February 12, 2009 - Montreal, Canada (Bell Centre)

[fab]

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/images/bizphotos/569x379/200902/13/47704.jpg

 

C'est en effet une Céline tout feu tout flamme qui a surgi sur la grande scène carrée, pour ce spectacle judicieusement précédé et suivi d'un congé pour la diva (elle sera de nouveau au Centre Bell samedi et dimanche). Les musiciens aussi étaient en grande forme, et si les danseurs me semblaient toujours aussi peu utiles qu'en août, ils ont su se montrer plus souriants en fin de spectacle.

 

À l'occasion de cette neuvième représentation de Taking Chances à Montréal, six mois après les huit premières (devant un total de plus de 167 000 spectateurs), j'ai eu l'idée peut-être saugrenue de ressortir la critique écrite il y a 15 ans quasi jour pour jour, en mars 1994, alors que Céline Dion était également venue présenter à nouveau son spectacle... au défunt Théâtre du Forum! À l'époque, j'avais intitulé la critique À la fois pareille et différente et ce titre aurait pu tout à fait convenir au spectacle d'hier, où les chansons étaient sensiblement les mêmes (retrait de Je sais pas, introduction de The Prayer en duo avec Andrea Bocelli sur écran géant, pot-pourri soul à la place des chansons de Queen...) mais enchaînées de façon plus fluide.

 

Si la chanteuse avait toujours la voix aussi solide qu'en août, elle semblait nettement plus détendue et rieuse, hier. Au point que la belle Céline ne pouvait s'empêcher de cabotiner et de «faire des faces» à la fin de presque toutes ses chansons - ce qui était parfois dommage, car à trop surjouer l'émotion, Céline empêche un peu le public d'éprouver, lui, l'émotion voulue. Cela n'empêchait manifestement pas les très nombreux fans de tous âges de clamer leur amour et de multiplier les ovations.

 

Et souvent avec raison. Toujours en mars 1994, j'avais dit de Céline Dion qu'elle était «notre Maurice Richard des années 90», ce qu'elle est toujours et plus encore : c'est désormais elle la légende, la Rocket... J'avais aussi dit d'elle qu'elle était notre Barbra Streisand, ce qu'elle est toujours et plus encore, puisqu'elle occupe désormais quasi toute la place dans le coeur de millions de fans sur la planète. Et j'avais aussi dit qu'elle était un peu notre Janet Jackson, ce qui est toujours le cas, et même plus : danseuse dans l'âme, très physique sur scène, Céline Dion l'est toujours, alors que Janet, elle, a à peu près disparu.

 

Ce qui n'a absolument pas changé, c'est justement l'amour du public, cet amour inconditionnel pour «notre Céline», celle qui dédie sa chanson L'amour existe encore à un certain Éric (à qui elle dit «guéris vite pour qu'on puisse la chanter encore ensemble»), qui invite tout le monde à taper des mains ou se faire aller les bras, qui sourit à pleines dents, qui fait le clown sur scène, pas toujours au moment opportun, mais c'est ça aussi, Céline... Et tous ceux présents au Centre Bell, la petite fille qui dansait dans les gradins, tout un groupe de fans habillés de t-shirts et de casquettes rouge vif, du monde venu de Toronto pour l'occasion, des tas de jeunes femmes qui connaissaient toutes les paroles, une maman berçant son enfant en fredonnant S'il suffisait qu'on s'aime, les chanceux assis tout près des scènes secondaires qui lui ont donné la main à qui mieux mieux, oui, tous ceux-là et tous les autres étaient heureux du Power of Love (très bien interprété) qui les unit à jamais, semble-t-il à «leur» Céline.

 

Fantastique Véronic

 

Un mot encore pour souligner la performance de Véronic DiCaire en première partie en imitatrice exceptionnelle - et parfois mordante - de Diane Dufresne, Marie-Élaine Thibert, Marie-Chantal Toupin, Marie Carmen, Lynda Lemay («elle a écrit plus de 4000 chansons et ça, sur une seule mélodie»), Édith Piaf... Elle a également imité René Angélil, Julie Snyder et Claire Lamarche de façon hilarante, de même que Céline Dion chantant un Joyeux anniversaire pas piqué des vers. Mais c'est son duo Ginette Reno - Céline Dion chantant Un peu plus haut, un peu plus loin qui lui a valu l'ovation la plus nourrie. Bref, une première partie encore plus solide qu'en août, qui augure bien pour le spectacle que Véronic DiCaire donnera sous peu au Théâtre Saint-Denis et qui démontrait hors de tout doute qu'elle a non seulement des dons d'imitatrice hors pair, mais également et surtout une très belle voix.

 

Galerie Photo

http://photos.cyberpresse.ca/48-5809/

[takeachance]

Im not noticing her looking that tired from the pics

Thanks for all the reviews and pics, sounded brill

[nrcda88]

Awesome pics Thanks for sharing

[Jacqui]

Thanks for the pics and reviews!

And for whoever mentioned it, yes she is taking next year off...but South Africa? That doesn't sound right. They're building a house in Florida...

[nano]

She didn't sing "Je Sais Pas" and that was THE SONG I really wanted to hear.

 

lol..I had a sign and showed it to Celine during the IDAN...now she knows that the Finns are back!!

Edited February 13, 2009 at 01:46 PM by nano

[anewdayhascome]

She didn't sing Je Sais Pas? are you kidding?

In Quebec she did?

[kathyc25]

What I could hear from my call (thanks MM )she sounded great!! Sucks she didn`t sing JSP though...that`s my favorite and it was amazing in August Edited February 13, 2009 at 03:51 PM by kathyc25

[CelineDionFan710]

great pic they are awesome. i love the soundcheck videos as well.

[Shamrock_1982]

Thanks for the reviews, pics, and vids!

 

Darren.

[Thomas]

Some nice pics and a review:

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/e5mukl.jpg

 

http://i42.tinypic.com/30wv3lv.jpg

 

http://i43.tinypic.com/2w3pz42.jpg

 

http://i40.tinypic.com/mlno6s.jpg

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/2808goi.jpg

 

http://i41.tinypic.com/t5kojb.jpg

 

http://i40.tinypic.com/2vi33g0.jpg

 

http://i44.tinypic.com/16i6wax.jpg

 

http://i41.tinypic.com/511y8n.jpg

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/2eutttx.jpg

 

http://i40.tinypic.com/s60o5y.jpg

 

http://i42.tinypic.com/mbnzlv.jpg

 

http://i43.tinypic.com/r0uyvb.jpg

 

http://i42.tinypic.com/2yyxp1h.jpg

 

http://i41.tinypic.com/2gvq6o4.jpg

 

 

 

Céline's homecoming a love-in for Quebec fans

By T'CHA DUNLEVY, The GazetteFebruary 13, 2009 12:01 PM

 

There are homecomings and then there are homecomings. When we last saw Céline Dion, she was settling in for eight sold-out nights at the Bell Centre at the end in August, a little more than halfway through her Taking Chances world tour. Last night she returned for the first of three more Montreal dates, with the tour's end just a couple of weeks away.

 

An air of familiarity permeated the evening. She was again playing to a sellout crowd of over 22,400 people. Singer-comedian Véronic Dicaire again warmed up the room with impressions of various Quebec music personalities, culminating in an all-in-good-fun sendup of Dion herself.

 

With few exceptions, the set list and staging were virtually identical. Remember, this is a woman who did Vegas for five years - she has no problem performing the same show night after night, throwing herself into each performance as if it was her last. Last night, it almost was.

 

It felt like a love-in, an atmosphere that Dion fosters, allowing herself regular breaks throughout the night to soak it all in. She has it down pat - eyes wide with emotion, hand on heart, sigh of disbelief/gratitude, etc.

 

Loosely divided into four segments - Rock, Passion, Fashionista and Soul - the set list was designed to show Dion's various personalities, which she sprinkled throughout her career-spanning set.

 

First song I Drove All Night launched the party on a Euro-dance note. Dion skipped to all corners of the open-concept stage, waving to her fans as she went. J'irai où tu n'iras pas, next, had a boogie rock feel. Power of Love brought the imperative power-ballad.

 

"Merci beaucoup," Dion said, after this last song (she addressed the crowd en français all night). "Finally, I'm back home. I missed you. I have to say, in a few days, this great adventure that started a year ago in South Africa will end. This year, I had the opportunity, with my family and team, to live moments that were honestly wonderful. But the most wonderful thing is coming home."

 

She performed Taking Chances early in the night, delivering her lines with streamlined, quivering emotion.

 

Cue flamenco interlude, Dion's dancers and 10-piece band taking the spotlight while she changed costumes. Luc Plamondon's dramatic ballad L'amour existe encore came with a dedication to recently hospitalized rocker Éric Lapointe. Dans un autre monde was straight '90s pop-rock, while All By Myself gave her a chance to tug at people's heartstrings.

 

She sat on the piano, just like last time, to tell the audience how producer Linda Perry wrote a song for her - My Love - which she sang a cappella (prompting catcalls from the crowd). She again performed The Prayer, in video-duet with Andrea Bocelli, and wrapped up the show with a string of soul hits, including It's a Man's World and River Deep Mountain High. (She dropped the cover of Queen's We Will Rock You, performed last time.)

 

And let's not forget My Heart Will Go on, in the second encore, complete with Titanic video montage, candles and Dion in a flowing black gown, singing from atop a podium, centre stage. The audience lapped up every overwrought minute.

 

tdunlevy@thegazette.canwest.com

[Koolan]

 

http://i41.tinypic.com/511y8n.jpg

 

Is that Marne with that sign?

[CelineTheBest5]

Intro + IDAN

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxn6xOupNW4

 

The Power Of Love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA92onPc_58

 

S'il Suffisait D'aimer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biWf_snTbAs

 

Im Alive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuCuKB-0Tsk

Edited February 13, 2009 at 07:22 PM by Thomas

[CelineTheBest5]

Some pictures

[CelineTheBest5]

Musique

 

Céline Dion à Montréal

Un record de billets vendus!

Dominic Munger / 7Jours

 

2009-02-12 09:53:21

 

http://7jours.canoe.ca/musique/nouvelles/2009/02/12/dion.jpg

 

Après un passage remarqué dans la Vieille Capitale, Céline Dion se produira pour la neuvième fois devant le public montréalais ce soir.

 

En tout, elle aura donné 11 concerts dans la métropole et vendu plus de 242 000 billets, un record selon les dirigeants du Centre Bell.

 

Dimanche soir, lors du dernier concert de la star en sol québécois, le directeur de l’Académie, René Angélil, parlera aux académiciens en direct du Centre Bell. Il ne veut pas rater les adieux que fera la diva à ses fans.

 

Par la suite, la tournée Taking Chances se déplacera à San Jose, à Salt Lake City et à Denver. Céline Dion terminera sa tournée mondiale le 26 février prochain à Omaha, au Nebraska . Puis elle fera un dernier cadeau aux Québécois en se produisant le 1er mars au variété de Star Académie. Suivront des vacances d’au moins un an. C’est ce que nous a confié René Angélil.

 

http://7jours.canoe.ca/musique/nouvelles/2...8365491-7j.html

[CelineDionFan710]

the pictures are amazing and i think that might be marne not quite that sure

[CelineTheBest5]

Musique

 

En spectacle au Centre Bell

Une histoire d’amour entre Céline Dion et le Québec

Marie-France Pellerin / 7Jours

 

2009-02-12 23:30:56

 

http://7jours.canoe.ca/musique/nouvelles/2009/02/12/celine300.jpg

 

Céline Dion entamait jeudi soir le premier d’une série de trois spectacles au Centre Bell. Un concert émouvant alors que s’achève sa tournée Taking Chances, au terme de laquelle elle se retirera de la scène pour une année.

 

Vingt et une heures et quelques poussières: une immense cage octogonale sur laquelle défilaient des images de Céline s’élevait pour dévoiler la chanteuse, qui ouvrait alors le bal avec I Drove All Night devant une foule en délire.

 

La diva offrait à ses fans une certaine proximité, grâce à deux passerelles situées de chaque côté d’une imposante scène cubique plantée en plein cœur du centre Bell. Il fallait voir apparaître et disparaître ses sept musiciens et ses trois choristes, disposés sur des plateformes se rétractant sous la scène! Stupéfiant!

 

La mise en scène était dynamique, les changements de costumes de Céline étant même ponctués d’interludes très rythmés avec danse et projections vidéo, dont le superbe numéro où quatre couples de danseurs apparaissent aux quatre coins de la scène pour entamer un époustouflant et torride tango.

 

Tous les yeux se tournaient ensuite vers la diva, qui réapparaissait sur Eyes on me vêtue d’une cape blanche flottant au vent. La chanteuse, qui semblait des plus heureuse de se retrouver en terre natale, séduisait non seulement par son énergie débordante mais aussi par ses mimiques amusantes, reproduites sur écran géant!

 

Les larmes aux yeux, elle livrait avec émotion L’amour existe encore, dédiée pour le coup à Éric Lapointe: «Guéris vite, qu’on puisse la chanter encore ensemble très bientôt!»

 

Un moment particulièrement émouvant que celui où elle entamait a capella, d’une voix toujours aussi étonnamment juste et puissante, la pièce My Love, écrite pour elle par Linda Perry: «C’est une chanson qui me remplit d’émotion et, ce soir, j’aimerais la chanter pour vous!» Un frisson parcourait la foule qui, totalement surexcitée, ne pouvait cesser d’applaudir. Assise sur le piano, et visiblement très émue, Céline s’avérait incapable de poursuivre.

 

Une histoire d’amour avec le Québec

 

«Je me sens tellement bien ici!» lançait-elle au public dès le début du spectacle, confiant au passage que lors de moments difficiles, elle s’accrochait à la pensée d’un éventuel retour au Québec. Elle se devait d’ailleurs de terminer sa tournée à Montréal, mais quelques problèmes de santé ont repoussé le dernier spectacle, à Omaha, au 26 février.

 

Le concert aurait pu n’être qu’une succession de grands hits de Céline, mais, avec la grandeur d’âme qu’on lui connaît et, avouons-le, une technique et un décor à couper le souffle, la diva a livré une incroyable prestation empreinte d’émotion et de reconnaissance envers le public qui a fait naître sa légende!

 

http://7jours.canoe.ca/musique/nouvelles/2...8373831-7j.html

[Shamrock_1982]

Thanks for the pics Thomas!!!

And I dont think she looks tired at all, and I love pics 4 and 7

 

Darren.

[I Surrender]

thanks for the pics and vids

[Thomas]

Someone forgot to raise her platform during the intro...they finally did it but by then it was almost time for it to come down again. Great vids, I love seeing the whole stage for IDAN, it's such a cool performance.

[CellyDee87]

 

http://i41.tinypic.com/511y8n.jpg

 

Is that Marne with that sign?

 

Yup that's our Marne!

[autumnskies00]

we heard this on the radio on the way to Nickles, someone tried to hop Celine's fence at her house and got arrested!

[mcbg1]

we heard this on the radio on the way to Nickles, someone tried to hop Celine's fence at her house and got arrested!

 

Yeah I just saw that on the news haha. Some crazy 41 year old man.

[VintageCeline]

Woo Thanks for the pictures/reviews

 

I don't think she looks tired.. I like her nails

 

x

[hellmeister]

Woo Thanks for the pictures/reviews

 

I don't think she looks tired.. I like her nails

 

x

 

I LOVE it when she paints her nails!!! My favorite

 

Thank you so much everyone for all of the pictures, videos, and reviews!!!

It makes me so excited to read all of the posts - almost like I experienced it myself!! Thank you R, for calling

[Lou555]

Parts of Céilne's speech saying how wonderful it is to be back home!!!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRxmfkYpl3o

 

 

Thanks everyone for sharing those great pics, reviews and vids!!

Edited February 14, 2009 at 03:55 AM by Koolan

[concertjunkie]

Thanks everyone for all of the terrific pictures, reviews, videos!!! It's such a pleasure to get all of this and feel like you are a part of it from afar!!! Thanks again all! Sounds like it was another great night!!

 

Sandra

[mllea]

Hi everyone!

 

I'm a bit more coherent tonight so I'll add a few things to my very discombobulated posts last night after the concert.

 

I've lived in Quebec for 7 years but am still bad at understanding French sometimes. I posted that she said she's spending a year off in South Africa... um, no. What she actually said was that she is FINISHING her tour that STARTED a YEAR AGO in South Africa. Isn't it great how I work in French all day and at the end of the day I go to a Celine concert and clearly have no clue what she is saying.

 

Now that that's cleared up, here's a bit longer review of my experience. I had amazing seats and really got to see Celine perform close up which is a unique and once-in-a-lifetime experience. (Although then again I hope it's an experience I can have again someday!) What I could tell from being so close for the first time during this performance was that what looks so effortless - Celine on stage - is that she puts such an incredible amount of focus into her performance. I never doubted that she works and sings hard up there on stage but she makes it look so easy and like second nature. It was so interesting to me to see how focused she actually is on stage. I could really get a sense of the concentration and the solid energy she puts into simply keeping composed; in key, on time, and remembering her moves. It's just incredible to see up close how hard she focuses in order to be "effortless." This type of concentration and professionalism is not unique to her, but it truly is remarkable to witness. Gave me a totally different perspective of what every night must be like for her up on stage.

 

I don't know if she looked tired per se so much as a combination of overwhelmed by the audience, focused, and perhaps a bit under the weather still (only in the sense that I heard her sniff just a couple of times).

 

As for the show. I said it was much shorter than August. Actually, now that I think of it, not by much. The only song they dropped was the Queen Melody (and the Shadow of Love, which was sung only on the 15th of Aug. in Montreal and not the other nights I believe.)

 

Audience interaction. The Montreal audience was incredible. They came alive as soon as the lights dimmed and were just frenzied. When the intro screen flashed the scene of Quebec, there was a tremendous roar. It was really overwhelming when she came out. Once again, throughout the show I felt that they were giving her the "homecoming" welcome like they'd given her for her first show in August. She seemed to bask in the several long ovations she received and the calls during "My Love". She definitely seems genuinely appreciative of the support her fans give her. I am grateful that I happen to love an artist who shows such genuine consideration and gratitude towards her supporters!

 

Overall, there is no other performer like Celine...we all know that but I keep telling other people this. The energy she emanates into the audience is truly spectacular. Her voice and enthusiasm during performances are sublime. She puts on a beautiful, focused, professional, magical, spectacular show. And to have been there for a few of her Montreal performances is something I'll always be thankful for!

 

Have a great night to all who are going Saturday and Sunday! Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

[mllea]

P.S. I noticed a few more of the interesting gestures Celine makes on stage. I felt like she knew maybe one or two people in the audience or otherwise was perhaps thinking of someone in her mind. At at least two points in the show that I saw, she made some sort of motion and gesture with her hands. I've seen her sometimes do these types of things on the DVDs - behind the scenes type stuff. Anyone know what they mean (if she even shares that) or at least noticed those as well?

 

One gesture was a sort of fist and she kind of turned her wrist. It was very quick. Another was two thumbs up with the tip of the thumb slightly curled.

 

Of course I'm not talking about all the other gestures we know and love... like the chest thumping, which by the way she did a few times (though I think she's started to do this a bit more gently!)

 

P.P.S. I am crazy about her nail polish as well. Any guesses as to what brand/color you think it could have been?

[celinedream]

wow you guys! thanks for all the WONDERFUL pictures + videos + reviews.

 

if i can add something. this was my first french show and it was amazing. truly more Celine and more enjoyable for me than the English ones. You could tell she was happy to be back home too.

 

Veronic Diclaire made a joke about someone named Claude in the audience having their bday and she sang happy birthday doing Celine immitation. She's good! later on Celine followed along with the joke and said happy bday to that Claude too.

 

during my love the cheering made her stop the song. she laid on the piano and laughed. i hope someone got a good shot of that. it was amazing.

 

i saw marc dupre with anne marie in the audience they sat in the north side.

 

when celine was exiting i had a chance to give her my lucky quebec flag she winked back at me ....those eyes... here's the video:

 

 

oh God i'm still on a Celine high and this was 2 nights ago ok i need to go to sleep now. happy valentine's day tomorrow everyone.

[TEREFUNKEN]

wow you guys! thanks for all the WONDERFUL pictures + videos + reviews.

 

if i can add something. this was my first french show and it was amazing. truly more Celine and more enjoyable for me than the English ones. You could tell she was happy to be back home too.

 

Veronic Diclaire made a joke about someone named Claude in the audience having their bday and she sang happy birthday doing Celine immitation. She's good! later on Celine followed along with the joke and said happy bday to that Claude too.

 

during my love the cheering made her stop the song. she laid on the piano and laughed. i hope someone got a good shot of that. it was amazing.

 

i saw marc dupre with anne marie in the audience they sat in the north side.

 

when celine was exiting i had a chance to give her my lucky quebec flag she winked back at me ....those eyes... here's the video:

 

 

oh God i'm still on a Celine high and this was 2 nights ago ok i need to go to sleep now. happy valentine's day tomorrow everyone.

 

HOLA JIME!

 

Que bárbara!...que dia verdad?...grandiosas experiencias!...estoy muy feliz por ti amiga!..te mereces esto y más!

 

mira lo que pude capturar de tu video...no se site diste cuenta pero CELINE besó tu banderita de la suerte!

 

que pases un super feliz SAN VALENTIN!

 

BECHO!

 

TERE

 

HELLO JIME!

 

Wow... WHAT A DAY, ISNT IT?...what a great experience!...Im so very happy for you!

 

Look what I have captured from your video...SHE KISSES YOUR FLAG!

 

Have a super nice VALENTINE´S DAY!

 

BEAR HUGS!

 

TERE

Edited February 14, 2009 at 05:07 AM by TEREFUNKEN