Whitney's New Album Brings Crowd to Its Feet

In preparation for her highly-anticipated album, Whitney Houston is across the pond. She's in London to play tracks from ‘I Look To You’, her new album September 1, for the first time at an exclusive listening party. The crowd was overjoyed and loved it; she received a standing ovation. The first single has already leaked and is getting positive reviews.

Similar listening parties are scheduled for July 21 in New York and July 23 in Los Angeles.

Whilst in London, Whitney revealed that she was thisclose to retiring from music, that's was until her mentor, Clive Davis, called her about this album.

"When Clive called me I was pretty ready to buy my island home (and retire), but he said, 'No, you're going to sing again, people want to hear you.'" she said.

Clive managed to convince Whitney to return to the recording studio, and she's glad she did because the album fast became her "labor of love".

Billboard London reporter Mark Sutherland wrote: “The overall feel of the album was notably contemporary, while retaining Houston’s trademark vocal flourishes.”

Sidebar: Have you noticed how Wendy has been begging cajoling Whitney to appear on the TV show? Insiders say it probably won't happen, but Wendy as trying as hard as she might anyway. The show desperately needs some star power and the stars don't brighter than Whitney.