"Taking Chances" album - Official Topic

[LukeD]

Wait what?! I dont have « The reason i go on » on my Spotify

My bad! Just checked and I do not have it either. Got confused with my YT playlist of the album!

[Állex Sodi]

This album has not aged very well with me...

 

This comes as no surprise as I never really loved it. It was just OK. This was down to the fact that there were many songs that I found inconsistent with what the album was supposed to be doing - to be taking chances! As far as the standard edition is concerned, songs like Taking Chances, Alone, Eyes On Me, My Love, Shadow Of Love, Surprise Surprise, This Time, I Got Nothing Left, Fade Away worked very well for me. I still enjoy them.

 

However, songs like New Dawn, A Song For You, A World To Believe In, Right Next To The Right One, Skies of L.A killed the album for me. These are the typical AC songs one would expect any Celine album to have. And they are not very interesting musically either. That's Just The Woman In Me and Can't Fight The Feeling are somewhere in the middle. They are edgy so they fit the album, but they are somewhat dated.

 

My Spotify version of the album looks like this:

 

1. Taking Chances

2. Alone

3. Eyes On Me

4. My Love

5. Shadow Of Love

6. Surprise Surprise

7. This Time

8. There Comes A Time

9. Can't Fight The Feeling

10. I Got Nothing Left

11. Fade Away

12. Map To My Heart

13. The Reason I Go On

 

It offers such a better listening experience - this is what the album should have looked like IMO.

 

For me, it’s one of her best albums by far! I put it above Courage, LMBTL, OH, and even LTAL. And I find New Dawn one of her best musics, it got such a strong meaning during COVID. A Song For You is a masterpiece!

It’s the last english album where Celine still sounds like Celine and not just robot version of herself, IMO!

[LukeD]

For me, it's one of her best albums by far! I put it above Courage, LMBTL, OH, and even LTAL. And I find New Dawn one of her best musics, it got such a strong meaning during COVID. A Song For You is a masterpiece!

It's the last english album where Celine still sounds like Celine and not just robot version of herself, IMO!

I like 'A Song For You', but I do not think it fits the album musically. IMO, it could have been released in the ''My Love: The Essential Collection'' next year as a bonus track.

[CelinesDIVO5]

This album has not aged very well with me...

 

This comes as no surprise as I never really loved it. It was just OK. This was down to the fact that there were many songs that I found inconsistent with what the album was supposed to be doing - to be taking chances! As far as the standard edition is concerned, songs like Taking Chances, Alone, Eyes On Me, My Love, Shadow Of Love, Surprise Surprise, This Time, I Got Nothing Left, Fade Away worked very well for me. I still enjoy them.

 

However, songs like New Dawn, A Song For You, A World To Believe In, Right Next To The Right One, Skies of L.A killed the album for me. These are the typical AC songs one would expect any Celine album to have. And they are not very interesting musically either. That's Just The Woman In Me and Can't Fight The Feeling are somewhere in the middle. They are edgy so they fit the album, but they are somewhat dated.

 

My Spotify version of the album looks like this:

 

1. Taking Chances

2. Alone

3. Eyes On Me

4. My Love

5. Shadow Of Love

6. Surprise Surprise

7. This Time

8. There Comes A Time

9. Can't Fight The Feeling

10. I Got Nothing Left

11. Fade Away

12. Map To My Heart

13. The Reason I Go On

 

It offers such a better listening experience - this is what the album should have looked like IMO.

 

I actually think the production for “Skies of L.A.” was fresh for its time and for a ballad was a new sound for Celine. I enjoy a good listen of this track.

[stone]

I haven’t listened to this album in probably 14 yrs tbh. My favorite track, TRIGO didn’t even make the cut. I even listen to Miracle more, but for sleeping purposes lol. I really just didn’t like the album, as a whole, it felt long and laborious to listen in it’s entirety. None of the songs were standouts really.

[CelinesDIVO5]

I haven’t listened to this album in probably 14 yrs tbh. My favorite track, TRIGO didn’t even make the cut. I even listen to Miracle more, but for sleeping purposes lol. I really just didn’t like the album, as a whole, it felt long and laborious to listen in it’s entirety. None of the songs were standouts really.

 

“Shadow of Love” I believe is one of the best songs in her English discography.

[Davey84]

I still enjoy this album very much! They took chances with trying a more 'rock' approach, which I guess didn't set too well with the general public. Which is a same, cos her first albums (under Sony) were quite soft rockish! Unfortunatly they messed up hugely with the single choices. As much as I love Alone, there was no need for it to be a single. Neither was Eyes On Me, cos that song doesn't really represent the rest of the album. IMO the singles should have been:

 

1 Taking Chances

2 Surprise, Surprise

3 Shadow Of Love

4 My Love

5 Fade Away

 

I totally don't agree with Stone of it not having stand out songs. To me those deffo are Taking Chances, Shadow Of Love, This Time, Fade Away and That's Just The Woman In Me.

 

It is still a mystery why the best freaking song didn't make the standard cut of the album; Map To My Heart! That song is like The Reason on steroids! And A Song For You could have been beautiful if Céline didn't have a cold that day, and didn't sing the freaking song so much through her nose! And I think This Time could have made a big impact if she had sang it on Oprah. I also liked how Right Next To The Right One reminded Céline of singing with her brothers and sisters in the old days. But I couldn't find that interview anymore.

 

I wouldn't change too much, but my ideal tracklist would be:

1. Taking Chances

2. Alone

3. Eyes On Me

4. My Love

5. Shadow Of Love

6. Surprise Surprise

7. This Time

8. New Dawn

9. A Song For You

10. Can't Fight The Feelin'

11. Right Next To The Right One

12. The Reason I Go On

13. Fade Away

14. That's Just The Woman In Me

15. Map To My Heart

16. Skies Of L.A.

 

Leaving out A World To Believe In and I Got Nothing Left.

[ordinary fan]

For me the taking chances album is one of her best albums,

my standout tracks are without a doubt:

taking chances

alone

shadow of love

can't fight the feelin

fade away

my love

and also a song for you

 

I love the album for it's unique sound with some songs like right next to the right one, that's just the woman in me or this time with it's unique voice-intro

[celinesounds]

We forgot about this version

 

[smw]

The groundwork just wasn’t laid for Celine to take a more rock approach in 2007.

 

Starting with her comeback in 2002, she primarily spoke about motherhood. Which was then highlighted with the Miracle project.

 

Even when she promoted Taking Chances, she preferred to speak about being a mom instead of anything music related.

 

So the general public, in my opinion, would’ve embraced another A New Day Has Come sort of album more than TC. The Oprah audience who adored Celine would’ve preferred more songs like A World To Believe In. But honestly there’s been a disconnect between Celine and her “old” fan base since ANDHC.

 

2007 just wasn’t the right time for her to put out an album like TC. Even though it has some strengths. Her star would’ve shined brighter with a more classic Celine album at that time. Followed by another Christmas album and maybe a Duets album shortly thereafter.

 

I’m grateful that the song TC is well known even among casual Celine fans and it’s a great vocal delivery.

 

Edited January 11, 2023 at 09:16 PM by smw

[Chantemoi]

The groundwork just wasn’t laid for Celine to take a more rock approach in 2007.

 

Starting with her comeback in 2002, she primarily spoke about motherhood. Which was then highlighted with the Miracle project.

 

Even when she promoted Taking Chances, she preferred to speak about being a mom instead of anything music related.

 

So the general public, in my opinion, would’ve embraced another A New Day Has Come sort of album more than TC. The Oprah audience who adored Celine would’ve preferred more songs like A World To Believe In. But honestly there’s been a disconnect between Celine and her “old” fan base since ANDHC.

 

2007 just wasn’t the right time for her to put out an album like TC. Even though it has some strengths. Her star would’ve shined brighter with a more classic Celine album at that time. Followed by another Christmas album and maybe a Duets album shortly thereafter.

 

I’m grateful that the song TC is well known even among casual Celine fans and it’s a great vocal delivery.

 

Well said. I agree with everything you said. Even if she adores it, Céline will NEVER be taken seriously in the rock genre. Her performance of “You Shook Me All Night Long” is a classic example of how campy Céline is when she tries to pull it off.

[smw]

 

 

Well said. I agree with everything you said. Even if she adores it, Céline will NEVER be taken seriously in the rock genre. Her performance of “You Shook Me All Night Long” is a classic example of how campy Céline is when she tries to pull it off.

 

That’s one of the performances that I would erase from her career if I could! Unfortunately, a lot of people remember it and it’s often referenced. It gives ammunition to the people who don’t want to give Celine the credibility she deserves.

 

Edited January 11, 2023 at 11:59 PM by smw

[nomys]

Am I the only one to abslutely adore this performance ?

[stone]

“White chocolate Kisses under the stars, Riding on Horses, Boys with guitars….” CRINGE lyrics, legit can’t lol

 

Matt, we always disagree LOL!

I like Shadow of Love but I don’t think it’s like magnum opus worthy, but every song is subjective I guess, I still stan Soul! Quite the polarizing song…

 

Disagree away Dave! Personally, I don’t care to ever to listen to any of those tracks you mentioned again. I’d rather listen to Where Is The Love and Miles To Go (Before I Sleep) 72,000 times til I’m dead than the whole Taking Chances album. Great tour though, album, meh!

[Chantemoi]

“White chocolate Kisses under the stars, Riding on Horses, Boys with guitars….” CRINGE lyrics, legit can’t lol

 

I’d rather listen to Where Is The Love and Miles To Go (Before I Sleep) 72,000 times til I’m dead than the whole Taking Chances album. Great tour though, album, meh!

 

I’d save 3-4 songs from TC - tops! The rest could vanish and I’d never miss them. In general, that album has more songs I dislike -not just collectively, but individually- than any other album in her discography. I’ve especially never understood why people fawned over “Map to My Heart”, which I always considered peak cringe, both lyrically and vocally. It’s possibly the only song in her catalogue I dislike more than “Superwoman”.

 

But I do agree - the tour was fantastic. Vocally, not great, but it was still very energetic with all the dancers. I guess it’s a standout in her career - the only tour with real backup dancers! I know we were spoiled with the 2 concerts and documentary, but wouldn’t you just love to see more footage?!

[Davey84]

"White chocolate Kisses under the stars, Riding on Horses, Boys with guitars…." CRINGE lyrics, legit can't lol

 

Matt, we always disagree LOL!

I like Shadow of Love but I don't think it's like magnum opus worthy, but every song is subjective I guess, I still stan Soul! Quite the polarizing song…

 

Disagree away Dave! Personally, I don't care to ever to listen to any of those tracks you mentioned again. I'd rather listen to Where Is The Love and Miles To Go (Before I Sleep) 72,000 times til I'm dead than the whole Taking Chances album. Great tour though, album, meh!

 

Lol we can always agree to disagree That's what I like about Céline discography: there's something for everyone. Whether it's just only loving 80s material, or only her French music, or just the big whooping ballads.... It all comes down to personal taste.

 

I'd save 3-4 songs from TC - tops! The rest could vanish and I'd never miss them. In general, that album has more songs I dislike -not just collectively, but individually- than any other album in her discography. I've especially never understood why people fawned over "Map to My Heart", which I always considered peak cringe, both lyrically and vocally. It's possibly the only song in her catalogue I dislike more than "Superwoman".

 

But I do agree - the tour was fantastic. Vocally, not great, but it was still very energetic with all the dancers. I guess it's a standout in her career - the only tour with real backup dancers! I know we were spoiled with the 2 concerts and documentary, but wouldn't you just love to see more footage?!

 

She was in great shape vocally the first half of the tour. When she was in Europe she was on fire! But of course they decided to record shows by the time her voice was getting tired because of the many shows she had already given.

[mirage]

Ooh and there is soooo much footage.

What about the English songs for Montreal!

Was very disappointed when found out they just did a copy paste for those.

And there were better Je Sais Pas performances from Montreal though

 

But I do agree - the tour was fantastic. Vocally, not great, but it was still very energetic with all the dancers. I guess it’s a standout in her career - the only tour with real backup dancers! I know we were spoiled with the 2 concerts and documentary, but wouldn’t you just love to see more footage?!

[Unisono]

This album didn't (a still it doesn't) shows how classy Celine is when she sings. Many songs aren't really giving you real emotions other than good vocals and good melodies. Eyes on me is very bad (Delta Goodrem can write amazing moving songs but gave to Celine her worst). Horrible single choice. Surprise surprise is one of Céline's best songs. A mature sound, well sung and written just not to only please what radio would have played around that time (oh well... It didn't become a single... So no radio airplay at all).

My love is great too, but sound a little bit forced.

The bonus track are amazing, they would have changed the whole listening experience just like the 4 (and best) bonus track from Courage do.

I got nothing left is simply wrong.

A world to believe in is very good. The only pop power ballad. Alone is a masterpiece but sounds like a karaoke even if sung extremely well. Taking chances is good too. I like it very much. I don't like a song for you (boring but not because it's a ballad (I'm an old school Céline's fan so I love ballads) but because it's built without any emotion nor will to be enjoyable). That's just the woman in me is definitely not my cup of tea. Fade away is among the best songs of the album. Great energy! Right next to the right one is sweet and simple. It reaches your heart. New dawn is good. Obviously it sound like at Sony they had a new Linda Perry song (my love) and had to cover one of her other songs for contract reasons. Wasn't it a last addition to the final tracklist just like skies of L.A. (a very good song but too repetitive at the beginning). Aldo Nova can write good songs for Celine so Can't fight yhe feeling is really another good song from the album just like Your Light was in FIY. Shadow of love is a good improvement from euro pop to pop rock. This time is beautiful too. But it's emotionless. Ben Moody has written songs with much higher impact (Clarkson's Because of you for instance).

 

One other good thing about this album is that it has aged very well but it doesn't definitely belong to her timeless albums.

 

[Alex_Incognito]

I get the feeling after TC we felt like we were on track for greatness, but her recording career stalled. Taking Chances was her last solid English album in my mind. The promotion was great, she has never looked better, and we saw her take the title song and really make it her own. Those first performances were shakey, but by the time she was on tour she killed it.

[CourageCeline]

She looked worst at TC...best at LMBTL in the last 20 years. Courage was also good year for her, she was glowing in many interviews and ever her performances.

[Davey84]

I get the feeling after TC we felt like we were on track for greatness, but her recording career stalled. Taking Chances was her last solid English album in my mind. The promotion was great, she has never looked better, and we saw her take the title song and really make it her own. Those first performances were shakey, but by the time she was on tour she killed it.

 

Yeah I agree. The 'What's Next...?' in the TC video never really came about. Well maybe with LMBTL the song, but that was 6 years later, and that didn't have a music video

[LukeD]

She looked worst at TC...best at LMBTL in the last 20 years. Courage was also good year for her, she was glowing in many interviews and ever her performances.

Short blonde hair is when she looked the worst IMO. Only her late 80s curly short hair with thick eyebrows and awkward outfits compare to that mess. She looked fine during TC and even better during the LMBTL era. Turning 40 suited Celine - she was sexier and more confident than in her 20s.

 

I mean, come on...

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF8lJKf2gbs

Edited January 12, 2023 at 02:19 PM by LukeD

[stone]

Short hair and wearing a Boy’s Scout shirt…. 😍😂 I still enjoyed that little era because 1F4T is such a mood and album I listen to often.

[ryba]

I'd save 3-4 songs from TC - tops! The rest could vanish and I'd never miss them. In general, that album has more songs I dislike -not just collectively, but individually- than any other album in her discography. I've especially never understood why people fawned over "Map to My Heart", which I always considered peak cringe, both lyrically and vocally. It's possibly the only song in her catalogue I dislike more than "Superwoman".

 

But I do agree - the tour was fantastic. Vocally, not great, but it was still very energetic with all the dancers. I guess it's a standout in her career - the only tour with real backup dancers! I know we were spoiled with the 2 concerts and documentary, but wouldn't you just love to see more footage?!

I must say that the TC tour was the most unspectacular to me. I saw the outdoor concert and I was disappointed. It looked really cheap for a star of Celine status. I wish I would have bought tickets for the arena show. Also, Celine really rushed through the show. The songs from TC were the worst during the show (except Alone, which I adored). TC and SOL sounded really bad live, the album versions are good though. All in all, the 2016 and 2017 shows were so much better in my personal opinion. They had quality.

 

In terms of the TC album, I must say that this album sounds like Celine just tries to deliver new music and jumps on the rock train. Many songs don't relate to her at all, and there is no real connection between the artist and the songs. You can't identify songs from this album with Celine, which is why I don´t believe what she sings if that makes sense. It feels like she recorded a current sounding album just for the sake of recording an album, because a new album was due. And, as a matter of fact, this was also the case, as she once said in that Z100 radio interview.

[ryba]

Basically, the live versions of the songs from TC (with the exception of Alone and My Love) were a crime. She absolutely destroyed Fade Away with the way she sang it. I'm not even gonna start about Shadow on love... That song was a joke. TC was also bad. I totally get that she would not be able to deliver the same vocals as in the studio version, but that live version just didn´t work for me. It sounded like bad karaoke. I would have preferred it if she didn´t sing these songs at all. These were wasted spots in the set list. Edited January 12, 2023 at 06:33 PM by ryba

[smw]

I saw the TC tour three times… and I thought it was an excellent tour. I only ever saw it in an arena. The way she rose up center stage…. The candles during MHWGO… The great energy of the upbeat songs, especially RDMH… it was such a memorable show.

 

It wasn’t perfect and her voice wasn’t in top shape. But it was still a wonderful show with some epic moments. And compared to most other artists, it was superb. I’ve always set the bar too high with Celine because I grew up in the 90s and got to see her at the top of her game… nobody came close, other than Whitney in her heyday. And Celine’s always been the most disciplined singer / performer.

[ryba]

Short hair and wearing a Boy's Scout shirt…. I still enjoyed that little era because 1F4T is such a mood and album I listen to often.

I love that album! Her outfits and style for the promo however were horrendous. Dear Lord, who advised her to do that?!?

[AdrienneM]

I think the biggest issue with the tour was Megos god awful arrangement of the songs, not necessarily Celines vocal performance. Up until mid way through the European leg her voice was on fire. But Megos arrangements in anything but the songs he’d been doing for 20+ years were awful. He absolutely butchered so many songs- specifically soul and rock songs. Comparing his TSMGO, TC and The Reason arrangements with Scott’s are like night and day.

[ryba]

The arrangements were bad. TC could have had much more energy and be arranged with a better guitar sound, they could make it sound really rock. Kind of like what Lady Gaga did with Shallow during the Grammy performance.

 

Celine could be much more creative with her arrangements in general and switch them up more often, so the songs would get new life in each new show. I think she should me more edgy and move away from that orchestral sound that she has kept since the 2011 Vegas show.

Edited January 12, 2023 at 06:52 PM by ryba

[smw]

 

I miss her!