GIG REVIEW: Celine Dion
- Posted on May 12, 2008 10:00 AM
- 4 comments
Celine Dion
02 Arena
Monday 6th May 2008
Review by Matty Heanes
I’m actually starting to become quite attached to the 02 Arena, most places this size are stripped of character but for some reason this towering dome isn’t. As I look around I see three gay men and a couple of middle aged women with Celine Dion T Shirts on screaming ‘Dion! We love you!’ at a pitch that would pierce a dog’s eardrums. They are of course excited to see one of the most iconic female Pop singers the world has ever produced; Celine Dion has finally returned to our shores for a tour of Europe.
Our seats are good ones; as the house lights fade, Mrs Dion walks right by my seat on her way to the stage. For a lady well into her 40s she is immaculate. She gives the image the friend’s Mum you secretly fancy but know you shouldn’t. The opening number of the night is an up tempo cover of Roy Orbison’s ‘I Drove All Night’. It is delivered with great conviction and her more than capable band back her up very well.
One instantly impressive thing about Celine is her pitch perfect voice. Every note is delivered beautifully and her control is astounding. It’s no wonder she is revered the way she is. She follows the opener with the classic power ballad ‘The Power of Love’ and the song actually sends shivers down my spine. It’s surprising really; when this tune comes on radio two I usually have tears in my ears (for the wrong reasons).
The set is based on her recent multi million pound show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and as you would expect, very elaborate. The dancers appear after the first few songs and their slick routines are delivered with great precision. As soon as they finish their first round of dancing, Mrs Dion appears from beneath the stage wearing a cape. She is aiming for an Egyptian vibe, but it does look a bit like a bed sheet to be fair. Then again, not many women have the charisma to wear a basket of fruit on their head and still demand respect.
As the piano appears, Celine launches into ‘All By Myself’ and the Linda Perry penned ‘My Love’. Both songs goes down well with her now captivated audience and in true diva fashion she tells us that performing these songs ‘always make her cry’. Fashionable she is not, but for some reason I am completely charmed tonight. At various points I rise to my feet to show respect during her vocal highs. The standing ovations are certainly deserved.
After the dancers carry out an athletic routine on what looks a bit like my Nan’s wash rack, Celine goes ‘Rock’.
Freddie Mercury appears on the screens and Celine reveals her tribute to “One of the greatest singers ever”. This could have been a tragic end to a fantastic set, but thankfully it isn’t. The ‘We Will Rock You’ cover is a bit predictable and half hearted but the theatrical ‘Show Must Go On’ suits her down to the ground. She sings the song as if she owns it.
As we move towards the end of the show, the performers move into fifth gear. Her first encore is a mowtown medley. She The crowd lap it up and as her male backing vocalist delivers a couple of James Brown standards, Dion appears on a rising section of the stage and launches into Tina Tuner’s ‘River Deep, Mountain High’. This is the highlight of the set for me and the arena goes off like a bomb.
The only disappointment is the closing song of the set ‘My Heart Will Go On’. Obviously she has to perform it, after all, it is one of the most successful Pop singles of all time. The finale however, really flattens the set. Maybe it’s because the song has been so overplayed, maybe it’s because the girls at school constantly asked me to play it on piano... whatever the reason, it doesn’t do her justice.
One thing is for sure, I leave feeling satisfied and moved by her outstanding vocal performance which more than makes up for the closing number. She sets the bar for female vocalists and I hope that young girls look up to Celine rather than all the reality popstrels for inspiration.
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Comments (4)
Emma dickens
i think celine dion is the best ever and i am only 14 and i have been a fan since i was 8 and i love your music or should i say jai adore le musique. i went to see you live in the o2 and i was the only child in the whole areana
Posted on May 24, 2008 10:44 AM
Lynda Ballard
I went to see Celine at Birming NIA on 10Th May.After following her for some 17 years it was the first time I had seen her.AWSOME is the only way my husband & I can decribe her show.What a voice!!As the above review says,she was pitch perfect and such a true professional - her voice brought tears to our eyes and after seeing many highly rated "stars" we can truly say that she is by far the greatest performer we have ever seen or are likely to see.She just gets better with each passing year and albun release.A real privelige to see her live and an experience we will never forget.Celine we LOVE YOU X
Posted on May 25, 2008 1:36 PM
Lynda Ballard
My husband and I went to see Celine at Birmingham NIA on 10th May 2008.After following her for some 17 years it was the first time we had seen her.AWSOME is the only way my husband & I can decribe her show.What a voice!!As the above review says,she was pitch perfect and such a true professional - her voice brought tears to our eyes and after seeing many highly rated "stars" we can truly say that she is by far the greatest performer we have ever seen or are likely to see.She just gets better with each passing year and albun release.A real privelige to see her live and an experience we will never forget.Celine we LOVE YOU X
Posted on May 25, 2008 1:40 PM
Greg Watts
I took my eleven-year-old daughter to see Celine Dion at the 02 Arena - and what an amazing night! She is just incredible. She has the voice of an angel and that can transport you to another world.
Posted on May 28, 2008 11:46 PM
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