
Make no mistake about it, Whitney Houston is back.
Earlier this year, Houston appeared at music mogul Clive Davis' popular Grammy party in Los Angeles and performed a four-song set. Throngs of fans declared that the 45 year-old was finally ready for her music career comeback.
On July 22, shortly after the singer previewed her upcoming album, 'I Look to You,' for music industry insiders in London, she returned stateside, accompanied by Davis, to let some New York big wigs hear what she's been working on.
From Martha Stewart to Dionne Warwick, a who's who of VIP celebrities were present at the Lincoln Center gathering to hear the first collection of new Whitney material since her 2002 'Just Whitney' album. Rumored couple Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, who produced and wrote one of 'The Bodyguard' star's latest ballads, titled 'A Million Dollar Bill,' were also in attendance, as were L.A. Reid, Vivica A. Fox, Andre Harrell, Barry Weis, Freddie Jackson, Gayle King and the singer's mother, Cissy, and daughter, Bobbi Kristina.
Whitney Houston Pictures
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Jennifer Hudson (R) accepts the Best R&B Album from singer Whitney Houston (L) during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Whitney Houston speaks during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Whitney Houston speaks during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Whitney Houston speaks during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Whitney Houston speaks during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Whitney Houston speaks during the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
FILE - In this Feb. 7, 2009 file photo, singer Whitney Houston performs at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file)
AP
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Singer Whitney Houston performs at the 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoring Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Singer Whitney Houston performs at the 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoring Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Singer Whitney Houston performs at the 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoring Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Getty Images
In total, nine songs were previewed from the set, most of which were produced by some of today's most popular hit makers.
Danja, who produced a bulk of Justin Timberlake's 'FutureSexLoveSounds,' worked on 'Nothing But Love,' while R. Kelly crafted two songs, 'Salute,' and the album's title track, 'I Look to You.' Houston also added an international club feel to Donnie Hathaway's timeless classic 'A Song for You.'
Senegalese singer and pop star Akon produced and appears on 'Like I Never Left.' Atlanta-based singer-songwriter Johntá Austin, who has worked with Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey to name a few, wrote 'Worth It' and 'Call You Tonight,' which Davis says the label is contemplating as the first official single from the project.
Already, 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength,' produced by David Foster, has hit the radio.
Of the new CD, Davis said, "We've been working for the past three years...you have to wait to raise the bar." He was quick to add that not all of the songs were fully mixed and that Houston has an additional two tracks to complete before the album's release date of Sept. 1.
Below is a complete track list of the songs previewed at Whitney Houston's 'I Look to You' New York listening:
*1. 'A Million Dollar Bill' -- written and produced by Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz
*2. 'Nothing But Love' -- produced by Danja
*3. 'Call You Tonight' -- produced and written by Stargate and Johntá Austin
*4. 'I Didn't Know My Own Strength' -- produced by David Foster
*5. 'Like I Never Left' featuring Akon -- produced by Akon
*6. 'Salute' -- written and produced by R. Kelly
*7. 'I Look to You' -- written by R. Kelly
*8. 'Worth It' -- written by Johntá Austin and produced by Eric Hudson
*9. 'A Song for You' -- (Donny Hathaway cover) produced by Stargate


Comments: (86)
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By: "DimePiece" on 7/22/2009 6:34PM
I will say this, you can have the most talented song writers and producers in the world to be on your album for a comeback but not have YOUR VOICE TO BACK IT UP! Don't like the fact that Swizz Beats and Alicia are working on the album. After their love affair, I have no respect for them. R.Kelly of all people? Whitney couldn't get nobody else? A month ago BV had a music clip of Whitney a year ago and she sounded a HOT MESS! Girlfriend and back up singers were tripin all over the stage and were horrible! I wish that BV had a clip so that we can see and hear the latest Whitney so that we can be the judge and see if she is ready or not to make a comeback? Whitney destroyed her voice and self. I pray that girlfriend got it together by now?
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By: "DimePiece" on 7/22/2009 6:45PM
Why does Whitney sound like she is from the Islands? By watching the clip there was a lot of joking and was to OVER THE TOP! She sounded like she was doing an acceptance speech award or somethin? I wanted to hear her sing? At least give the audience a PREVIEW of what to be EXPECTED? SHOW US PROOF that you still have it WHITNEY!
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By: "DimePiece" on 7/22/2009 6:50PM
I'm not hatin on Whitney but I will say one thing, she does look nice in the above pic and on her album cover too! That's my opinion.
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By: sharpermag on 7/22/2009 7:35PM
Whitney's looking good. I wish her the BEST and much love!!!
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By: donte j on 7/23/2009 6:48AM
well some things a never change i can't beleive you hating sit at home dummies judge not o be judge and which ever one of you who never done something in life and then correct yourself cast the first stone.With that said all of you hating SHUT-UP i commend whitney for getting better and recovering to be able to record more beautiful songs with her angelic voice and for you broke haters like dimepiece i mean minus 10 for the hating i guess that leaves you with nothing dummy.
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By: teacie williams on 7/30/2009 12:31AM
tell it gurl,lets hear them sing i bet they couldnt hold one single note.whitney sounded better than them even when she was high lol!
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By: KayeD on 7/30/2009 3:09AM
And that is the bottom line!!!!
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By: Donte Johnson on 7/23/2009 11:29AM
First off dummy learn how to write why are you single me out don't even sound right so dummy will fit you very nicely with your illiterate brain your priceless personality remains to be seen i just thought you were comming down on whitney kinda hard.
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By: L. Woods on 7/29/2009 4:37PM
I am not sure if you know what you wrote, because i didn't. So i suggest you proof read before you hit "add comment" Oh, by the way Whitney is great and it is time for her to come and be rejoice.
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By: ROC_NATION on 7/23/2009 3:30PM
well i've been a whitney fan ever since i could remember so i'm glad she's back wit all new gigets out she will be fine but on a different note dimepiece way to go mami stick up for urself
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