Clive's pre-Grammy party: Whitney Houston returns, Kelly Clarkson shows sass

Suddenly there she was, after all this time.

Whitney Houston walked onstage at the end of Clive Davis’ annual pre-Grammy gala at the Beverly Hilton on Saturday in a leopard-print corset dress and a coat that made her look a bit like a big cat -- her hair a nimbus of curls, her smile a tolerant mask.

She didn’t waste time warming up with a minor hit. The big band’s flourishes signaled the start of her signature ballad, “I Will Always Love You.”

Everyone -- the entertainment business moguls schmoozing their way through this Grammy weekend; the stars for whom this annual fete is a way of renewing their membership in the glamour club, including Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia and Jamie Foxx; and even the servers still filling wine and water glasses -- stopped to listen. But Houston did not milk the moment. She simply sang, strongly but without melodrama. And before the high notes could challenge her, she moved on, switching to her 1983 hit “I Believe in You and Me,” the scariest part of the night behind her.

The rumor that the singer would appear at Davis’ party had solidified during rehearsals for the event, when Davis himself confirmed it to MTV. It was the latest scene in the story of pop’s most famous Henry Higgins and his wayward protégée, a woman who’s struggled with drugs and a disastrous marriage to the singer Bobby Brown, but who is finally back and ready to fight for her spot at center stage.

Houston’s short set, which also included her hip-hop-flavored “It’s Not Right but It’s Okay” and “I’m Every Woman,” a cover song that’s been part of her repertoire forever, enraptured the crowd. Hudson and Fantasia hugged the stage, waving their arms in testifying fashion. Foxx caught the whole thing on his camcorder.

Was Houston’s appearance worthy of the crowd’s joyous reception? On one crucial level, yes, though the voice that once seemed able to topple mountains had grown more subdued, and the high notes just weren’t there.

Houston, who had grown disturbingly thin in recent years, looked healthy. Most of her recent performances have happened outside the U.S., and the press reports haven't always been kind. Last night, she hit her cues and delivered the songs with confidence. This felt like the beginning of something, not its climax: a tentative though friendly rapprochement with the diva role Houston once defined.

Now in her 40s, she may simply never regain the astonishing range and power of her youth. Onstage, she seemed to be working on ways  to sing distinctively though those natural gifts have slightly dimmed. The performance was enough to inspire hope that her next step won’t be disastrous.

Comebacks formed a defining arc within the long show.

There were older artists whose careers Davis had helped revive -- Rod Stewart, who opened the show, and Barry Manilow, who crooned a cute jingle he’d penned for Davis after performing a reverb-drenched duet with Hudson. There was the “Dreamgirls” star, who’s been dubbed a heroine this Grammy weekend for putting aside her grief for the several family members who were murdered last October and returning to the stage. She sang her own single, “Spotlight,” with focused feeling.

There also was Kelly Clarkson, whose disagreement with Davis and her record label about her under-appreciated 2006 rock album, “My December,” seems to have been wholly forgiven now that her candy-sweet new single, “My Life Would Suck Without You,” is selling like crazy. Clarkson showed characteristic sass pushing that song, but she still burns a torch for harder music: She really got down performing a song Davis brokered in an earlier era, Janis Joplin’s classic rocker “Piece of My Heart.”

Sean “Diddy” Combs presented his own kind of resurrection when he and Faith Evans performed “I’ll Be Missing You,” the 1997 song they recorded as a tribute to the late rapper Biggie Smalls. (Evans is Biggie's widow and a notable singer in her own right.)  As the executive producer of “Notorious,” the new biopic about Smalls that is proving a box-office success, Diddy has good reason to revive memories of his old friend now. His performance was ebullient and sincere.

With several of his other young favorites on the bill, including Leona Lewis, Josh Groban (pinch-hitting for Usher, absent due to a family emergency), and the steamy rock band Kings of Leon, Davis must have himself felt some kind of renewal. The 76-year-old executive could have easily seen this evening go the other way.

Last year, he saw his job title change from chairman and CEO of the Sony BMG conglomerate to the more peripheral "chief creative officer." And after three decades, he’s turned over the reins of this party to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, making it an official pre-Grammy bash.
 
The Recording Academy handled the transition gently, awarding its annual Salute to Industry Icons Award to Davis and allowing him to remain in his role as a lovably long-winded emcee. In turn, Davis shared the microphone with other power players: academy President and CEO Neil Portnow, producers L.A. Reid and Babyface and artists Foxx and Kanye West.

Perhaps the underlying transition was what made this evening feel so much like a warm family reunion. Never does a strong patriarch earn so much love as when he’s stepping aside a bit (though not entirely; Davis would never do that) and making more room for the next generation.

In this context, Houston’s longtime status as a prodigal daughter seems more poignant than ever. Back in the flock, she'd definitely been marked by her time away, but seemed ready to take up her load and work.

-- Ann Powers

Photo: Dan Steinberg / Associated Press

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Comments

[Gayle]

I'm glad Whitney is back--with all her personal stuggles behind her, hopefully she'll reclaim her standing in the music community because America needs her now to show these young people how to have class in this industry. I'm glad Papa Davis is now showcasing her front and center. I'm going to buy her CD when its come out and support her. She is truly a survivor and that leaving Bobby Brown is the best thing has happened to her.

[NativeNYker]

Where is the proof of Whitney's amazing return? Not to sound defeatist but we - the public - haven't seen anything of the like. Where is the video?.

So whereas I truly wish the glorification is true - lord knows no one can do it like Whitney could! I need to see it for myself!

xo
Rants, Thoughts & Merde

[Sarah]

Proof - trust me the photo and story's enough because if she sounded like crap more would be saying so and really?

Just her being alive and healthy-looking - and prety again - is ovation-worthy alone LOL.

Welcome back Miss Houston, we're glad to see you almost together.

I hope she lives a long happy ending to her public nightmare. She's too great a talent to squander ever again and has inspired too many to disappoint any further.

Good for her.

[Houston]

She looks great! I am so glad there was never a photograph taken of her smoking weed, like there was of the Olympic swimmer.

[Mike St.Louis]

Any of us that experienced the rise of Whitney are of course th rilled for her sobriety, continued good health and return to the spotlight. But it is literally impossible for Whitney to live up to the expectations and build-up that the media is creating. It is fairly certain that her trademark powerhouse vocal ability and range has been damaged by very serious drug abuse and I just hope that she clear-headed, savvy, and strong enough to handle he criticism. I don't mean to be cruel, but I think like with all the other 80's icons (George Michael, Cindy Lauper, Culture Club, Madonna, MJ, etc;) her moment is simply over. It's no crime; NO ONE can stay on top.

[Misodzi Sithole]

It is enough that she is healthy. We should celebrate that. As for doubts about being back, visit Youtube and listen to her collaboration with Akon. Can't wait to hear the final version.

[Dennis Jones]

Hip-Hip hooray!! "the singer" is back!!! Who, could, on their best day, stand equal to Whitneys power and range and beauty when she sang? A true artist has returned and we're the better for it. I think sometime in life we need to hit a bottom so we can better appreciate the glorious gifts God has bestowed upon us. Hang in there Whitney. I'm behind you all the way. I predict she'll be "better" this time out than she was before. God Bless You!!!!!

[Andrea Duhart]

We all fall short of God's glory. Whitney you g girl. We fall down but we get up. God Bless You Diva.

[Richard Valeros]

Im so glad to made it through that troubled part in your life. Welcome back Whitney !!! I have always believed in you, Im one of your biggest fan. keep it up.

[Gai]

I'm so elated to have Whitney back in the limelight, Positively representing the Diva that she has and always will be. I pray for her and her family, she's been through a lot and who are we to judge. This time I think she's here to stay.I pray that she stays strong being a greart mom, actress, singer one of the best and the so many other things that our DIVA does. I cant wait for the new cd everybody that around me will know lyric for lyric when Im done playing it. KEEP DOING WHAT U DO ALL TIME DIVA!

[Gail]

Oh! and may I also add that while Whitney was away I haven't heard absolutely not a 1 in the industry who does what she does Im sorry hummingbirds are gifts from the higher power and everyone is not blessed in this form and fashion. Give to her. She DESERVES IT.

[Freda]

I love you Whitney. I am glad you are back. You go girl .

[Julia Mveto]

I love you Whitney Houston, I really look up too you. My name is Julia, I´m a black girl and I live in austria, I´m only 14 years old I´ll turn to 15 soon, but everyone in family say that I´m the little miss Whitney Houston. I know you don´t have tany time for an 15 year old girl, but maybe one day I could send you a video of mine where I´m singing one of your songs. When I´m older I hope that I´ll bfamous so I could sing with you it´s my only wish.

One of your dearest Fan

Julia Mveto, God bless you in very way you go

[Onimisi Olowojoba]

No better news than this. Welcome back sweet angel. I miss your musical touches. May you never leave your fans stranded again.

[Ana Rico]

Congratulations Whitney, Im proud of you. You already forgot bad days and you are a
new woman.

Im writting from Madrid. Spain. Im 34 years old. I grow up with your music Whitney. When I saw your photograhs... on your bad days, you was so thin...... so sad......... so blue and a tear grow in my ays like the day my brother died in an aeroplane he was a pilot and he heard your music.

Today after 10 years I think of you and I look for good notices that your ok again.

And I send my soul in this letter to you. To make you happy with my smile.

I love you. And my brother........ he is not here he is in the sky for ever............. but when I hear your songs you make me feel those days that he was listen your songs.

Im a jewelery, sculpture designer. A real good designer. And I very sensible. For sure I will make real an good designs hearing your voice.

Take care of you.

Kisses Whitney.

Some day the persons that we passed tragedys, some day, we could smile again. A real smile full of truth and happiness...

Kisses from Spain. (34) 619 76 40 73

[Tamara Watson]

I love you so much Whitney I just can not explain how much. Every since I saw you in preacher's wife I have wanted to meet you and I was about 7 or 8 then. I am so happy that you are coming back and I pray that GOD forever bless you! I Will Always Love You!!!!

[Gabrelle Mitchell]

I am absolutey ELATED to hear of Whitney's return to the industry! It would have been such a disservice to all to be without such a heavenly voice when there are so few left on Whitney's calibur in this arena. Go Whitney! When is your concert? I'm already there.