"Like I Never Left" - Review

Whitney Houston "The Voice" releasing new music? Her last recording was a Christmas album in 2004 and she wasn't sounding like herself. How did she do with "Like I Never Left"?

Well this isn't a classic Whitney song but who would expect her to be Classic Whitney in the year 2008? No it's not a ballad either and you could barely hear the total voice. No going for the big notes or glory notes....I say GOOD!

This is the perfect song to reintroduce Whitney back into the lives of millions. Music has really changed since she was on top. You want to be able to play her new stuff with other stuff you have on your ipod. 

The song actually sounds like it could have been a nice size hit on her 2002 release "Just Whitney" but Akon gives it a more contemporary feel and she is recorded a little better.

While it sounds that she is recorded better, you can also tell the change in her voice. It doesn't hurt her but it's also not that sweet high soaring soprano voice everyone is use to. It's deeper and actually more soulful. You can hear in her voice that she has a story to tell. If that isn't reason enough to get giddy over her new album, I don't know what is. 

Overall Good
Overall for a Whitney fan - It's the best recording in years
Overall for Rihanna and Beyonce - They shouldn't worry because it's still a Whitney Houston song and one thing she has always lacked was street cred.

MUSIC REVIEWS 

Aretha Franklin Rare and Unreleased Records from the Golden Reign of The Queen of Soul.

The best album of 2007 recorded in the 1960’s & early 70's, who would have thought!? This is a must have for every Aretha, Soul and the language of music fan; meaning everyone with an ear! 

It’s a double disc of outtakes, unreleased and demos of classic songs. “I Never Loved A Man” with just Aretha accompanying herself on the piano, a funky soulful version of “Rock Steady” with a roaring Organ played by the one and only Donny Hathaway and recordings of songs “At Last” and “My Way” that will make the original singers blush. 

The most outstanding song is a never released one with the Genius himself Ray Charles. This is a tribute to Jazz King Duke Ellington but this is nothing but straight Gospel. “Ain’t But the One” Puts both Aretha and Ray in their comfort zones and luckily Ray Charles knows when to step out of the way vocally and let Aretha have the floor. She tears into that song as only a daughter of a Baptist minister could.

http://www.sodamnhappy.com/

Below is The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles performing "Ain't But The One" (audio only

Angie Stone is back with a new disc and she’s showing us “The Art of Love and War.” This is her first CD on the rejuvenated legendary Stax label. I thought she was going to come with a pure Memphis Soul but that’s not what you will find on this disc. What’s on this disc is pure Angie and that’s a good thing! Only Angie can go from smooth and tender to strong and bossy in the same song. She sings “Sometimes I want to love you and sometimes I want to fight you” in “Sometime”, remember this is “The Art of Love and War”.

We all smiled when the young girl with a huge smile, showed up to the auditions of American Idol, thinking Simon’s going to rip her apart. When the teen opened her mouth we sat in awe, as even her nervous ballad was beautiful and had strength beyond its years. Jordin Sparks changed a lot of minds as she climbed further in the competition and eventually won. Her first album may put us in awe also.

This is way different from the American Idol awe though. The album was what one would expect from a woman of many years, not a teenage girl who has the shot of a lifetime. Although Jordin brought the vocals she lacked excitement. It was a bit of a bore to the truth. Although a few of the tracks held a very positive vibe. The single “Tattoo and her song with R&B singer Chris Brown “No Air” are standouts. Some of the songs seemed to be three minutes of her hitting high notes. This is okay but it gets a little old. Honestly older women have more energy than her maybe she needs to take a trip to the Disney Channel to get closer to the child inside. Parents if the classic bedtime story doesn’t make the cut, I’m sure this CD will.

Chaka Khan has a new album "Funk This", the first in 10 years and its scorching! Chaka Khan is back and better than ever! Some people call it her first pop album in years but this is anything but pop it's straight FUNK! Just when I thought she couldn't make any good music unless she was with Rufus. Guess that is false because every track is hot to death. My favorite is the self penned ballad "Angel" but "Castles Made of Sand" yes a Jimi Hendrix cover is up there too. Just imagine the "voice of life" Chaka Khan with a Guitar God. “Foolish Fool” is another hot track and it really allows her to showcase her voice. Those signature Chaka screams and wails are all in this track.

"Disrespectful" of course was the lead track. It is a really nice dance track with Mary J. Blige but it lacks the feeling and true soul of some of the other tracks. I suppose this was done to get younger people into the music of an aging superstar. It’s becoming the new trend. Just think Aretha Franklin with Fantasia, Reba McEntire with Kelly Clarkson and now Chaka and Mary J. I'm feeling it though. It's nice to see The Greats give some respect to some of the younger artists. Hey even Meat Loaf had Jennifer Hudson on a track (weird). I recommend you pick this up!
http://chakakhan.com

American Idol winner Jordin Sparks has her first CD out creatively named “Jordin Sparks”. She became a fan favorite singing huge ballads but the powers that be, thought that wouldn’t sell CD’s. Therefore Jordin Sparks disc does not contain Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey “Hero” day’s type ballads. It’s a straight pop album and a very bad one at that. There are only two decent songs, the single “Tattoo” and duet with Chris Brown “No Air”.  Don’t waste your money on the disc better yet don’t waste your time listening to it. Download from Amazon .89 cents a track.

This isn’t the first time that American Idol has turned out a teenage big ballad singer and tried to make them a Britney Spears…I mean a pop star, think Diana Degarmo. Jordin Sparks is young and talented with a great personality therefore they should have showcased her talents and not try to transform her into something they think people will buy.
http://www.jordinsparks.com

Elisabeth Withers former backup singer turns lead singer. That’s true it can happen to anyone, anyone with talent. She defiantly has talent; singing, writing and acting but will she become a house hold name like other former backup singers; Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey and Luther Vandross?

She has the voice but I think that for a first album, she could have taken more chances with the music. It’s very safe and safe always equal boring for the listener. But there is some standout tracks that you should consider downloading from Amazon for as little as .89 cents a track.

Check out the radio single “Be With You”, the ballad “Simple Things”; “Simple Things” is a nice ballad that shows off her voice but it’s not just a vocal showcase the lyrics are deep as well. My favorite “Heartstrings” is a nice easy listening R&B song. For the dancer in you check out the title track "It Can Happen To Anyone".
www.elisabethwithers.net