These Are Special Times

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
The prolific princess of pop has thrown together a mixture of contemporary and traditional holiday favourites, bordering on too-cute and kitschy only on the intro to "Feliz Navidad". For many, Dion is an acquired taste, but even nay-sayers may enjoy her rare moments of restraint on a smoky version of "Blue Christmas". "The Prayer," a duet with Andrea Bocelli, is set to become the "Time to Say Goodbye" of the future, but it will have to battle it out with the R. Kelly duet, "I'm Your Angel", first. --Rebecca Wallwork

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2007-11-07 rating:
the last five songs are really good
I only liked the last five songs on this cd and these were really good with celine singing quickly,tunefully and backed by lively upbeat music.
On the rest of the songs she tends to sing more slowly with a quieter and less committed voice without too much variation in its range and I found this uninspiring and at times even boring.I wasn't that surprised because I like all of celine's french language cds but only one of her english language cds (One Heart).It seems to me that unless celine is doing power ballads in english everything else she produces in english is half-hearted, or maybe she's simply trying too hard.

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review by: Jaggy Thistle date: 2006-07-30 rating:
Best Christmas Album by a solo artist
Even if you're not a Celine Dion fan, this is probably the best non compilation Xmas album available. Most Xmas albums over the years, even by respected artists, were sub-standard cash ins containing only a couple of worthwhile tracks. Not in this case. It's incredibly varied with a selection of modern, classical & standard songs, performed in a variety of styles and tempos with a couple of duets included. With histrionics kept in check, the crystaline vocals can be appreciated. The final track 'Les Cloches du Hameau' is a sing song round the Xmas tree by the Dion family. What might have been a twee ending to the album actually steals the show with its glistening Abbaesque harmonies.

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review by: mestesso2004 date: 2004-12-11 rating:
O HOLY CELINE
All I can say is....WHAT AN ALBUM, WHAT A VOICE!!!! The selection of songs on this album are absolutely perfect, and even more perfect for celine's voice. Her soft version of "O holy night" is fantastic, mellow and calm at first and then a powerful, strong ending with celine belting out "oh night divine". Also, "Ave maria" is normally sung by opera singers, but celine can NAIL THIS SONG! She is even better than an opera singer. There is also the jolly "god bless us everyone" with its christmassy feel. Buy this album, it is celine at her best at christmas, two of the best things in life, christmas, and celine!

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review by: artist & illustrator date: 2003-09-29 rating:
a sparkling Christmas collection
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.
# 9, "The Prayer", by Carol Bayer Sager and David Foster has meaningful and moving lyrics, and makes an ideal duet for Andrea Bocelli and Celine, and the pianissimo ending is perfection.
# 13, the John Lennon/Yoko Ono "Happy Xmas (War is Over)" is poignant and marvelous, and the final track, sung by the Dion family, is a joyous Brahms waltz, "Les Cloches du Hameau".

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.


review by: date: 2000-03-15 rating:
Not just for Christmas but all "special times"
This is a CD to listen to all year 'round and to enjoy even if it's the middle of the year. Every song on this CD is special and beautifully sung only the way Celine Dion can. If you are looking for just one CD to buy and play all year round, especially during the festive season, this is the one! ENJOY!

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