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Whitney's Album Sinks

Monday, January 06, 2003
By Roger Friedman

Whitney's Album in a Free Fall

When they start counting album sales this morning for last week, I can tell you the folks at Arista Records will be fit to be tied.

In its third week of release, Whitney Houston's Just Whitney is listed at No. 36 on the Billboard charts. And that position may be a generous one once Hits Daily Double does its tallying up. It may be heave-ho for Houston, who has $20 million-plus in cash of Arista's money in her pocket and no way to make it back.

Those big record company contracts you read about — $100 million for Whitney, for example — are advances against sales. If albums don't sell, the companies get mad. Sometimes, as in the case of Mariah Carey's Glitter, they want their money back.

Arista is not having the jolliest New Year's to start with. They have a lot of albums on the charts, but they're not selling as predicted. Santana's Shaman has sold just under 2 million copies, which isn't bad but is far lower than its blockbuster predecessor. Albums by Toni Braxton, Kenny G, and TLC — their final album with late singer Lisa Lopes — have all been disappointments.

Houston has her own problems, though, which contributed to the poor showing of this album. Two of the ten tracks were released in advance to almost no airplay on radio. Then the whole album was put on the Internet six weeks before its release, allowing fans to download it for free. This was followed by Houston's disastrous appearance on TV with Diane Sawyer ("Crack is whack"), followed by her odd "live" showing on Good Morning America. Since then, Houston has done nothing to promote the album.

What a waste of talent, 'cause the girl can sing !!
Imagine what is possible with her voice ??
It maybe say a lot about Withney but it says even more about the industrie !!

Whitney's new CD is a dud.I bought it for my sister as a Christmas present and she's not too thrilled with it.It is the worst Whitney Houston album by far.It's obvious that her drug problems has affected her ability to make a great album.There is not one "standout" song anywhere on the album.The first two singles have flopped,and I don't think Arista is gonna spend any more money promoting this fiasco.Let's face it,folks,Whitney is sinking faster than the Titanic.It pains me to say this,because I have been a fan of hers for so many years.

She COULD turn things around though.She must get rid of her lousy husband,get her ass in rehab,and maybe,just MAYBE she would be able to turn things around.

Another thing...Arista is gonna sink real fast without Clive Davis.Letting Clive go was a HUGE mistake.

DavidEye said:

It may have been a mistake to force Clive out,but his J Records isn't doing too hot either. The industry as a whole is dropping off.

classic77 said:

Actually,I thought J Records was doing pretty well,with the massive success of Alicia Keys.Also,recent CDs by Luther Vandross,Rod Stewart and Mario have all sold well.Or at least I thought...lol...
[This message was edited Thu Jan 9 3:10:17 PST 2003 by DavidEye]

The artists at big labels are under a lot of pressure. Santana's new album sold "only" 2 million. The record company should be happy about an album that sells 2 million, but because they have paid out so much money and have such high expectations, selling 2 million is not enough anymore.

Mariah Carey sold "only" 2 million, and her record company dumped her. Michael Jackson's album sold a few million and it was called a "flop."

Record companies and artists have to wake up and realize that the days of the huge album sales are over. The Internet downloading has cut into everybody's sales and profits.

Eminem is the biggest selling artist in the U.S. with 10 million in sales. It used to take more than 10 million to get the top spot.

DavidEye said:

Well, what about Monica & Deborah Cox?? They're under J-Records and they're under the hill.

Avril one the other hand is overrated even tho she's ander LA Reid's label.

Something is not right here,,

Batdance said:

especially one by Santana! (Supernatural aside...)

Whitney is being treated in a 80's early 90's kind of way.but the Big Wigs are behind the 8-ball with Her&Other Powerhouses of yesteryear.Less is more.now Whitney's Catelog still brings in Loot.but like I said Before: the problem that Whitney&Other SuperStar Acts face that while they got Issues&there Range may have fallen off a bit:they have too share the same Writers&Producers as the 2nd,3rd,4th tier Acts&it's bound too make the SuperStar seem desperate.in other words the Labels are just making everybody lumped together.Whitney still has "It" but the Business is stuck on a Fast-Food Mentality with Everybody&I Mean Everybody.today it's the classic Janet Jackson Syndrome"what Have you Done for Me Lately"?

Whitney's song Whatchoolookinat sucked...

DavidEye said:

Interesting. Here in D.C. people have been talking up the album saying how good it is. But the only single that's been played so far is that "One Those Days" or whatever the name of the song is. I think it sucks. It's basically the Isley Bros' "In Between The Sheets" with new lyrics.

But aside from that L.A. Reid is an ass. He's not even going to try and sell this album.

mistermaxxx said:

I agree with this. The top acts are all using the same writers and producers, so the divas all end up doing the same types of songs.

Ifsixwuz9 said:

L.A. Reid doesn't give a damn about Whitney Houston. He and Arista have Avril LaVigne.

Batdance said:

right on! there new Alanis Moressette.

Batdance said:

they don't? sure they do. as long as they're paying her enormous wads of cash, they give many a damn about her. now... when the contract is up? that's another matter. they aren't in the business to lose money.

Batdance said:

Excellent post!! It amazes me that,nowadays, a CD can sell "only" 2 million copies and still be considered a flop.Record companies need to beome more realistic.

I'm not a Whitney Houston fan, but I hope that broad gets some help for her obvious problem. Too many folks in all walks of life have gone by the wayside because of their excesses.

mistermaxxx said:[quote]Batdance said:[quote]

Ifsixwuz9 said:

Even if I'm not really a fan of her don't insult Alanis please, , Avril Lavigne ate my balls, of all the white female newcomers (Michelle Branch, Pink ..) she's the worst
[This message was edited Fri Jan 10 6:49:48 PST 2003 by jnoel]