Which is the first song that comes to your head when you think of – Whitney Houston?
I Will Always Love You? Or may be I Wanna Dance With Somebody?
The diva produced some of the most well remembered songs of the 80’s and 90’s and her catalog is filled with Pop and R&B hits that have resonated with multiple generations.
And when someone pops the question – “which album would you consider the peak of her artistry?” – most are inclined to say – The Bodyguard – the monumental album from 1992 from the film of the same name, which starred her in her debut as a motion picture actress.
And why not? It was loaded with classics that have not only stood the test of time, but still sound like they were just released yesterday. Yet it’s been more than 30 years since the record-breaking album actually came out, and still stands as the biggest selling-one, among females (Yep! Over 45-million copies sold).
Some might argue that it would be her self-titled debut album, which was also listed by Rolling Stone in their 500 Greatest Albums Of All Time list and which, in 1985, broke the record of the biggest selling debut album by a female ever.
But if we are to look at what she offered as a vocalist, in terms of not only her technicality but also her ability to let lose – as she more so often did in her live performances than her studio recordings, then there is one album that doesn’t get the same level of mainstream attention as her other Pop works, but it definitely takes the cake as the pinnacle of her vocal versatility.
The album that offers the most from Whitney Houston – vocally and musically.
And that album is – The Preacher’s Wife Soundtrack.
Yes, the audience for the album was not as big as her previous releases – as it was essentially a Gospel record and catered mostly to American audiences. But it featured Whitney – one of the greatest voices we’re likely ever to hear, in her most versatile form – demonstrating not only her technical finesse and range, like her earlier records – but also a grit and depth, that was only heard in her live performances up until then.
This was also her most musically fulfilling experience, in terms of the orchestration and the heavy use of instruments. Topped by soaring voices of the 40-piece strong Georgia Mass Choir, and with Whitney’s unmistakable powerhouse voice piercing through each one of those sounds and soaring right up to heaven, this stands as the richest experience, music-wise, in her whole discography (with My Love Is Your Love, serving as a close second).
And Whitney had a lot more to do in the overall musical output of this album, than just being the singer and the vocal arranger, as she also produced and composed the songs, along with Mervyn Warren – who later also went on to producer her first ever Christmas album in 2003 – One Wish.
In essence, it pretty much churned-out the most from – Whitney Houston, the artist – vocally and as a composer and song-producer.
And when you listen to the layers and variety of vocals she offered in the songs – from the serenading love-anthem ‘I Believe In You And Me’ to the roaring Gospel belts of ‘He’s All Over Me’, from the whispery-softness and warmth of ‘Who Would Imagine A King’ to the sheer vocal rollercoaster ride that was ‘Joy To The World’, you realize this showcases more sides of Houston’s voice than any other album she ever recorded.
So while The Preacher’s Wife OST may not be as popular as some of her other Diamond-certified LPs (although it holds the record of being the biggest selling Gospel album of all time – in it’s own right), the album is right up there with the all-time masterpieces as one of the most musically rich experience you’d ever have. Especially as a Houston fan. Or a fan of grand ole’ voices, for that matter.