Whitney Houston

It was the singer's first step back into the spotlight since seeking treatment for substance abuse and leaving longtime husband Bobby Brown.

"I feel great," said a blond Houston, wearing diamonds and black Armani. Sounding more calm and focused than she has in years, Houston clearly was touched by the outpouring of love.

"She's looking at the light, instead of darkness," said Houston's pal and the evening's honoree, Quincy Jones, who has known the singer since she was 16.

Link and link. Via Drudge.

I'll be interested to hear what Houston's music sounds like after her long day's journey into night, and back. I have no history as a Whitney Houston fan, but I'm a big admirer of the black divas of yore, like Dinah Washington and Billie Holiday, even going back to Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. I think Houston's part of a rich American tradition, even if her work so far feels too polished and over-produced for my taste. Perhaps she will take this opportunity to step outside the pop context of her Top 40 hits and tap into some deeper currents.