BEC - Mon Feb 22

With strong vocals and a talented backing band, Anthony Callea delivers an entertaining, covers-heavy support set, but many are nervous about what’s to come. It’s hard to believe it now, but at one point, Whitney Houston was one of the biggest pop stars in the world, on par with legends like Michael Jackson and Madonna. The last 10 years have been tough on Houston, with little more to show from them than a failed reality show, a well-documented slide into addiction and a slow, painful recovery. The fact that Houston can still sell out shows like this speaks of the genuine love and admiration of her fan base, but the years of abuse have taken their toll on that famous voice. For what it’s worth, Houston seems sincerely happy to be back on stage, but tonight’s performance is clearly a slog. Tired and out of breath, she takes frequent breaks through the show, and has to really work for the upper-register notes that used to come so effortlessly. The accompanying musicians are first-class, but Houston leans on them heavily, to the point where she doesn’t even sing the choruses on hits like I Wanna Dance With Somebody and closer I’m Every Woman, allowing her backing singers to pick up the slack. Signature ballad I Will Always Love You is still a heart-breaking song, but watching Houston struggle through it, it’s heart-breaking for entirely different reasons. 

ALASDAIR DUNCAN

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