www.classicwhitney.com - Archive Newsfile

Promotion: Sell Sheet...

This is the original 'sell sheet' from Arista for Whitney's new album that went out to certain music outlets this summer. Some of the highlights on it include details of Whitney's record sales to date, target audience for the new album, a marketing overview, radio, video and advertising plans plus details of the kind of publicity open to Whitney (Oprah, Rolling Stone cover etc.) There is also confirmation that Whitney's internet presence, currently via the Platinum Club website will be updated. Click On Image To View In Larger Scale.

[Thanks Dave W.]

Atlanta...

[From Atlanta Journal Constitution]

Thursday Peach Buzz:
Houston sings for her supper in Buckhead

The Palm restaurant has added singalongs to its menu -- well, when diva Whitney Houston pops into the Buckhead joint, that is.

When Houston turned up at the steak and lobster emporium with pals the other night for cocktails, she just happened to break into a rendition of the Dusty Springfield hit "Son of a Preacher Man."

Soon, the singer, who is in town doing some last-minute recording for her album due out this fall, had recruited Palm bartenders and patrons to join her as they sang bits and pieces of her hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" and former "Oprah" anthem "I'm Every Woman."

Houston didn't treat diners to an a cappella offering of her new media-bashing single, "Whatchulookinat," presumably because she didn't know Buzz spies were present.

Houston came thisclose to having a duet partner for the songfest. Vocalist Luther Vandross had reservations at the Palm at the same time Houston was in the house, but he didn't turn up. Instead, Vandross popped in to pick up surf and turf take-out Monday night.

[Thanks Amina]

Japan...

Whitney Houston's new album, 'Just Whitney', will be released in Japan on 6 November. There will also be a limited edition release with the rumoured DVD (no details available).

Out of interest, the price is 3360Yen (the normal edition will be 2548Yen).

[Thanks Katsu]

Chartbeat...

[Billboard Chartbeat Column Extract]

WHERE WILL THE IDOL DEBUT?

Hi Fred,

As a life-long chart-watcher and music lover, I always enjoy the anticipation of exciting new releases from my favorite artists. I am very happy to say that there are many new releases that are stirring up feelings of excitement. LeAnn Rimes, Monica, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Shania Twain, Christina Aguilera, Toni Braxton, and Faith Hill have all been absent from the Hot 100 for too long in my opinion. Do you think the times have changed too drastically and these favorite artists of mine are not going to be able to repeat their past successes?

I know it's all about airplay these days and I fear that radio programmers are going to decide that the public does not want to hear these artists anymore. Recent releases by Celine Dion and Cher have failed to ignite excitement from pop radio programmers. Celine failed to go top-10 and Cher couldn't even crack the top-40. I know that the music industry is cyclical and I am hoping that all of these exciting new releases are indicative of a comeback of my favorite kind of music on the charts. Do you think my hopes will be crushed? I've already noticed that Whitney's new single is getting a lukewarm response. Should I be worried?

Also what do you think will be the fate of the contestants on "American Idol"? Do you predict strong sales? Do you think radio programmers are actually going to add them to the playlists? I have to admit that it seems unlikely, but I hope I am wrong because I would love to see Christina, Kelly, and Tamyra all have long, successful careers.

Ric Martel
AIDS Foundation of Chicago
Chicago

Dear Ric,

Let's start with your "American Idol" questions. The U.S. version of the British "Pop Idol" show has been one of the success stories of the summer, with ratings building every week. More than 15 million people watched the Aug. 20 show, a new record for this series. The winner will record a song that will be released as a commercial single. With all of the exposure on "American Idol" and other shows, this song won't need any radio airplay to sell copies.

That won't be a problem. Let's imagine that the audience for "American Idol" doesn't increase over 15 million people (it will), and that 1.5% of the people who watch the finale will go out and buy the single - a very conservative estimate. That would be enough to allow the single to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 without any radio airplay at all.

To put it another way, if the single sells 100,000 copies in its first week, it could debut in the top-10, and most likely, the top-5. If the single flirts with the 200,000 mark in its first week, that should insure a No. 1 debut, something that hasn't happened since chart rules were changed to allow airplay-only tracks on the Hot 100.

One caution: numbers are relative only to how other songs are doing in the same week. It's impossible to guarantee exactly where a single will debut given sales of 100,000 copies in a given week, which is why I said it could debut in the top-10, and possibly in the top-5.

As for your questions about how some of the artists you mentioned will fare with their new singles, we'll just have to wait and see. It's true that radio seems to be interested in the flavor-of-the-moment, and being popular last Tuesday doesn't mean you will be popular tomorrow. That makes it hard on veteran artists releasing new material. At the moment, Monica's "All Eyez on Me" is down to No. 79 in its fourth week on the Hot 100, having peaked at No. 69. I wouldn't count this song out yet, given the track record of Clive Davis and J Records, but you never know.

Regarding Whitney, yes, you should be worried. But more about why she would record a song like "Whatchulookinat" than how it's going to do on the Hot 100 (it's still No. 96 after debuting in that position last week).

NEWSFILE: 23 AUGUST 2002

Music Week...

UK's Music Week reports a tentative 30 September 2002 release for 'Whatchulookinat'.

France...

French fans - Whitney Houston will be featured in the French music show Y'a De La Voix - Des stars, des grandes voix on Friday, August 23 at 22.50CET on France 3, supposedly for a possible performance and interview. No further information on this is available.

[Thanks Adam]

Poland...

Polish fans - BMG Poland reports that 'Whatchulookinat' is still scheduled for release on 9 September, followed by a 5 November release for the album.

[Thanks Sylwia]

German Airplay...

'Whatchulookinat' continues its rapid ascend on the German Airplay chart - this week climbing 27 places to No.36 (from No.63).

[Thanks Daniel L.]

NEWSFILE: 21 AUGUST 2002

Single...

The following is the German tracklisting for 'Whatchulookinat':

1. Whatchulookinat - Radio Mix
2. Whatchulookinat - P. Diddy Remix Radio Edit
3. Whatchulookinat - Thunderpuss Club Mix
4. Whatchulookinat - Full Intention Club Mix
Orderno.: 74321 959022

BMG Germany also report that the video for the single will be filmed in early September.

[From Whitney - The Club]

Doro...

The Doro Productions website features confirmation of the Whitney Houston "Behind The Scenes 2000" tour documentary. There hasn't been official confirmation that this DVD will be issued on conjunction with the new album.

[Thanks Roxanne]

Dutch Release...

The release of 'Whatchulookinat' in the Netherlands has been set for 26 September 2002, with the album due a week later on 1 November 2002.

[Thanks JP]

NEWSFILE: 19 AUGUST 2002

Chartbeat...

Excerpt from Billboard's Chartbeat column by Fred Bonson:

WHAT, INDEED: "Whatchulookinat" (Arista) is the 35th Whitney Houston song to debut on The Billboard Hot 100—and, at No. 96, is her lowest-debuting single to date. Until now, "It's Not Right but It's Okay," which opened at No. 87 in May 1999, was her lowest debut as a solo artist. That song peaked at No. 4, so a low debut does not preclude a big finish.

"Whatchulookinat" is available as a commercial single and enters the Hot 100 Singles Sales chart at No. 71. The song has not appeared on Hot 100 Airplay yet.

For the record, Houston's lowest debut before "Whatchulookinat" was her first chart entry. "Hold Me," a duet with Teddy Pendergrass, debuted at No. 89 in June 1984 and peaked a month later at No. 46.

Nod To Whitney...

Billboard Magazine review of Deborah Cox' new single which gives a nod or two to Whitney Houston:

Up&Down
DEBORAH COX
Producer(s): Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis
Publisher(s): Deborah Cox Music/EMI Blackwood/Minneapolis Guys/Jibranda, BMI; EMI April/Flyte Time, ASCAP
Genre: R & B
Catalog Number: J Records 21204 (CD promo)

August 24, 2002

Some five years ago, Arista Records announced new artist Deborah Cox as the second coming of Whitney Houston—mercy, what burgeoning artist could live up to such lofty hype? Fortunately, in years since, Cox has proved herself a worthy contender, with such knockout tracks as the No. 1 "Nobody's Supposed to Be Here" and "Things Just Ain't the Same." And like Houston, she has managed to bring together oft-disparate fans of R&B, dance, and pop. "Up&Down (In & Out)" is the song that will at last bring Cox across-the-board appeal in one tasty serving, with its booty-bumping blend of urban beats. With Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis at the boards, the song slings a full-bodied old-school wallop, while allowing the singer breathing room to wring her soul out with those gorgeous pipes. Of course, it's hard to ignore the irony that Arista chief Clive Davis took Cox with him to J Records, while Houston, still at Arista, has become a rival. It appears we're in for a full-fledged battle for diva domination.—CT

Billboard Release Schedule...

Billboard Magazine today published This Extensive Guide to album releases leading up to the holiday season.

Whitney Houston's new album is, according to this guide, set for release on 8 October 2002.

Also of note is the Divas Las Vegas CD which is set for release on 24 September on Epic. No word as to whether or not it will feature Whitney's guest appearance in Mary J Blige's set for 'Rainy Dayz'.

Just Whitney...

The CDNow website confirms that Whitney Houston's next CD will be called 'Just Whitney' as reported on the Newsfile previously. According to CDNow, the album is slated for release on 5 November 2002.

This title and date is also being confirmed by BMG Germany, although still subject to change.

[Thanks Daniel]

NEWSFILE: 16 AUGUST 2002

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 24 August 2002:

WHATCHULOOKINAT:
Hot 100 - New Entry at No.96 (with bullet) - 1 week on chart;
Hot 100 Singles Sales - New Entry at No.71 (with bullet) - 1 week on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks - New Entry at No.78 (with bullet) - 1 week on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales - New Entry at No.45 (with bullet) - 1week on chart.

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER:
Hot 100 Singles Sales - Down to No.35 (from No.31) - 57 weeks on chart.

Debby Boone Cover...

Fox News has published This Report discussing Whitney's cover of 'You Light Up My Life' -- a big US hit from 1977 -- and also suggests that Whitney has not recorded with some of the 'Super Producers' that have been reported to be potential collaborators previously.

[Thanks Dave W.]

Just Whitney...

The CDNow website states that 'Just Whitney' will be released on 5 November 2002.

NEWSFILE: 15 AUGUST 2002

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 17 August 2002:

WHATCHULOOKINAT:
Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles - Down to No.8 (from No.6) - 2 week on chart.

THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER:
Hot 100 Singles Sales - Down to No.31(from No.25) - 56 weeks on chart.

Tell Me, Tell Me, Tell Me...

[Click2Music.co.uk Report]

Whatchulookinat?

Report dated 1 August 2002

Whitney is about to blow all her critics away with her new as yet untitled album and the first single Whatchulookinat?

It's been a while since Whitney released an album of all new material but believe us the wait has been worth it.

Currently penned in for a September 16th release, Whitneys first studio album since the amazing My Love is Your Love sees Whitney on fine form. A combination of up-tempo R&B alongside trademark ballads, the as yet untitled album will blow you away.

The first single will be going to radio in the coming weeks and we'll have it on click2music at the same time.

Keep checking click2music for all the latest Whitney news. For now check out how hot Whitney looks in this new pic at the top of the story.

Vanity Fair...

The new issue of Vanity Fair with Jennifer Connelly on the cover gives a brief peek at what to expect from Whitney's "as-yet unfinished" album. Judging from some initial previews, they tell the reader to "be prepared to be overwhelmed by Whitney's voice" and that the album includes a "clever" cover:

Full Text: If an early listen is any indication, Whitney Houston will blow you away with that voice on her as-yet-unfinished, untitled CD, which contains a clever cover surprise.

[Thanks Arunesh]

NEWSFILE: 8 AUGUST 2002

Down Ass Chick...

Click here or on the image above to see a selection of screen captures from Whitney Houston's cameo appearance in the Ja Rule/Charli "Chuck" Baltimore video, 'Down Ass Chick'. The video was originally released in May in the US and is now making its way across Europe.

Hitmakers...

The banner above is featured on the Hitmakers website along with the comments below from radio stations that have added 'Whatchulookinat' to their playlists:

Top 40 - #1 Most Disc-overed

"It's nice to see that she hasn't tried to reinvent the wheel. Classic Whitney! Sounds like I wanna dance with somebody.!"
- JON ZELLNER, OM/PD, KMXV/Kansas City

"This is an event record!"
- RICK VAUGHN, PD, WKSS/Hartford

"This could be a top 10 hit!"
- JAGGER, MD, KZHT/Salt Lake City

Mainstream Top 40

RYAN MILL, APD, B94, Pittsburgh
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - Good early reaction to this!

JEFF 'Hitman' DeWITT, MD, KBFM, McAllen-Brownsville
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - It's good to see she's straightened her act out!

KERRY COLLINS, MD, KC101, New Haven
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - On the first listen I liked it.

JUST PLAIN DAVE, PD, KCHZ, Kansas City
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - Working well in the daytime!

TIAS, MD, WFBC, Greenville
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - Very aggressive sound! Good beat.

DONNIE MICHAELS, PD, WFLY, Albany
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - A solid record for us! This one is working.

TOBY KNAPP, APD, WFLZ, Tampa
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - I know she's a diva. I know. Memo to Margaret Anne... I know she's a diva. I know. I hear you. I know.

MIKE STROBEL, PD, WLVY, Elmira
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - Starting to request!

BRIAN STOLL, MD, WLVY, Elmira
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - An absolute smash!

KRAMER, PD/MD, WMBZ, Memphis
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - It's good to have her back. Sounds good.

MEGAN MURPHY, MD, WMRV, Binghamton
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - Huge hit! Great to see she's back.

JOHN REYNOLDS, OM/PD, WNKS, Charlotte
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - Sounds like a good record.

SHAWN MURPHY, APD/MD, WQGN, New London
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - It's good to hear her back with that solid trademark Whitney sound!

STEW SCHANTZ, OM/PD, WSKS, Utica-Rome
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - Nice surprise. Plus, she's lookin' pretty healthy on that sleeve!

DAVE MICHAELS, PD, WSTO, Evansville
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - A smash!

LACY NEFF, Dir./Prog., WVAQ, Morgantown
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - Vintage Whitney that's made her famous! The girl knows how to do it.

BILL MICHAELS, PD, WVKS, Toledo
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - Good daytime record!

MARK ANDREWS, MD, WVKS, Toledo
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - I love this one! Who's this Bobby Brown that produced it?!

JOHN SHOMBY, OM, WWCK, Flint
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - This could be a big one for her!

TRAVIS DYLAN, MD, WXLK, Roanoke
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - Whitney proves with this track that she's still the superstar she was 10 years ago!

STEVE KING, PD, WXSR, Tallahassee
WHITNEY HOUSTON Whatchulookinat (ARISTA) - This is a good Pop record, a la It's Not Right, But It's O.K.

[Thanks Dave W.]

NEWSFILE: 7 AUGUST 2002

Dataplay...

[From Billboard]

Santana, Whitney, Lavigne Head To DataPlay

Arista announced today (Aug. 5) that it plans to release albums from Santana, Whitney Houston, and Avril Lavigne on pre-recorded DataPlay digital media. The label struck a deal with DataPlay -- a coin-sized digital format that can hold more than 11 hours of music - earlier this year.

"Shaman," Santana's follow-up to the multi-Grammy-winning "Supernatural," is due in October; it will have a simultaneous release in the CD and DataPlay formats. The Carlos Santana-led group has North American tour dates lined up well into the fall and will hit Mansfield, Mass., tomorrow (Aug. 6). As previously reported, the guitarist guests on Mexican rock outfit Mana's "Revolucion de Amor," due Aug. 20 from Warner Music International.

Whitney Houston's next album will be made available on DataPlay shortly after the CD hits stores in September. Details of the set remain sketchy, but first single "Whatchulookinat" (produced by her husband Bobby Brown and Muhammad 2G) has recently been serviced to U.S. radio outlets. Houston has not released a new studio set since 1998's "My Love Is Your Love."

Arista is also scheduling Lavigne's "Let Go" -- currently No. 7 on The Billboard 200 and featuring the No. 3 Hot 100 hit "Complicated" -- for a September DataPlay release. The artist is on tour in North America through Aug. 23.

German Airplay...

'Whatchulookinat' debuts at No.1 on the German R&B Airplay chart whilst debuting at No.86 on the main German airplay chart.

[Thanks Daniel/Andre]

NEWSFILE: 5 AUGUST 2002

Billboard Review...

[From Billboard]

Whatchulookinat
WHITNEY HOUSTON
Producer(s): Bobby Brown
Writer(s): W. Houston, J. Mohammad,
Publisher(s): Nippy Music/Dangerous & Legit Publishing, ASCAP
Genre: R & B
Label/Catalog Number: Arista 5170 (CD promo)
Source: Billboard Magazine
Originally Reviewed: August 10, 2002

When new material comes along from a quintessential talent, you cross your fingers and pray hard that the artist and their label have the confidence to steer clear of musical trends that belittle their gifts. So it's more than disheartening to hear the great Whitney Houston merely drop in over a status-quo midtempo jam, singing alongside a chorus of generic voices that actually command more of the vocal than the named star. Worse, the song focuses on a "woe-is-Whitney" theme, where she complains about negative attention surrounding her recent erratic behavior: "Messing with my reputation/Don't have a clue what I'm facing/God is the reason my soul is free/And I don't need you to get mad at me." Throwing shade on the folks that put you on the pedestal in the first place is always bad form, and this song—co-produced by husband Bobby Brown and co-authored by Houston herself—comes across like a poor little rich girl whining. That's just boring. Let's hope that the diva takes some needed time to get over herself before her album drops this fall. What a shame.—CT

Grade F...

[From Entertainment Weekly]

Whatchulookinat: BOOTY VICIOUS Houston's mad as heels

Houston's last studio album 1998's My Love is You Love, was a bold career reinvention, making the pop/r&b juggernaut sound fresh in a hip-hop centric world. But this bitter first taste from her forthcoming album is a stumble in the wrong direction. The dated, funkless groove isn't worthy of a second-stringer like Deborah Cox. And the paranoid, Jacko-like lyrics about press persecution highlight her recent troubles, which she should be helping us forget. Grade: F [Craig Seymour]

[Thanks Edwin/Jim R.]

Upbeat Review...

[GrooveOn.com.au Review]

Things are hotting up in the WHITNEY HOUSTON camp with the recently leaked new single "Watchaulookinat" from her upcoming studio album making some waves at radio in the US. This infectious R&B groove picks up where her "My Love Is Your Love" album left off, and lets loose with some sista/diva attitude, like only Whitney can get away with delivering. Early images from the upcoming project show Whitney in good health and looking like a million bucks (which is probably what her make-up costs). All added together, sounds like Whitney is onto another winning album which gets rid of her early ballad princess image, and serves up some dynamite bitch-slappin’!!!!

NEWSFILE: 2 AUGUST 2002