I'm Your Baby Tonight - Houston, Whitney (CD 1990)

That is right, I am making the declarative statement that Whitney Houston lost her talent, the same night Mariah Carey lost her marriage. I grew up listening to Whitney Houston, and loved her music videos, especially "I wanna Dance with Somebody". As I grew older, I realized I really appreciated Whitney's vocal talent. She got game...but then lost it. Once Mariah Carey felt the need to end her marriage and end her days as being a talented musician...so did Whitney Houston, and ever since both have gone down hill, in my opinion. Yet, the golden days of Whitney Houston are still very much alive in my CD player with this album.

In fact, when I first bought this CD, I only wanted it for the self-titled song, "I'm Your Baby Tonight". I had no need or desire to listen to any of the other songs. About three years ago, I decided to take my years as being a student of dance to becoming a teacher of dance for children. It was for my community service program in high school. I thumbed through all my CDs, listening to each one and not really finding the right one. Then, with almost a resigned sigh I popped in "I'm Your Baby Tonight" by Whitney Houston and I was amazed. This was the most spectacular album for choreographing dances because it has a solid beat, solid rhythm, and there is depth to each song. When there is a solid dance beat but no depth to the song, it makes for a lousy dance number. It is rare to find a CD where every song is a favorite, and that is how this CD is to me.

I'm Your Baby Tonight was a chart-exploding hit for Whitney Houston back in 1990. Yet, the song itself is rarely heard at all. Perhaps because it is more R&B then her other hit songs of the same era...I am not sure. I remember watching the video for the song and loved the way Whitney split her self into 3 different "whitneys"...hmm, many pop princesses are doing the same thing and acting as if they invented the concept...but I digress. Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds is the producer of this song. He has the Midas touch, he truely does. The song has a old jazz flair to it and Whitney's voice is wonderful. She starts off with soft voice, yet doesnt get breathy and whiny. By the time the chorus appears, Whitney's voice transforms into a powerful strong solid voice. This is a wonderful song that is underplayed on the radio. Lyrics:"I'm giving you everything/I'm your baby tonight"

My Name is Not Susan is one of the songs that I just cant listen to. Dont get me wrong, I am not saying that Whitney does a terrible performance on this song. She is wonderful and sings this song beautifully. However....my childhood was very tumultous because my parents fought a lot. I remember more experiences with my parents arguing loud shouting profanities then I remember then happily together...couple this with my mom confided in me from the young age of 7 years old and I gave her counseling and therapy...so that all added together, makes this song unbearable. Every single fight my parents would get into always went to a common denominator. My mother accused my father of cheating on her with a woman named Susan. My father denied this and still does when the arguments arise, but my mother doesnt believe it. I cant stand the name "susan"...and every time it comes up, it brings in bad memories of my childhood. So please forgive me if I do not review this song.

All The Man That I Need reminds me so much of Whitney's other song "I Have Nothing" from the Bodyguard soundtrack. Both are wonderful love songs. My favorite part of the song is towards the end when a gospel-like chorus sings the chorus section of the music. This song is a slow ballad that showcases Whitney's high octave voice. This is Whitney's traditional slow song style, and it works great. Her voice and her emotions and her passions carry this song to the top. Although I am not a huge fan of the song anymore since I turned Feminist...because the song advocates that the man is what makes her life complete and whole and she was nothing without him...I believe completely differently. Nevertheless, to many people it is a romantic ballad, and so be it. Lyrics:"He's all I've got/He's all I've got in this world/But he's all the man that I need"

Lover For Life is a spectacular song. I can't believe I skipped over it so many times. Once you listen to it, you will be hooked, it has a catchy tone to it. Whitney's voice ranges from low to high in this song and is very reminscent of Mariah Carey when she first debuted in the music industry. The song is laced with a synthesizer, but it is softly added, so it doesnt detract the ear as much as other music from the same era. It has a moderate up-tempo beat that prevents if from being like the song before it. I love this song, it is beautiful and it is a good song to play at a wedding. Lyrics:"See I fell in love/The first time I saw you/And have been falling in love"

Anymore is a great song because it has an almost techno dance rhythm. This song is ahead of its time for being written and produced in the early 90s. I have never heard Whitney sing in this style as she does in the song, very abrupt and fast without being harsh. Its catchy and shows the versatility of her voice and her style. This song is a great song for the teens and young women as it shows a self-empowered Whitney Houston givin the ax to a guy who wont treat her with the respect she deserves. Lyrics:"I believe that angels/Watch everything we do/And all the wrong you're doing/Just might come back on you"

Miracle was the hit of the 1990/1991 music season. An inspirational slow song that does Whitney incredible justice. The album itself is a new area for her as she is more into R&B and less into Pop then her previous albums. Miracle is a nice transitory song because it embraces both genres so people can find a common ground. If you have not heard this song, you do not know what you are missing, very moving and touching. Reminds me a lot of a song that Jewel would sing or write. Lyrics:Nothing should matter/Not when love grows inside you/The choice is yours/There's a miracle in store"

I Belong To You is a moderately slow song that is heavily laced with a synthesizer. As a result, listening to it makes you seem like you are traveling back to the late 80s-early 90 era...and you are, but music should be timeless and not designated to any specific time frame. Whitney's voice is soft and refreshing as she sings this love song...again, I am seeing the theme of a woman relying on a man to find her self-worth, which I am heavily against. Yet, it is still an excellent song and Whitney's talent shines through as she graces the high notes minus the attitude of one who has a high octave voice. Lyrics:I've been to the bottom/Now I'm back on top/When I'm feelin' the rhythm/As we start to rock"

Who Do You Love is a fun high-energy song to dance to. It is just full of energy and fun, even though it is packed full of synthesizer, and that is why I chose this song to be the choreographed dance routine. The beats are strong and are easily located through the instrument known as the human ear. Whitney begins the song by belting out the high notes with no problem at all, just like she was born to. The song it just fun, like I have said many times, and is a great song to listen to when you had a hard day and you want something perky to pick your mood up. Lyrics:"So I keep praying to the stars above/That it's me who you're gonna love"

We Didn't Know is a duet with Stevie Wonder. How cool is that!! I would buy this CD just for this song. I am a huge fan of Stevie Wonder and the way his voices melds with Whitney's is nothing short of magical. This song is more R&B then the other songs on the album and it works wonderfully. I really think they should have released this song to the radio playlist. A legend like Stevie Wonder and no air time? That doesnt make sense to me. Lyrics:"And we're so happy that/We've fallen in love/And still can be best of friends"

After We Make Love is beautiful, just absolutely beautiful. It is a ballad and it celebrates the love between two adults. I would like to think this is like the Songs of Solomon, about newlyweds celebrating their love for each other. Whitney has an angelic voice throughout singing this song and allows the song to take on an aura of purity instead of about just sex. It is a very spiritual song celebrating the love that a man and a woman can share in the right time at the right point in their relationship. Lyrics:"There's no doubt in my mind I've been touched by/All that heaven and earth will allow/All that matters is right here and now"

I'm Knockin' is a mixture of Southern Gospel, jazz, and R&B. It is a great way to end a CD, with the song of inspiration and even a hint of spirituality. Those who are familiar with the bible know the verse "Knock and the Door will Open, Seek and you Will find, Ask and you will Receive", well this song follows around the first part of that verse. I really like how the three music genres are put into one coherent piece, it adds for spice and originality. Whitney does a terrific performance at singing about an area of her life that she is familiar with. Lyrics:"I've heard some say/Just knock the door will open/And when it does/You'll find love standing there"

Even though this is a dated CD, I love it. Whitney has a beautiful voice and this CD showcases her vocal talents. Unlike some of her newer material, this is of substance and character.