D'Elles (About Them)
Celine Dion's newest French album

Release date: 5/21/2007 in Europe, 5/24/2007 USA

D’Elles (About Them) is newest French album of Celine Dion, scheduled for release in Europe on May 21, 2007 and on May 24, 2007 in North America.

This concept album was musically supervised by Celine’s long time admirer and collaborator Jean-Jacques Goldman. The lyrics for the thirteen songs featured in the album were authored by influential female authors from France and Quebec, including Françoise Dorin, Christine Orban, Nina Bouraoui, Marie Laberge, Lise Payette, Denise Bombardier, Nathalie Nechtschein, Jovette Alice Bernier, Janette Bertrand and George Sand. This is the official press release or the obvious part of this album; now let’s see what is implied, and how this album fits with Celine’s existing discography.

The title

As the French title of the album suggests “D’Elles” is “about them” in feminine. It’s about women. This album echoes with Celine’s 1995 French album titled “D’Eux”, which could also be translated as “about them”, but without references to gender. “D’Elles” is Celine’s gift (10,99 euros for album pre-order on iTunes-France) to her much appreciated French-speaking audience, and to women in particular.

Music

"Singing in French represents a return to my roots” declares Celine. The thirteen tracks of “D’Elles” sound like Celine you’ve known that is sincere, tender and high-octave at times. Passionate ballads, pop songs and even an opera aria make “D’Elles”. Here’s the track list:

Lyrics

The French song tradition dictates the general supremacy of lyrics over music. Celine’s album abides to this non-written law. If someone summed up the meaning of the thirteen tracks, it would sound like this. If an immensely loving woman (track 2) and a diva (track 6) and a woman like any other (track 7) were to choose to be someone (track 8) other than what she was (track 9), she would write a letter of George Sand to Alfred de Musset (track 11) who loved each other for a reason (track 12) because (track 3) she would stay that one (track 1) who thinks that in paradise (track 5) it’s the time that counts (track 10) while signing a lullaby (track 13) and not the search of shadow (track 4). Whew! Are you still with me? I hope you got the big picture. “D’Elles” is about the myriad of issues modern women face. The range of those issues spans from being a loving but working mom, a diva, a faithful wife and a free-thinking but caring woman.

Surprises

La diva (track 6) is a kind of thing to which Celine has developed a special taste. She sings a piece of an opera aria with (the dead) Maria Callas. This year (2007) the world is celebrating the sad 30th anniversary of death of one of the greatest opera personalities of all time. Celine is the champion of reviving the dead legends. She sang with late Sinatra, recently with a hologram Elvis, and now with late Callas. The Tigress, as the press used to call Callas at the time was an absolute opposite of Celine. She had a hot temperament of a real diva, while Celine is known to be a real nice gal. That’s why it was surprising to hear Celine sing that while on stage she identified herself with Maria the Magnificent. Is there a side of Celine we don’t know yet?

With regard to Celine signing opera, it’s really the first time I think she did it. She sang with Pavarotti and Bocelli previously but those were pop songs. This time though, she treads on the repertoire territory of real opera singers.

Overall rating - 8/10

I’d give this album 8/10. It’s great to have Celine back. In 2008 she will tour the world again to the joy of her worldwide fans who couldn't go see her in Las Vegas. This album is an appetizer for the 2008 world tour. Some songs are focused on the issues of special relevance to women. Celine is living her motherhood well and she feels like singing about it. Great vocals, excellent sound, music and meaningful texts. Bravo!

Reviewed by: celinedreams.com

D'Elles
Celine new French album

Release date: May, 2007