July 15, 200915 yr Author Yeah the single is now 'Mill Dollar Bill', a 'banger' produced by Swizz Beatz and written by Alicia Keys. :P
July 15, 200915 yr Author Okay so here's her album cover: http://www.whitneyhouston.com/whitney_cover_ilooktoyou_500x500.jpg :wub: Details of some of the songs from the listening party: Million Dollar Bill Written by Alicia Keys, Produced by Swizz Beats Million Dollar Bill is a feel good song, up-tempo and heavy beat/bass line. The vocal reminded me of an early Whitney with the overall song having a mixed 80s sensibility, but still current. Nuthin' But Love Written by Frannie Goldie/KC Livingston, Produced by Danja This song was unfinished - but played all the way through. It was finished 2/3 days ago and had just come in for the event. The song was up-tempo and had a nice urgency about it. Call You Tonight Written by Johnta Austin, Produced by Stargate I remember this being more up-tempo than mid-tempo (a la the youtube demo). Whitney had a crisp vocal delivery to it. Clive mentioned this was being considered for the first single. I think I recall him saying something along the lines of "certainly for the US" which may be suggested he was looking for a reaction to how Europe/rest of the world might receive it. The song got a great reception and I recall Clive studying the audience back to see if that was the approval he was looking for. I Didn't Know My Own Strength Written by Diane Warren, Produced by David Foster Clive talked about 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength' at some length and quoted Whitney from a recent interview she'd done as her feeling "Inspired…wasn't just thinking of myself with this song….[she was] for the first time a single mom….thought of people who struggle." Clive seemed to suggest he was more sold on the song than Whitney initially, that it wasn't until she went into the recording booth and started to sing the song herself that it resonated with her. Clive has been in London a few days and was at the theatre a few days ago when the lady next to him recognised him and got his attention. He mused about how this girl had heard the song via youtube, but then talked about how she'd articulated to him about what the song meant to her. He said he was quoting her directly and not embellishing her words. It is clear that Clive loves this song a LOT and there are some high expectations associated with it in terms of what it could mean for Whitney. What I heard was very similar to what was leaked - the chocolatey vocals are there; the production seemed fuller and at the end there is perhaps a slightly extended adlib ahead of the song finishing. Like I Never Left Written by Claude Kelly & Akon, Produced by Akon Whitney had called Clive and said she'd like an Island song for her album. That was where this song then originates. The song remains a duet with Akon and I wasn't certain if Whitney's vocal had changed on it. What was different was the production which had more backing vocals added and towards the end there are one or two relatively long high notes from Whitney added to what seemed like an extended adlib to close the song. For The Lovers Written by Claude Kelly, Produced by Danja This song was recorded/finished Friday night/Saturday morning. The song has an urgent up-tempo vibe, Whitney's vocal is crisp and to the point, the song has a line urging "so throw your hands up…". This might well be my favourite song of the night based on one listen - it had me very excited to hear it again. Really loved it. I Look To You Written by R Kelly, Produced by Harvey Mason & Tricky Stewart Clive had put this song on hold for 3 years. I recall a mention of him saying it was the first verse and chorus he'd put on hold - not sure if that meant he'd asked for some level of re-write. Both he and Whitney were agreed that this would be the title of the album and again, he quoted Whitney directly: "[i Look To You] spiritually says all I want to say….reach for a higher strength and go beyond your own understanding….". The production on this song was not finished. The song is piano driven with Whitney presented vocally in a similar way to how she sounds on 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength' - the vocals were chocolately. I'm keen to hear the finished version of the song. I think we've known R Kelly's version for some time so hearing Whitney on it now takes a little adjustment, especially going from a male vocal to a female…at times I got a sense Whitney's vocal was a little speeded up here - but I'm not sure if that was the unfinished production or my untrained ear. Worth It Written by Johnta Austin, Produced by Eric Hudson I'd describe this as a mid-tempo jam. Clive talked about how the song has 2 hooks and that the song was being presented on MP3 rather than finished format, but that the finished sound was "quite compelling". Clive seemed to underscore that this song takes a few listens to appreciate. It's a good song and one that would grow on you as you get into everything that it has going on (it's not too busy - maybe the 2 hooks make it a more complex structure). The verses tended to start with "This is for the lovers…." And I remember being left with that on first play. Good stuff. A Song For You Written by Leon Russell, Produced by Stargate The song and the producer should make you stop and ponder. Clive and Whitney had talked about which song Whitney had wanted to cover but hadn't done so. She chose 'A Song For You'. Clive presented the song stating that the 2nd half of the song was not complete (although what was played was a full song - so I don't know if there is production or vocal work to be done on it still). The song starts in the traditional way that we all know. Whitney has a crisp vocal delivery to it…the song then pumps up into a dance anthem of sorts. I do need to hear it again as I was a little bit surprised. It does work - and it was really well received. * Written by somebody from the fansite ClassicWhitney so it could be a little biased but I am really excited for this now :heehee:
July 15, 200915 yr Wow very excited for this. Of all the tracks to leak we would get one of the boring ones :kink:
July 15, 200915 yr I agree, also very excited :o I didn't think I would be, but September can't come quick enough now!
July 16, 200915 yr Why is Clive wearing trousers as high as his nipples? Anyway the promo shot is totally lovely. It'll be the photo used on the cover which I'm glad about. It's elegant and slightly sly. Because he is as old fashioned as his sexist managerial skills -_- Anyway, on some of the songs, quite surprised to see Danja and Stargate on there... Am interested as to what they will do with her
July 16, 200915 yr Oh man I can't wait to hear "Million Dollar Bill". Go get that smash Alicia. "Calling You Tonight" is a great track. I love the demo, it sounds so much like a track Whitney could sing. I'm so glad "IDNMOS" isn't the lead, that would've been hideous. It'll always be stuck as poor album filler to me.
July 20, 200915 yr Author Official tracklist: 01 Million Dollar Bill 02 Nothin' But Love 03 Call You Tonight 04 I Look To You 05 Like I Never Left ft.Akon 06 A Song For You 07 I Didn't Know My Own Strength 08 Worth It 09 For The Lovers 10 I Got You 11 Salute I'm glad it's not over-long!
July 21, 200915 yr Author Alicia Keys is "feelin' super good" when it comes to "Million Dollar Bill," the intended first single from Whitney Houston's anticipated album "I Look To You". Writing about the single on Twitter, Keys says "Mixing this Whitney Houston record! It's feelin' super good!" The single, also featuring production from Swizz Beatz, is due to be released to the public as early as next week. But, according to Keys it was not quite done Tuesday morning. "Super focused on makin it perfect! Can't wait 4 u 2 hear," Keys chimed in on Twitter. * Getting excited nowww!
July 22, 200915 yr Author There was another album listening event held last night in NYC: Million Dollar Bill An up-tempo, joyful track about love and probably one of the funkiest songs Whitney has ever done. "Million Dollar Bill" has an amazing bass line and almost recalls early Michael Jackson in Off The Wall. The catchy hook, "You make me feel like a million dollar bill." Her vocal is strong with some power notes toward the end. The song has an Alicia Keys sound but fits for Whit - it's current without making her seem like she is trying to compete with teenagers. The song received a standing ovation. Nothin' But Love Whitney's shout out to those who her love her and those who hate on her, she's got "Nothin' But Love" for all of them. Completely up-tempo and definitely an R&B club track that has the potential of sounding even hotter with a remix. The vocal stays around her lower register and, again, holds some classic Nippy notes at the end. Call You Tonight Fun, mature and a song everyone can relate to. Heavily produced and while it can be tough to adjust to a pure vocalist like Whitney sing to a production heavy song, the mid-tempo track works for this album. "Call You Tonight" sounds like one of the better tracks from Just Whitney. Some lyrics include, "Destiny, I believe in it" and "I wish I could stay but I got to go, I'll call you tonight." Salute Whitney is saying goodbye to a lover who has done her wrong, but she is letting go with no anger and confidently sings, "I salute you." Could she be channeling Bobby Brown? The song is strictly R&B and almost sounds similar to "Heartbreak Hotel" from the My Love Is Your Love album. More instruments than productions with keys and a strong vocal from Whitney. One line, "You think you know everything, you think your shit don't stink." :wub:! I Look To You Say what you want about R. Kelly but the man can still make a good R&B song. "I Look To You" is the title track and my favorite song so far. Beautiful lyrics like, "As I lay me down, heaven hear me now." Her voice is deeply powerful, channeling classic Whitney with a pop sense but an R&B vocal. This song proves that she has not lost her voice and it's definitely a melody I cannot wait to hear live. Whitney clearly feels every line and chord, charging through the ballad, transcending her own experience and reaching others who have been through adversity. Whitney has been criticized for not being emotional enough in her music - this track knocks out that complaint. From where I could see, Bobbi Kristina, Whitney's daughter, was getting emotional during the song. Worth It "This song is for the lovers…" is one of the lines. Youthful and radio friendly, another R&B track. Nothing much to add about this one, enjoyable to listen to and had folks in the audience bobbing their head - I think I even saw a few head nods from Martha Stewart! A Song For You Popularized by Donny Hathaway, "A Song For You" is a new spin on the Leon Russell classic. The beginning starts slow and the crowd gasped when they realized what song she was singing. Whitney sounded incredible, nearly haunting and before you knew it the song turns into a club banger! Mr. Davis explained the song was recorded just the night before. Definitely one for those who loves Whitney's club tracks. :D
July 22, 200915 yr Proper excited for this now :yahoo: You think you know everything, you think your $h!t don't stink." LMAO fabulous! DYING to hear Million Dollar Bill!
July 22, 200915 yr Author A little preview of the title track: DLfPSTqLp90&fmt=18 Sounds nice, a little bland but far better than My Own Strength and her vocals are better too. Probably turn out to be a good album track.
July 22, 200915 yr She sounds like old Whitney! Hope her vocals are as good on other tracks. :) Edited July 22, 200915 yr by Rain
July 23, 200915 yr Loving the promo vid on Whitneys website: http://whitneyhouston.com/ Everything I see and hear gets me more excited :yahoo:
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