Céline Dion Album: “These Are Special Times”

Description :

Personnel includes: Celine Dion (vocals); Dion Family (vocals); Peter Zizzo (guitar, programming); Bryan Adams (acoustic & electric guitars, bass); Kamil Rustam (acoustic guitar); Larry Salzman, Marc Shulman, Ira Siegel, Chieli Minucci, John Chiodini, Michael Thompson (guitar); Vancouver Orchestra (strings); Richie Cannata (saxophone); Bobby Franceschini, Bill Harris (alto saxophone); David Foster (piano, keyboards); Diana Krall, Shane Keister (piano); Loris Holland (Hammond B-3 organ); Phil Western (keyboards); Heather Hinton (organ); Tom Rainer (synthesizer); Chuck Domanico (bass); John Robinson, Shawn Pelton (drums); Bashiri Johnson (percussion); Steve Skinner (keyboard & drum programming). <p>Producers: David Foster, Ric Wake, Bryan Adams, R. Kelly. <p>Engineers includes: Felipe Elgueta, Randy Staub, Phil Western. <p>"The Prayer" was nominated for the 2000 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s). <p>Whether or not you're a fan, it's undeniable that Celine Dion is the people's siren of choice in turn-of-the-millennium America. Part of the reason for that (apart from her superhuman pipes) is the way she throws herself into a song with total emotional commitment, taking nothing lightly. That kind of earnestness serves her in good stead on this collection of Christmas tunes. Tackling both the traditional ("Ave Maria," "Adeste Fideles") and the modern (John Lennon's "Happy Xmas") Dion invests these yuletide songs with just the right mix of reverence and authority. Joined by everyone from R&B love man R. Kelly to Opera crossover superstar Andrea Bocelli, Dion proves that even a concept as overdone as the Holiday album can sound fresh and substantive when a performer of her ilk is involved.

"Don't Save It All for Christmas Day" is truly a brilliant song.I couldn't believe Celine co-wrote this song including the music which came to her while having dinner. She called Ric Wake a producer of hers and sang the tune and first verse and chorus into his answering machine. Later he added the last verse and - voila! the song was ready the next day. Every song is a treasure. It's an all time favorite C.D. Brahm's Lullaby has Celine barely whispering throughout the song and is so sensuous and pleasing to the ear. I'm your Angel holds the record according to Billboard Magazine for the fastest rise to number 1 spot, leaping from 47 to number 1 in one week. It stayed number 1 for 8 weeks. The huge "The Prayer" is magnificent and larger than life. The list goes on and on..

Celine is one of the few people who can successfully pull off a holiday album. This is a wonderful album for the holiday season, and while it leans mostly towards the Christmas holiday, it also features wonderful classics like "Ave Maria" and "Brahms' Lullaby."

This is worth the buy.

From traditional songs to new, like "Don't Save it All for Christmas Day" which was co-written by Celine, this is a diverse selection of Christmas music that will appeal to those who appreciate Celine's talent and the many colorations of her agile voice.

Starting with my favorite Christmas song, "O Holy Night", which is here given a lovely rendition, my other top choices would be:

Track # 3, "Blue Christmas", with a superb jazzy interpretation, Celine using her smooth, smoky voice, and Diana Krall adding a lot with her piano magic. I would love to hear Celine record an entire album in this quiet style; though it does not have the powerful top notes many expect from her, it is the "Celine voice" I enjoy the most.

Track # 6, the "Ave Maria" by Charles Gounod (adapted from a prelude by J.S. Bach), is heavenly. Exquisitely gentle and tender, this familiar and beautiful melody is always a pleasure to listen to, and is sung in English and Latin.

Though everyone will have tracks they will like more than others, the overall production and musicianship is top-notch, making this a very satisfying CD, and one I do not mind hearing any time of the year. The enclosed booklet has most of the lyrics, extensive recording info (many different arrangers and musicians are involved in this CD), the sound excellent, and total time is 68'28.

Close out the last Xmas of the millennium with this touching,impassioned, beautiful c.d. The two duets Celine performs with Andrea Bocelli and R. Kelly alone are worth buying this c.d. Blue Christmas exemplifies the smokey,soulful abilities of this talented, French performer. Perfect gift for anyone listening for beautiful works of art.