Celine Dion - These Are Special Times

It's almost impossible to believe it didn't already exist, but now that it does, you can bet the sure-to-go-platinum These Are Special Times will turn up under many a Christmas tree this year (the perfect gift for the person who has everything?). The prolific princess of pop has thrown together a mixture of contemporary and traditional holiday favorites, bordering on too-cute and kitschy only on the intro to "Feliz Navidad." For many, Dion is an acquired taste, but even naysayers 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 this season's "Time to Say Goodbye," but it will have to battle it out with the R. Kelly duet, "I'm Your Angel," first. --Rebecca Wallwork Amazon.com

Special Music

Celine Dion is an outstanding artist! This is a must for any Celine Dion fan!!! December 30, 2007

Gives me chills

This CD is incredible. My favorite song is 'Oh Holy Night'. Holy cow can she sing and this song is proof to any doubters. I play it over and over during the holidays. For people who love Christmas music, I would recommend you add this to your collection. August 1, 2007

A Must Have Christmas Album

When I got this CD from my friend as a birthday present, I was feeling a bit sceptical. But after hearing the opening track which is O Holy Night, oh my god, this version is the best version of the song ever and l fell in love with this album.
I will break down the review for each track.
1. O Holy Night - The best redention of the song ever. She sings it powerfully and full of emotion. You will be blown away. No one can outdone Celine's O Holy Night.
2.Don't Save It All for Christmas Day - This song was written by Celine. This song reminds us to give or show love to everyone everyday. Clay Aiken even covered this song on his Christmas Album.
3. Blue Christmas - This song shows a jazzy side of Celine. Smoky, mellow Christmas song, you will love it. Diana Krall on piano; you can't go wrong :)
4. Another Year Has Gone By - Laid back, a relaxing song. Bryan Adams wrote this song.
5. The Magic of Christmas Day - uptempo catchy Christmas song done by Celine. I like the 'Christmas Eve' - track 11 better though.
6. Ave Maria - It is heavenly sung and powerful. I don't particularly care about this song too much.
7. Adeste Fideles (O Come All Ye Faithful) - Beautiful and churcy with chruch organ and choir.
8. The Christmas Song - A nice soothing christmas song to warm up your Christmas spirit.
9. The Prayer - This song has a nice lyric and full of meaning, making us believe in angels
10. Brahm' Lullaby - A lullaby song good for sleeping. :)
11. Christmas Eve - This is one of the best new songs in the album. This song reminds me of MAriah Carey's All I Want For Christmas For You. It's upbeat and catchy, making you want to go out and have fun on Christmas eve.
12. These Are The Special Times - a well done song written by Diane Warren. Christina Aguilera did a cover of this song for her Christmas album. But Celine's version is much better than her.
13. Happy Xmas (War is Over) - I love this song since it has a peace message for everyone and she did a fantastic cover of John & Yoko'. I also like the cover sung by Sarah McLachlan.
14. I'm Your Angel - It used to be my favorite song. This song was no.1 on the billboard chart for a couple weeks.
15.Feliz Navidad - Celine with Family wishing us Xmas.
16. Les Cloches Du Hameau - it's so so, this track is my least favorite.

In conclusion, if you like a well professionally arranged Christmas album (David Foster produced some of the songs) you should definetely be getting this album. Also this album makes a perfect gift for Christmas gift to everyone celebrating Christmas.
Pairs this album with Mariah Carey's Merry Christmas and Sarah McLachlan's WinterSong, you are going to have a Christmas Blast.
December 6, 2006

Nice, but not a classic...

Album in a nutshell: Celine Dion presents an unusual Christmas collection that is not up to her usual standards. All the original songs are great, the covers of Christmas songs are pretty good, but some of the songs don't belong. I know Celine wants to include a French Christmas song on here, but "Les Cloches Du Hameau" is kind of annoying, as is her rendition of "Feliz Navidad." "O Come All Ye Faithful" is too high church sounding and she tries too much to sound like a female Elvis on "Blue Christmas." And someone please tell me what the hell "Brahms Lullaby" is doing on this album! But she redeems herself with exceptional originals, a nice cover of "The Christmas Song," and a beautiful rendition of "O Holy Night." A pretty nice offering, but I expected better from Celine.

Best Song: "Another Year Has Gone By"

Christmas traditionals / Total tracks: 7/16

Sample This: The fun "Christmas Eve" and the seasonally uplifting "The Magic of Christmas Day"

What to Avoid: sad family renditions of "Feliz Navidad" and "Les Cloches Du Hameau" (she could have included her family on better songs) and
the sappy, out-of-place "Brahms' Lullaby"

The album in 2 words: mixed bag

Stocking Stuffer or under-the-tree: stocking stuffer
November 9, 2006

One of Celine's best albums to be enjoyed any time of year...

Celine Dion's Christmas album "These Are Special Times" has a little bit of everything from traditional holiday favorites like "Oh Holy Night", "Ave Maria", and "O Come All Ye Faithful", to Christmas "pop" classics including Elvis Presley's "Blue Christmas", John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Xmas", Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song", and Jose Feliciano's "Feliz Navidad". Also included in this collection is her huge hit with R. Kelly "I'm Your Angel."

The songs on this album are very good and well performed, and this CD contains well over an hour's worth of Christmas music. You are indeed getting your money's worth here! Celine and her family (who also sing on the album's last two tracks) really throw their heart and soul into this album.

Any fan of Celine's music will absolutely love this Christmas CD to be enjoyed year round! July 20, 2006

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