Céline under attack for using playback

[Lymon]

So should she not have done The Colour of My Love special? Au coeur du stade? Any of her TV specials?

 

It's not the end of the world, and it certainly doesn't tarnish Celine's good name. You can't tell me you didn't enjoy Celine's concerts.

 

Just because she's done it in the past, does not excuse the fact that it's unacceptable and should be stopped now. So because she did it in the past, we can say "Ok, Celine, keep on playbacking half of your world tour setlist to your fans who pay hundreds of dollars to see you!"? If it was one or two songs, it wouldn't be a big deal(she lipped Treat Her Like A Lady and I think another song on the LTAL tour), but this is half of her setlist we're talking about. And it's disgusting how she can lip a big note, then everyone stands up and gives her a freaking 5 minute ovation for faking a song. That's cheap, and not acceptable. I'm not asking her to stop forever, as I said, one or two songs wouldn't be a big deal. It's obvious you can't sing everything live all the time, but this is just unacceptable.

[Alex_Incognito]

Well somehow Celine remains the best selling female artist after lipping in the past. Can't change that now, they didn't then. I certainly don't agree with it. Unacceptable or not, she sells out.

[Love,]

And it's disgusting how she can lip a big note, then everyone stands up and gives her a freaking 5 minute ovation for faking a song. That's cheap, and not acceptable...

What makes me laugh is that after she finishes lipping "The Power of Love" or "To Love You More" she puts the microphone close to her mouth and she begins to breathe hard, as though she had just given her whole body to a song! :sofunny:

Edited August 4, 2008 at 12:30 AM by Love,

[CellyDee87]

It's been alleged before though this is from 1999 and if anything I can see Rene and co releasing a statement like the one below about "enhancing" the live performance.

 

 

Wednesday, October 13, 1999 Published at 12:09 GMT 13:09 UK

 

 

Entertainment

Dion fights mime claims

 

Grammy-winning Dion is fighting damages claims

 

Singer Celine Dion has said she intends to fight allegations of lip-synching made against her by a former drummer as part of a C$5m dollar damages claim.

 

Canadian Dion is being sued by Peter Barbeau for wrongful dismissal and infringement of copyright.

 

In a court document filed on Tuesday, Dion - who is best known for the theme tune to the blockbuster movie Titanic - said she intended to contest the lawsuit and the claims of lip-synching.

 

"The way it was said makes it sound like I'm not singing live at my shows, which is not true," she said.

 

"In the past, we've used instrumentation and voice samples on the up-tempo numbers. This just gives the dance tracks a bit more punch to enhance the live performance, but I think that's normal."

 

Barbeau made the allegations when filing for damages in September. The drummer claims that he was dismissed from his job in 1995 "without reason, cause, explanation or settlement" and has been unable to find comparable employment.

 

Barbeau claims Dion mimed live performances

Barbeau also claims he is the original composer of the song Dreaming Of You and retains 40% of the interest and rights to it through his company Bow River Music Inc. The song was featured on Dion's multimillion-selling 1996 album Falling Into You.

 

In a statement to the court, Barbeau said: "Many of the lead vocal portions of the songs performed by Celine Dion during her live performances are not sung by her but rather lip-synched to a pre-recorded digital hard-disc recording of Celine Dion's voice."

 

The drummer claims that because Dion did not sing during her live concerts, extra pressure was placed on him.

 

"The practice of the principal vocal performer not singing during live performances is highly unusual in the music industry," said Barbeau.

 

His lawyer, Howard Wolch, said "We're asking for what is due to him fairly and reasonably.

 

"We've been in discussion (with Dion's lawyers) to make a settlement."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/473453.stm

[Céline's Blues]

Y'all acting as if this piece of news has been out and discussed on national TV! It's not, it's just some minor web portal that nobody cares about. And most certainly not Céline or her husband.

 

But truth to be told it would take a Francophone medium to wake her up. She won't listen if it is in English as she evidently has big problems with this language which causes her to be schmaltzy and overemotive in almost every second word that's coming out of her mouth. So somebody tell her that better in French.

[celine_026]

Funny about the drummer,

who said that ...

 

"Many of the lead vocal portions of the songs performed by Celine Dion during her live performances are not sung by her but rather lip-synched to a pre-recorded digital hard-disc recording of Celine Dion's voice."

 

and he got shutted off, as part of a seatlement with her lawyers. Wonder how much was paid...

Edited August 4, 2008 at 12:46 AM by marcospriateli

[mgreyck]

It's been alleged before though this is from 1999 and if anything I can see Rene and co releasing a statement like the one below about "enhancing" the live performance.

 

 

Wednesday, October 13, 1999 Published at 12:09 GMT 13:09 UK

 

 

Entertainment

Dion fights mime claims

 

Grammy-winning Dion is fighting damages claims

 

Singer Celine Dion has said she intends to fight allegations of lip-synching made against her by a former drummer as part of a C$5m dollar damages claim.

 

Canadian Dion is being sued by Peter Barbeau for wrongful dismissal and infringement of copyright.

 

In a court document filed on Tuesday, Dion - who is best known for the theme tune to the blockbuster movie Titanic - said she intended to contest the lawsuit and the claims of lip-synching.

 

"The way it was said makes it sound like I'm not singing live at my shows, which is not true," she said.

 

"In the past, we've used instrumentation and voice samples on the up-tempo numbers. This just gives the dance tracks a bit more punch to enhance the live performance, but I think that's normal."

 

Barbeau made the allegations when filing for damages in September. The drummer claims that he was dismissed from his job in 1995 "without reason, cause, explanation or settlement" and has been unable to find comparable employment.

 

Barbeau claims Dion mimed live performances

Barbeau also claims he is the original composer of the song Dreaming Of You and retains 40% of the interest and rights to it through his company Bow River Music Inc. The song was featured on Dion's multimillion-selling 1996 album Falling Into You.

 

In a statement to the court, Barbeau said: "Many of the lead vocal portions of the songs performed by Celine Dion during her live performances are not sung by her but rather lip-synched to a pre-recorded digital hard-disc recording of Celine Dion's voice."

 

The drummer claims that because Dion did not sing during her live concerts, extra pressure was placed on him.

 

"The practice of the principal vocal performer not singing during live performances is highly unusual in the music industry," said Barbeau.

 

His lawyer, Howard Wolch, said "We're asking for what is due to him fairly and reasonably.

 

"We've been in discussion (with Dion's lawyers) to make a settlement."

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/473453.stm

 

 

OMG! The scandal of "playback" is not of today ... Each day I am more disappointed

[stevethefan]

Well this is really old news. I do remember that story that someone just posted from 1999 when her former drummer tried to sue her on various allegations, one being that she lipped synched some songs, even back then. I'm not sure whatever became of that case. That guy also seemed to be saying that he wrote some song of hers. My guess is that it was settled out of court to keep it more out of the media, but I'm not sure.

 

Look, the truth is, whether people like it or not she does lip synch some songs. How many or how much I'm not sure of but she definitely does it.

 

At one time I did not like that fact but I've become more accepting of it. Celine can obviously sing without the need for some assistance but the fact is that when you are on a giant world tour, with fans paying a lot of money for your show and expecting 110% from the performance there is a lot on the line. A performer does not want to disappoint their fans and traveling, going to new venues every few nights along with various

changes in the environment that affects her voice make it necessary (I think) to have this kind of back up.

 

If she was just singing for a few months it may be easier not to use it but going on a long tour for a year makes it kind of like an insurance policy. It saves her voice so that she can use it.

 

It should not really be a scandal. She does sing a lot of the songs anyways. I'm surprised that either Bellamy or Koolan has not locked this repeat topic!

[celine_026]

why lock? there's no reason to lock this topic.

[stevethefan]

why lock? there's no reason to lock this topic.

 

Well it's a topic that's been brought up MANY times in the past and that's why I'm surprised that they have not locked it yet. It's always an interesting topic.

[KimboCosmo]

At one time I did not like that fact but I've become more accepting of it. Celine can obviously sing without the need for some assistance but the fact is that when you are on a giant world tour, with fans paying a lot of money for your show and expecting 110% from the performance there is a lot on the line. A performer does not want to disappoint their fans and traveling, going to new venues every few nights along with various

changes in the environment that affects her voice make it necessary (I think) to have this kind of back up.

 

If she was just singing for a few months it may be easier not to use it but going on a long tour for a year makes it kind of like an insurance policy. It saves her voice so that she can use it.

 

[celinerific]

It annoys me how much people fixate on these things.

 

I also think that Celine's old hits that are on the setlist are REALLY holding her back from giving her all. Those songs have been performed in almost every single one of her concerts since release - "My Heart Will Go On" has probably drained from all meaning and the instruments playing in it are probably beginning to fall apart... or if not, have already fallen apart... And "The Power of Love".... The instruments have probably already rotted and decayed. I mean, for the love of God, just cut some of those hits out! Sure, we still love them, but we need something fresh! Stick in some of the new ones! Replace "Pour Que Tu M'aimes Encore" with "Immensité" or something and "My Heart Will Go On" with "The Reason I Go On".

 

Celine is no longer as in love with those songs as she once was and she probably wishes not to sing them anymore - at least in her tour. I honestly believe she wants to whip out more of the new stuff and give the old stuff a rest. Her voice is still inhumanly AMAZING and she can still do those powerful songs and she still lives up to her status of being one of the most powerful voices of our time, but she needs to do a little system upgrade. In with the new and out with the old.

 

And I also agree with Steve. Well said.

Edited August 4, 2008 at 02:49 AM by celinerific

[KimboCosmo]

Well said too E!

[Lymon]

Well said, E. I agree that her old hits are getting very old and worn out. In a topic Davey posted a while back, Celine talked about how she sucked the life out of Where Does My Heart Beat Now, so she just decided not to sing it anymore. Why isn't she doing that with her current hits? She surely still can't believe in the songs after this long. It's just fustrating that this is supposed to be the "Taking Chances" tour, and she hasn't taken many chances. So replacing some of her old hits with her new, amazing material would have a huge impact on the shows. I'm dying to hear Map To My Heart or Contre nature live. Of course her shows will always be amazing, but they could be even better with those tiny changes, and Celine taking a few chances.

[stevethefan]

I agree with you E!

 

I can see when she was starting her Las Vegas run in 2003 having some of those older songs, but that was five years ago. I'm sure she is getting tired of some of her older catalog songs. I guess that some of the thinking on the world tour is that since she has not been on tour for so long that the fans that never got to go to LV would want to hear some of the hits, which does make sense. But if she ever hopefully does another tour someday I really hope she will take out some of those songs by then.

 

The only song that she can probably never totally take out is MHWGO since it's her signature song. Most people expect to hear that if they see her in concert. Although we've heard it a million times, and some of us (me included) are sick of it, it IS a great song. I'm just tired of hearing it for the last ten years!

[Bellamy]

I'm surprised that either Bellamy or Koolan has not locked this repeat topic!

Cause as Davey said in the first post, this is a topic about the media speaking of the playback issue. We usually do close topics about whether or not she does it, since it's been discussed countless times.

[celine_026]

At one time I did not like that fact but I've become more accepting of it. Celine can obviously sing without the need for some assistance but the fact is that when you are on a giant world tour, with fans paying a lot of money for your show and expecting 110% from the performance there is a lot on the line. A performer does not want to disappoint their fans and traveling, going to new venues every few nights along with various

changes in the environment that affects her voice make it necessary (I think) to have this kind of back up.

 

If she was just singing for a few months it may be easier not to use it but going on a long tour for a year makes it kind of like an insurance policy. It saves her voice so that she can use it.

 

 

WHAT?

 

go and buy Genesis new dvd.

 

Phil Collings is 65? Don't know

but the dvd is live and is one show only and...

he gives his heart out! There is a song that is 13 minutes long..

and some others which are 6 minutes long...

and don't come saying "ahhh, he does not belts"

He has one hell of a voice LIKE Celine -- but she is younger than him

 

Then... how come.. on the day of the dvd recording

she cannot sing these songs live? Can somebody explain that to me?

Cos i really don't understand... Is she saving her voice to... the eternity?

She can't sing more than 45 minutes long and give high notes anymore...?

cos as I see the list... she does deliver only on It's a man's world

and it's really few hard notes and really fast notes...

 

Will the dvd for the tour be... half live, half mimmed?

Of course ye...

Edited August 4, 2008 at 04:02 AM by marcospriateli

[Jay718]

I agree with you E!

 

I can see when she was starting her Las Vegas run in 2003 having some of those older songs, but that was five years ago. I'm sure she is getting tired of some of her older catalog songs. I guess that some of the thinking on the world tour is that since she has not been on tour for so long that the fans that never got to go to LV would want to hear some of the hits, which does make sense. But if she ever hopefully does another tour someday I really hope she will take out some of those songs by then.

 

The only song that she can probably never totally take out is MHWGO since it's her signature song. Most people expect to hear that if they see her in concert. Although we've heard it a million times, and some of us (me included) are sick of it, it IS a great song. I'm just tired of hearing it for the last ten years!

 

I've noticed that Celine does more lip synching in Europe- Is it more accepted over there? It seems like most of her appearances there are lipped compared to here in the US. Just my observation-

Edited August 4, 2008 at 05:47 AM by Jay718

[celine_rox]

Well somehow Celine remains the best selling female artist after lipping in the past. Can't change that now, they didn't then. I certainly don't agree with it. Unacceptable or not, she sells out.

 

but her voice was still perfect then

though sometimes i find it still somewhat perfect today

but shes not trying as hard

 

remember...

"my vocal chords used to lead the way.... now IM IN CHARGE"

[CellyDee87]

I'm thinking she might wanna go back to her Vocal Chrods leading the way, it seemed to work for her

 

Doesn't bother me either way so long as the media doesn't slam and make a mockery out of her

[celinerific]

You know... We all want Celine to do well on this tour - so we simply have to encourage her every step of the way and not dwell on what will happen if the UK press gets a hold on the juice.

 

Although, I do believe that changes need to take place in the tour, I also want Celine to be well and do well, and I'm going to believe in her because I know she'll end up doing something fabulous.

Edited August 4, 2008 at 07:38 AM by celinerific

[Davey84]

I'm surprised that either Bellamy or Koolan has not locked this repeat topic!

Cause as Davey said in the first post, this is a topic about the media speaking of the playback issue. We usually do close topics about whether or not she does it, since it's been discussed countless times.

 

 

but if this turns into another yes/no/yes/no/yes/no discussion... lock it

 

btw RDMH is live, cos she screwed up the lyrics a few times

[Celinefanatic07]

I'm thinking she might wanna go back to her Vocal Chrods leading the way, it seemed to work for her

 

Doesn't bother me either way so long as the media doesn't slam and make a mockery out of her

 

 

 

A-MEN! FINALLY!

 

Way to go Denelle

[Love,]

At one time I did not like that fact but I've become more accepting of it. Celine can obviously sing without the need for some assistance but the fact is that when you are on a giant world tour, with fans paying a lot of money for your show and expecting 110% from the performance there is a lot on the line. A performer does not want to disappoint their fans and traveling, going to new venues every few nights along with various

changes in the environment that affects her voice make it necessary (I think) to have this kind of back up.

 

If she was just singing for a few months it may be easier not to use it but going on a long tour for a year makes it kind of like an insurance policy. It saves her voice so that she can use it.

 

 

WHAT?

 

go and buy Genesis new dvd.

 

Phil Collings is 65? Don't know

but the dvd is live and is one show only and...

he gives his heart out! There is a song that is 13 minutes long..

and some others which are 6 minutes long...

and don't come saying "ahhh, he does not belts"

He has one hell of a voice LIKE Celine -- but she is younger than him

 

Then... how come.. on the day of the dvd recording

she cannot sing these songs live? Can somebody explain that to me?

Cos i really don't understand... Is she saving her voice to... the eternity?

She can't sing more than 45 minutes long and give high notes anymore...?

cos as I see the list... she does deliver only on It's a man's world

and it's really few hard notes and really fast notes...

 

Will the dvd for the tour be... half live, half mimmed?

Of course ye...

 

OH

MY

GOSH,

 

Can I like... give you a big hug?

 

:D

 

I agree with you, TOTALLY! :laugh:

 

Edited August 4, 2008 at 08:41 AM by Love,

[Bellamy]

btw RDMH is live, cos she screwed up the lyrics a few times

Don't you know she lipsyncs everything including the speeches? To some people, all she did is lipsync, nothing else. Safe to say they're not much better than those who deny she uses any playback.

[Davey84]

btw RDMH is live, cos she screwed up the lyrics a few times

Don't you know she lipsyncs everything including the speeches? To some people, all she did is lipsync, nothing else. Safe to say they're not much better than those who deny she uses any playback.

 

 

OMG that would be sooo funny, if they started her "i wanna dedicate" speech when she needs to lipsync introduce PQTME

[sebyitaly]

Don't you know she lipsyncs everything including the speeches? To some people, all she did is lipsync, nothing else. Safe to say they're not much better than those who deny she uses any playback.

 

:sofunny: :sofunny: :sofunny: OMG can you imagine?!!?!?!?! Having the click inside her ears for saying on up-tempo her llipped speeches :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

[MartinMunich]

I hope Celine and her management get what they finally deserve - bad press about this horrible tour.

 

I still can´t believe how bad this concert was, and I am not talking about the poor stage or the poor light show or the extremly poor sound - the concert was bad because she is lipping ALL difficult parts and songs, she is lipping her signature songs, she is lipping the beginning and the ending of what is supposed to be a LIVE concert - can it get worse?

 

This is all such a travesty - she strikes poses after her playback songs and makes faces like she can hardly believe herself how great she just was - but all she did was moving her lips.

 

I hope this blows up right in her face BIG TIME.

 

Maybe this causes some sort of healing process.

[Teodora]

Probably someone read our forum and the stupid comments made by so many people here, insisting that she's doing playback, when she obviously doesn't!

[MartinMunich]

Probably someone read our forum and the stupid comments made by so many people here, insisting that she's doing playback, when she obviously doesn't!