Whitney Houston: Tour great, despite bad reports

************************************************ Whitney Houston: Tour great, despite bad reports ************************************************ NEW YORK – Though video postings of her recent performances in Australia have been less than flattering, Whitney Houston says her tour is going great — and she's in great health. Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, released a statement Thursday, saying: "Whitney is in great health and having a terrific time on her tour and with her fans". She said more than 9,000 people attended Houston's show in Brisbane and more than 12,000 were at Acer Arena in Sydney. "Her fans were dancing and singing along with her and Whitney appreciates their support", Foster said. That view contrasts with news reports quoting disgruntled fans who complaining about the star's voice and performance. Video snippets of Houston struggling to hit notes in concerts in Sydney and Brisbane have circulated widely on 'YouTube' and other outlets. The 46-year-old, who is one of pop's all-time best-selling artists, staged a comeback last year with her first album in seven years, "I Look to You". It debuted at the top of the album charts. During her hiatus from music, she battled drug addiction and ended a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown. But as she returned last year, she declared herself healthy and free from substance abuse. This is Houston's first tour in years. It started in February in South Korea and will take her to Europe until at least May. Foster said there currently are no plans for a United States tour. ************************************************ ************************************************ Whitney Elizabeth Houston (born August 9, 1963) is an American singer, actress, and former fashion model. A relative of several prominent soul singers, including her mother Cissy Houston, cousins Dee Dee and Dionne Warwick and godmother Aretha Franklin, Houston began singing at her New Jersey church as a member of a junior gospel choir at age eleven. After she began performing alongside her mother at night clubs in the New York City area, she was discovered by 'Arista' Records label head Clive Davis. Houston released her debut album Whitney Houston in 1985, which became the best-selling debut album by a female artist at the time of release. Her second studio album Whitney (1987) became the first album by a female artist to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Houston's crossover appeal on the popular music charts as well as her prominence on 'MTV' enabled several African-American women to follow in her success. Following her marriage to singer Bobby Brown, Houston appeared in her first starring role in the feature film The Bodyguard in 1992. The film's original soundtrack won the 1994 Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Its lead single, Houston's remake of the 1974 Dolly Parton song "I Will Always Love You", became one of the best-selling singles in music history. Houston continued to star in feature films and contributed to soundtracks including Waiting to Exhale (1995) and The Preacher's Wife (1996). After the release of her fourth studio album My Love Is Your Love (1998), she renewed her recording contract with 'Arista' Records in 2001 for a historic $100 million. She subsequently released her fifth studio album, Just Whitney the following year with One Wish: The Holiday Album being released in 2003. Amidst widespread media coverage of personal and professional turmoil, Houston's marriage to Brown ended in 2006. Houston is one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 170 million albums and singles worldwide. She is ranked as the fourth best-selling female artist in the United States by the Recording Industry Association of America (R.I.A.A.), with 55 million certified albums. She has been listed by 'Rolling Stone' magazine as one of The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. ************************************************ ***WHITNEY HOUSTON - I Will Always Love You (Divas Live, 1999)[7'10] ************************************************ ***WHITNEY HOUSTON - I Have Nothing [4'48] ************************************************ ***WHITNEY HOUSTON - Saving All My Love For You [3'57] ************************************************ ***WHITNEY HOUSTON - All At Once (1987) [5'27] ************************************************ LATEST NEWS ************************************************ ************************************************ Whitney Houston's 'Nothing But Love' Tour Off To Rocky Start ************************************************ Whitney Houston's return to the stage has been plagued with sub-par vocals since her performance on Good Morning America in August to promote her latest album, I Look To You. Unfortunately, the singer once praised for her exceptional vocal talent was still struggling with singing live Monday when she opened her "Nothing But Love" world tour in Australia. According to a review of the concert, Houston needed to take a break two songs into the show. She reportedly coughed through songs, and at one point had her brother take the lead. When Houston attempted to sing her most notable hit, "I Will Always Love You", she stopped mid-song to get a drink of water. She ruined the song's popular high note, sounding like a bad 'American Idol' audition contestant. Concertgoers were said to have walked out of the Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Australia's 'Channel 7' interviewed several angry patrons, who described the show as "the worst concert I've ever gone too", "disgraceful", and "definitely not worth $165". Houston's publicist released a statement Thursday responding to the critics. "Whitney is in great health and having a terrific time on her tour and with her fans", the rep said, 'AP' reports. "The spokesperson said that Houston's Brisbane show had more than 9,000 attendants, and the Acer Arena in Sydney welcomed more than 12,000". "Her fans were dancing and singing along with her, and Whitney appreciates their support", the spokesperson added. Back in November, I blogged that Houston should keep on performing to rebuild her chops. Considering her battles with drugs, it has clearly taken a toll on her voice. I hope her condition improves. I admire her confidence. But it is going to take some time for her to recover. ************************************************ ************************************************