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CLICK ON GLOBAL REQUEST WHITNEY & HELP INCREASE
AIRPLAY FOR WHITNEY
GLOBAL REQUEST WHITNEY IS SUPPORTED BY ARISTA
RECORDS & THE PLATINUM CLUB
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WIN THIS IN-HOUSE UK
PROMO CD CLICK HERE FOR FULL DETAILS - |
Time for a new Classic Whitney / Esprit International competition - check the details by clicking here.
UK R&B Singles
Radio One... 'If I Told You That' remains C listed on the Radio One playlist, the UK's main national radio station.
Billboard Review... [Billboard Magazine Review Of Could I Have This Kiss Forever] Just in time to open the sunroof under the warming skies is this
first offering from Whitney Houston's upcoming two-CD greatest-hits package (it also
appears on Enrique Iglesias' current album). While the pairing of evergreen pop/R&B
superstar Houston with blossoming Latin sensation Iglesias may seem a curious combination
at first, go once through this midtempo Spanish guitar-laced crowd-pleaser and the magic
is crystal clear. Iglesias is, of course, right at home, sounding as sensual and breezy as
ever, while Houston delivers a restrained performance that perfectly captures a romantic
moment made just for champagne and dancing. While it was originally produced by David
Foster, the radio version of this Diane Warren song, refashioned by remixers du jour Brian
Rawling and Mark Taylor, is dead on with a musical palette that will catapult this song to
the upper reaches of the charts. Iglesias is a particularly compelling video presence; his
partnering with Houston should lend a hand toward also making this a VH1 staple.
The week's Top 10 Audio Downloads from Classic Whitney:
The week's Top 10 Video Downloads from Classic Whitney:
NEWSFILE: 30 APRIL 2000 |
With less that a week's airplay, 'Same Script Different Cast' debuts on the US Billboard R&B/Hip Hop Bubbling Under Chart at No.9. The album, 'My Love Is Your Love' is down to No.185 this week on the Billboard 200. Complete chart stats tomorrow. [Thanks Lopez]
The album cover for 'Whitney: The Greatest Hits' and 'Whitney: The Unreleased Mixes' will be the same - Whitney with her drill.
The commercial single for 'If I Told You That' in the UK and Europe will be on 29 May 2000. This is in order that the video is done in time. The album, Whitney: The Greatest Hits will still be released two weeks prior to that on 15 May 2000 with Whitney: The Unreleased Mixes coming out on 22 May 2000.
On Tuesday, Whitney Houston hit stores with a collection of unreleased dance mixes, the first of several releases due from the diva this year. "Whitney: The Unreleased Mixes" is a limited edition singles box set featuring 8 unreleased dance mixes. The four-record set includes a David Morales mix of "So Emotional" and a re-working of "How Will I Know" by Junior Vasquez. As we previously reported, "Whitney - The Greatest Hits" will hit stores on May 16 (see "Whitney Recruits Enrique, Q-Tip For Greatest Hits"). The 2-CD, 36-song collection will feature four newly recorded tracks, including duets with George Michael, Enrique Iglesias, Deborah Cox, and a new song that was co-produced by Q-Tip and Raphael Saadiq. DVD and VHS versions of "Whitney - The Greatest Hits" will also be released, with additional footage, interviews and more. [Thanks Sanj] 'I Learned From The Best' debuts at No.73 on the France singles chart this week. [Thanks Sebastien]
I finally have my copy of 'Whitney: The Unreleased Mixes' - don't delay - the set is strictly limited edition and is really worth it's money. Side note: Great to see UK Radio One DJs Pete Tong and Trevor Nelson get mentions on the liner notes for the set. Instrumental over the years in getting Whitney's music heard on the radio and in the clubs.
NEWSFILE: 27 APRIL 2000 |
[Text From UK Promo/Sampler Of 'Whitney Houston: The Greatest Hits'] Whitney Houston returns in May with a Greatest Hits album which will include 4 brand new songs, including duets with George Michael on 'If I Told You That', & Enrique Iglesias. The Greatest Hits also includes such classic tracks as: 'I Will Always Love You', 'Saving All My Love For You', 'Didn't We Almost Have It All', 'Exhale', & 'Count On Me' to name but a few from her studio albums and hit soundtrack albums. A huge campaign will be in place to support the Greatest Hits and forthcoming singles. To date, in the UK, Whitney has had 5 multiplatinum albums, 14 top 10 Hits and amassed global sales of more than 100 million albums.
UK/European Tracklisting... This is the complete UK & European tracklisting for Whitney: The Greatest Hits. DISC 1 "COOL DOWN" Saving All My Love For You
If I Told You That (Whitney
Houston & George Michael) The UK/European version of the album will feature the uptempo songs in their original single mixes. The only remixes to feature will be the last four tracks on the 'Throw Down' CD. Awaiting confirmation of the Asian/Australian tracklisting.
Rehearsal Video Footage... Whitney Houston Rehearses 'I Will Always Love You - RealVideo from Arista's Whitney Houston Website. You Cannot Miss This!
Revised Arista Press Release...
JAY MICHAELS, APD/MD, WERZ, Portsmouth WHITNEY HOUSTON & ENRIQUE IGLESIAS Could I Have This Kiss Forever (ARISTA) - Total smash! I can't wait to play this! JOHN O'DEA, PD, WNNK, Harrisburg WHITNEY HOUSTON & ENRIQUE IGLESIAS Could I Have This Kiss Forever (ARISTA) - This is a great duet! MARK JACOBS, PD/MD, WQSL, Wilmington WHITNEY HOUSTON & ENRIQUE IGLESIAS Could I Have This Kiss Forever (ARISTA) - This is a really good song that's gonna be huge! ALEX DIAZ, MD, WZYP, Huntsville WHITNEY HOUSTON & ENRIQUE IGLESIAS Could I Have This Kiss Forever (ARISTA) - I think this could be huge!
[Thanks Tony]
[Taken From Billboard Online] Whitney Greatest Hits, DVD, Vinyl Sets Due Arista will unveil a series of new Whitney Houston releases set to appear in the coming weeks, led by the 36-song, two-disc album "Whitney -- The Greatest Hits," due May 16. The collection is split into one disc of ballads and one disc of more uptempo material and also features newly-recorded duets with former A Tribe Called Quest rapper Q-Tip, George Michael, Enrique Iglesias, and Deborah Cox. Amongst the rarities on "The Greatest Hits" is Houston's famed rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" from the 1991 Super Bowl, the 1988 Summer Olympics theme "One Moment In Time," and "If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful," a 1986 duet with Jermaine Jackson. Also set for May 16 release is a DVD/VHS home video sharing the name "Whitney -- The Greatest Hits," which includes music videos, live performance clips, and interview excerpts. The DVD's interactive content comprises Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Audio and song lyrics. April 25 will see the release of "Whitney -- The Unreleased Mixes," a four-record box set that sports club mixes of tracks such as "So Emotional," "How Will I Know," "I'm Every Woman," and "I'm Your Baby Tonight," from the likes of Jellybean Benitez, Junior Vasquez, David Morales, and C+C Music Factory's Clivilles and Cole. Houston's most recent album, "My Love Is Your Love," is currently at No. 170 on The Billboard 200 after 74 weeks on the chart. [Thanks Sanj]
Whitney In Out... [Report By Amina] As reported last week, Whitney Houston is
interviewed in the latest issue of 'Out' magazine. The report talks a lot about her
greatest hits and about how well she did last year in the clubs with the phenomenal songs
from My Love Is Your Love. Whitney talked about Clive and how sad she will
be when she can't work with him anymore. She said the greatest hits is like a last
hurrah for them as a team; that he's always treated her like a daughter and will miss
working with him. [Thanks Amina] UK Airplay... [Comment From Music Week] The record most likely to prove the highest new entry to the Top 50 next week is Whitney Houston & George Michael's 'If I Told You That'. A remake of a track Houston performs solo on her My Love Is Your Love album, it did not reach radio until Wednesday morning but managed to receive 120 plays and an audience of more than 13m by the end of the week, to leave it poised just outside the Top 50 at 57. The song was the fourth most added song of the week.
Sonicnet Article.. Whitney Releases Vinyl-Only Dance-Remix
Collection [Thanks Lopez]
Advertising... US Whitney fans report that MTV is playing an advert promoting the release of 'Whitney: The Greatest Hits'. The advert also provides a 1-800 number to pre-order the album.
Hitmakers Picture... Whitney Houston pictured with Bobby Brown, Clive Davis and Puff Daddy - Taken From The Hitmakers.com Website
Deborah Cox Mailing List... The Deborah Cox Mailing List is already pushing for people to call up their local radio station and request 'Same Script Different Cast'. Guess we know Deborah's ambition is to get that first single!
Big Name Singers Lining Up For Producer
Rodney Jerkins [Thanks Lopez] NEWSFILE: 26 APRIL 2000 |
[Thanks Sebastian]
(April 17, 2000) In the midst of her 15th anniversary year as an Arista recording artist, and in the wake of her sixth Grammy win this year for "It's Not Right But It's Okay," WHITNEY - THE GREATEST HITS celebrates the career of the artist whose combined sales in the U.S. are more than 70 million units, and who has sold more than 110 million records and videos sold worldwide. Highlights include newly-recorded duets with George Michael, Enrique
Iglesias and Deborah Cox, a new song co-produced by Q-Tip and Raphael
Saadiq, rare vintage tracks unavailable for a decade, impossible-to-find club mixes,
and bonus tracks. The multi-tiered release encompasses Whitney's record-breaking
success on the pop and R&B singles front (on two CDs/two cassettes), as a screen
presence since her career began at the label (on DVD and VHS home-video), and in the clubs
as a remixer's delight (on a limited edition four-record vinyl box-set). The latter is set
for an April 25 in-store date, while the CDs/cassettes and DVD/VHS are due May 16th. Spanning 1985 to 2000, WHITNEY - THE GREATEST HITS includes hard-to-find rarities (such as "One Moment In Time," the 1988 Summer Olympics theme; and 1991's Super Bowl XXV version of "The Star Spangled Banner"); plus a most requested 1986 classic duet with Jermaine Jackson ("If You Say My Eyes Are Beautiful") that was released only on his album, never as a single. The innovative programming of the two CDs (and cassettes) enables the listener to experience the full breadth of Whitney's career with both volumes. Disc 1 (Cool Down), for example, builds from her first hits of 1985, "You Give Good Love," "Saving All My Love For You," and "Greatest Love Of All," all the way to the year 2000 with two great new records featuring Enrique Iglesias and Deborah Cox respectively. Disc 2 (Throw Down) recaps the uptempo hits from My Love Is Your Love - with club remixes of "It's Not Right But It's Okay," "My Love Is Your Love," "Heartbreak Hotel" (featuring Faith Evans & Kelly Price), and "I Learned From The Best" - then presents remixes of ten more hits from Whitney's all-time classic repertoire. Disc 2's remixes show off the talents of such masters as Junior Vasquez, David Morales, Jellybean, Hex Hector, Clivilles and Cole, The Dronez, Rodney Jerkins and others. The two volumes draw from Whitney's first three studio albums, Whitney Houston (1985, now certified 13-times RIAA platinum), Whitney (1987, 9x-platinum), and I'm Your Baby Tonight (1990, 4x-platinum); then Whitney's three original soundtrack albums, The Bodyguard (1992, 17x-platinum), Waiting To Exhale (1995, 7x-platinum), and The Preacher's Wife (1996, 3x-platinum), and her most recent My Love Is Your Love (1998, 3x-platinum). Whitney's U.S. album sales add up to a sub-total in excess of 56 million copies. Add to this figure: 13 RIAA gold and 6 platinum singles, the 4-times platinum "I Will Always Love You" single, one gold home video and two platinum home videos - and the total is well in excess of 70 million units sold in the U.S. alone. (*Please see complete track listings, chart facts and RIAA certifications attached.) WHITNEY - THE GREATEST HITS is also the title of Whitney's first DVD and VHS home-video collection. Each version reprises the lion's share of Whitney's hits in the course of its 21 titles, a combination of video clips (with such noted directors as Wayne Isham, Peter Israelson, Julian Temple, Randee St. Nicholas, Brian Grant, and Kevin Bray), and live performance. On the digital side, the DVD (with Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Audio) utilizes interactive technology to provide song lyrics and cutting-edge multi-media content. The main menu provides links to such rarities as the star's premiere television performance (on "The Merv Griffin Show" in 1985), appearances on several awards show, a tune from Disney's Rogers & Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997), interview segments featuring Whitney and her co-producer, Arista president Clive Davis, and much more. WHITNEY - THE UNRELEASED MIXES is a special limited-edition four-record vinyl box-set that acknowledges the importance of her music in clubs around the world. Seven songs, eight mixes, one track on each side of four 12-inch vinyl discs make this another must-have for fans and club professionals. Once again, the studio wizardry of master remixers Junior Vasquez, David Morales, Jellybean, Hex Hector, and C+C Music Factory's Clivilles and Cole brings a new perspective to the music: "How Will I Know," "Greatest Love Of All," "I'm Every Woman," "Love Will Save the Day," "I Will Always Love You," "So Emotional," and "I'm Your Baby Tonight." As Arista Records celebrates its own 25th anniversary year, the 15th
anniversary of its all-time best-selling artist is commemorated on these three new
cross-referenced collections. And to think it all started on the charts 15 years ago last
month, when "You Give Good Love" entered the Billboard Hot Black Singles
chart on March 9, 1985, went to #1 and hit RIAA gold. The self-titled Whitney
Houston album entered the Top 200 (pop) album chart on March 30th, went to #1 for
14 weeks, and now stands at 13-times platinum.
WHITNEY - THE UNRELEASED
MIXES
Same sequence as above, with Special Added Features on Interactive menu:
Also: [From Arista Records Whitney Houston Website] [Thanks MG] CNN... [Comment From CNN Website] CBS is waiting on Whitney. The network was hoping to air a special with the singer in the middle of May sweeps, but that has been put off indefinitely. Houston's people say they did not want the show to upstage an Arista special with Whitney airing on NBC May 15th. They say the postponement has nothing to do with Houston's recent vocal problems. [Thanks Sanj]
Arista Records have confirmed they are
testing both 'Could I Have This Kiss Forever' and 'Same Script Different Cast' for the
next US single. No firm decision has been made.
Next US Single... Shep Crawford and Shay Jones (writers and producers of Same Script Different Cast,) were in the studio talking to DJ Kevin Nash on the LA radio station 92.3 The Beat last night. The story of 'Same Script Different Cast' is that Clive Davis had heard a song produced by Shep called 'Hot Like Fire' and said he wanted a record similar to that for Whitney's upcoming project. Shep and Shay Jones said they worked day and night to come up with just the right song. A 40 piece orchestra was used for the song and that Kelly Price and Shay Jones sung the demo for the song. Clive was pleased with the results and the rest is history. After that the played the song. A few callers commented on the song after it was played - thumbs up all round. [Thanks Tony]
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BOXED SET IN U.S. STORES FROM 25 APRIL 2000
To all George Michael Webmasters - Thank you for showing an interest in Classic Whitney. Please remember to cite your source of information when taking information and directly hot-linking to the RealAudio clip of the 'If I Told You That' duet. Thank you.
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Here's How BMG Australia reports the upcoming release and marketing plan for Whitney: The Greatest Hits next month: Since her legendary debut in 1985, She has broken every industry record, Conquered every Entertainment Field, and sold over 110 million albums worldwide. Introducing ... The Greatest Hits Of The Greatest Hits Of All. This release will be one of the biggest and highest selling albums in recent recording history with a career and a body of work that is legendary. All the #1 hits are here with previously unreleased rarities, plus 4 brand new tracks including the amazing new single with George Michael. The release of Whitney : The Greatest Hits is unquestionably one of the most significant events in music retail for the year 2000. The album will be launched aggressively for Mother's Day with a marketing blitz including National radio campaign and promotions National TV campaign Priority placement in all Mother's Day catalogues Aggressive marketing and single releases leading continuing through till Christmas. Prominent retail profile and displays [Thanks Scott H]
UK R&B Singles
The week's Top 10 Audio Downloads from Classic Whitney:
The week's Top 10 Video Downloads from Classic Whitney:
Boxed Set: France... Although the boxed set - Whitney: The Unreleased Mixes - is scheduled for release on 25 April in France, it was available last Friday in the Virgin store in Paris, as an imported low-priced item. [Thanks Sebastien]
NEWSFILE: 23 APRIL 2000 |
Washington DC's WPGC website featured a three minute RealAudio clip of Whitney Houston & Deborah Cox's 'Same Script Different Cast' duet. You can now hear it here on Classic Whitney ~ It is phenomenal.
[Thanks Jared] NEWSFILE: 22 APRIL 2000 |
[Michael Paoletta's Billboard Dance Traxx Column: Issue Date 29 April 2000] ONE MOMENT IN TIME: On May 16 Arista is scheduled to issue Whitney Houston's two-disc set, "Whitney: The Greatest Hits" (for a complete track listing, see Newsline, Billboard, April 22). The collection will be preceded, on Tuesday (25), by "Whitney: The Unreleased Mixes." Comprising four 12-inches, for a total of eight remixes (in all their extended glory!), the special collectors' boxed set prominently shines the spotlight on one of clubland's reigning divas. Highlights include such commercially unavailable (and much sought-after) restructurings as Jellybean & David Morales' 1987 Classic Underground mix of "Love Will Save The Day," the Dronez's Club mix of "I'm Your Baby Tonight," David Morales' Emotional Club mix of "So Emotional," and Junior Vasquez's Club mixes of "How Will I Know" and "Greatest Love Of All." Making its debut is the Club 69 mix of "Greatest Love Of All," which was done specifically for this boxed set and which is not included on the two-disc greatest-hits collection. [Thanks Lopez]
Whitney Houston has the cover story in the latest issue of 'Out' magazine. Apparently the interview was done on the same day as her Jane interview but is a complete contrast to it. Scans of the cover and inside pictures would be most welcome. [Thanks 'Quest']
Columbia House... The latest Columbia House music club magazine features a two page
spotlight on Arista artists to commemorate Arista 25. All of the label's biggest stars had
one of their albums featured for sale. Whitney is the only artist to have a whole section
- ½ a page - devoted to her and featured all of her albums and soundtracks. The
following is the text: And Clive brought in the hitmakers. The title smash was written and produced by the Fugees' Wyclef Jean. Mariah Carey duets on the timeless ballad When You Believe, while Faith Evans and Kelly Price fill out the haunting hit Heartbreak Hotel. Producer Rodney Jerkins contributed the chart-topping It's Not Right, But It's Okay. The bonus track is a Lauryn Hill-produced remake of Stevie Wonder's I Was Made to Love Him, and other stellar cuts feature the talents of Babyface, David Foster, and Diane Warren. Whew! When the cousin of Dionne Warwick sings I Learned From The Best, it's an understatement."
Check out the lyrics to Same Script Different Cast. [Thanks Eric]
'If I Told You That' has been C listed on Radio One for the coming week. This means they will play the song approximately five times. They've already exceeded that in the first day. London's Capital Radio aren't shy - the song has gone into heavy rotation.
The Billboard update for the week ending 29 April 2000: MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE: I LEARNED FROM THE BEST: [Compiled By Lopez]
Taiwan... Taiwanese Flyer Promoting 'Whitney The Greatest Hits'
[Thanks Dzemil] NEWSFILE: 21 APRIL 2000 |
CLICK ON THE LINK ABOVE TO HEAR THE WHITNEY
HOUSTON
Today really was Whitney Houston day on radio stations throughout the world as most European stations began to play 'If I Told You That', Whitney's duet with George Michael whilst US radio stations have picked up on 'Same Script Different Cast', the duet with Deborah Cox.
Some New Whitney Houston Photos From The Arista Records Whitney Website
Deborah Cox... Comment From Deborah Cox's Mailing List & Website: Hope all is well.......For all of you who have inquired about the duet...... It is currently being played on stations throughout the country......So many people like yourselves have been excited about hearing it and radio has already started playing the song before we've even done the video! That is really gratifying to see such a tremendous amount of support for this song. I have been a Whitney fan since I first heard her song "You give good Love" on the radio back in the day, and it was always a dream of mine to meet her one day....so singing with her is really a dream come true. I will keep you posted as to when we do the video. Be sure to check out Arista's 25th Anniversary on NBC May, 15th and get a taste of what Whitney and me sound like together!
On the Dutch Album Top 100, 'My Love Is Your Love' climbs 10 places from No.74 to No.64 (72nd week on chart). [Thanks Deborah]
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[Text Of Music Week Article - Issue Dated 22 April 2000] Davis gives Houston's best of first airing at BMG conference Whitney Houston recorded the final track for her forthcoming greatest hits collection with Deborah Cox last Wednesday night. Arista president Clive Davis played a rough demo of the track, 'Same Script, Different Cast', during a surprise appearance at the BMG Entertainment Worldwide conference in Los Angeles earlier that afternoon, as he unveiled details of the double CD. Released on May 15, the "Cool Down" CD1 comprises her classic ballads, including Saving All My Love For You and Greatest Love Of All, while the "Throw Down" CD2 boasts the more upbeat hits, including I'm Your Baby Tonight and How Will I Know, along with new tracks and contemporary mixes of old songs. From the latter CD, Davis played Houston's Rodney Jerkins-produced duet with George Michael, If I Told You That. This was the first time his BMG International colleagues had heard the track that is likely to be the first single outside North America. The stand-out track, however, is the follow-up duet with Enrique Iglesias, Could I Have This Kiss Forever, while the Q-Tip and Raphael Saadiq-produced Fine is one of her strongest contemporary R&B tracks yet. Davis, who was making what could be his final appearance at a BMG global meeting, received a standing ovation after being introduced by BMG Worldwide chairman/CEO Strauss Zelnick as "legendary". In a week that started off with a televised Arista 25th Anniversary party, speculation continued to intensify about Davis's future after his contract expires in June. Before ending his unbilled presentation, he thanked everyone who had contacted him and added, "Here's to the future of everyone." Earlier that day he had confirmed for the first time in the New York Times that he will be leaving Arista and spoke of "tremendous offers, including one from BMG". Song and Universal are among the companies that have been courting him particularly aggressively. Meanwhile, LaFace co-founder Antonio "LA" Reid alluded to his expected assumption of the role of president of Arista Records in one of his presentations to the conference.
Music Week points to 1 May 2000 as the release date for the first single from 'Whitney Greatest Hits'. The album will be released on 15 May (as confirmed on the above report) and 'The Unreleased Mixes' will be released on 22 May 2000.
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Whitney Houston has been nominated for the 'Best International Female' award at Capital Radio's London Awards which take place this coming Wednesday. She's up against Macy Gray, Britney Spears and Shania Twain. The fact that Britney Spears has confirmed she will be in attendance probably means she's won this award. The London Awards are part of Capital Radio's annual 'Help A London' child fundraiser in which they raised one million pounds last year. George Michael is a regular contributor during Capital Radio's fundraising weekend - which starts this coming Saturday - and it's fairly customary for him to donate around £50,000 as well as debut a brand new song. Should 'If I Told You That' not get a radio debut during the week, it's very likely to be spun on Capital Radio before the Easter weekend is over. Watch this space for further details.
French Single... The new French single is 'I Learned From The Best' and has now been commercially released. The song has a fairly strong radio profile. [Thanks Sebastien]
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UK R&B Singles
Classic Whitney Downloads... The week's Top 10 Audio Downloads from Classic Whitney:
The week's Top 10 Video Downloads from Classic Whitney:
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[Comment From Hitmaker Magazine] CLIVE DAVIS' 25th Anniversary Arista party was the shiznit! It was taped at the Shrine on Monday night. The festivities started at 7pm and ended at 1am. Also afterwards, there was a massive party in Bel Air. The show will be edited down to 2 hours and will be shown on NBC, May 15th. Bangin' were SANTANA, PUFF DADDY, and the entire Arista roster! The star of the night was WHITNEY HOUSTON...proving that she is the queen of soul. [Thanks Lopez]
NEWSFILE: 15 APRIL 2000 |
[Billboard Online Report] ARISTA PRESIDENT/CEO Clive Davis surprised attendees at BMG Entertainment's worldwide meeting April 12 when he presented new tracks from Whitney Houston's May 16 double-CD greatest-hits collection, "Whitney The Greatest Hits." The first disc, "Cool Down," will feature Houston's classic ballads. The second disc, "Throw Down," will be "the party to end all parties," Davis tells Billboard, and contains remixes of her uptempo material, as well as uptempo remixes of ballads "I Will Always Love You" and "Greatest Love Of All." The four new tracks on the album are "If I Told You That," a duet with George Michael, which will be the first international single; "Could I Have This Kiss Forever," a duet with Enrique Iglesias, which will be the first U.S. top 40 and top 40/rhythm-crossover single; "Fine" with Q-Tip, which will be an R&B and crossover single; and "Same Script, Different Cast," featuring Deborah Cox, which Houston touted during her appearance at the taping of Arista's 25th anniversary celebration in Los Angeles on April 10. Tracks on the first disc (Cool Down) are: You Give Good Love Tracks on disc two (Throw Down) are: If I Told You That Notable changes on the Cool Down CD include the removal of 'I Learned From The Best' and the inclusion of 'Run To You' and 'Why Does It Hurt So Bad'. 'One Moment In Time' has been switched from the Cool Down CD to the Throw Down CD as a bonus track. Also, the original version of 'Could I Have This Kiss Forever' has been removed from the Greatest Hits and replaced by a new Metro Mix of the song. It will still feature on the Cool Down CD. On the Throw Down CD, the notable changes include the exclusion of 'You'll Never Stand Alone' (Tony Moran Mix), 'Same Script, Different Cast (duet with Deborah Cox) (Shep Crawford Remix) and 'Could I Have This Kiss Forever' (Brian Rawlings Remix).Ultimately, what was originally 31 different songs has been increased to 33. Total number of tracks remains 36. [Billboard Information Thanks To Lopez; Commentary By Manish]
Billboard Reviews... [Billboard Review Of Arista 25 & Future Changes At Arista] THE BEAT: As Arista Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Reid Prepares To Helm & Davis Weighs Options (Billboard - 1119 words - April 22, 2000) BY MELINDA NEWMANSO MANY SONGS, SO MUCH TIME: As the April 10 taping of Arista's 25th anniversary celebration rounded its sixth hour, one thing became very clear-other than the fact that NBC could now run "Arista: The Miniseries" if it chose instead of just a two-hour special. The music released by the BMG-distributed company has provided the soundtrack for many people's lives, including mine. I sobbed whenever Dionne Warwick's "I'll Never Love This Way Again" came on the radio after I broke up with my boyfriend in 1979 in that melodramatic way only a high school girl can; Annie Lennox's beautiful, plaintive "Why," from 1992, took me back to one of my favorite New York springs; and Barry Manilow's medley reminded me of too many junior high evening spent singing along with my girlfriends. While many people in the audience at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium were focused on how Whitney Houston would do, I was more enthralled with Carlos Santana's fiery triptych of "Yaleo," "Maria Maria," and "Smooth," as well as Sarah McLachlan's loving rendition of "Angel." For the record, Houston, although a little unsteady on her feet at first and seemingly unfocused at times, showed no signs of the throat problems that have reportedly plagued her recently, as she ran through a medley of her hits. However, we can't imagine that her final song, a truly odd version of J.T. Money's "Who Dat?," featuring husband Bobby Brown, will make it onto the NBC show. Other highlights were the video segments shown during the set changes, including clips from No. 1 hits throughout the label's 25 years. Many of them served as mini-time capsules of music and fashion. What was Taylor Dayne thinking with those bushels of mall hair in the late '80s? Did we all really think wearing floral dresses with combat boots worked? Expose apparently did. Needless to say, Arista Records head Clive Davis was thrilled with the evening, even if some of the filler clips were from labels other than his own (note to show producer Dick Clark: Mary MacGregor's "Torn Between Two Lovers" was on Ariola America, not Arista). "I feel incredibly good about the show," says Davis. "It went from one highlight to another. It's impossible to pick a favorite performance." Asked if he felt as if he were watching an episode of "This Is Your Life," as performer after performer he's nurtured appeared before him, Davis replies, "I really viewed it with just marveling at the power of each of these performers and their ability to get repeated standing ovations. It wasn't a "This Is Your Life' in any kind of reminiscent form but the glow of enormity of the artists and the songs." Although BMG Entertainment president/CEO Strauss Zelnick was not in attendance because of a board meeting in New York, according to a representative, a number of top BMG execs were in the house, including BMG Distribution head Pete Jones. BMG, which held its worldwide marketing meetings the following days in L.A., bought more than 100 tickets to the taping. Net proceeds from the event will benefit the American Foundation for AIDS Research, City of Hope, and the T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer, and AIDS Research. Additional monies for the charities will be raised by the release of an eight-song sampler made for Target, which will arrive in stores the weekend before the special's May 15 airdate. At least 50% of the sampler, which will retail for $7.99, will be composed of live songs from the taping,while the other tracks will be studio cuts from the evening's participating artists. Additionally, Arista will release a DVD and VHS on June 6 of the NBC special, with additional footage on each format. The DVD will retail for $24.98 and the VHS for $19.98. Arista executive VP/GM Charles Goldstuck says the label hopes to raise $750,000 for the designated charities. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: Although the show was in no way positioned as a farewell concert to Davis, he certainly couldn't hope for a bigger good-bye, should he leave Arista as is expected when his contract expires June 30. Davis has been mum on his negotiations with BMG, which plans to put LaFace Records co-founder Antonio "L.A." Reid in as president of Arista. However, Davis spokesman Howard Rubenstein confirms that the nature of Davis' talks with BMG now "focus on a new venture," not on remaining at the label he started 25 years ago. "I'm not going to comment that Arista isn't an option," says Davis. "I've got the happiest choice of considering very substantial offers. You couldn't ask for the wonderful choices I have, and I'll be making that choice. BMG has weighed in, every other company and other people have [weighed in]. It's really just a matter of evaluating everything in the most positive light. It's all really happy options at this time." Reports have swirled that Davis is looking for $300 million to finance the label. In addition to BMG, he is rumored to have talked with Universal and Sony, as well as some non-music entities. However, a source says that "it's not possible with the numbers he wants" to go to a company that doesn't already have a distribution system in place. The source also notes that while Davis is getting very strong offers, he will probably not get a commitment for $300 million, as well as for some artists from the label with whom he makes his new deal. Davis declined to comment on when he would announce his plans, adding, "I'm not going to deal with it piecemeal. I'm in a very fortunate position. We're having our biggest sales, our biggest profits in history. From Santana to breaking new artists to [my] Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award to the NBC special, it's a great time for me, and I'm going to make the best decision that I can." According to sources, BMG's buyout of the remaining portion of LaFace it did not already own has been completed, and Reid will be in place July 1. Although sources say Reid does not want to move into Arista's existing space on New York's 57th Street, the lease on that space does not expire for sometime. Reid did not return phone calls. Also churning is the fate of Arista/Nashville, since the departure of its head, Tim DuBois, earlier this year for Gaylord Entertainment. According to sources, the label will become part of RCA Label Group, which is expected to change its name to BLG (short for BMG Label Group), under the direction of Joe Galante. [Thanks Lopez]
NEWSFILE: 14 APRIL 2000 |
The recording of Whitney Houston's Greatest Hits album is now complete. I have it on good authority that there are some absolute smash hits in store for all. The Deborah Cox duet, "Same Script, Different Cast" is described as 'phenomenal' and the Q-Tip produced "Fine" is also great.
Billboard Charts... The Billboard update for the week ending 22 April 2000: MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE: I LEARNED FROM THE BEST: MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE: [Compiled By Lopez]
Whitney Houston pictured in Arista's
Billboard Magazine
New Single News... [Article from: The Hollywood Reporter] Davis sings a new tune for BMG brass Arista founder Clive Davis made a surprise appearance at BMG's worldwide conference Wednesday. Arriving shortly past lunch, Davis presented Whitney Houston's upcoming Greatest Hits release to a roomful of BMG executives. The two-CD compilation will feature Houston hits "I Will Always Love You," "All At Once," "Where Do Broken Hearts Go," "It's Not Right, But It's Okay," "I'm Every Woman" and "How Will I Know." The package will also feature new tracks and remixes. Davis danced around the stage as Houston's new duet with George Michael, "If I Told You That," played over the speakers. The duet will be the first international single off the album. Other songs presented were "Could I Have This Kiss Forever" sung with Enrique Iglesias (set to be the first U.S. single) and a demo of "Same Script, Different Cast," which Houston sings with Deborah Cox. Davis (whose contract with BMG runs out June 30), thanked the audience of executives, saying: "Here's to the future of everyone." [Thanks Tony L] Billboard Article... Clive Plays New Whitney Cuts At BMG Meeting Arista Records head Clive Davis made a surprise appearance at the BMG Entertainment worldwide meeting in Los Angeles yesterday (April 12). Davis, who had not been expected to attend, played the attendees snippets of four new songs from Whitney Houston's two-CD greatest-hits collection, due out May 16. Puff Daddy also appeared, touting his new group, Dream. In related news, Arista will release an 8-song sampler, as well as a DVD and home video, culled from the April 10 taping of the label's 25th anniversary celebration in L.A. The $7.99 sampler, available exclusively at Target, will contain live songs from the taping, as well as studio cuts from the evening's participating artists. It will be released the weekend before the special's May 15 airing on NBC. The non-exclusive DVD and VHS versions, containing extra footage, will be released June 6. Net proceeds from sales of the products will go to amFAR AIDS research, City Of Hope, and the T.J. Martell Foundation, as did net proceeds from ticket sales from the show's taping. -- Melinda Newman, L.A.
Platinum Club Report... [Article About Arista25 From Platinum Club Site; USA Today Review] Whitney Shines At Arista Anniversary Whitney Houston, in all her diva glory, dazzled the audience onstage at Arista's 25th Anniversary, held Monday April 10th. Gracing the stage wearing a sparkly gold gown, our Lady of Soul, "…stole the show from…Santana, Brooks & Dunn, Sarah McLachlan…and Aretha Franklin…" Stunning the crowd with her incredible 25-minute set, Whitney performed an array of number-one songs from her multi-platinum albums including a spirited "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" followed by an even more energetic "How Will I Know." Whitney's strong and eclectic voice delivered a beautiful rendition of "I Will Always Love You" that literally brought the crowd to their feet and some to tears. The diva herself was even taken aback by the crowd's response as mid-song she signalled husband, Bobby, for a glass of water. After collecting herself, Whitney brought the song to a soul-stirring close before inviting Bobby, Monica, and Deborah Cox to join her onstage for "My Love Is Your Love." Amongst the star-studded crowd including Melissa Etheridge, Puff Daddy, and Natalie Cole sat Whitney's mentor and Arista's genius, Clive Davis. Don't miss Arista Records' 25 Years
of No. 1 Hits, which is scheduled to air on May 15 on NBC!
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Comment By Dionne Warwick At The Arista25 Celebrations Monday Night: "Because she has truly a chronic ailment which is bronchial, she is a vocalist and that plays havoc with your ability to sing. If your not human enough to understand that and have the compassion to feel for that, then that's you problem, that's not hers." [Thanks Abduel]
The winner of the UK one-track promo CD in the Classic Whitney/Esprit International Competition is Jasmin Cvisic of Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Well done Jasmin!
Dutch Chart Update... Sorry this is late: On the Dutch Album Top 100 last week, 'My Love Is Your Love' is at No.74. Previous weeks: 64-53. [Thanks Deborah]
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CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW CLASSIC WHITNEY'S ARISTA25 IMAGE GALLERY Whitney Houston headlined last night's show celebrating the 25th anniversary of Arista Records. She performed at the end of the evening with a twenty minute set of songs from her back catalogue of classic hits. Featured were 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)', 'How Will I Know', 'Exhale (Shoop Shoop)' (Duet with Deborah Cox), 'I Believe In You And Me', 'I Will Always Love You'. For her final song, 'My Love Is Your Love' Whitney was joined on stage by Bobby Brown, Monica and Faith Evans. Whitney closed the song with the comment "The record's not over yet, remember". Clive Davis: "You ask anybody in the industry who is the great singer in the world today, it is she,'' Davis said backstage. ``When you see her, you'll see an artist at the top of her form.'' Dick Clark: "an absolutely perfect" rehearsal Sunday night...she looked great and sounded great." Faith Evans: "I have a lot of respect for Whitney and nobody better say anything bad about her." Dionne Warwick: "I read it like you did.
I don't know where that came from'...There's no reason for intervention.''
Windows Media Competition...
NEWSFILE: 11 APRIL 2000 |
Arista Records celebrates it's 25th Birthday tonight at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Click on the image link above to view Arista's details about the event and the history of the label and it's artists. Whitney Houston will headline the event this evening which will also feature Santana, Sarah McLachlan, Annie Lennox, LFO, Kenny G, Barry Manilow, Monica, Deborah Cox, Carly Simon, Patti Smith, Dionne Warwick, Alan Jackson, and Brooks & Dunn. The show will air in the US during the sweeps on May 15th, 8-10:00 p.m. (EST, check local listings). If you're going to the event please report back to Classic Whitney.
[This Makes For An Interesting Read - Billboard's Review Of Christina Aguilera's New Single] Christina Aguilera: I Turn To You Nice To See That Billboard Never Forgets! [Thanks JT] NEWSFILE: 10 APRIL 2000 |
UK R&B Singles
The week's Top 10 Audio Downloads from Classic Whitney:
The week's Top 10 Video Downloads from Classic Whitney:
NEWSFILE: 9 APRIL 2000 |
The 29th and 30th of April will be the Whitney Houston weekend on European MTV. They will repeat the programmes such as WhitneyTV, All-Access, The Making of I Learned From The Best. It's likely the first video from the Greatest Hits will feature prominently. [Thanks Laura]
The Billboard update for the week ending 15 April 2000: MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE: I LEARNED FROM THE BEST: MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE: [Compiled By Lopez]
NEWSFILE: 7 APRIL 2000 |
More information on 'The Unreleased Mixes' box set which is set for release on 18 April 2000. This latest announcement announces the inclusion of the Dronez Mix of 'I'm Your Baby Tonight' which was not originally stated. Complete Greatest Hits information can be found here.
NEWSFILE: 6 APRIL 2000 |
[Text Of NY Daily News Article] Record superproducer Rodney Jerkins is shaking his head over recent reports of behavior that got the singing star bounced off the Oscar show. Jerkins tells us he spent two weeks last month working on a duet with Houston and George Michael, and "everything was fine. It was just like when I worked with her last year," says the 21-year-old music wonderkid. He says, "That stuff they're putting out there about her? I don't see that side - and I don't want to see that side." The duet might be out by mid-April. It's the first single off the "Greatest Hits" album Houston has coming out at month's end. Houston and Michael "sound very cool together," says Jerkins. "I mean, Whitney, to me, is a far better singer, but I balanced out the two, and it's great." [Thanks Chris]
On the Eve of Label's 25th Anniversary Celebration, Arista
Records Post Best Sales Revenues in History of Company. [Thanks Lopez] NEWSFILE: 4 APRIL 2000 |
Whitney Houston pictured drilling her Platinum records into a wall forms the cover of her upcoming greatest hits album. The only image available so far is small but it appears the title is 'Whitney - The Greatest Hits'.
Whitney Houston pictured on the Arista Records Website.
UK R&B Singles
German Chart Update... Media Control Top 100 Albums: [Thanks Lopez/Gogi]
The VH1 Divas Live '99 show will be available on DVD in the US from Tuesday 4 April 2000. [Thanks Alan M]
The week's Top 10 Audio Downloads from Classic Whitney:
The week's Top 10 Video Downloads from Classic Whitney:
UK music trade magazine, Music Week, confirms 'My Love Is Your Love' has scanned over 760,000 copies since it's November 1998 release. The album was certified triple platinum in February (900,000 units).
The Billboard update for the week ending 8 April 2000: MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE: I LEARNED FROM THE BEST: MY LOVE IS YOUR LOVE: [Compiled By Lopez] NEWSFILE: 3 APRIL 2000 |
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