TonyVanDam said:

Whitney was never EVER, EVER gonna do continued songs like that.

TonyVanDam said:

I would agree, this is the direction Whitney needs to take. Focus on dance/pop and steer away from the weepy ballads, maybe do radically different arrangements of them like Madonna does w/ her music. Just because she can't hit the high notes on her old songs doesn't mean she can't still be successful. MOST female pop singers couldn't hit those notes, either.

Madonna (when it was cool for straight men to like her!),

funkpill said:

co-


all kinds of wrong!

Poor Whitney.

here's another view:

Whitney Houston - I will always love you live in Brisbane 2010

phunkdaddy said:

Sad indeed...I hope she doesn't relapse over this.

fingertips said:

"She couldn't entertain a dead rat to be honest"



Wow.

lafleurdove said:

Talk about bittersweet. It's like watching Ali at the end of his career. She's smarter about it, in that in this performance, she's not *trying* to be the 20 year old or 30 year old singer she was. She's still a good singer, but not yet back to being the extraordinary talent she was.

Whitney on a bad day is still better than most of the auto-tune-idiots in pop today.

Good luck to her on her comeback...

fingertips said:

It's starting to make the rounds in the US media and that can't be good. If she insists on touring, she needs to rest and really figure it out with rehearsals or just stop it right now! That being said, sounded like they took the cattiest of opinions to make the story. Those people are just being nasty.
[Edited 2/25/10 9:43am]

off key n drugs dont make the jam ..

She shouldn't have even bothered.

This is my favorite Whitney performance.

Whitney Houston's fans' hopes are wilting on the vines

* By Marcus Casey
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* February 26, 2010 12:00AM

WHITNEY Houston's fans have been left wondering if it is worth turning up to her Hunter Valley concert tomorrow.

A week of toxic publicity and worse reviews for the pop-soul legend has made thousands of ticket-holders nervous about her remaining shows.

The phone rang regularly at the Hope Estate vineyard in Pokolbin yesterday with ticketholders - who paid between $165 per person to $699 depending on their packages - nervous about making the trek to the open-air venue, which can hold 19,500 people.

"Yeah, we've had a lot of calls from people ringing up to have a whinge," a Hope Estate spokeswoman said yesterday, saying 12,000 tickets had been sold. "They've been asking if the concert is still going ahead, and, if it does, whether she'll make it back to the stage if she has a break.

"But the show is going ahead - there seems to be an overreaction out there."

Several people who asked for refunds were directed to Australian tour promoter Andrew McManus, who did not return calls yesterday.

Making matters worse, there are also expected to be travel problems in the area as Tom Jones is staging a concert at nearby Bimbadgen Estate.

Disappointed Sydney fans inundated The Daily Telegraph's website with mostly negative comments yesterday.

"If her voice is shot, and she knows it, how dare she get up on stage and pretend it's not . . ," Pete, of Nowra, wrote.

Ross, of Moorebank, added: "I defy anyone to convince me that last night's performance was anything but awful."

She heads to Melbourne next week.

these are the same Australians that pay to see Britney lip-synch right?

BklynBabe said:

Seems like it.

can u see whitless tugn that pipe .. ? No wonder she outta breath n wack sweaty shes jo-nsin.

BklynBabe said:

I was just thinking about that lol... They'll pack in to see somebody shake they ass and lip synch but can't sit through an actual artist trying is oblivious no matter how bad it sounds.

ABeautifulOne said:

No don't think they're that bad, they criticized Britney too lol

This was in Brisbane.
[Edited 2/26/10 0:24am]

Critics never talked about her MJ tribute lol

Whitney Denies Sucking, Says Tour is "Terrific"
February 25, 2010


Though video postings of her recent performances in Australia have been less than flattering, Whitney Houston says her tour is going great — and she's in great health.

Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, released a statement Thursday, saying: "Whitney is in great health and having a terrific time on her tour and with her fans. She said more than 9,000 people attended Houston's show in Brisbane and more than 12,000 were at Acer Arena in Sydney.

"Her fans were dancing and singing along with her and Whitney appreciates their support," Foster said.

That view contrasts with news reports quoting disgruntled fans who complaining about the star's voice and performance. Video snippets of Houston struggling to hit notes in concerts in Sydney and Brisbane have circulated widely on YouTube and other outlets.

The 46-year-old, who is one of pop's all-time best-selling artists, staged a comeback last year with her first album in seven years, "I Look to You." It debuted at the top of the album charts.

During her hiatus from music, she battled drug addiction and ended a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown. But as she returned last year, she declared herself healthy and free from substance abuse.

This is Houston's first tour in years. It started in February in South Korea and will take her to Europe until at least May. Foster said there currently are no plans for a United States tour.


http://www.startribune.co..._Yyc:aUUsZ

carlcranshaw said:

Its on her GH DVD collection I love it.

This is my fave...


I love how she started out very scared and vulnerable, and ended it with a bang

BTW, thats Cissy Houston behind her leading the orchestra.

She really sweats a lot.

Timmy84 said:

I'm not surprised, critics never address the positive, lol. So yes, she hit some bad notes, so what?

"Someone's always tryin' to start my baby cryin'
It's too high to get over (yeah, yeah)
Your'e too low to get under (yeah, yeah)
You're stuck in the middle (yeah, yeah)
And the pain is thunder (yeah, yeah)
You love to pretend that you're good
When you're always up to no good
You really can't make him hate her
So your tongue became a razor
Someone's always tryin' to keep my baby cryin'
Treacherous, cunnin', declinin', you got my baby cryin' "


Help me sing it
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa.....

Help me sing it babe
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa.....

Sing it to the world, sing it out loud
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa.....

Help me sing it
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa.....



"Um, what makes men claims that ur a friend

when u're not at all?

They knock u down and then,

they lift u again, just 2 c u fall...

But like a bird i'll keep on singing...

a song that never leaves ur mind

If nothing else u've taught me one thing...

"Never cast pearls b4 the swine" "





Help me sing it
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa.....


"Love me while U watch the time
And if I falter or lose my rhyme
U will drop me like a useless dime??...
‘Cuz U ain't no friend of mine?...
Steer me wrong and drop me off?...
From a SWAN dive to a bellyflop??...
The shallow waters that flood your heart
U never cease 2 amaze me
Though sometimes I just don't understand, no, no
The chances U took 2 play your hand
But U never took my love when it was here
My heart's been through it a thousand times
Like a fair fruit upon the vine
The shiny promise that fades with time
But the seeds are sown and the hope defined"


Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa.....




Ohhhh,ohhhh
Come on baby, haha
Yea
Now get with this

Oh I wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah I wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me
Oh I wanna dance with somebody
I wanna feel the heat with somebody
Yeah I wanna dance with somebody
With somebody who loves me

Help me sing it, babe
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa
Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, Ma Ma Coo Sa.....

Don't you wanna dance?.....
Say you wanna dance!!!...

I need a fan, who'll take a chance on a love that burns hot enough to last


Don’tcha wanna dance with me babbyyyyy?.....

Uh huh, with somebody who loooves me!

Oh yeah! Whitney, I wanna dance with you ‘cuz I LOVE YOU! Uh-huh!


Yeah..... Wooooo-hooooo!

The fall and fall of Whitney Houston

* Cameron Adams
* From: Herald Sun
* February 27, 2010 12:00AM

Fans have been critical of Whitney Houston's Brisbane and Sydney shows. Source: Herald Sun

LAST year, Britney Spears's failure to sing at all incensed Australian fans.

This year, this week, Whitney Houston did sing but the country's talking about her voice, too - or what's left of it.

And unfortunately for promoter Andrew McManus, that talk isn't all good.

Newspapers, TV shows and internet sites have been filled with fans defending the singer for what McManus clumsily described as "having a red-hot crack" and with disappointed punters who felt the show wasn't worth the ticket price (up to $200 in some cases).

McManus took a risk bringing Houston Down Under to start her first world tour in 11 years (she hadn't played in Australia since 1988).

Last year's comeback album I Look to You was her first release since 2002's under-performing Just Whitney.

The positive spin about Houston's time out of the spotlight is that she spent it raising her daughter Bobbi Kristina, who turns 17 next week.

The darker truth is that Houston spent most of that time smoking cocaine-laced marijuana with husband Bobby Brown, the man many blame for ruining her career.

Their 14-year marriage was filled with drug use, allegations of abuse (Brown spat on Houston in front of their daughter), infidelity and a misguided reality show, Being Bobby Brown.

Houston has done only a handful of interviews to promote I Look to You. After airing her demons on Oprah, she will no longer answer questions about her failed marriage or drug use.

She told Oprah they had not used crack, but admitted free-basing cocaine daily.

"We were lacing our marijuana with base (cocaine). We weren't on crack. We weren't on no crack stuff. We were paying money," she said.

"We were buying kilos and ounces and ounces. We would have our stash."

Houston went into rehab (once taking her daughter so she could see what rehab was like -- she blamed the drug use on her "lifestyle" and warned her it was a side-effect) but it didn't stick. Houston told Oprah she was off drugs.

"Don't think I don't have desires for it. There are times it takes a minute to cleanse - 'Get off. Get off me. Just leave me alone. Get off me' - I have to pray it away.

"I'll have a drink every now and then. Don't get me wrong. I can only take today. One day at a time. Right now, no."

THOSE who have seen Houston's Sydney and Brisbane shows this week have referred to "erratic" behaviour, 13-minute stints off stage (McManus insists they are costume changes), and coughing during songs.

McManus insists Houston's health is fine, attributing the coughing to the singer's cigarette habit.

"Whitney smokes. God bless her, I can't tell her not to," he said. "She will not take any substances - when I did Meat Loaf, every night he had to have a cortisone needle. She just will not.

"It is what it is. She's comfortable with the show she's performing.

"She knows she's not hitting every note like she used to, but it's value for money. It's Whitney Houston, warts and all. She's exposed up there on stage."

Houston says her voice has "matured" but she has never been asked whether the drug use has ruined her gift. Many believe Houston is not delivering to her Australian fans.

"When a fan pays a superstar price they are entitled to a superstar performance," said Paul Cashmere, CEO of music website www.undercover.com.au.

"From the footage we've been seeing, Whitney Houston has grossly under-delivered."

Not all those fans agree. McManus says only a small though vocal minority had left Houston's Brisbane and Sydney shows, and refund requests were minimal.

Brisbane's Trent Titmarsh went to the show expecting little and was won over: "Yes, she can't sing her power ballads from the '80s any more.

"But she still gave us all that she can, and it was still more than most 'singers' these days. I never was a big Whitney fan, but I'll defend her, as the two-hour-plus show was better than I thought it would be.

''And she is a true survivor: this is a woman who is 46 years old and nearly died from drugs."

It's that state of Houston's voice and health that divides opinion. Should she be applauded for being a survivor and getting back on stage, or slated for not sounding as she once did?

McManus can relate to some of the criticism.

"If the disgruntled few feel she wasn't up to scratch of the Whitney of 20 years ago, I'd probably have to agree with them," he said. "But she performed the full concert.

"She performed all her hits. She did everything we promoted and said she'd do. It was a great performance.

"This is an icon of the business who hit rock bottom and is fighting back. Instead of slamming her, we should be praising her.

"We're a nation who normally supports the underdog. She's the underdog, and she's getting hammered.

"She's sensitive. She is someone who's 46 who hasn't performed in a long time.

"She's had some real lows in her life, and she's proving she can fight back and give it a red-hot crack. That's the attitude I thought people of Australia would embrace.

"Unfortunately, there's a minority who want to stick the boot in."

But Cashmere says Houston's personal battles should not be an excuse for a below-par performance.

"To argue that fans shouldn't expect to hear the same quality as 20 years ago is complete rubbish," he said.

"A real star gets better as the years go on. Whitney is 46 years old: at this stage, she should be delivering the greatest shows of her career.

"Why should people be sympathetic? They are paying up to $200 for a ticket.

"They should expect the highest quality. They are not donating to a Whitney Support Group.

"If she has problems, then she should go home and come back when she is ready to give value to her fans."

SINGER Damien Leith has also weighed in.

"She's 46 years of age, has a well-documented history of an excessive lifestyle, and now she's back on the road trying to recreate the magic of her hits," Leith told The Punch website.

"It's a tough undertaking and will take a lot of strength and character. Maybe she thought it was time to prove to herself and the critics she can do it. If so, she's brave.

"It takes guts to face an audience after a long break."

But reports from her Australian tour are filtering around the world - not the ideal way for overseas promoters to try to sell tickets for her world tour.

"The world media has picked up on this Australian train wreck," Paul Cashmere said. "If Whitney Houston wants to continue on a world tour now, she will have to get her act together very quickly or cancel the tour."

McManus said he had been "swamped" with calls and emails of support from people who'd seen Houston's Australian shows so far.

He said the bad reports had filtered back to Houston, who had her own way of dealing with the negativity.

"I talked to her after the Sydney show. She's a unique individual, but a beautiful individual. I told her I have her back, but she said 'If the good Lord wants me to be attacked and ridiculed, that's the road I have to go down'," he said.

"It's an interesting approach. Here I am, being aggressive in trying to protect her, and she said 'I love you for it, but let it go. I can only give my best. If that's not good enough, so be it. I'm comfortable in my own skin'."

Whitney Houston plays a sold-out show at Rod Laver Arena on Monday and at the Plenary next Saturday.

Why can't her promoter stop her from smoking cigarettes? Maybe if she was pushed to drop the cigs, she may actually sound a bit better than she is now. Of course what I saw doesn't illustrate a trainwreck but still she has to take care of what's left of her voice.

Would you stop posting tabloids please? It's annoying. I get it. There's no denying she sounds a hot mess in that clip. Nevertheless, are people critiquing this one specific performance or is it being used as a vehicle to dismiss her entire concert? Where's the rest of the show? Why wasn't that plastered across net works? Certaintly a worldwide-tour is a little bit longer than a 4 minute youtube post.

And I find it quite interesting how the Aussies, yet again, are the ones responsible for throwing mud. Fair judges or ruthless instigators?

Her boxscore for Brisbane was just posted on Billboard.

Whitney Houston, Anthony Callea Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Brisbane, Australia
Feb. 22, 2010
$1,083,980
7,386 /
7,732
1 /
0
$175.23, $56.16
Andrew McManus Presents

Looks pretty solid to me. Now how many are they suggesting walked out? Cuz it appears like the audience wasn't snickering at all. They're clapping, basically being supportive of her performance. Or were the cameras only thrown in the faces of the 10 individuals who were really pissed and indeed did storm out of the crowd of 7,000?