NEW RELEASE OF THE MONTH
NOVEMBER 2014
WHITNEY HOUSTONLIVE: HER GREATEST PERFORMANCES
It's hard to ignore the tragedy that accompanies the release of this live compilation of Whitney Houston's watershed performances. The collection spans decades, rather than highlighting 1 entire show or tour.Throughout, Houston's boundless vocal power is indisputable.
Opening track "Home" finds a 19 year old being introduced to a TV audience on "The Merv Griffin Show" in 1983, before her pop breakthrough 2 years later. A gushing Griffin can be heard at the end of her rendition. Clearly, Houston's talent was evident early on.
Next, we hear a maturer Houston on Johnny Carson's "The Tonight Show", performing her 1st major hit "You Give Good Love". Her growth as a vocalist is impressive. 
The sound quality drops significantly for "How Will I Know", a performance at The Brit Awards.That aural disappointment is followed by a breathtaking live performance of "One Moment In Time". Houston is in fine voice here, captured at the Grammy Awards in 1989, confidently owning the song. This is more than a definite standout, her triumphant awe-inspiring delivery is an event.
"Greatest Love Of All" is given a subtle piano-led and jazz nightclub feel. Houston's voice is clear, assured and builds gradually to another amazing climax. This is 1 of the 2 songs from Arista Records' 15th anniversary concert. The big ballad gives way to an upbeat party vibe as Houston excites the crowd with her 1987 international smash hit "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)".
Her legendary performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" at the 1991 Super Bowl is included here. Houston's unmatched delivery will forever be the yardstick by which other subsequent interpretations will be compared.
The choice of selecting moments from across her career, means the album lacks some cohesion and the banter between songs, which is a shame. It feels like a live version of her greatest hits by the time we reach "All The Man That I Need". This is 1 of 3 songs from Houston's 1991 Welcome Home Heroes show for Gulf War veterans. The other 2 are "I'm Your Baby Tonight" and "A Song For You". The latter is far superior, in sound quality as well as showcasing Houston's towering vocal ability. This version is also interesting as the singer revisited it with a very different interpretation on her 2009 album 'I Look To You'. 
An interesting medley of "I Loves You Porgy" (the standard from "Porgy and Bess"), " And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" (from "Dreamgirls") and "I Have Nothing" (from 'The Bodyguard') follws. Once again, Houston proves she is without par. 
"I'm Every Woman" is another celebratory anthem for Houston, showing a different side of the entertainer. It is followed by another song from 'The Bodyguard' soundtrack, "I Will Always Love You". Both tracks were taken from Houston's 1994 concerts in South Africa. The latter is yet another remarkable feat in live performance. 
"My Love Is Your Love" finds Houston re-uniting with her R&B roots, taking her music into a more contemporary context. It works, but sadly, this is a brief foray. Houston returns to her big ballads with "I Believe In You And Me". 
The only song representing the 21st century is a poignant reading of "I Didn't Know My Own Strength". Here, we have a woman whose life and career had spiralled out of control. Abused by her husband and affected by drug addiction, Houston was launching a comeback and a new album. Listening to this performance, from "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 2009,it's tempting to wonder how her next phase might have turned out differently. This album serves as a reminder of the power of Houston's unique voice.