I Look To You

Today, I would agree with almost everything said in the first public review on the album page by J. Baker: I Look To You or copy and paste [...] Interestingly, I would have agreed completely on September 1st, 2009, especially concerning his feelings about Worth It and For the Lovers. However, I believe that reviewers should be careful to note that their review is an early one. For this matter, all critics, both in the media and public should take note. An album is often like a new drink: At first it takes on a flavor of unfamiliarity, uniqueness and qualities unlike any other. When most people first drink coffee or whisky, including myself, it often takes years to develop a palat for them. The same should be said about newly created music from artists, especially ones that have aged. For the first year or so that I heard Whitney's My Love Is Your Love album, I skipped 75% of the new genre she took on and went straight for the ballads. While Until You Come Back is probably now my favorite Whitney song ever, with each video released, performance of and remix made for the title track, Heartbreak Hotel, In My Business, Get It Back and If I Told You That, I grew a greater appreciation for them. Thunderpuss's remix, or transformation if you will, of It's Not Right but It's Okay remains a cultural thumbprint in 90s history. Similarly, I Look To You should be seen as an acquired taste. I would compare it to my love for coffee (I'm slowly getting there with the whisky) and of the MLIYL album. It's just months after the release of ILTY, and already I have grown a greater appreciation for Worth It and For the Lovers. The former took longer, possibly because of the large number of new mid-tempo grooves released to the public with the album. However, like cream in coffee, it rises... it just needs stirring. Larry Jackson, Co-Executive Album Producer, confirmed on his Twitter at the beginning of the month that it will be the next and third single. On the assumption Arista would release a mid-tempo after the first being a ballad and the second for the clubs, this may be disappointing to those who would prefer Call You Tonight or Like I Never Left to be next. Or even a mid-tempo dance groove like Nothing But Love, as is rumored to be the next single in Europe. But give Worth It a good second (or 20th) listen with fresh ears and you may just find yourself reaching for your lover's hand in the car. Now if she'd add some high chest voice notes to the climax like she did for the album version of LINL, we could have a real radio hit. Otherwise, I won't rehash what J. Baker said. Except to put it in other words. I Look To You ushers in Whitney's second act. As I sit here I can't find words to describe Act I. Diane Sawyer probably said it best in 2002: ethereal. Don't expect a repeat of it and you'll free yourself to enjoy a great album. Anything Beyoncé, Mariah, or Christina comes up short of Whitney's Act II. And let's hear some "second listen" reviews in the months and years to come from critics quick to put their stamp on the album last year. PS to Arista: Where's our duet with Celine? Both talents are International Treasures; we should feel almost entitled to a marriage of them in one song on one stage.

Whitney Houston is a masterful performer. She has always been known for her vocal ability to the point where her technique dominated over artistry. Well with I Look to You, the artistry shines with a mature and poignant vocal style. Of course age brings on a huskiness which she uses to good effect but she does not disappoint when required to reach higher notes. Her lower range allows her to bring depth to the songs so rather than marvel at her artistry we share the love. The songs are all joyous but not frivolous. The rhythm of "Million Dollar Bill" is infectious and gets the album off to a great start. The beats used throughout are just right so you can groove to it without feeling overpowered. A Song for You,a classic, is a surprise with the change from ballad to uptempo and ulitmately works! All the arrangements are well balanced between Whitney's strong vocals and the background elements. Even her duet with Akon "Like I Never Left" seems well suited to her strength which is to sell a song. Her voice and Akon's blend nicely despite their difference in tone. My favorite track is "I Look to You" which not only brings her an expanded lower range but is an inspiring piece by R. Kelly whether the message is directed to God or to a loved one. Most of this release does not seem too autobiographical, maybe because of her recent frank revelations about her personal life. My Love is Your Love is probably much more so, though she was not so revealing about her personal life then in 1998. "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" is the most personal just because she is a survivor, both in her personal and professional life. This album is clearly a labor of love and I thank her for sharing the joy. Recommended Tracks: Million Dollar Bill I Look to You A Song for You I Didn't Know My Own Strength

Fab

This album is the last one from our beautiful and talented Whitney. Several of the songs have vocal glitches that I as a vocalist caught. But, knowing the consummate professional quality and access to writers and sound engineers that she had, I am sure she left them in for effect and to "keep it real". She shines on these tracks. You can tell that she has gathered the songs she felt best represented her vocal abilities at this point in her career and life. She has some wonderful partnerships with new artists (Akon) and she also touches several genres - Imma call you tonight has a country twang, "This one's for the lovers" is nice and easy listening....I just find myself singing along more as I play this album. Each song is catchy and well written. Some are definately for the 40 and up crowd, more easy listening, but with some soul to them. I love this album and especially the ballads. She starts off with the classic "I'm singing this song for you" and I could not help but think of Bobbi Christina...it goes into a dance beat which again, I think represents her gift to her daughter...a final insightful farewell from this gifted, talented unmatched phenomenal woman. We will miss you Whitney, and we will be singing along for many, many years into the future.

Non sono mai stato un grandissimo fan di Whitney Houston, anche se le ho sempre riconosciuto una grandissima arte. I vocalizzi a volte un po' troppo leziosi sono distanti anni luce in questo I look to you che pur essendo uscito 10 anni fa rimane attuale. La vocalità sembra più contenuta e più moderato l'uso della voce, che in questo lavoro ha perso un po' di smalto pur restando una bellissima voce. Dopo ripetuti ascolti ci si rende conto che, come tutti i dischi di Whitney anche questo è ben fatto con delle belle tracce a partire da "Salute" regalatale da R.Kelly, la title track "I look to You" la cover " a song for you" e la mia preferita "I didn't know my own strength" Anche le rimanenti tracce non citate sono altrettanto belle.

good

彼女のデビューは'85年だったと記憶しています。デビューアルバム名は「Whitney Houston」。車でヘビロテしました。当時のカーステは、当然ではありますがカセットが主役でした。一方、'85年頃というのは、レコードからCDへ音源が切り替わる時期でもあり、店頭にはレコードとCDの両方が並んでいました。でもウィットニーのアルバムの発売はCDのみで、しかも発売日に店頭にはなく、仕方なく予約して購入したと記憶しています、そのデビューアルバムは素晴らしいアルバムでした。 さて、このアルバムは一度、お蔵入りになり、彼女の死によって日の目を見ることになったと聞いています。多分。 そうした経緯は知っており、しかも評価も最悪であったのではありますが、やはり大好きなアーティストであったので、買いました。聴かせていただいて、やはり、全盛期の彼女の歌声とは別人かと思うほど、声域が極端に狭くなっているし、声にも伸びがありません、ここまで変わってしまうものかと思うくらい。それが、ドラッグの影響であることは、いうまでもありません。 でも、彼女のためにこのアルバムを企画したプロデューサーは本気だったんでしょう、それぞれの曲は素晴らしいです。歌唱はまずいですが、楽曲はいけてます。

Una voz prodigiosa, y una canción preciosa! Una de mis preferidas sin duda alguna! Recomiendo que la escuchen, I look to you!

I love Whitney's voice/music! I love the greatest singer ever lived! I am still is and forever will be saddened by the loss of Whitney "The Voice", and I am disappointed that "I Look to You" will forever be associated with the dark clouds of R Kelly! I am incredulous that such a beautiful spiritual song was written by R. Kelly!