shot’ and at best ‘only good in the studio’. Though she sounded better on the first two songs ‘Bill’ and ‘My Love Is Your Love’, I’d be inclined to agree with the latter, which – believe it or not – I feel is ok for Whitney considering all she has been through.
In so much as saying that then, the off-the-charts energy the stunning looking Whitney exuded (along with crowd) really drove home the message about this being about much more than a debate about whether or not her vocals are still as great as they once were, it’s about the emancipation of Whitney, the human being. Something, which after watching this and seeing how happy and radiant she looked, I feel should be celebrated. At this junction, and in Whitney’s best interest, I’d be more than glad to have more in the way of new albums, music videos and the occasional ‘big performances’, over touring and quite frankly any avenues for embarrassment. As hard a fact it is for some to digest, Whitney’s voice isn’t as it once was, so should be rested and honed to be the best it can possibly be.
A few additional points:
* With the concert being pre-recorded, the editors over at Good Morning America did a great job of editing the audio on ‘Million Dollar Bill’ and ‘I Look To You’ LOL (this I know having taken a look see at the fan recordings from yesterday). Shhh don’t tell anyone though!
* I spat out my tea (yes, how English lol) at ‘I got my baby, me and Bobby’s baby’. Loved it!
* Whitney broke down in tears while starting to sing ‘I Look To You’ to her mother, Cissy Houston, God and her fans. Very emotional moment.
* After performing the song, she actually apologised for the roughness of her vocals, revealing that she had filmed her much hyped Oprah interview the day before. She added that she spoke to the chat show legend for more than 3 hours.
In being fair, Ms Mariah didn’t get cut much slack for her ‘I was too emotional’ excuse at the Michael Jackson memorial, so unfortunately neither does/should/will Whitney. Whoever handles her scheduling needs to fix up, for as much as I wanted to steer away from saying this, 2009 Whitney is not Beyonce. Now before the stans tear me to shreds, I mean this in that Beyonce next to never falters on the vocal tip, despite performing like a machine day in and day out – due largely, I’m sure, in part to her age and the fact she hasn’t been through what Whitney has. Whitney on the other hand, and this is no secret, needs to rest her voice – especially considering the ‘changed’ nature of it at this point.
* With the Oprah interview interview being so long (unplanned), the interview will now air over 2 days – 14th and 15 September – both of which being full hour episodes! According to insiders, Whitney talked everything from her drug addiction to Bobby Brown and just about everything else we’ve been curious to hear her speak on. Commercials running for the interview, make it look like it’ll be a tear-jerker. Can’t wait.
What do you think of the performances?
Check out this pic and below a video of X Factor winner Alexandra Burke on the set of the Anthony Mandler directed video for ‘Bad Boys’ – the lead single from her debut LP (due November). Judging by this clip of the vid, which was shot in LA last week, I can tell I’m gonna like this one – despite not being sold on the song yet:
If that’s my girl in the middle in that clip, she was really getting it with that choreography. Good stuff.
Your thoughts?
Loose-tongued rapper Kanye West features on the cover of the latest issue of French magazine ‘Liberation Next’. Having clearly been working out, it seems the ‘Love Lockdown’ star is looking to show it off.
What do you think of the cover?
As Madonna gears up for the release of her latest greatest hits collection ‘Celebration’, the video for the title track of the set premiered today.
After watching this, the words embarrassing, atrocious and hot mess immediately come to mind. Having never really been one to holler about ol’ Madge being past it, this video is proof if ever it was needed. The cringe worthy choreography and insistence on trying to sell her sex appeal, which long expired, made this whole affair seem desperate and actually quite sad. Blunt as it sounds too, the song is trash.
Tidbit: Did anyone else notice Madge’s daughter Lourdes getting her dance on at the end?
What do you think of the video?
Roc Nation’s latest signee’s the Sugababes stopped by This Morning to perform their new single ‘Get Sexy’. An ok performance; not bad, not great.
‘Get Sexy’ is currently battling Jay-Z’s ‘Run This Town’ for the top spot on the Official UK Singles Chart. With the ladies in the lead, it seems they may just beat their label head to the top spot.
What do you think of the performance?
Check out this preview of R&B singer Amerie’s new photoshoot with YRB magazine. A stunner if I have ever seen one. Truly stunning!
Tidbit: Amerie shot the video for hot new single ‘Heard Em’ All’ this past weekend. The clip was directed by the acclaimed Anthony Mandler.
Randomness: Does anyone else feel Amerie’s ‘underrated’ status stems from the fact she has no ‘drama’ known to the masses nor does she have that big media story to push her sales. A shame really, as surely the most important factor with an arist should be their talent, right?
Any thoughts?
Former B2K stars Lil’ Fizz and J-Boog have formed a duo, aptly titled Fizz & Boog. The pair’s video for new single ‘Bounce’, which is lifted from the ‘Bring It On 3’ soundtrack, premiered today.
Though the song is an epic fail if I ever heard one, its accompanying clip had me pleasantly surprised. With the guys going the independent label way, the video visually looks quite good considering.
What do you think of the song / video?
Peep a radiant looking Whitney Houston on the cover of the October issue of Ebony magazine (on newsstands September 8th). In the feature, the diva discusses shedding the drama from her life, her time away from the limelight, her relationship with daughter Bobbi-Kristina. Check out some extracts from the interview:
On shedding the drama:
“I shed a lot of stuff, a lot of unnecessary weight in the last three or four years. I left a lot of old luggage behind, and when I did, the blessings just started pouring on me, and the light in my spirit started to lift again,” she tells the magazine. “I’m really humbled, and I thank God that people love me, but I [really] thank God that God loves me. I thank Him for chastening my heart, for never letting go. What I did sometimes … I went off and did my thing, but Henever let me go.”
On her time out of the limelight:
“I was just ready to lay back and raise my daughter and just watch her grow and nurture her. And my mother’s getting older. I wanted to spend more time with my mom [because during] most of my 20s and 30s, [I] was dealing with making records and traveling the world and being this thing — icon, you know — whatever this has turned into.”
On her relationship with Bobbi Kristina:
“She and I are not only mother and daughter, but we’re good friends. I want her to trust me, to be able to trust in me, to know that I’m not going nowhere. If she knows that I’m there for her, she can depend on me. I’m the dependable one; she can depend on her mommy.”
Definitely looking forward to catching the full interview.
In the meanwhile, check out a new video interview with the 46 year old superstar, in which she discusses the process of creating the album, as well as specific tracks. (Note this was shot about 2 months ago):
With Whitney’s album already, as at writing, sitting at the top of the iTunes album chart after officially being released in the US today, it seems fair to say this album may just be the big comeback her fans and the general public are hoping for.
Your thoughts?
Our favoruite sheep-bleeter, Rihanna, poses it up for the cam in the latest issue of Italian Vogue. I’ve said it countless time, yet it can’t be said enough – this girl needs to be a model, as it is clearly where her greatest talents lie. She looks fierce!
Durand Bernarr Blazes With Must-See Performance
Watch Now
Home | About TGJ | The Splash | The Word | Advertise | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | DMCA
© 2024 ThatGrapeJuice.net. All Rights Reserved. A Member Of Townsquare Music
WEBSITE BY EDWR