Whitney Houston's Voice

[SherriBerry]

I just listened to Whitney Houston's new single 'I Look to You' on YouTube and her voice has changed so dramatically that I barely recognized it. Her last album release was in 2002, when she was 39, and she is 46 now, so I wouldn't be surprised at some changes, but not this. Celine Dion is only 5 years younger and sang nightly in Vegas for nearly 5 years and her voice is fine, whereas Whitney has not been touring.

We often debate the impact of touring the Journey catalogue on SP (and SA and what it means for Arnel) and the effect of hitting the 40s, but does this sound like a natural change in tonality or did she damage her voice from neglect and substance abuse? And would it be permanent or something she can come back from?

Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCHVEEMsCXc

[annpea]

I just listened to Whitney Houston's new single 'I Look to You' on YouTube and her voice has changed so dramatically that I barely recognized it. Her last album release was in 2002, when she was 39, and she is 46 now, so I wouldn't be surprised at some changes, but not this. Celine Dion is only 5 years younger and sang nightly in Vegas for nearly 5 years and her voice is fine, whereas Whitney has not been touring.

We often debate the impact of touring the Journey catalogue on SP (and SA and what it means for Arnel) and the effect of hitting the 40s, but does this sound like a natural change in tonality or did she damage her voice from neglect and substance abuse? And would it be permanent or something she can come back from?

Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCHVEEMsCXc

[quote] She doesn't sound good; not even a shadow of her old self. those high notes are not there....she sounds like she's struggling with the whole song. I've listened to it several times on 106.1 fm in our area and it's just not hitting on much to me JMO.

[slucero]

I actually like the timbre of her voice here.. its huskier and very reminiscent of Patti Labelle, at least tonally.... she really didn't stretch her voice here, range-wise, but its gonna take some time for that to come back, if it does at all.

I'm also hearing a smidge of AutoTune on her voice.

[Suzanne]

I liked it but also think there is something different there. Not her usual sound but that isn't necessarily bad. I wonder how much damage the drug use did, if any? I'm glad she's back and finally got away from that hideous ex husband of hers.

[Babyblue]

She will be on GMA in the morning if ya want to see her.I can't as i will be at work.

[Rockindeano]

Coke and pot will ruin thee voice.

[yogi]

She will be fronting Journey by 2012.

They will aslo be saving mucho coin on the pre & post concert meals!!

[SusieP]

It sounds like she is miming to a Patti Labelle song.

She sounds all nasal.

Weird.

[perryswoman]

Sorry to say I used to think she was such a tremendous talent but lost all respect for her with hanging with the ghetto husband so long and don't wanna hear anything she ever puts out again UMMkay!

[RPM]

I would have never guessed that was her. I hope i dont have the same feeling
when i hear steves new music.......

[KDOUBLEU]

Coke and pot will ruin thee voice.

Yea and Crack is Wack!

[Playitloudforme]

I believe she had admitted to doing crack, and I'm assuming that is smoked??? Kiss your voice goodbye. It will take years of work for her to get back even some of her voice if that is true.

[yak]

Drugs and a marriage to that idiot ruined her. The question is, what is that old coot Clive Davis smoking, trying to make her the Comeback Queen?

[steveo777]

Drugs and a marriage to that idiot ruined her. The question is, what is that old coot Clive Davis smoking, trying to make her the Comeback Queen?

He's old, probably at least partially senile and most definitely deluded. Whitney should have Tina Turnered Bobby Brown's ass years ago. That was a toxic relationship if there ever was one and it has cost her plenty. Now I hope she can realize that and put it all behind her and work on her future, if she still has one left. I'll give her album a shot, but so far what I've heard doesn't do much for me. I used to be one of her biggest fans too.

[yak]

He's old, probably at least partially senile and most definitely deluded. Whitney should have Tina Turnered Bobby Brown's ass years ago. That was a toxic relationship if there ever was one and it has cost her plenty. Now I hope she can realize that and put it all behind her and work on her future, if she still has one left. I'll give her album a shot, but so far what I've heard doesn't do much for me. I used to be one of her biggest fans too.

to the bolded part. On a serious note, I guess the substance abuse kept her there. That scumbag must have hooked her from the getgo. She was an adult though, and should have known better. What did she ever see in him in the first place? She was one awesome singer. What a sad ending to what was once a very bright career.

[SherriBerry]

I hope that with enough time and vocal work she can regain most of what she lost, but I can't imagine throwing away such an amazing gift for nothing. Her first interview in years is the season premiere of Oprah on September 14th. It should be interesting to see what Whitney has to say now and whether she sings live.

[TRAGChick]

I hope that with enough time and vocal work she can regain most of what she lost, but I can't imagine throwing away such an amazing gift for nothing.

Well, here she is on "Good Morning, America".

LIVE. Totally.

She is singing live throughout.....but from where I'm sitting, she looks like she needs to get her "Stage Legs" back....meaning, she is SO HAPPY to be up there.....but it also must be so frightening, in a way.....she is totally engaging the audience, but letting the Backup Singers do some of the work.

Not faulting her for that; she needs to find "her groove" again, y'know?

I'm just so happy for her that she IS back up there again.....having fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYCX80jphRY