Remixes...

New remixes have surfaced for both 'I Look To You' and 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength'.  No word yet on whether these are Sony commissioned official remixes or unsolicited re-workings by the DJs.

I Look To You (Remixes):
- Johnny Vicious Club Mix (9:15)
- Johnny Vicious Warehouse Mix (9:00)
- Johnny Vicious Warehouse Dub (5:21)
- Giuseppe D Club (7:44)
- Dio Club (7:54)
- DJ Paulo vs Ridney and James Talk Mashup (8:15)


I Didn't Know My Own Strength (BONUS MIXES):
- Jonathan Peters Club Mix (9:41)
- Junior Vasquez Big Room Mix (8:38)
- Junior’s Private Alternate Mix (8:54)
- Junior’s Private Drama Intro Mix (8:06)

You can here the remixes on DJ Taj's blog.

Sony Sales...

Music Week: Sales down at Sony despite Jackson effect
Friday October 30, 2009

Massive sales of the Michael Jackson back catalogue were not enough to stop music sales falling at Sony Music in its second financial quarter.

For the three months to September 30, the music major posted sales and operating revenue of 124.5bn Yen (£0.83bn). This was up considerably on Q2 2008 but only as a result of its acquisition of Bertelsmann’s 50% stake in Sony BMG.

On a pro-forma basis, Sony says that music sales in Q2 2008 would have been 128.2bn Yen (£0.85bn) and therefore music sales fell 3%.

“Although revenues were favourably impacted by sales of Michael Jackson catalogue product, sales decreased on a pro-forma basis primarily due to the impact of the appreciation of the yen as well as the continued decline in the physical music market accelerated by the global economic slowdown,” the company says.

However, Sony Music did manage to turn a profit for the quarter, reporting an operating income of 8.6bn yen (£57m). This, it says, was thanks to the sale of Jackson catalogue and reduced overheads.

The biggest sellers over the quarter at Sony were the Jackson catalogue, Whitney Houston’s I Look To You, Kings Of Leon’s Only By The Night and Daughtry’s Leave This Town.
 

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 7 November 2009:

I LOOK TO YOU:
The Billboard 200 - Down to No.20 (from No.15) - 8 weeks on chart;
Billboard Comprehensive Albums - Down to No.21 (from No.15) - 8 weeks on chart;
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Up to No.3 (from No.5) - 8 weeks on chart.

I DIDN'T KNOW MY OWN STRENGTH:
Hot Dance Club Play - Down to No.37 (from No.32) - 9 weeks on chart.

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Up to No.22 (from No.26) with Bullet - 12 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Up to No.22 (from No.26) with Bullet - 12 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Up to No.13 (from No.14) with Bullet - 6 weeks on chart;
Hot Dance Club Play - Up to No.1 (from No.2) with Bullet - 6 weeks on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Down to No.39 (from No.31) - 14 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Down to No.39 (from No.31) - 14 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Remains at No.4 (5 weeks) - 14 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks - Down to No.28 (from No.27) - 12 weeks on chart;
Hot Gospel Songs - Down to No.18 (from No.14) - 9 weeks on chart;
Smooth Jazz Songs - Up to No.23 (from No.29) with Bullet - 7 weeks on chart.

Additional Charts reported in Billboard:

European Top 100 Albums: 'I Look To You' - Up to No.4 (from No.17) - 8 weeks on chart;
European Hot 100 Singles: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Up to No.15 (from No.35) - 3 weeks on chart;
Euro Digital Songs: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Up to No.6 (from No.16) - 3 weeks on chart;
Euro Digital Tracks: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Up to No.5 (from No.18) - 3 weeks on chart;
Japan Hot 100 Singles: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Down to No.81 (from No.51) - 8 weeks on chart;
Global Dance Tracks - Up to No.14 (from No.15) with Bullet - 3 weeks on chart.

Euro Chart Analysis...

Billboard Excerpt: Whitney Houston's "I Look To You" (Arista/Sony Music Entertainment), now in its eighth week on the Europe-wide album chart, rebounds 17-4 after a No. 3 U.K. debut on sales of 51,000. Her "Ultimate Collection" also rises 62-22 there.

Dancing with the Stars...

Women On The Web: Liz Smith: Whitney Houston's Recovery – and Re-Covering

Clive Davis continues to treat the rejuvenated Whitney Houston like a piece of fragile china.

Whitney is Clive’s greatest discovery and he has been her faithful supporter through thick and thicker. Now that Whitney is in serious comeback mode with her "I Look to You" CD, Clive is even more solicitous and careful not to allow anything to break the spell of her recovery.

Clive went with Whitney to the UK for an appearance on the popular "X Factor" show. (That’s where the strap of her gown snapped – a wardrobe malfunction but not a big reveal. Whitney acted fast to recover. Re-cover?)

Now we hear that Clive is planning for Whitney to guest on the "Dancing With the Stars" finale. No, she won’t dance. She’ll sing something from her new album and hope to "move" several thousand more discs out of the stores.

Poll Winner...

Hello Magazine: Whitney beats Cheryl Cole in our 'X Factor' vote

Cheryl Cole's number one single proves she's the woman of the moment as far as the British public are concerned.

But when it came to hellomagazine.com's X Factor poll, experience won the day in the end.

The nation's sweetheart was pipped to the post by Whitney Houston in our online vote following their performances on the TV talent search.

As to the question of "who do you think has the most X Factor", website readers put the US diva forward as the best candidate.

The singer wowed you with her performance of Million Dollar Bill on the show, gaining 55 per cent of the vote.

Cheryl, who performed her single Fight For This Love on the same episode as Whitney, scored 45 per cent for her efforts.
 

Back from the Brink...

Guardian: Songs that have come back from the brink

Whitney Houston – Million Dollar Bill

Who among us doesn't love a pop comeback? The more remarkable the better, and few have been as impressive as Houston's, even if the 46-year-old has employed a strategy known as "pretending the last 10 years never happened". From the brink, she has returned with a huskiness that only hints at her past and a song which ignores it completely. Million Dollar Bill revels in bass-heavy disco joviality, an unabashed shout-out to all the women who are lucky in love. It's tremendous fun, and even with "the voice" sounding a little weather-worn, Houston's vocal prowess can still knock stripes off most singers out there in popland.

UK Chart Analysis...

Music Week: Chart Analysis

Singles - Whitney Houston, who performed her latest single Million Dollar Bill, also reaps the rewards, with the track reversing its prior week decline to jump 14-5 (44,603 sales). It is her 17th Top 10 entry.

Albums - As well as boosting her current single, Whitney Houston’s X Factor appearance gave a big boost to her new album, I Look To You, which debuts at number three on sales of 51,632 copies. It is Houston’s seventh Top 10 album, and sold more copies last week alone than her last studio album, 2002’s Just Whitney has sold in its career; that album debuted and peaked at number 76 on first-week sales of 8,733. With several X Factor contestants choosing to perform Houston songs in the show (Saturday October 17) her 2007 Ultimate Collection rockets 62-22 (10,479 sales), re-entering the Top 40 after an 88-week absence.

NEWSFILE: 26 OCTOBER 2009
 

UK Chart Update..

UK Chart Update for the week ending 31 October 2009:

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
UK Singles Chart - Up to No.5 (from No.14) - 3 weeks on chart.

I DIDN'T KNOW MY OWN STRENGTH:
UK Singles Chart - New Entry at No.44 - 1 week on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
UK Album Chart - New Entry at No.3 - 1 week on chart.

THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION:
UK Album Chart - Re-Entry at No.62 - 25 weeks on chart.

X Factor Comeback...

Metro (UK): Whitney Houston makes X-Factor comeback
By ANDREI HARMSWORTH - Friday, October 23, 2009

Whitney Houston managed to keep her dress on this time as she delivered a dazzling live rendition of new hit Million Dollar Bill on Italy's X Factor show.
The 46-year-old opted for a strapless dress with a big belt to avoid the wardrobe malfunction she suffered during a dazed performance on the talent show on Sunday in Britain.

She beamed as the show host gave her a framed edition of new album I Look To You.
 

Whitney Silences Doubters...

Hello Magazine: Whitney Houston silences her doubters with spot-on Italian 'X Factor' performance
22 OCTOBER 2009

The pressure was on, but Whitney Houston nailed it.

After her wardrobe malfunction on the X Factor at the weekend, and with music critics still wondering if she can really pull off her comeback, her performance on the Italian version of the TV star search was a pivotal one.

Lucky then that she rose to the challenge – delivering a show-stopping live rendition of her track Million Dollar Bill.

The 46-year-old diva had the audience up and on their feet, clapping along as she belted out the track.

And there was no repeat of last week's strap-snapping episode - her elegant white Dolce & Gabbana gown stayed perfectly in place.

Whitney is on course for a top five hit with her new single, which is vying for success in the charts against Cheryl Cole's effort Fight For This Love.

The American diva's track Million Dollar Bill will be her first top five single since My Love Is Your Love in July 1999. She also has one of the week's biggest-selling albums with I Look To You.

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 31 October 2009:

I LOOK TO YOU:
The Billboard 200 - Down to No.15 (from No.13) - 7 weeks on chart;
Billboard Comprehensive Albums - Down to No.15 (from No.14) - 7 weeks on chart;
Top Internet Albums - Up to No.15 (from No.19) - 7 weeks on chart;
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Down to No.5 (from No.4) - 7 weeks on chart;

I DIDN'T KNOW MY OWN STRENGTH:
Hot Dance Club Play - Down to No.32 (from No.23) - 8 weeks on chart.

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Up to No.26 (from No.31) with Bullet - 11 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Up to No.26 (from No.31) with Bullet - 11 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Up to No.14 (from No.16) with Bullet - 5 weeks on chart;
Hot Dance Club Play - Up to No.2 (from No.3) with Bullet - 5 weeks on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Down to No.31 (from No.26) - 13 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Down to No.31 (from No.26) - 13 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Remains at No.4 (4 weeks) - 13 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks - Down to No.27 (from No.22) - 11 weeks on chart;
Hot Gospel Songs - Remains at No.14 (3 weeks) with Bullet - 8 weeks on chart;
Smooth Jazz Songs - Down to No.29 (from No.27) - 6 weeks on chart.

Additional Charts reported in Billboard:

European Top 100 Albums: 'I Look To You' - Down to No.17 (from No.13) - 7 weeks on chart;
European Hot 100 Singles: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Down to No.35 (from No.33) - 2 weeks on chart;
Euro Digital Songs: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Down to No.16 (from No.14) - 2 weeks on chart;
Euro Digital Tracks: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Down to No.18 (from No.16) - 2 weeks on chart;
Japan Hot 100 Singles: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Up to No.51 (from No.54) - 7 weeks on chart;
Global Dance Tracks - Up to No.15 (from No.19) with Bullet - 2 weeks on chart.

Soul Train Nomination...

Whitney Houston has been nominated in the 'Best R&B/Soul Artist, Female' category for the 2009 Soul Train Awards.  Other nominees in the category include Beyoncé, Chrisette Michele, Jennifer Hudson and Ledisi.

X Factor Italy...

Whitney Houston performed 'Million Dollar Bill' on X Factor in Italy tonight - check out the excellent performance here:

Top Five...

Telegraph: Whitney Houston's weird performance on The X Factor gives her top five hit

Whitney Houston is set to enjoy her first top five hit in a decade after her controversial performance on The X Factor.
By Anita Singh, Showbusiness Editor
Published: 2:24PM BST 20 Oct 2009

Her single, Million Dollar Bill, will be her first top five single since My Love Is Your Love in July 1999. She also has one of the week's biggest-selling albums with I Look To You, boosted by her appearance on Sunday night's results show.

Houston's comeback performance after years battling drug addiction was eagerly awaited, and nearly 15 million fans tuned in.

However, many were dismayed by her behaviour towards the X Factor contestants, claiming she was ungracious towards the hopefuls after they sang for her in rehearsals.

Unlike Robbie Williams, who showered the contestants with compliments when he was on the show a week before, Houston struggled to find anything good to say about them.

When Danyl Johnson rehearsed a new track from Houston's album, she looked distinctly unimpressed and suggested he go back and listen to the original. She advised Rikki Loney to abandon his cover of Aretha Franklin's Respect altogether and sing something else instead.

Asked by host Dermot O'Leary what she thought of the contestants, Houston stared at the floor then shrugged: "They're young. They have a lot of room to grow. Like Clive Davis told me: practise, practise, practise."

Houston's performance - hindered by a strap on her silver dress breaking when she was in mid-flow - was the latest stage in her career comeback.

The 46-year-old star disappeared from the limelight after becoming addicted to crack cocaine, but has now re-emerged after treatment in a rehab clinic and a divorce from her husband, Bobby Brown.

 

Whitney Houston's new album, 'I Look To You' is released in the UK today

Reviews...

More reviews of 'I Look To You' are in - check the Reviews page to read what The Telegraph, The Sunday Times, The Observer and the Scotsman have to say.

Chart Update...

From Music Week: Whitney Houston, who was scheduled to appear on The X Factor yesterday (Sunday) to sing her new single Million Dollar Bill, sees it slip 12-14, though its sales are up 4.9% at 17,676.

Record Ratings...

UK Chart Update..

UK Chart Update for the week ending 24 October 2009:

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
UK Singles Chart - Down to No.14 (from No.12) - 2 weeks on chart.

THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION:
UK Album Chart - Re-Entry at No.62 - 25 weeks on chart.

Whitney Houston Performs 'Million Dollar Bill' on X Factor (UK)

Comeback Queen...

Daily Mail: Cheryl Cole delivers 'incredible' performance on X Factor as comeback queen Whitney Houston almost loses her dress
By Sara Nathan, Jo Clements and Chris Johnson
Last updated at 12:17 PM on 19th October 2009

She was dreading performing on the same night as music legend Whitney Houston, but at least Cheryl Cole managed to keep her clothes on.
The Girls Aloud star was first up on X Factor last night as she took to the stage in a red and black military-inspired outfit to sing Fight For This Love.
But soul diva Whitney Houston was left red-faced after a strap at the back of her long silver dress snapped open midway through her performance of Million Dollar Bill.

The 46-year-old singer, making her first UK TV appearance in 12 years, shrugged off the wardrobe malfunction, however, joking to host Dermot O'Leary afterwards: 'I sang myself out of my clothes.'

Cheryl and Whitney put on show-stopping performances, but both appeared to be singing over pre-recorded vocals.

Miss Cole, 26, who performed an energetic Janet Jackson-style dance routine with a group of backing dancers, apparently sang the first verse her debut solo single live.  But she then she appeared to lip-synch through the rest of the song.  ‘Her vocals sounded a little shaky during the first part of her performance, but then it miraculously came together,’ one audience member said.  ‘It was fairly obvious she was miming. Even the live bits were sung over a very prominent backing track.’  But afterwards, Simon Cowell gave his fellow judge high praise, describing her performance as 'incredible'.

He told her: ‘That was incredible. I'd have you in my category any day. You’ve got a lot of stick this week, but it’s really hard coming from there [the judge’s seats] to up there [the stage].

‘But that was an incredible performance. And unfortunately you’re going to be number one next week.’  Despite slating X Factor rejects Kandy Rain last week for their provocative clothing, Cheryl wore an almost identical sheer black top to that of Coco Lloyd, one of the four members of the band.  She teamed her outfit with a red hat and jacket, and black trousers slashed down the sides, and after her performance told host Dermot O'Leary: 'I feel fantastic. I've really enjoyed myself.'  She added: 'It feels like a blur, it took me back to Popstars:The Rivals - I just wanted to say thank you, I’m personally overwhelmed by the support I’ve had since I joined this show, the production, crew, everyone, you’ve all made me feel so at home.'

She then sank into Dannii Minogue for a hug as she returned to her seat in the studio.  Miss Cole, who was made an X Factor judge last year, had confessed she was ‘nervous’ about performing solo and had said she wasn’t going to invite family or friends to the studio.

But when cameras panned across the audience, the singer’s Girls Aloud band mates Sarah Harding, Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts were seen cheering her on. Her husband, footballer Ashley Cole, was also there to watch.  But the night wasn't a complete triumph - Miss Cole's act, Rikki Lonely, was eliminated from the competition after finding himself in the bottom two.

She had been criticised for choosing Aretha Franklin's Respect of the 21-year-old and she later said she was 'gutted' he was voted out.

Michael Buble and Westlife are set to perform on next week’s Sunday night results show.

Wardrobe Malfunction...

The Sun: Cheryl sings ‘live’ on X Factor ... and Whitney has 'wardrobe malfunction'

STUNNING X Factor judge Cheryl Cole took the stage last night in a raunchy military-style outfit to sing her debut solo single LIVE on the show.
The 26-year-old performed a sexy dance routine and battled to overcome her nerves to belt out her new song, Fight For This Love, in real time.

Show bosses upset fans this week when it emerged the Girls Aloud singer would pre-record the track.

However, executives made a U-turn and Cheryl sang live with a little help from some pre-recorded vocals.

Whitney Houston also performed on stage ... and had a wardrobe malfunction when the back strap on her dress broke.

Rikki Loney was booted off tonight's show as he lost out in a head-to-head with Rachel Adedeji.

 

Floored X...

The Mirror: Rachel Adedeji is floored by Whitney Houston X Factor surprise

Rachel Adedeji fell to the floor in shock when pop diva Whitney Houston turned up to give her and Lucie Jones a surprise master class on Friday.

And Lucie, 18 - who later performed the singer's hit How Will I Know on the divas-themed show - was so overcome she was left in tears.

All remaining 11 acts last night showcased their songs for the star who will sing live on tonight's show, when judge Cheryl Cole will also perform.

Whitney singled out 17-year-old college student Rachel - who sang Beyoncé's If I Were A Boy - for special praise.

She said: "Excellent, wow that's amazing."

Whitney was also impressed by big-haired Jamie Archer, 34, singing Christina Aguilera's Hurt. She compared him to a young Rod Stewart.

Vinyl X...

The Mirror: Whitney Houston's birthday gift for X Factor twins John and Edward Grimes

Twins John and Edward Grimes topped off their birthday celebrations by getting celebrity mentor Whitney Houston to autograph copies of her albums.

The brothers, 18 on Friday, had been carrying vinyl versions of Whitney's hit records with them all week in anticipation of meeting the star. The pair - who collect vinyl records and celebrity signatures - left the diva bemused by their eccentric behaviour. And after they gave her a sneak preview of last night's performance - a tribute to their idol Britney Spears - an on-set source said: "Whitney smiled and said she found them amusing."

John and Edward's birthday fun had continued when a surprise cake was delivered to the house.

"But the celebrations were marred by the fact that the twins went into last night's show as the bookies favourite to leave tonight.
 

Sign Of The Times...

The Times today published their review of 'I Look To You' along with an article titled Whitney Houston: the life, death and rebirth of a pop princess.

Reviews...

The UK reviews for 'I Look To You' have started to roll in ahead of the album's release next week.  Go to the 'I Look To You' Reviews page to read what The Guardian, The Times, The Independent and The Mirror had to say.
 

Luggage Mountain...

Daily Mail: Whitney Houston arrives for X Factor performance with a diva-sized mountain of luggage
By Richard Simpson
Last updated at 11:07 PM on 16th October 2009

She is only in London for a few days.  But Whitney Houston clearly feels she is going to need a few different dress options during her stay, during which she will sing on the X Factor on Saturday night.  Miss Houston, 46, flew from Atlanta, Georgia, to Heathrow yesterday morning.  And while she was whisked away in a limousine to her top London hotel, her aides watched over the safe arrival of a mountain of suitcases containing the remainder of her belongings.

Miss Houston's essentials had gone with her in the first car. While an airport porter can be seen here struggling under the weight of a trolley carrying 10 further suitcases just for Whitney herself.
Whitney is in London to launch her new album and make her first live UK performance in 12 years on The X Factor.

She was photographed leaving Atlanta airport but, perhaps a little weary from her flight, she avoided photographers at the London end of her flight by leaving through a VIP lounge at Terminal 5.
Miss Houston spent yesterday afternoon having spa treatments at a top Knightsbridge hotel before rehearsing her X Factor performance ready for Saturday night's show.

She is expected to sing her comeback single I Look To You during the guest appearance.

Whitney's new single was released yesterday and she will be hoping her ITV appearance will boost sales considerably. It comes from her new album, her first studio album since 2002.

On the same show, Cheryl Cole will be performing her solo single, Fight For This Love.  Whitney said of her upcoming X Factor performance: 'It should be a fun night. I am a fan of Simon Cowell's and look forward to meeting him.'

Miss Houston's CD I Look To You went to number one in the US album chart with 305,000 sales.

Recently, Miss Houston gave her first interview in seven years to Oprah Winfrey. She told her how her mother forced her into rehab.

She admitted to Winfrey she would smoke marijuana and crack cocaine at the same time but says she is now drug free.
Meanwhile show bosses have announced Grammy Award winner Michael Bublé and group Westlife, are to perform live on The X Factor next weekend.

Michael will perform from his new album ‘Crazy in Love’ – his first album for two and a half years - which has just entered the US charts at number one. While Westlife will perform their new single 'What About Now' on the day of the performance, 25th October.

Last week, Robbie Williams, another former drug user, appeared on the show looking wild-eyed, prompting speculation as to whether his party days were in fact over

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 24 October 2009:

I LOOK TO YOU:
The Billboard 200 - Remains at No.13 (2nd week) - 6 weeks on chart;
Billboard Comprehensive Albums - Down to No.14 (from No.13) - 6 weeks on chart;
Top Internet Albums - Down to No.19 (from No.13) - 6 weeks on chart;
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Down to No.4 (from No.3) - 6 weeks on chart;

WHITNEY: THE GREATEST HITS:
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Catalog Albums - Up to No.13 (from No.16) - 33 weeks on chart.

I DIDN'T KNOW MY OWN STRENGTH:
Hot Dance Club Play - Down to No.23 (from No.18) - 7 weeks on chart.

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Up to No.31 (from No.35) with Bullet - 10 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Up to No.31 (from No.35) with Bullet - 10 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Up to No.16 (from No.22) with Bullet & Airpower Award - 4 weeks on chart;
Hot Dance Club Play - Up to No.3 (from No.9) with Bullet - 4 weeks on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Down to No.26 (from No.25) - 12 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Down to No.26 (from No.25) - 12 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Remains at No.4 (3 weeks) - 12 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks - Up to No.22 (from No.23) - 10 weeks on chart;
Hot Gospel Songs - Remains at No.14 (2 weeks) with Bullet - 7 weeks on chart;
Smooth Jazz Songs - Down to No.27 (from No.22) - 5 weeks on chart.

Additional Charts reported in Billboard:

European Top 100 Albums: 'I Look To You' - Down to No.13 (from No.9) - 6 weeks on chart;
European Hot 100 Singles: 'Million Dollar Bill' - New Entry at No.33 - 1 week on chart;
Euro Digital Songs: 'Million Dollar Bill' - New Entry at No.14 - 1 week on chart;
Euro Digital Tracks: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Down to No.18 (from No.16) - 2 weeks on chart;
Japan Hot 100 Singles: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Down to No.54 (from No.21) - 6 weeks on chart;
Global Dance Tracks - New Entry at No.19 - 1 week on chart.

Tour Reports...

Tour Dates Announced...

whitneyhouston.com: European Tour Dates

(London, UK) -- On the heels of her critically acclaimed, internationally chart-topping album I Look To You, Whitney Houston announced today the first leg of an eagerly anticipated European tour, her first major tour in more than 11 years. The UK concerts will be the must see shows of this decade as Houston returns to the stage to perform classic hits alongside her latest songs. I Look To You will be released in the UK on October 19, just one day after a massive appearance on the hit program The X Factor.

“This is my first full tour since the My Love Is Your Love tour and I am so excited to be performing for my fans around the world after all this time. I am putting together a great show and cannot wait to perform the songs from my new album I Look To You along with some of your favourites,” said Whitney Houston.

Her European tour will see her perform in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium as well as the UK, with territories to be announced shortly.

In the twenty-five years since she recorded her history-making debut album, Whitney Houston has become a superstar, a legend, an icon. One of the bestselling female artists of all time, she has sold over 140 million albums worldwide and is the most awarded female artist in history with 411 awards to her name. Her longtime producer Clive Davis encouraged her to record her recent release I Look To You which has topped charts across the world.

TOUR DATES and TICKET ON-SALE DETAILS

Thursday April 8: Manchester Evening News Arena
Sunday April 11: SECC, Glasgow
Tuesday April 13: LG Arena, Birmingham
Thursday April 22: Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Sunday April 25: 02 Arena, London

Ticket On-Sale Information
All tickets go on-sale Friday, October 16 2009 at 9am

Box office details

Manchester: 0844 847 8000
Glasgow: 0844 395 4000
Birmingham: 0844 338 8000
Newcastle: 0844 493 6666
London 0844 856 0202

24hr credit card hotline details
Ticketmaster 0844 847 2450, See Tickets 0871 2200 260, Ticketline 0844 888 9991

Online at
www.ticketmaster.co.uk; www.seetickets.com; www.ticketline.co.uk;
www.ticketsoup.com (Glasgow only)
 

Here's a list of the dates across Europe announced so far:

UK Chart Facts...

Music Week: The X Factor again makes an impression on the singles chart, with the most noticeable being the 39-11 surge (17,057 sales) of Daughtry’s What About Now. The track is being used extensively on the show, and was a number 18 hit in America in 2008. Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours single is also a beneficiary, rocketing 55-30 on its 44th chart appearance, with sales of 7,907 improving its career total to 335,034.

On the show this coming weekend, Whitney Houston is back in the chart after an absence of seven years, with Million Dollar Bill – the first single from her new album I Look To You – debuting at number 12 (16,844 sales). It’s her 34th hit.

Australian Oprah...

whitneyhouston.com: Whitney's Interview With Oprah To Air In Australia!

Network 10 will air the Oprah 2-part interview with Whitney Houston at 1pm on Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th October! The interview had a huge reaction when it aired in the US and received stellar reviews so make sure you don't miss it!
 

UK Chart Update..

UK Chart Update for the week ending 17 October 2009:

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
UK Singles Chart - New Entry at No.12 - 1 week on chart.

Whitney Houston Night: Dublin Special Event...

On the Thursday 15 October 2009, Sony Music Ireland have teamed up with the George Pub in Dublin to have a Whitney Houston night that will be jammed packed with everything Whitney.

• From 9pm the George will screen the Oprah interview from 9pm

• Drag Queen Davina will present the entire evening

• "Whitneyoke", there will be a competition to win Whitney entire back catalogue

• Also we will be previewing the new album before it goes on sale the following day

Billboard Chart Update...

The Billboard update for the week ending 17 October 2009:

I LOOK TO YOU:
The Billboard 200 - Down to No.13 (from No.4) - 5 weeks on chart;
Billboard Comprehensive Albums - Down to No.13 (from No.4) - 5 weeks on chart;
Top Internet Albums - Down to No.13 (from No.4) - 5 weeks on chart;
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - Down to No.3 (from No.2) - 5 weeks on chart;

WHITNEY: THE GREATEST HITS:
Top R&B/Hip-Hop Catalog Albums - Down to No.16 (from No.12) - 32 weeks on chart.

I DIDN'T KNOW MY OWN STRENGTH:
Hot Dance Club Play - Down to No.18 (from No.17) - 6 weeks on chart.

MILLION DOLLAR BILL:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Up to No.35 (from No.53) with Bullet - 9 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Up to No.35 (from No.53) with Bullet - 9 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Up to No.22 (from No.24) with Bullet - 3 weeks on chart;
Hot Dance Club Play - Up to No.9 (from No.15) with Bullet - 3 weeks on chart.

I LOOK TO YOU:
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs - Remains at No.25 (2 weeks) - 11 weeks on chart;
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay - Remains at No.25 (2 weeks) - 11 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult R&B Airplay - Remains at No.4 (2nd weeks) - 11 weeks on chart;
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks - Up to No.23 (from No.24) - 9 weeks on chart;
Hot Gospel Songs - Up to No.14 (from No.16) with Bullet - 6 weeks on chart;
Smooth Jazz Songs - Down to No.22 (from No.21) with Bullet - 4 weeks on chart.

Additional Charts reported in Billboard:

European Top 100 Albums: 'I Look To You' - Down to No.9 (from No.7) - 5 weeks on chart;
Japan Hot 100 Singles: 'Million Dollar Bill' - Up to No.21 (from No.23) - 5 weeks on chart.

Whitney Houston's statement announcing her X Factor performance:
"I have always loved my UK fans and I'm thrilled to perform for them on The X Factor."


Whitney Houston will be on X Factor...

BBC News: Whitney Houston for The X Factor

Whitney Houston is to appear as a guest on The X Factor and give her first UK TV performance in 12 years.  Her appearance will be on 18 October, the day before the UK release of her comeback record I Look To You. It is her first studio album since 2002.

The singer said: "It should be a fun night. I am a fan of Simon Cowell's and look forward to meeting him."

Houston recently told how her mother saved her from drug addiction but she faced a daily struggle to stay clean.

Houston's CD I Look To You went to number one in the US album chart with 305,000 sales.

Drug Free

Last month Whitney Houston gave her first interview in seven years to Oprah Winfrey. She told her how her mother forced her into rehab.   She admitted to Winfrey she would smoke marijuana and crack cocaine at the same time but says she is now drug free.

Other stars also set to appear on this series of The X Factor are Robbie Williams and Amy Winehouse, who will appear as a backing singer for her goddaughter Dionne Bromfield.

Mid-Week Dollar...

It's been progressively improving during the week and now 'Million Dollar Bill' is projecting to debut at No.12 on the UK chart on Sunday.

Download your copy of Million Dollar Bill from itunes UK!
 

Why We Will Always Love Whitney...

Telegraph: As Whitney Houston makes a long-awaited comeback with her album I Look To You, it's time to recall her finest moment in The Bodyguard.

By Helen Brown
Published: 6:01PM BST 07 Oct 2009

Snuggling deep into Kevin Costner's shoulder on the dance floor of a no frills American bar, Whitney Houston tunes in to the country and western tune coming from the jukebox. "It's a kinda cowboy song, huh?" she teases. Costner gazes down at the beautiful soul singer in his arms and laughs, acknowledging his taste in old fashioned music and values. And she ploughs on: "I mean, it's so depressing. Have you listened to the words? It's one o' those somebody's-always-leaving-somebody songs."

The scene is, of course, from Houston's 1992 movie debut, "The Bodyguard" in which Houston essentially played herself and Costner (then at the height of his Hollywood hunk cachet) played the deadly, deadpan former CIA man hired to protect her from a psychopathic stalker. (The film was originally proposed for Steve McQueen and Diana Ross in 1976, but fell through when McQueen had a diva fit of his own refused to be billed second to Ross). And the song is, of course, "I Will Always Love You". Houston's powerful version of it not only gave emotional wings to an otherwise laughably leaden movie - it also sent her career soaring, spending ten weeks at Number One in the UK and fourteen weeks at the top of the American charts, selling a whopping 12 million copies around the world.

The Bodyguard Soundtrack - featuring six songs sung by Houston, including "I Have Nothing" and -- sold 42 million copies worldwide, making it the world's best selling soundtrack of all time. 'I Will Always Love You' became Houston's signature song, marking her transformation from the technically gifted but emotionally lightweight girl who just wanted to dance with somebody to fully fledged diva. So as the world's fourth-biggest-selling female artist of all time makes a come back after years blighted by drugs, marital trauma and reviews which described her as "an artist vainly trying to reach for what her future once could have been", it's worth taking a look at what made "I Will Always Love You" such a massive and enduring hit.

The song was written by another great singer with Hollywood aspirations, Dolly Parton. And it's no coincidence that Houston used the song in a film about romantic tension in a professional relationship. For when Parton penned her "bitter sweet" country ballad back in 1973, she wasn't writing about the break up of a romantic relationship, but about the end of a professional one. The buxom blonde from Tennessee had gotten her big break as "the girl singer" on the Porter Wagoner Show in 1967.

But the song writin', gun totin' gal from the mountains didn't plan on spending her life as anybody's lovely assistant and, as she later told the press, Wagoner was "very much was a male-chauvinist pig. That's why we fought like crazy, because I wouldn't put up with a bunch of stuff." When Parton decided to leave the show and strike out alone, she wrote the song as a kindly farewell to her old mentor and duetting partner, wishing him joy and happiness in his future career. But the good will wasn't reciprocated and Wagoner sued her for breach of contract.

This history is perhaps what gives the song its rare mood of nobility. Songs about the end of relationships are traditionally sung with an agenda. The singer often regrets bad behaviour that's caused a break up and seeks reconciliation by promising reformation (as in The Jackson Five's 'I want You Back'); or threatening suicide (The Police's 'Can't Stand Losing You'); or wants a cheating lover to know how empowered they feel now the relationship has ended (Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive'); or wants to vent a little spleen (Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice" or Justin Timberlake's 'Cry Me a River'). But the singer of 'I Will Always Love You' is thinking about the lover - the singee, if you like - who's been left for his own good. Although the singer acknowledges she will always love him, she acknowledges she's not what he needs. And so departs taking only her memories and promising she will think of him every step of the way. So it's a brave song.

Parton released the single three times and had a minor hit with it in 1982 when she used it on the soundtrack to The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Her various corecordings of the song are all moving evocations of the ending of a complex relationship. But in each, she sounds like a woman resigned to her decision and already driving away. So does Linda Ronstadt in her version. John Doe (whose 1990 recording is the one the Houston and Costner dance to in The Bodyguard) sounds, likewise, like a man who's closed the door. But when Whitney took the country song into soul ballad territory - lifting it tenderly over the racial borderlines of popular music the way Costner's character lifted hers across the screaming mob in the movie - she injected it with a whole new level of drama and tension.

She nails us from the start with a raw and vulnerable a capella opening (for which Costner and Houston had to fight studio and record label bosses) "If I should stay, I would only be in your way…" Her soft, regretful vocal stays unaccompanied for a bold 46 seconds, and it achieves in under a minute what the film fails to manage in nearly two hours - it strips away the layers of celebrity fakery to reveal the vulnerable woman beneath. achieved, an acoustic guitar wraps its warm simple strings around her. And from there the song just builds and builds. With each step Houston takes away from the lover in the song, she has to screw up all her courage again, and harder. A keyboard joins her and then, at 1 minute 20 seconds, a drum beat for pace. She's left the room now and she's walking. 30 seconds later, she's upped the volume and that famous 'Whitney warble' on a note has a little, almost playful flutter before the saxophone solo.

And while Houston does allow her technical ability to dance around the basic melody, she holds key notes steady just long enough to ensure they matter, and then some. Her vocal ornamentations sound, in this context, like resolve wavering and add to the drama. After she sings "But most of all, I wish you love" there's a 3 and a half second pause. It sounds like she's lost her resolve, she might turn back! The tension is almost unbearable. And then that decisive drum beat strikes and she powers back in with the final, triumphal chorus.

No wonder so many contestants on shows like Pop Idol and X Factor think this is the song to wow the judges. It's a song which pleads its own modesty, nobility and vulnerability and is thus guaranteed to win audience empathy. How could we not feel for the little girl alone on that big stage, singing unaccompanied to the nation? And then it builds and builds into a huge statement of strength and courage against the odds allowing the contestant to showcase their technical skills. Done right, it can make the audience feel that they willed it to happen this way: that their support enabled a fragile wannabe to soar so high.

Leona Lewis' nailed it in 2006. It's worked its magic for Lucie Jones this year. But as Cowell always cautions: "Are you sure you wanna do that song? It's one of the hardest songs in the world to sing." Houston set the bar so high. It's why we will always love her. And why we're all rooting for her again, for the vulnerable, divorced and drug addicted singer to screw up her courage, strengthen her resolve and stride bravely back onto the world stage.

• Whitney Houston's new album I Look To You is out on October 19

  
  Been To The Bottom Now She's Back On Top...

Telegraph: Whitney Houston has had a rough fall but she's making a glorious comeback.
By Helen Brown
Published: 6:25PM BST 07 Oct 2009



Although she was born, in 1963, in a rough area of Newark, New Jersey, Whitney Houston seemed destined for a glittering future.

Soul music and showbiz ran in the family. Her mother, Cissy Houston, had enjoyed an award-winning career in which she'd sung back-up for Elvis Presley. Her cousin was Dionne Warwick, and her godmother was Aretha Franklin.

Aged 15, she sang backing vocals on Chaka Khan's I'm Every Woman, and by 21 she had her own record deal, releasing an eponymous, Grammy-winning debut album in 1985 and a follow-up, Whitney (featuring the infectiously bright, girlish I Wanna Dance With Somebody), in 1987. It became the first album by a female artist to debut at number one on the US Billboard chart.

Her appeal was so universal it was rumoured she sang notes so high only dogs could hear her - and they loved her, too. But with the universality came the criticism - she was bland, shallow. Critics dismissed her vocal pyrotechnics as soulless.

In 1992 she made her first movie, The Bodyguard, which grossed $410million worldwide despite receiving a critical drubbing.

Having previously dated Eddie Murphy, she married bad-boy R&B singer Bobbie Brown the same year. They had a daughter, but, in a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, Houston said that Brown's jealousy over her success brought tension into the marriage that led to him drinking and emotionally abusing her and she became addicted to marijuana and cocaine. She said Brown was "my drug" but finally divorced him in 2007.

Although many claim her voice has been ruined by her years of drug abuse, some argue that although the pyrotechnics are gone, her voice has gained the maturity and soul it once lacked.

David on Whitney...

Excerpt from Popeater interview with David Foster:

On Whitney Houston's upcoming album: "I was involved in one song called 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength,' which is a really good song written by Diane Warren, produced by me, and Whitney sang it great. The thing about Whitney is that the expectation is absolutely too high for her, because nobody can live up to the hype of - you know, everybody - she's been gone for so long, and everybody wants that 'Bodyguard' voice. Everybody wants that feeling, and when you're 18 and when you're 46, or 45, or however old - you can't be that same person. Nobody can be. You know, Barbara Streisand at 18 was not Barbara Streisand at 45. Celine at 40 is not who she was at 18. It's just different now, and I think she's made a really good record ... Does the album stand out as being one of the great Whitney albums? I guess only time will tell. I mean, she just kind of ruined it for all of us, and for herself too, 'cause she made such good records, consistently. And she's led most of her life, now she's following a bit."

Read full interview here.

Chaka on Whitney...

EURWeb: Whitney turned down Chaka's help

*In an interview with Britain's OK! magazine, R&B legend Chaka Khan said her friendship with Whitney Houston fell apart after the younger soul star refused her friend's assistance in getting off drugs.

Khan helped Houston jump start her career by recruiting the then-teenager to sing background vocals on her 1980 album "Naughty" and the pair became good friends. Twelve years later, Houston's cover of Khan's "I'm Every Woman" became a huge hit.

Chaka kicked her own substance abuse problems in the 1990s and offered to help Houston overcome her crack cocaine addiction - but the star turned her down.

"I love her very much, but we're not close any more," Khan told the magazine. "I reached out, but she doesn't want my help. Maybe she thinks I'm going to confront her, but after what I've been though, c'mon..."
 

Le Grand Journal...

Whitney Houston was on good form for her interview and performance on the French TV show, Le Grand Journal.  Whitney performed 'Million Dollar Bill' before sitting down to talk about the new album.  During the interview, Whitney sang an excerpt of 'I Look To You', ensuring the studio PA system was picking her up properly as it appears the studio had not properly set up her microphone for her performance.

Pretty In Paris...

GossipCenter.com: Chilling out in the City of Lights, Whitney Houston was spotted leaving her luxury hotel in Paris, France with daughter Bobbi Kristina earlier today (October 6).   The “I’m Your Baby Tonight” songstress looked to be in good spirits as she waved to the paparazzi, sporting a black cardigan with a white top and black trousers.

UK Chart Projection...

After the first two days availability, Music Week reports 'Million Dollar Bill' as being ranked 28th for this week's building chart.  During the course of the day, the song has been gradually ascending the itunes singles chart and currently has 3 versions inside the Top 100 with the highest placed at No.26.

Download your copy of Million Dollar Bill from itunes UK!
 

Whitney in Paris...

The Gossip Girls: Whitney Houston Pops Up in Paris

In town to check out the latest styles, Whitney Houston was spotted arriving at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, France on Monday (October 5).

Surrounded by personnel, the Grammy-winning singer strolled past paparazzi as she checked into the posh hotel ahead of the final few days of Paris Fashion Week.

Meanwhile, Miss Houston recently shared her gratitude for the support she received during the making and release of her comeback album.

She tells Pride magazine: “I was humbled by the fact that people like Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys and R. Kelly wanted to be part of the album. They were calling saying, ‘Man, I gotta get on there.’ I feel blessed about their support for the whole project.”

Enjoy the pictures of Whitney Houston at the Ritz (October 5):

UK Release of 'Million Dollar Bill...

The CD single for 'Million Dollar Bill' is out today in the UK.  The release features the album version and the Radio Edit of the Freemasons remix.  Both tracks are also available on itunes to download.

Also available on itunes in the UK are the videos for 'Million Dollar Bill' and 'I Look To You'.

Rare Picture...

A rare picture of Whitney Houston from the set of her 'Million Dollar Bill' video:

Pictures from Wetten, dass...?

From Socialite Life:

[Thanks Kevon]

Wetten, dass...?

whitneyhouston.com: Whitney Houston has been in Europe promoting her new album I Look To You and while abroad, she made a stop over at one of Germany's most popular entertainment shows Wetten, dass...?. Whitney performed "I Look To You" at the show and was just amazing. Watch Whitney's performance below!

Performance Pictures...

Million Dollar Contract Didn't Come Knuckles Way...

Grammy Submission...

Whitney Houston's submissions for next years Grammys have leaked:

RECORD OF THE YEAR:
- I Didn't Know My Own Strength
- Million Dollar Bill


ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- I Look To You

BEST FEMALE POP VOCAL PERFORMANCE
- I Didn't Know My Own Strength

BEST FEMALE R&B VOCAL PERFORMANCE
- I Look To You
- Million Dollar Bill

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE BY A DUO OR GROUP WITH VOCALS
- Like I Never Left (Feat. Akon)

BEST R&B ALBUM
- I Look To You


BEST DANCE RECORDING
- A Song For You

In addition, two songs from 'I Look To You' were also submitted for song writing awards:

SONG OF THE YEAR
- I Didn't Know My Own Strength (Diane Warren)

BEST R&B SONG
- I Look To You (R Kelly)

Frankie's Million Dollar Remix...

Excerpt from 365Mag's interview with remixer and producer Frankie Knuckles:

"The Million Dollar Bill remix wasn't commissioned or contracted. However, due to the nature of the artist (Whitney Houston) and the writers/producers (Alicia Keys & Kasseem Dean) I personally felt (in representing the house music community) there needed to be a dance mix that would truly reflect all the things that are grand and historic about this genre while still giving respect to what the producers originally intended. In a minute there's gonna be a ga-zillion mixes coming down the pike and I just wanted to make sure, on behalf of the house music community that thru one remix, respect was given."

Germany...

Whitney Houston arrives in Germany to prepare for her weekend appearance on the popular "Wetten, das...?" show.