Her fans may always love her, but catty reviewers across Britain aren't exactly singing Whitney Houston's praises following a bumpy return to the stage Tuesday night in rough-and-tumble Birmingham.
Invariably, every negative review included some variation of "Houston, we have a problem," but when they began describing the singer's vocals and overall stamina, even the normally prim BBC got in on the act, saying the singer was "panting more than John Prescott running for the bus," a reference to a well-known (and chubby) politician from Wales.
Whitney's performance of 'I Will Always Love You,' which goes awry at the 4:18 mark:
Houston was supposed to kick off her British tour last week, but had to cancel due to respiratory problems. Her breathing seemed to be one of the main problems, according to several reviewers.
A local paper, The Birmingham Post, said that although Houston's "voice was still there, the stamina was not," adding the 45-minute concert "was constantly broken up with water breaks and chats with the audience to catch her breath."
Whitney on tour in 1994
The Post's reviewer, Alison Dayani, said Houston angered the crowd after six songs when she "disappeared to let her brother Gary and the backing singers perform some of her tracks while she took a 15 minute break."
One of the song's she chose to let video and backup singers perform was her hit 'One Moment in Time.'
Her absence so soon after the show began led to boos around the arena, and when she returned to the stage, Houston quipped, "Thank you for being patient. I heard you getting p***ed off."
The notoriously rough-on-celebs tabloid The Sun said Whitney seemed distracted, "often losing her train of thought during rambling between-song chats with the audience."
The 'Today' Show Covered It:
PRODUCTION PLAYER! DO NOT DELETE.
When it came time to sing her signature song, 'I Will Always Love You,' Houston failed to hit the soaring high notes.
One audience member told BBC Radio 5 live: "She was good when she was good, but when she was not on form, she was awful."
Not all the reviews were bad, however, with The Independent's Elisa Bray saying she admired Houston, "who in the face of the negative press, stood up tonight to give her all."
Whitney Houston arrives at Fountain studios on October 18, 2009 in London, England. Celebrity Sightings In London - October 18, 2009 London, England United Kingdom October 18, 2009 Photo by Sam Snap/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58676261), contact FilmMagic.com
Sam Snap/FilmMagic.com
Whitney Houston arrives at Fountain studios on October 18, 2009 in London, England. Celebrity Sightings In London - October 18, 2009 London, England United Kingdom October 18, 2009 Photo by Sam Snap/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58676263), contact FilmMagic.com
Sam Snap/FilmMagic.com
Singer Whitney Houston performs during the German game show "Wetten Dass...?" (Bet it...?) in Freiburg, southwestern Germany, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2009. "Wetten Dass...?" is one of the most popular Saturday night programmes in Germany. (AP Photo/Johannes Eisele, Pool)
AP
US singer Whitney Houston talks with TV host Thomas Gottschalk during the 183rd edition of the TV show presented by "Wetten, dass..?" (Let's Make a Bet) on October 3, 2009 in Freiburg, southern Germany. AFP PHOTO DDP/ JOERG KOCH GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read JOERG KOCH/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US singer Whitney Houston performs on stage during the 183rd edition of the TV show presented by "Wetten, dass..?" (Let's Make a Bet) on October 3, 2009 in Freiburg, southern Germany. AFP PHOTO DDP/ JOERG KOCH GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read JOERG KOCH/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US singer Whitney Houston performs on stage during the 183rd edition of the TV show presented by "Wetten, dass..?" (Let's Make a Bet) on October 3, 2009 in Freiburg, southern Germany. AFP PHOTO DDP/ JOERG KOCH GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read JOERG KOCH/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US singer Whitney Houston performs on stage during the 183rd edition of the TV show presented by "Wetten, dass..?" (Let's Make a Bet) on October 3, 2009 in Freiburg, southern Germany. AFP PHOTO DDP/ JOERG KOCH GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read JOERG KOCH/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US singer Whitney Houston performs on stage during the 183rd edition of the TV show presented by "Wetten, dass..?" (Let's Make a Bet) on October 3, 2009 in Freiburg, southern Germany. AFP PHOTO DDP/ JOERG KOCH GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read JOERG KOCH/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - OCTOBER 03: Singer Whitney Houston performs during the Wetten dass...? show at the Messe Freiburg on October 3, 2009 in Freiburg, Germany. (Photo by Miguel Villagran/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Whitney Houston
Getty Images
FREIBURG IM BREISGAU, GERMANY - OCTOBER 03: Singer Whitney Houston performs during the Wetten dass...? show at the Messe Freiburg on October 3, 2009 in Freiburg, Germany. (Photo by Miguel Villagran/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Whitney Houston
There are a lot of singers who were on drugs at the height of their careers who sung fine then and who sing just as well as they always have now that they are no longer using. To name a couple, Mary J Blige and Elton John (there as so many). She does all that stopping and starting for a dramatic effect, but it has always gotten on my nerves. I'm one that likes to sing along with the artists so I hate it when they change up the songs so much.
Perhaps she really does have a sinus or allergy problem. I can relate because I have them and it does affect your voice. You could be talking one minute and your voice goes away because of the mucus and you have to go clear it out. And when my allergies are at their worst, don't let me try and sing along to a song on the radio. I can hardly get anything out without constantly clearing my throat. It's quite annoying really.
many great performers have faced adversity and returned to the stage- her voice is beautiful-- and if chooses to tour and people BUY tickets to see you- who really cares....this may be very healing for her--
I saw her in concert when she was at the height of her career and she stunk out the place....since then I realized there are some "studio" singers and concert singers.
I disagree with you on that she wasn't just a studio singer she could sing it's just the drugs did her in I use to hear her sing in church trust me the girl had the talent.
todd may have heard her sing good in church.......i paid way too much money for tickets to see her in 1993......before the drugs and all......it was one of the worst........standing around screaming.....screaing high notes is not singing.......studio singer
Some people do not know when to quit and accept that their career is over and that they need to retire, but as long as their are people willing to pay money she will be out chasing it I feel badly for her daughter who had to grow up with two morons for parents. Note to these young performers out there..save as much as you can because in 99 cases out of 100..your career will end and then what when the money runs out?. If this kid Justin who is a big hit right now has good advisors and is being taught to save and invest..he can retire super rich at 25 and do whatever he wants after that.
It is sad that she is trying to relive her youth. She was good a long time ago but now maybe it is time to do the casino curcuit. Shows aren't as long or demanding but the money is still good. I too believe that all the drugs and alcohol fried her brain. The crack pipe probably burned her lungs and she can't take the work-out that a live stage concert demands anymore. Time to move on Whitney!
Whitney was never studio singer the girl could flat out sing hell she would open her mouth and notes fall out it was the drugs that ruined her I hope and pray she finds a way to get it back.
I first heard her in concert in 1987, and it was incredible. She sounded just like the album and her voice was amazing!! I refused to buy the new cd, because I knew that I wouldn't hear that incredible voice I heard years earlier. She could've had a lasting career like Streisand, but due to drug use, she's ended up here. That youtube video was hard to watch. So sad...
Why couldn't Whitney simply be having a bad night. I sing too, and believe me sometimes you can have problems with your voice. It doesn't mean she's lost it forever. She's not as young as she used to be, and your voice changes as you age.
I agree that sometimes singers have a "bad night". I sing some, mostly for fun, but occasionally in a public setting. So I understand it can happen. BUT, from everything I have read, this is how the concerts have been going in general since Australia. Unfortunately, as much as I love Whitney, this seems to be the case with her recent concerts more often than not.
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Her fans may always love her, but catty reviewers across Britain aren't exactly singing Whitney Houston's praises following a bumpy return to the stage Tuesday night in rough-and-tumble Birmingham.
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no she doesn't. that's why she has to do this.
Nicely said....sad but true.
There are a lot of singers who were on drugs at the height of their careers who sung fine then and who sing just as well as they always have now that they are no longer using. To name a couple, Mary J Blige and Elton John (there as so many). She does all that stopping and starting for a dramatic effect, but it has always gotten on my nerves. I'm one that likes to sing along with the artists so I hate it when they change up the songs so much.
Perhaps she really does have a sinus or allergy problem. I can relate because I have them and it does affect your voice. You could be talking one minute and your voice goes away because of the mucus and you have to go clear it out. And when my allergies are at their worst, don't let me try and sing along to a song on the radio. I can hardly get anything out without constantly clearing my throat. It's quite annoying really.
many great performers have faced adversity and returned to the stage- her voice is beautiful-- and if chooses to tour and people BUY tickets to see you- who really cares....this may be very healing for her--
I saw her in concert when she was at the height of her career and she stunk out the place....since then I realized there are some "studio" singers and concert singers.
Reply
I disagree with you on that she wasn't just a studio singer she could sing it's just the drugs did her in I use to hear her sing in church trust me the girl had the talent.
Houston had a great voice but her concerts were never good. Can you say boring...really boring.
drug addiction can really progress whitney to be brutally with you it's time to seek help stick with it this time
todd may have heard her sing good in church.......i paid way too much money for tickets to see her in 1993......before the drugs and all......it was one of the worst........standing around screaming.....screaing high notes is not singing.......studio singer
Some people do not know when to quit and accept that their career is over and that they need to retire, but as long as their are people willing to pay money she will be out chasing it I feel badly for her daughter who had to grow up with two morons for parents. Note to these young performers out there..save as much as you can because in 99 cases out of 100..your career will end and then what when the money runs out?. If this kid Justin who is a big hit right now has good advisors and is being taught to save and invest..he can retire super rich at 25 and do whatever he wants after that.
Reply
It's hard to manage a singing career when you sound like a bull walrus...
Reply
It is sad that she is trying to relive her youth. She was good a long time ago but now maybe it is time to do the casino curcuit. Shows aren't as long or demanding but the money is still good. I too believe that all the drugs and alcohol fried her brain. The crack pipe probably burned her lungs and she can't take the work-out that a live stage concert demands anymore. Time to move on Whitney!
Reply
SHE SINGS LIKE JIM LANE
Reply
Whitney was never studio singer the girl could flat out sing hell she would open her mouth and notes fall out it was the drugs that ruined her I hope and pray she finds a way to get it back.
Reply
Is that one sentence or 5??
yeah, how many sentences are there??????
I first heard her in concert in 1987, and it was incredible. She sounded just like the album and her voice was amazing!! I refused to buy the new cd, because I knew that I wouldn't hear that incredible voice I heard years earlier. She could've had a lasting career like Streisand, but due to drug use, she's ended up here. That youtube video was hard to watch. So sad...
Reply
it was lip syncing duh !
ever heard of milli va nilli ?
Why couldn't Whitney simply be having a bad night. I sing too, and believe me sometimes you can have problems with your voice. It doesn't mean she's lost it forever. She's not as young as she used to be, and your voice changes as you age.
Reply
I agree that sometimes singers have a "bad night". I sing some, mostly for fun, but occasionally in a public setting. So I understand it can happen. BUT, from everything I have read, this is how the concerts have been going in general since Australia. Unfortunately, as much as I love Whitney, this seems to be the case with her recent concerts more often than not.