Comeback...

EURWeb: WHITNEY CREDITS COMEBACK TO MOM AND FANS ON GMA: Houston returns with high spirits and low notes.

 *During the highly anticipated Whitney Houston comeback concert that aired today on Good Morning America (GMA), reporter Robin Roberts shouted “she’s back and better than ever!”

Many fans kept saying the pop star “never left.”

One fan described Houston’s singing as “manna from heaven.”

Based on Whitney’s performance today, those statements are debatable.

In the free, standing-room-only concert held in Central Park to promote her new CD, “I Look To You” Whitney was like a soldier returning from battle. Loved ones and fans greeted her with open arms, ignoring the most obvious scars because they were just happy to see her.

Played out in front of the country in the reality show “Being Bobby Brown,” Whitney’s personal war was a battle with drugs and a dysfunctional marriage to ex-husband, R&B singer Bobby Brown that was intimately explored in an exclusive Diane Sawyer interview in which Whitney talked about drug use and declared the often joked about phrase “crack is whack.”

“I was worried for you,” Sawyer who co-hosted the concert with Roberts, told Whitney about their time together seven years ago when the multi-Grammy award winning singer appeared to be at rock bottom.

“Don’t be worried anymore. If you know God then don’t be worried,” promptly replied Houston.

When Sawyer asked how she got through the difficult days since the interview, Whitney responded, “My faith, the love of my family, friends, people who care about you.”

She said “I Look to You,” the title ballad is about her fans and God.

Her voice was strongest, with hints of the young Whitney shining through her vibrato as she belted the song in tribute to her mom Cicey Houston.

“I owe all this to my mom,” Houston said of the woman who instilled a strong spiritual foundation in her.

Winded and hoarse for most of the set, in sing-along fashion, she presented a combination of classics and new cuts and her fans appeared to love every less-than-optimal minute of it even though she did not attempt the vocal ascent the she once mastered in hit songs like “Dance with Somebody” or “I Will Always Love You.”

An attractive, high-energy, healthy looking 46-year-old, Whitney was present in mind, body, heart and soul, but her vocal range has all but vanished. Traces of a voice that once belted powerfully spine tingling high notes are gone.

Houston owes her return in part to her fans’ undying loyalty.

“I’m overwhelmed. Your love, support and prayers meant so much to me,” Houston told the adoring crowd about their excitement.

In an impromptu performance of “My Love is your Love” her 16-year-old daughter Bobby Christina came on stage and demonstrated her singing potential.

Before she left the stage, Sawyer and Roberts sang and danced with Houston on “I’m Every Woman.”

Whitney is back. Maybe not “better than ever,” but certainly better than she has been in recent years.

Today was a preview of Whitney, the artist. On September 14 and 15 in an exclusive unrestricted interview Oprah gets up close with Whitney, the person. The show is being billed as too big for one hour.

“I Look to You” is available in stores and online.