Just Whitney

Just Whitney...
Studio album by Whitney Houston
Released December 10, 2002
Recorded 2001–2002
Genre
Length 39:08
Label Arista
Producer
Whitney Houston chronology
Love, Whitney
(2001)		 Just Whitney...
(2002)		 One Wish: The Holiday Album
(2003)
Singles from Just Whitney...
  1. "Whatchulookinat"
    Released: September 17, 2002
  2. "One of Those Days"
    Released: October 29, 2002
  3. "Try It on My Own"
    Released: February 11, 2003
  4. "Love That Man"
    Released: May 20, 2003

Just Whitney... is the fifth studio album by American recording artist Whitney Houston, released on December 10, 2002 in North America by Arista Records. It was her first studio album in four years, since 1998's My Love Is Your Love, and after signing her new $100 million Arista contract in 2001.

The album debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200, and number three of Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, with sales of 205,147 copies in the first week, not only beating her previous high first-week sales of 177,284 units with the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack but also logged her highest debut sales out of her SoundScan-era solo albums. The album received mixed reviews from music critics.

It spawned four official singles―with three; "Whatchulookinat", "Love That Man" and "Try It on My Own" peaking at number one on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play chart. "Try It on My Own" also peaked at number 10 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary singles. Since its release, Just Whitney... has gone on to sell/ship more than 2 million units worldwide and has also earned Platinum certification in the U.S. and Switzerland and Gold in France, Brazil and other countries. As of 2012, the album's U.S. sales stand at approximately 1 million units. In 2003, Just Whitney... was nominated at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards in the category for Best R&B/Soul Album of the Year.[1]

Background and production

Just Whitney... is Houston's fifth studio album, that she recorded after renewing her contract with Arista for a record $100 million.[2] It is mixed with soulful and R&B ballads to dance songs. Houston said that she wanted to make a "very soul oriented" album, something she felt was missing on the radio.[2] It was a departure in style from her previous album My Love Is Your Love, which was blended with hip hop and reggae jams. Regarding the album's recording sessions L.A. Reid, with whom Houston was working, said

"We really wanted to re-establish a core urban base for Whitney. [...]We made records that were black pop for years. And now, that same black pop doesn't work well".[2]

She started to work with Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, with whom she had worked in her previous albums, Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs who produced songs for TLC, Destiny's Child, and others.[3] Other major producers included Missy Elliott, who worked with Houston on My Love Is Your Love, Teddy Bishop, Gordon Chambers, Rob Fusari and Troy Taylor. Her then husband, Bobby Brown also co-produced one of the tracks along with Jerry Mohammed. Andre Lewis, who met Houston through Brown, also contributed to the project. In addition to these producers, Houston also worked with Rodney Jerkins and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, but their works did not make the album.[4]

In an interview with Billboard, Houston said that the whole recording process was "very loose". She said that she would listen to tracks and Reid would recommend the producers. She also said that she really enjoyed the process, because she got some "really great creative" material. About the process, Reid said,

"I asked her to go in and experiment with different producers, which is something she hadn't done in the past"[2]

Recording took place in various locations including Atlanta Premier Recordings in Atlanta, Capitol Studios in California, Crossways Studios in New Jersey, The Hit Factory-Criteria in Miami and many other locations.[5]

Musically, the album is a mixture of music ranging from R&B and soul to dance. According to Houston,

"[t]his album for me is about surviving, raising a family, being a wife or girlfriend and all the challenges that go along with those things. These songs are more about creating a mood than about anything in particular."[6]

She also said that she wanted to give something to the fans, songs which they can sing along to and love the melody.[2] She also incorporated samples into her songs such as in "One of Those Days" ㅡ album's second single, which sampled The Isley Brothers' song "Between the Sheets". She also covered Debby Boone's classic "You Light Up My Life".[7] The album also contains the rock influenced "Tell Me No", which was produced by Babyface, who also produced some other songs on the album including the ballad "Try It on My Own" and dance-pop song "Love That Man" ㅡ both of which became singles. The song "Whatchulookinat" was produced by Brown and Mohammad 2G and became the project's lead single. The lyrics of the song co-written by Houston herself was taken by critics as an answer to the media for preoccupying her private life and personal travails.[8]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
Atlanta Journal-ConstitutionB+ [10]
BBC(Positive)[11]
Entertainment WeeklyB− [8]
Los Angeles Times[12]
Rolling Stone[13]
Slant Magazine[14]
USA Today[15]
Yahoo! Music(7/10)[16]

Upon its release, Just Whitney received mixed reviews from critics, with aggregated reviews on Metacritic awarding the album 53 out of 100.[17] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic commented that Just Whitney was "an assertion that she [Houston]'s returning to her basics."[9] He also said that the album was a measured attempt to salvage a career that's on the verge of destruction. He concluded by saying, "It would be a good standard-issue Whitney album if it wasn't for her disarming, defensive attempt to defuse every rumor hurled in her direction."[9] Billboard reviewed the album commenting that "Just Whitney appears and sounds more like a work-in-progress than a finished disk" and said that the album showcased an artist simply going through the motions and her voice lacked emotion and verve."[18] Steve Jones of USA Today graded the album two-and-half stars out of four, giving a mixed review saying, "At her best, Houston is full of sass and attitude and, most of all, joy. But with so much emphasis on what's bothering her, you can't help but wonder whether the thrill is gone."[15] According to The Guardian, the album takes "a musical step backwards".[19]

Joan Anderman of The Boston Globe reviewed the album neutrally writing, "[Just Whitney] is as unlikely to get her career back on track" and marked the album as a "shiny, heartless undertaking."[20] Tom Sinclair of Entertainment Weekly graded the album a B- and noted that Just Whitney had a refreshingly "old-school vibe." He also commented, "Whatever her personal problems, our gal [sic] sounds plucky and on top of her game. Still, in her third decade as a diva, Houston remains a formidable role model for American Idolwannabes.[8]" Robert Hilburn of Los Angeles Times graded the album one and half stars out of five commenting, "Just Whitney suffers from the sense of career desperation that surrounded Michael Jackson's recent CDs. She and four dozen writers and producers work so hard finding another hit, they lose track of the human qualities that made her music so formidable."[12] Jon Caramanica of Rolling Stone said that the album "lacked any fire whatsoever." He also commented on Houston's cover of "You Light Up My Life" saying, "this cover... only shows an artist vainly trying to reach for what her future once could have been" and graded the album two stars out of five.[13]

Jon Pareles of New York Times wrote, "Ms. Houston's voice sails and spirals through breathy ballads, staccato constructions and big-build anthems; she's strategic and improvisatory at the same time." He summarized by saying that even when she [Houston]'s seething, she's graceful.[21] Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine rated the album two-and-half stars out of five, being disappointed in the fact that Just Whitney was not geared to recapture the crossover R&B success of My Love Is Your Love.[14]

But, Angus Batey from Yahoo! Music UK & Ireland graded the album seven stars out of ten commenting, "[...] this is a cogent, compact and really quite good record, one that mixes upbeat, perhaps slightly clinical R&B with uber-ballads and occasional snatches of what appears to be an attempt at intimacy."[16] Craig Seymour ofAtlanta Journal and Constitution reviewed the album gave a favorable review stating, "On Just Whitney, her first album since 1998, Houston comes off as everything she wasn't during her recent TV interview with Diane Sawyer: warm, lucid, open and sharp.[10] Keysha Davis of BBC gave a favorable review commenting, "With one of the exceptional voices in contemporary music, her latest album, aptly titled Just Whitney sees the diva return to her former glory with a combination of high-voltage ballads and smooth-liqueur R&B. [...] Whitney's return to big ballads will hopefully ensure that this pop princess will be able to lead the rest of her life like a clichéd fairy tale - happily ever after."[11] Mike Bell from Jam! Showbiz, was also favorable in his review, saying "Maybe because of everything that's happened in her past, maybe because of the sideshow, she has the ability to give the songs real feeling, real life." In addition, he stated that her voice was in fine form, "showcasing those incredible pipes that launched a thousand imitators." He concluded by saying, "And it shows up all of those followers with recent releases ㅡ including Mariah Carey and Celine Dion ㅡ because not only does Houston have the lungs, but she has the soul."[22]

Commercial performance

On the week ending December 28, 2002, Just Whitney debuted and peaked at number nine on the Billboard 200 and number three on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, becoming Houston's fourth and fifth top ten studio album on each chart, respectively.[23] The album sold 205,147 copies, an amount higher than her previous record of 177,284 copies with Waiting to Exhale: Original Soundtrack Album, in its first week, thus earning Houston's highest first week sales of her career in the Nielsen Soundscan era at that time.[24][25][26] The album spent 26 weeks on the charts. It was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments exceeding one million copies. According to Nielsen Soundscan, the album has sold 1 million copies in the United States.[27]

Just Whitney was a moderate hit worldwide, unlike her previous sets. In Australia, the album reached number 22 on the ARIA Urban Albums Chart.[28] The album debuted at number 85 on the Canadian Albums chart, selling 3,000 copies in its first week.[29] In Austria, it entered the albums chart on December 8, 2002 at its peak position of number 33.[30] In Switzerland, the album saw its second highest peak, when it debuted at number 10 on the charts.[31] It was certified Platinum by the IFPI Switzerland for shipment/sales of 30,000 copies or more.[31] In France, the album charted at number 25 and was certified Gold, for shipment of 50,000 copies.[32][33] In the Netherlands, it peaked at number 70 on the albums chart.[34] Apart from this, Just Whitney was certified Gold in Brazil for shipment/sales of 40,000 copies or more. In other countries, the album failed to chart or peaked outside top 40 and thus became a moderate seller. In the UK, it peaked at number 76 and has sold 42,114 copies there.[35] The album has sold about four and a half million copies worldwide.[36]

Singles

The album saw the release of four official singles - two preceding and two succeeding the album's release.
"Whatchulookinat"
The lead single "Whatchulookinat"'s lyrics were Houston's reply to media for its negative attraction to her personal life.
"Try It On My Own"
"Try It On My Own" - the third single was named a "classic Whitney ballad" by critics.
Problems playing these files? See media help.

"Whatchulookinat" became the album's lead single released on September 17, 2002. The song received mixed to unfavorable reviews from critics. It was seen as an attack on the media for the negative attention it gave to her life.[37] The single became a moderate success worldwide, peaking inside the top forty in most countries. In the U.S., it became her tenth Hot Dance Club Play topper.[38] The corresponding music video was also considered as Houston's answer to the media for getting too deep into her personal life. The video showed a white set with cameras all over, following Houston's every move. The set was also full with old movie cameras and people dressed as reporters and photographers. Houston is shown dancing in front of them.

"One of Those Days" was the album's second single and was released on October 29, 2002.[39] The song received positive reviews from critics. It sampled The Isley Brothers' song "Between the Sheets". The single was a moderate success in the U.S., peaking inside top eighty of the charts. The accompanying music video's plot revolved around Houston and her friends, having a day for themselves and getting away from stress.

"Try It on My Own" became the project's third single and was released on February 11, 2003. The song received acclaim from critics as well as fans; most of them who named it as the album's highlight.[11] The song, like its predecessors, was a moderate success and topped Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.[40] It also reached the top ten on the U.S. Adult Contemporary charts. Internationally, the song performed fair. A music video was released to promote the single.

"Love That Man" was the fourth and final single from the album, released on May 20, 2003. It became another Dance Club chart-topping single, but failed to make the Hot 100. No accompanying video was released for the single.[41]

Promotion

To promote the album, Houston appeared on the 2002 MTV Europe Music Awards, performing her new single "Whatchulookinat".[42] She also appeared on the 2003 VH1 Divas Duets: An Honors Concert for the VH1 Save the Music Foundation and performed her hits including two songs from the album; "My Love" and "Try It on My Own". Apart from these, she also performed live on Good Morning America. No major tours were arranged to support the album.

Track listing

No. TitleWriter(s)Producer(s) Length
1. "One of Those Days"  Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs, O'Kelly Isley, Jr., Rudolph Isley, Ronald Isley, Ernie Isley, Marvin Isley, Chris Jasper, Dwight Reynolds, Patrice StewartBriggs 4:10
2. "Tell Me No"  Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Kandi Burruss, Holly Lamar, Annie RoboffBabyface 3:44
3. "Things You Say"  Charlie Bereal, Kenny Bereal, Missy Elliott, Charlene KeysCKB, Missy Elliott 4:13
4. "My Love" (featuring Bobby Brown)Ted Bishop, Gordon Chambers, Greg CharleyChambers, Bishop 3:28
5. "Love That Man"  Babyface, Rob Fusari, Calvin Gaines, Eritza Laues, Bill Lee, Balewa MuhammadBabyface, Fusari 3:28
6. "Try It on My Own"  Babyface, Jason Edmonds, Carole Bayer Sager, Aleese Simmons, Nathan WaltonBabyface 4:39
7. "Dear John Letter"  Briggs, Dwight Reynolds, Patrice Stewart, Whitney Houston*Briggs 4:34
8. "Unashamed"  Darius Good, Luke Paterna, Stephanie Salzman, Troy TaylorTaylor, Good, Paterna 3:38
9. "You Light Up My Life"  Joe BrooksBabyface, Rickey Minor 3:42
10. "Whatchulookinat"  Tammie Harris, Houston, Andre Lewis, Muhammad, Harry Palmer, Christopher Stein, Deborah Harry, Lawrence Parker, Jesse WestBobby Brown, Muhammad 3:33
Notes

Credits and personnel

Personnel[45]
  • Nathan East – bass
  • Sherree Ford-Payne – background vocals
  • Sharlotte Gibson – background vocals
  • Gary Houston – background vocals
  • Kenya Ivey – background vocals
  • Latrelle – background vocals
  • Ricky Lawson – drums

Production[45]

  • Vocal producers: Gordon Chambers, Troy Taylor, Tweet
  • Engineers: Ted Bishop, Paul Boutin, Kevin Briggs, Terrence Cash, Cortez Farris, Kevin Guarnieri, Scott Kieklak, Mike White
  • Assistants: Tom Bender, Matt Brown, Steve Fisher, Steve Genewick, Jimmy Hoyson, Marc Stephen Lee, Josean Posey, Dennis Rivadeneira, Craig "Niteman" Taylor
  • Mixing: Kevin Davis, Jon Gass, Mick Guzauski, Manny Marroquin
  • Mastering: Herb Powers
  • A&R: Joey Arbagey, Shawndella Taylor, Theresa Wilson
  • Production coordination: Melanie Byrd, Ivy Skoff
  • Programming: Troy Taylor
  • Drum programming: Babyface, Ted Bishop
  • String engineer: Tommy Vicari, Jeffrey "Woody" Woodruff
  • Arrangers: Ted Bishop, Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs
  • Rhythm arrangements: Troy Taylor
  • String arrangements: Bill Meyers, Randy Waldman
  • Vocal arrangement: Ted Bishop, Gordon Chambers, Whitney Houston
  • Creative director: Joe-Mama Nitzberg
  • Art direction: Jeffrey Schulz
  • Design: Jeffrey Schulz
  • Photography: Sheryl Nields
  • Make-up: Roxanna Floy
  • Hair stylist: Ellin La Var
  • Stylist: Patti Wilson

Charts and certifications

Weekly charts

Chart (2002) Peak
position
Austrian Albums Chart[30] 33
Canadian Albums Chart[29][46] 85
Dutch Albums Chart[34] 70
French Albums Chart[32] 25
German Albums Chart[47] 16
Italian Albums Chart[48] 20
Swiss Albums Chart[31] 10
UK Albums Chart[49][50] 76
US Billboard 200[23] 9
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[26] 2
Chart (2012) Peak
position
Croatian Albums Chart[51] 26
U.S. Billboard 200[52] 50
U.S. Top Pop Catalog Albums (Billboard)[53] 12

Year-end charts

Chart (2003) Position
U.S. Billboard 200[54] 101
U.S. R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[54] 30

Certifications

References

  1. ↑ "Lady of Soul nominees announced". United Press International. July 18, 2003. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Gail Mitchell (December 14, 2002). Arista Aims New Houston Album At 'Core Urban' Fans. Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  3. ↑ Nui Te Koha (April 12, 2002). "Whitney working With Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs". Herald Sun.
  4. ↑ "Whitney Houston 'Back To Goose-Bump Time' On New LP". MTV.com. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Whitney Houston Just Whitney CD". CDUniverse.com. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  6. ↑ "Whitney Houston Trivia and Quotes". Tv.com. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  7. ↑ Friedman, Roger (August 19, 2002). "Whitney Houston Does Debby Boone". Foxnews.com. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  8. 1 2 3 Tom Sinclair (December 9, 2002). "Music Review: Just Whitney". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  9. 1 2 3 "Allmusic - Just Whitney". AMG. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  10. 1 2 Craig Seymour (December 9, 2002). "Whitney 'Just' gets better with time". Atlanta Journal and Constitution. p. C1. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  11. 1 2 3 "Just Whitney - BBC Music". BBC.co.uk. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  12. 1 2 Robert Hilburn (December 8, 2002). "Just Whitney and a whiff of desperation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  13. 1 2 Jon Caramanica. "Album Review: Just Whitney". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  14. 1 2 Sal Cinquemani (December 4, 2002). "Just Whitney - Slant Magazine". Slant. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  15. 1 2 Steve Jones (December 10, 2002). "Just bad vibes ; Lyrics are bitter, songs are flat in Houston's upcoming release". USA Today. p. D.01. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  16. 1 2 Angus Batey (November 28, 2002). "Album Reviews: Whitney Houston - Just Whitney". Yahoo! Music UK & Ireland. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  17. ↑ Metacritic. "Just Whitney - Metacritic". Metacritic.com. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  18. ↑ Michael Paoletta (December 14, 2002). Reviews & Previews: Albums - Just Whitney. Billboard. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  19. ↑ Petridis, Alexis (22 November 2002). "Whitney Houston: Just Whitney (Arista)". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  20. ↑ Joan Anderman (December 10, 2002). "Comeback Bid? Houston, We Still Have A Problem". The Boston Globe. p. D.1. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  21. ↑ Pareles, Jon (December 1, 2002). "Music; In Their New Albums, the Divas Try to Be Divaesque". New York Times. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  22. ↑ Mike Bell. "Album Review: Whitney Houston - Just Whitney". Jam! Showbiz. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  23. 1 2 The Billboard 200 chart listing for the week ending December 28, 2002. Billboard. December 28, 2002. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Just Whitney Captures Highest First Week Sales of Her Career". highbeam.com. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  25. ↑ Geoff Mayfield (December 28, 2002). Over the Counter: R&B Invasion. Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  26. 1 2 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart listing for the week ending December 28, 2002. Billboard. December 28, 2002. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  27. ↑ Mariel Concepcion (June 4, 2009). "Whitney Houston Comeback album due September 1". billboard.com. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  28. ↑
  29. 1 2 "CANOE -- JAM! Music - Artists - Houston, Whitney: Whitney Houston debuts at No. 1". canoe.ca. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  30. 1 2 "Just Whitney at Austrian Albums Chart". austriancharts.at. December 8, 2002. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  31. 1 2 3 "Just Whitney at the Swiss Albums Chart". Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  32. 1 2 "Just Whitney at the French Albums Chart". lescharts.com. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  33. ↑ SNEP. "Disque en France Album and Single Certification". SNEP. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  34. 1 2 "Just Whitney at the Dutch Albums Chart". dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  35. ↑ Jones, Alan (November 5, 2007). "Eagles top UK album chart". Music Week. United Business Media. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  36. ↑ Опять ягодка :: Статьи (in Russian). RBC Daily. RBC Information Systems. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
  37. ↑ Billboard Magazine 10 August 2002. Billboard. 2002. p. 21. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  38. ↑ Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart listing for the week ending October 12, 2002. Billboard. October 12, 2002. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  39. ↑ "One of Those Days". MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  40. ↑ Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart listing for the week ending April 12, 2003. Billboard. April 12, 2003. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  41. ↑ Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart listing for the week ending June 21, 2003. Billboard. June 21, 2003. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  42. ↑ "Eminem Wins Most MTV Europe Music Awards". MTV.com. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  43. ↑ "Whitney Houston - Just Whitney (CD, Album) Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  44. ↑ "Whitney Houston - Just Whitney (CD) Discogs". Discogs.com. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  45. 1 2 "allmusic (((Just Whitney > Review )))". Allmusic.com. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
  46. ↑
  47. ↑ "Just Whitney at the German Albums Chart". Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  48. ↑ "Just Whitney at the Italian Albums Chart". Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  49. ↑ Friedman, Roger (December 17, 2002). "Julianne Moore Can't Get a Sitter, Either". Fox News.
  50. ↑ http://business.highbeam.com/411456/article-1G1-96194690/official-uk-albums-charts-top-75
  51. ↑ "Whitney Houston - Just Whitney". hdu-toplista.com. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  52. ↑ http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/record-labels/whitney-houston-becomes-first-woman-with-1006319552.story
  53. ↑ Just Whitney - Whitney Houston at Billboard.com
  54. 1 2 "Billboard 2003 Year End Charts". Billboard.BIZ. Retrieved October 5, 2010.

External links

Region Certification Certified units/Sales
France (SNEP)[1] Gold 100,000*
Brazil (ABPD)[2] Gold 50,000*
Japan (RIAJ)[3] Platinum 200,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[4] Platinum 40,000^
United States (RIAA)[5] Platinum 1,000,000^
  1. ↑ "French album certifications – Whitney Houston – Just Whitney" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique.
  2. ↑ "Brazilian album certifications – Whitney Houston – Just Whitney" (in Portuguese). Associação Brasileira dos Produtores de Discos.
  3. ↑ "Japanese album certifications – Whitney Houston – Just Whitney" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2002年月 on the drop-down menu
  4. ↑ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (Whitney Houston; 'Just Whitney')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  5. ↑ "American album certifications – Whitney Houston – Just, Whitney". Recording Industry Association of America. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH
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