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[ OFFICIAL FAN CLUB NEWS ] [ MTV NEWS - WHITNEY SITE ] [ TV APPEARANCES ] [ BULLETIN BOARD ]
This USA Today article discusses the 'very bad year' that Whitney Houston has had along with that of four other stars.
Roger Friedman's Fox 411 report gets worked up over the 9 - 30 drop of 'Just Whitney...' on the Billboard 200. You can read the report here.
[From Guardian] Candice Breitz' stage show was selected as one of the top five shows of 2002. This is what The Guardian had to say: Candice Breitz: Eagerly awaited British debut shows of the Johannesburg-born artist who plays with notions of celebrity and language through clever editing. Her work includes 'Double Whitney', where a sweaty Whitney Houston chants a schizophrenic dialogue with herself. Asprey Jacques, London, February-April; Modern Art Oxford, 13 September to 9 November.
NEWSFILE: 29 DECEMBER 2002 |
The Billboard update for the week ending 4 January 2003: JUST WHITNEY...: ONE OF THOSE DAYS: THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER:
[From Entertainment Weekly] WHITNEY HOUSTON FEATURING NELLY - "One of Those Days (Remix)" (Arista) Combining disparate tracks to create new songs, a.k.a. mash-ups, is big in the
U.K., but this chaotic mess isn't likely to find an enthusiastic audience on either side
of the pond. For the remix to Houston's gripe track, producer C. Haynes laid a random
Nelly verse and some whistle beats on top of Houston's vocals. It's as if someone opened
the door between two rooms and cranked warring stereos. We humbly suggest closing the
door. And locking it. D - NEWSFILE: 27 DECEMBER 2002 |
[From New York Daily News] MOST FLAGRANT ACT OF DENIAL
NEWSFILE: 26 DECEMBER 2002 |
[From Dotmusic] Whitney Sells And Sells Whitney Houston has secured the highest first week of US sales figures of her career with her new album, 'Just Whitney', on Arista records. The album, released in the US on 10 December, has entered the Billboard 200 Album chart at number 9 and the R&B/Hip-Hop albums chart at 3. The album has so far scored 200,000 sales in the US, compared to previous best of 1995's 'Waiting To Exhale' motion picture soundtrack (177,000 copies), 2000's 'Greatest Hits' (158,000 copies), 1992's 'The Bodyguard' soundtrack (145,000 copies), and 1998's 'My Love Is Your Love' (123,000). 'Just Whitney' is also reported to have shipped gold sales in France, Italy, Switzerland and Brazil and has sold over a million units internationally.
NEWSFILE: 23 DECEMBER 2002 |
Entertainment Tonight lists Whitney Houston's Primetime interview as the fourth biggest Entertainment 'Scandal' of 2002: No. 4 - WHITNEY HOUSTON - The diva ended 2002 with a bang with her controversial DIANE SAWYER interview where she admitted to using drugs and said she refused rehab treatment when confronted by her mother during an intervention. She also shocked fans when she behaved strangely during husband BOBBY BROWN's recent court appearance. We have the details.
NEWSFILE: 21 DECEMBER 2002 |
Solomon Burke (Guardian interview
exerpt):
USA Today reports on the return sales of Whitney Houston, Shania Twain, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez and Christina Aguilera. Read the article here.
NEWSFILE: 20 DECEMBER 2002 |
The Billboard update for the week ending 28 December 2002: JUST WHITNEY...: ONE OF THOSE DAYS: THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER:
This Arista Press Release discusses the first week sales of 'Just Whitney...' amongst the successes of other Arista artists. The report also confirms global sales of over one million copies.
NEWSFILE: 19 DECEMBER 2002 |
[From Platinum Club] Happy Holidays From Whitney!
'Just Whitney...' is down to No.48 (from No.39) on the German Album Chart. On the Airplay side, 'One Of Those Days' is up to No.85 (from No.121). [Thanks Chris]
'Just Whitney...' is down to No.23 (from No.12) on the Swiss Album Chart. [Thanks Chris] NEWSFILE: 18 DECEMBER 2002 |
[From Platinum Club] Whitney's Carreer High Debut! Whitney didn't just land but rather burst onto the charts in the Top 10 with her highest career debut scans: *Top Albums: #9 selling 205,147 in first her first week! *This shatters her old best debut of 177,284 for Waiting To Exhale, 6 *Despite all the ink she has recently received, her fans came out and *On top of that, orders just crossed 1 million, so Just Whitney is yet *Whitney also triumphed on the R&B Albums Chart with a powerful #3 entry. Other statistics you should know: Best Ranks More: Store Strata: Geographic: Arista Press Release Just-In! ABC "Primetime Live" interview and "Good Morning America" street-date mini-concert broadcast kick off 205,000 unit first week sales feat and Top 10 debut!!! (December 18, 2002 - New York, NY) Arista recording artist Whitney Houston's brand new album JUST WHITNEY... (in-store December 10th) has won the highest first-week sales of her career with a Soundscan total in excess of 205,000 units this past week, entering the Billboard 200 Album chart at #9 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart at #3, it was announced today by Antonio "L.A." Reid, President and CEO, Arista Records. Bolstered by phenomenal reaction to her recent appearance on ABC's "Primetime Live" with Diane Sawyer and a live street-date performance of four songs taped outside New York's Lincoln Center and broadcast on ABC's "Good Morning America," including the album's current hit single, "One Of Those Days," Whitney has re-established her sales base in a big way. "Whitney's core following of loyal fans have rallied behind her in a way that underscores a profound love affair with their favorite singer," said Mr. Reid. "Their support of Whitney has resulted in another crowning achievement in a career already filled with amazing accomplishments. I am thrilled that JUST WHITNEY... is an album that has more than fulfilled expectations of fans all over the world." Whitney's unprecedented one-hour interview on ABC's "Primetime Live"
(broadcast on Wednesday night, December 4th) was the highest-rated show of the evening,
pulling in more than 24 million viewers. Four days later, more than 5,000 fans braved
frigid temperatures to attend the Sunday afternoon outdoor mini-concert taping at Lincoln
Center, mc'd by "Good Morning America" co-anchor Diane Sawyer. Whitney's
four-song set was broadcast on "GMA" on Tuesday, December 10th, the first day
that JUST Whitney's previous first week highest sales debuts during the Soundscan era (which began in 1991) include 1995's Waiting To Exhale motion picture soundtrack (177,000 copies), 2000's Greatest Hits (158,000 copies), 1992's The Bodyguard soundtrack (145,000 copies), and 1998's My Love Is Your Love (123,000). At the same time, news has poured in that JUST WHITNEY... shipped gold in France, Italy, Switzerland, and Brazil and has sold over a million units internationally. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.arista.com
NEWSFILE: 17 DECEMBER 2002 |
Follow This Link for a special Arista Records' issued coupon that offers a $2 discount on 'Just Whitney...' at US store Sam Goody.
[From Platinum Club] Whitney CD/DVD In Stores!
NEWSFILE: 16 DECEMBER 2002 |
New York Newsday today adds to the list of US media articles being written about Whitney Houston's return and the potential success of 'Just Whitney...' based on how her personal life is perceived by the public. Diva Drama (published today) discusses how 'The Divas' are increasingly being perceived as high maintenance over young new singers that are delivering significant record sales.
NEWSFILE: 15 DECEMBER 2002 |
The Guardian today published an article -- Ageing Gracelessly (Click To Read) -- discussing how the life of Whitney Houston, amongst others, has been played out in the media and how consumers have failed to show an interest in the music over the tabloid personality. This is a new perspective from Colin Paterson, who not long ago wrote how Whitney was 'Interest At Last'.
NEWSFILE: 14 DECEMBER 2002 |
In This Interview, Baker's Dozen, with the New York Post, Anita Baker discusses her return to music and her upcoming New York shows. Within the interview, Anita seeks out an opportunity to expand on a point she'd made about Whitney Houston with this insight: "Whatever Whitney touches turns to gold, and people are enriched by her - physically, spiritually and financially. When you have that effect on people, it's hard to get all those hands off your body and walk away."
This Report published today on the Hits Daily Double website re-assess the projected first week sales of 'Just Whitney...' to 180,000 - 200,000 unit range.
For the week ending 8 December 2002, 'One Of Those Days' is ranked No.20 on BET and at No.25 on VH1.
Thunderpuss report on their website that they have remixed 'On My Own'.
NEWSFILE: 13 DECEMBER 2002 |
The Billboard update for the week ending 21 December 2002: ONE OF THOSE DAYS: THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER:
[From Platinum Club] A Special Message From Whitney!
[From Platinum Club] Good Morning America View a photo gallery of images taken at Whitney's "Good Morning America" mini-concert on Sunday, December 8 at Lincoln Center in New York City." Photos by Frank Micelotta of Image Direct
The Lincoln Center Image Gallery includes more photographs of Whitney's performance last weekend.
Time Magazine published an article -- The Overdramatic Duo -- that unfavourably discusses Whitney Houston's 'Just Whitney...' CD in conjunction with her personal life. The report also looks at the new release by Mariah Carey (the other half of their 'duo').
On the back of the Platinum Club's misleading report of first day sales for 'Just Whitney...', Launch.com have reported that the album sold 200,000 copies in its first day out in the US. Read The Launch.com Report Here.
NEWSFILE: 12 DECEMBER 2002 |
Hits Daily Double today reported on the Primetime interview and how it will impact sales of 'Just Whitney...' alongside that of Mariah Carey and her recent tell all interviews on US television. Click Here To Read 'Troubled Divas Bounce Back'.
[From Platinum Club] Just Whitney Exploding! Whitney's new album had an outstanding debut - a career high selling over 200,000 copies its first day in stores! Her prior debut, "Waiting To Exhale," sold 177,284 copies in its first day. Make Whitney number one - buy your copy of Just Whitney today! Sales reports from Hits Daily Double, a reliable sales projector based on first day sales, suggest this Platinum Club report is incorrect to state first day sales of 200,000. Rather, the album is projecting first week sales in that range. - Manish.
NEWSFILE: 11 DECEMBER 2002 |
The Brand New Whitney Houston Album Out Today In The USA
Whitney Houston's taped performance of three songs ('One Of Those Days', 'Tell Me No' and 'Do You Hear What I Hear?') will be broadcast this morning on Good Morning America between 7-9AM.
'The Preacher's Wife' will air on ABC's Family Channel and feature new scenes not included in the original movie. Check the TV Appearances section for details of when it will air. [Thanks Edwin]
On the French charts the 'Just Whitney...' is down to No.41 from No.25 on the Top 150 Albums and "Whatchulookinat" is down to No.75 from No.65 on the top 100 Singles listing. In Germany, the album drops to No.39 (from No.16) in its second week. In Spain, the is down to No.31 from No.25 on the Spanish Album Chart. [Thanks Julian/Daniel/Alejandro]
NEWSFILE: 10 DECEMBER 2002 |
This New York Daily News report and This New York Newsday report give the initial, positive reaction to Whitney's successful appearance at the Lincoln Center in New York which was taped for a Tuesday morning broadcast of Good Morning America. [Thanks Monte D.]
[From Platinum Club] Whitney on 106 & Park! Look out for Whitney on BET's 106 & Park on Wednesday, December 11! Whitney will appear with the show's hosts Free and AJ. 106 & Park airs on BET from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET. Tune in and set those VCR's!
Whitney Houston is Billboard Magazine's Artist Of The Day, with this report detailing the making of 'Just Whitney...'.
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Whitney Houston performed three songs this afternoon at the Lincoln Center in New York. Fans turned out in their droves to hear Whitney perform 'One Of Those Days', 'Tell Me No', and 'Do You Hear What I Hear?'. You can read up to the minute reports as they come in via This Link to the Classic Whitney Discussion Forum.
The rap-up.com website features the Whitney & Nelly version of 'One Of Those Days.' Click Here to download and listen. [Thanks Dzemil]
The 'Just Whitney...' Reviews Section has been updated to include strong reviews from Heat Magazine (UK), Entertainment Weekly, LA Times, Philadelphia Enquirer and New York Daily News.
NY Post: Clawing To The Top (also
discusses Jennifer Lopez)
'Just Whitney...' continues its free-fall on the UK album chart, this week dropping from its (off chart) debut of No.76 to No.99.
'Just Whitney...' debuts on the Danish Album Chart No. 69 [Thanks Stig N.]
NEWSFILE: 8 DECEMBER 2002 |
In an extensive report published in Billboard Magazine, Whitney Houston describes her vision for 'Just Whitney...' to have been: "a positive, feel-good, very soul-oriented album, something I felt was missing. I hear a lot of things on the radio, but I don't hear any R&B songs with a bold, new flavor . . . songs you can sing along to and love the melody. That's what I was looking for." Highlights of the report includes an interview with Whitney in which she discusses the creative process of making this album and how it compares to her work with Clive Davis. Other highlights of the report:
You can read the entire Billboard report here.
Billboard Magazine reports that a duet with Mary J Blige was being discussed for 'Just Whitney...'. Read about that, and the song that was being considered, here.
[From Billboard] WHITNEY HOUSTON Album Title: Just Whitney . . . Producer(s): various Arista 14791 Label/Catalog Number: RELEASE DATE: Dec. 10 Source: PRINT Originally Reviewed: December 14, 2002 Brevity is the order of the day for Whitney Houston. At 10 tracks, which collectively clock in at under 40 minutes, Just Whitney . . . appears and sounds more like a work-in-progress than a finished disc. Working with several producers—including Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, Babyface, and Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs—Houston (the voice, that is) all too often gets lost in the mix. For the most part, Just Whitney . . . showcases an artist simply going through the motions. What was once a powerful and glossy instrument (her voice, that is) now lacks emotion and verve. Witness lackluster lead single "Whatchulookinat?," the bland "My Love" (featuring her husband, Bobby Brown), and a tepid cover of Debbie Boone's "You Light Up My Life." That said, current single, the Isley Brothers-referencing "One of Those Days," and the lyrically deft "Unashamed" ably prove that Houston still has the soul to turn it out.—MP
This new Arista issued flyer/sell sheet details the 'Just Whitney...' album from a US perspective in the run up to the release of the new album in the US. The sheet essentially details a bio of Whitney's most significant commercial achievements and then discusses the album, the producers and the songs.
Reports from the LA Times, Washington Post and Variety have been added to the Primetime News Archive discussing the ratings -- 21.2 million viewers -- following Wednesday night's broadcast. The reports are also beginning to discuss the reaction to the interview as opposed to just discussing the revelations made by Whitney Houston.
Following the Primetime interview, reports by Reuters and People have been published discussing the suit filed by John Houston against Whitney Houston. You can read them in the John Houston Suit News Archive.
NEWSFILE: 6 DECEMBER 2002 |
The Billboard update for the week ending 14 December 2002: ONE OF THOSE DAYS: THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER:
[From MTV] Whitney Houston will be giving a free preview of her new album, Just Whitney…, two days before its December 10 release date. The singer will perform three songs from the LP in front of New York's Lincoln Center as part of a taping for "Good Morning America." Houston's segment on "GMA" will air on the day her album drops.
'Just Whitney...' has debuted at No.25 on the Spanish Album Chart. [Thanks Laura] German Information... The www.chart-radio.de website has this to say about 'Just Whitney...': Just Whitney is a further milestone in the exceptional career of Whitney Houston. With the first single and opener Whatchulookinat? she takes charge right from the start and balances accounts with the media. The song My Love is a hormone-laden duet with her husband Bobby Brown whom she has been married to since 1992 and with whom she has gone through a few ups and downs. In contrast to My Love, the tracks Dear John Letter and Unashamed come around as urban highlights. Conclusion: The new album bristles with vitality, lightness and much fun making music. Rarely has the marvellous singer used her five-octave voice with such virtuosity. And once again Whitney has taught all sceptics a lesson: "If you're messin' with Whitney you losin' big time..." [Thanks Chris/Translation Thanks Christiane] NEWSFILE: 5 DECEMBER 2002 |
In the interview, Sawyer describes Whitney as 'completely fascinating' and confirms that Whitney handled the interview in an 'I-am-going-to-talk-to-you-about-it-all' tone. You can read the entire interview between ET and Diane Sawyer here. [Thanks Margaret G.]
NEWSFILE: 4 DECEMBER 2002 |
A number of reports have been published on the eve of Whitney Houston's Primetime interview revealing the content of the dicussion. You can read a number of these reports in the Classic Whitney Primetime News Archive.
US fans: Whitney Houston is featured on VH1 Driven tonight
at 9pm ET. This ETOnline Report, What Makes Whitney Tick?, introduces the episode.
'Just Whitney...' has begun to debut in charts across Europe - this week, it's in at No.16 in Germany and at No.25 in France. [Thanks Sebastian/Bruno]
NEWSFILE: 3 DECEMBER 2002 |
[From Arista Mailing List] ......Rumors, Rumors, Rumors...... Don't Believe Everything You Hear Or Read HAS NOT BEEN MOVED/BUMPED/SHELVED IN-STORES DECEMBER 10
WHITNEY HOUSTON TO GIVE FREE OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE OF On Sunday, December 8, Whitney Houston will perform three songs outside in the plaza at Lincoln Center on Sunday, December 8 at 3:00 p.m. to air on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Tuesday, December 10. Houston will perform songs from her upcoming album - "Just Whitney..." - in stores on Tuesday, December 10. Whitney Houston will speak with ABC News' Diane Sawyer during a special edition of "Primetime" at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4. ABC News "Good Morning America" is a two-hour, live program, co-anchored by Charles Gibson and Diane Sawyer, airing MONDAY - FRIDAY (7:00 - 9:00 a.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
[From Platinum Club] Whitney to Give Free Outdoor Performance of Three Songs Sunday, December 8 to Air on "Good Morning America" Tuesday, December 10! This just in from ABC! Whitney will perform three songs outside in the plaza at Lincoln Center on Sunday, December 8 at 3:00 p.m. to air on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Tuesday, December 10. Whitney will perform songs from her upcoming album, Just Whitney, in stores on Tuesday, December 10. Whitney will speak with ABC News' Diane Sawyer during a special edition of "Primetime" at 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4. ABC News "Good Morning America" is a two-hour, live program, co-anchored by Charles Gibson and Diane Sawyer, airing Monday - Friday (7:00 - 9:00 a.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. Set those VCR's and catch Whitney on ABC!
[From Billboard] Whitney Houston will give a free performance Sunday (Dec. 8) outside New York's
Lincoln Center. Houston will be playing three songs from her upcoming album "Just
Whitney..." (Arista), that will air two days later on ABC's "Good Morning
America." [Thanks Michael G.]
Liz Smith's column reports on Whitney's interview with Diane Sawyer and provides new information about the content of the interview. Read the report here. [Thanks Monte D.]
This Roger Friedman report adds to the confusion as to whether or not Carlos Santana provided a guitar solo for 'Tell Me No'. In his own inimitable style, Friedman also contributes a
sinister edge to his report, peppered with his signature interest in LA Reid.
'One Of Those Days' advances to No.131 (from No.160) on the German airplay chart and is up to No.14 (from No.47) on the Polish airplay chart. [Thanks Roland/Sylwia]
NEWSFILE: 2 DECEMBER 2002 |
The 'Just Whitney...' Reviews Section has been updated to include write ups from Blues & Soul and The Observer. [Thanks Ben]
Three reports published this weekend discuss the difficulty Whitney might face in her bid to regain favour with consumers and the media as she returns to promote her new album: New York Post: Whitney's War On Her Critics [Thanks Michael G.]
No (Chart) Show... 'Just Whitney...' failed to make an impression on the UK Top 75 Album Chart in it's first week of release.
NEWSFILE: 1 DECEMBER 2002 |
NOVEMBER 2002 NEWSFILE CAN BE FOUND HERE
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Two
reports published discuss Whitney's return with 'Just Whitney...' with the releases by
Mariah Carey and the kinds of obstacles that Whitney must overcome if she is to make
a commercially successful return:
Whitney Houston's
interviewer in tonight's Primetime special, Diane Sawyer is interviewed by Entertainment
Tonight. 
