MTV has so far failed in attempts...

MTV has so far failed in attempts to get Whitney Houston to do an “Unplugged” session. One barrier is rumored to be that Houston hasn’t forgotten that before “The Bodyguard,” MTV wasn’t too keen on playing her videos. . . .

“Gangsta,” the Bell Biv DeVoe single that came out early this year, is not on the trio’s “Hootie Mack” album that’s due June 22. In fact, it was dissatisfaction with the song--not to mention its lukewarm chart showing--that led the group to return to the studio, delaying the album’s release for months. BBD may do some live amusement park shows in late summer and a big fall tour is likely. . . .

Soundgarden is the latest to sign up for the “No Alternative” album, the upcoming alternative-rock entry in the “Red Hot” series benefiting AIDS awareness. Others set to contribute new tracks include the Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth, Soul Asylum, Matthew Sweet, the Verlaines and Urge Overkill. It’s due to be released in September. . . .

On the eve of starting the “Lollapalooza” tour, Fishbone’s founding guitarist Kendall Jones abruptly left the band due to the stress of constant recording and touring. Fishbone will go on with John Bigham handling all the guitar chores, with hopes that Jones will return in the future. . . .

Belinda Carlisle has apparently abandoned the glamour-girl look and sound she adopted after the breakup of the Go-Go’s. For her upcoming album “Real”--her first for Virgin, due in September--the singer enlisted the musical help of former Germs guitarist Pat Smear, Redd Kross’ Jeff and Steve McDonald and her longtime collaborator, ex-Go-Go Charlotte Caffey. And she also went without makeup for the album cover photos. . . .

“Acid Eaters,” an upcoming EP from the Ramones, features the punk pioneers’ versions of golden oldies, including the Doors’ “Take It as It Comes,” the Who’s “Substitute” (with Pete Townshend on background vocals), the Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ Safari” and “Nothing Can Change the Shape of Things to Come” from the classic B-movie “Wild in the Streets.” . . .

We goofed: It’s Judy Collins who is recording a new album of Bob Dylan songs, not Joni Mitchell.