Classic Whitney: Live from Washington, D.C.

Classic Whitney: Live from Washington, D.C., were special live concerts by Whitney Houston featuring many of her greatest hits, as well as gospel favorites and songs saluting some of her influences including Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin and Diana Ross.

The concerts were held at historic DAR Constitution Hall in Washington D.C. on October 3 and 5, 1997. The second night concert was broadcast live via HBO, which was her third HBO special. (First was "Welcome Home Heroes with Whitney Houston" in March, 1991 and second, "Whitney: The Concert for a New South Africa" in November, 1994.) The first night concert was later broadcast on HBO in late October. Whitney and The Whitney Houston Foundation for Children donated the proceeds, over $300,000 from ticket sales to the Children's Defense Fund, a national non-profit organization devoted to providing a voice for all children of America, particularly poor, minority and disabled children.[1]

Houston said her one-woman show was especially significant because it was occurring during the 100th anniversary of acclaimed opera singer Marian Anderson's birthday. Houston dedicated her performance to Anderson's memory and her historic attempt to perform in 1939 at Constitution Hall, where she was banned by the Daughters of the American Revolution(DAR).[2]

History

Whitney Houston performed more than 20 songs in these concerts, including such hits as "I Will Always Love You", "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" and "Greatest Love of All." She was backed by a 35-piece band and orchestra with an entire string section. DAR Constitution Hall seated more than 2500 people for the performance, which employed 14 cameras. In addition, the backdrop featured images projected on five screens, setting an elegant and understated tone. Houston's special was the first performance since the renovation of the legendary hall.[3]

Set list

  1. "I Will Always Love You"
  2. "I Know Him So Well" (duet with Cissy Houston)
  3. Dionne Warwick Medley:
  4. Aretha Franklin Medley:
  5. Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.:
  6. Tribute to United States great men:
  7. Diana Ross Medley:
  8. Tribute to George Gershwin:
  9. "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" (BeBe Winans, Monica and Shirley Caesar joined in ad-lib of song's finishing part at 2nd night concert.)
  10. "I Love the Lord"
  11. "I Go to the Rock"
  12. "The Greatest Love of All"
Encore
  1. "Amazing Grace" (saxophone solo by Kirk Whalum)
  2. "Step By Step"
  3. "I'm Every Woman"

Personnel

References

  1. ↑ "Classic Whitney Concert". Retrieved 2009-10-22.
  2. ↑ Whitney Houston Performs Exclusive HBO Concert To Benefit Children. Jet. October 20, 1997. Retrieved 2010-01-08.
  3. ↑ http://www.classicwhitney.com/newsfile/reports/classicwhitney/cw03oct1997.htm
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