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THE ALBUM
"D´elles" (French for "About Them" or "From Them") is the title of Celine Dion´s French-language album, released between May 18 and June 1, 2007 in certain European countries, on May 22, 2007 in Canada, and February 27, 2008 in Japan. It is her 23rd French album and 34th if counting all longplays. Unlike Celine´s previous French studio albums, "D´elles" was not released in the United States, Australia, or New Zealand.
...> About The Album
"D´elles" is a concept album that celebrates womanhood. The lyrics for this album were written by ten prominent female writers from Quebec, Canada (Jovette Alice Bernier, Janette Bertrand, Denise Bombardier, Marie Laberge, Lise Payette) and France (Nina Bouraoui, Françoise Dorin, Nathalie Nechtschein, Christine Orban, George Sand). Jean-Jacques Goldman made a lyrics selection. Music was composed by David Gategno, who worked with Celine for the first time, and by Jacques Veneruso, Erick Benzi and Gildas Arzel, who worked with her before. One of the tracks was also composed by Marc Dupré and Jean-François Breau. Dupré recorded a duet with Celine in 2005, called "Tout près du bonheur". Tracks were produced by Gategno, Veneruso, Benzi, Tino Izzo, Patrick Hampartzoumian and Thierry Blanchard. The song "La diva" includes fragment of "Si, mi chiamano Mìmì" from the opera "La Bohème", performed by Maria Callas in 1956. The song is to pay tribute to Maria Callas, for her dedication to Opera. At the end of the song, Celine sang "Si, mi chiamano Mìmì" with Maria. "D´elles" was released in three formats: standard CD; double digipack (includes CD, "making of" DVD titled "Céline parle d´elle(s)", a booklet of Celine photos, and a booklet including song lyrics and Celine´s personal notes about each song); and collector´s edition (includes CD, "making of" DVD titled "Céline parle d´elle(s)", a mini-booklet of Celine photos and her personal notes about each song, a mini-booklet with song lyrics, and 4 postcards). "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)" was the first and only single from this album released on a CD. The song became a hit entering the French Singles Chart at number 1. Sony BMG released other songs as radio singles only: "Immensité" (France, Belgium, Quebec), "Le temps qui compte" (Poland), "On s´est aimé à cause" (Quebec), and "A cause" (France). The album was nominated at the Juno Awards in categories: Album of the Year and Francophone Album of the Year. On September 26, 2008 "D´elles" was released as a 2CD set with "D´eux" in France, Switzerland and Belgium. As part of the promotion, Celine taped two TV specials dedicated to the issue of her album "D´elles": one for the TF1 channel in France, and another for the TVA channel in Quebec, Canada. The taping took place in Montreal, Canada on May 11-12, 2007. During the first taping for TF1 channel, Celine sang live several songs with French singers: "Stayin´ alive" with Vitaa, Shy´m and Amel Bent, "Hymne a l´amour" with Maurane and Johnny Hallyday, "Blueberry hill" with Johnny Hallyday, "The show must go on" with Christophe Maé and David Hallyday, "My heart will go on" with Lââm and Amel Bent, "Caroline" with MC Solaar and Nolween Leroy, "Être à la hauteur" with Merwan Rim and Christophe Maé, "Caruso" with Florent Pagny and then she sang three songs from "D´elles": "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)", "A cause" and "Immensité". However these live duets, never were released. During the second taping for TVA channel, Celine sang many new songs: "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)", "Immensité", "Je cherche l´ombre", "Berceuse", "La diva", "Le temps qui compte" and "On s´est aimé à cause". They also showed the recording sessions for "Femme comme chacune", "Lettre de George Sand à Alfred de Musset", "Si J´étais quelqu´un" and few footages taken from the "Live In Las Vegas - A New Day..." DVD. The TVA special, telecast on May 21, 2007, was the most-watched television program in Quebec, with 1,508,000 viewers. The TF1 special on June 9, 2007 was also one of France´s most-watched shows, with 4,987,440 viewers. During her visit in France in November 2007, Celine performed "Immensité" in few TV shows. Later, "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)" became a part of the Francophone set list of the "Taking Chances Tour".
...> Track Listing
1. "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)"
2. "Immensité"
3. "A cause"
4. "Je cherche l´ombre"
5. "Les paradis"
6. "La diva"
7. "Femme comme chacune"
8. "Si j´étais quelqu´un"
9. "Je ne suis pas celle"
10. "Le temps qui compte"
11. "Lettre de George Sand à Alfred de Musset"
12. "On s´est aimé à cause"
13. "Berceuse"
Bonus DVD
1. "Céline parle d´elles"
...> Recording Sessions
Seven out of thirteen songs planned for the album "D´elles", were recorded on December 20-21, 2006 at the Piccolo Studios in Montreal, Canada. The second version of the song titled "A cause", called "On s´est aimé à cause" was recorded at the Studio Avatar in New York, USA in early February 2007. Other tracks were recorded in Las Vegas, USA. Footage from the recording sessions can be seen on the TV special for the TVA channel in Quebec, Canada aired on May 21, 2007. They showed the recording sessions for "Femme comme chacune", "Lettre de George Sand à Alfred de Musset" and "Si J´étais quelqu´un".
...> Album Photo Sessions
In early 2007 Celine Dion posed for a special photo session made by famous photographer, Daniela Federici at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York, USA. Celine´s hair was made by stylist Serge Normant and the make-up was made by Scott Barnes. Footage from the making of the photo session was included on the "making of" DVD titled "Céline parle d´elle(s)". Some photos were included on the album booklet.
...> Title And Cover
The title "D´elles", is a spin-off of Celine´s 1995 album "D´eux". Both can be translated as "About Them" or "From Them", with "D´elles" being specifically the feminine version. The cover features one of the photos of Celine´s face, taken by photographer Daniela Federici.
...> Chart Success
"D´elles" shot to the top of the Canadian albums chart, selling 72,200 copies (including 69,285 in Quebec) in its first week, making it the biggest debut of the year, according to data compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. It marked Celine´s tenth number 1 album in the SoundScan era, and her eighth to debut at the top position. "D´elles" spent two weeks at number 1 and it was eventually certified 2x platinum in Canada. The album debuted also at number 1 in France, selling 55,244 copies, and spent two weeks at the top position. It was certified platinum. In Belgium, "D´elles" has sold 15,000 copies in just few days after the release, and it was certified gold. It reached the top of the albums chart for three weeks in Belgium Wallonia. In Switzerland, the album peaked at number 3 and was awarded gold. It was also certified gold in Russia. On the European Top 100 Albums, "D´elles" reached number 10. It charted also in many non-Francophone countries, peaking at number 10 in Cypriot, number 17 in Estonia, number 18 in Belgium Flandres, number 26 in Poland, number 27 in Greece, number 35 in Italy, number 50 in the Netherlands, number 52 in Germany, and number 64 in Hungary. The album has shipped half a million units worldwide on the first week of sales, and to date has sold over 1 million copies.
...> Critical Reception
The album met with positive reviews. Allmusic said that "this is Dion´s most ambitious project in a long time, if not ever - really, the only rival is that musically adventurous 1 fille & 4 types, and if D´elles is a bit too careful musically, it nevertheless is unified as an album and shows some serious artistic ambition".
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THE EDITIONS
| Cover | Edition/Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
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French Exclusive Limited Edition | Released in 2007, it contains a 2 disc set, comprised of 13 tracks CD album, the 7th French language studio album from the celebrated singer, plus bonus PAL DVD detailing the making of the album, superbly presented in a sealed and stickered embossed collector´s box, with 48-page booklet, postcards and a sample of Celine´s brand perfume. |
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French Limited Edition | Released in 2007, it contains a 2 disc set, comprised of 13 tracks CD album, plus bonus Region 2 PAL DVD detailing the making of the album, presented in sealed fold-out digipak sleeve with unique French text sticker, plus 2 Collector´s booklets. |
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French Exclusive Edition | Released in 2007, it contains a 13 tracks CD album presented in sealed sleeve with uniqueFrench text sticker. |
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Japanese Edition | Released in 2008, it contains a 13 tracks CD album, in a sealed picture sleeve with Japanese and French lyric booklet. |
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Taiwanese Edition | Released in 2007, it contains a 13 tracks CD album in a sealed picture sleeve complete with unique wrap-around obi-strip. |
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Korean Edition | ----- |
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Hong Kong Edition | ----- |
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Collection Edition | Is "D´elles" CD album plus "D´eux" CD album in one box, with exclusive material. Released on 2008 in France, Switzerland and Belgium. |
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Chinese Special Edition | It was released in 2007 by Sony BMG. |
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THE PROMOS
| Cover | Edition/Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
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"Céline parle d´elle(s)" | Includes the the "making of" DVD titled "Céline parle d´elle(s)" wich features the making of the photo session for the album and an interview with Celine, presented in a solo DVD box digipak picture sleeve. |
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THE SINGLES
...> "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)"
"Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)", meaning "And if there was only one woman left (I would be that one)", is the first hit single from "D´elles". It premiered on the radio in France, Quebec, Switzerland and Belgium on February 14, 2007 and was released as a music download on the same day. The CD single was released on April 13, 2007 in Francophone countries.
"Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)" was written by Françoise Dorin and composed by David Gategno, who also produced the track. Dorin is a writer, born in France. Her best-selling novels include "Virginie et Paul, la seconde dans Rome" (1980), "Les lits à une place, les jupes culotte" (1984), and "Les corbeaux et les renardes" (1988). Other works include the plays "La facture" (1968), "Un sale egoiste", "l´intoxe" (1980), and a musical comedy, "La valise en carton", as well as many humorous texts. Gategno already worked with Tina Arena, Natasha St-Pier, Chimène Badi, Faudel, and Nolwenn Leroy. The title comes from the famous last verse of the poem «Ultima verba» in Les Châtiments by Victor Hugo «Et s´il n´en reste qu´un, je serai celui-là!». "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)" debuted at number 1 on the French Singles Chart, becoming Celine´s fifth number 1 in that country and selling 50,000 copies. It spent 33 weeks on the chart, becoming one of her longest-running singles. Celine´s last song which stayed that long on the chart was "Pour que tu m´aimes encore" with 34 weeks. In other countries, "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)" peaked at number 2 in Quebec, number 4 in Belgium Wallonia and number 34 in Switzerland. Celine performed it live during the French concerts of her 2008-09 "Taking Chances Tour", and during her historic performance in front of 250,000 spectators to celebrate Quebec´s 400th anniversary, which was included on "Céline Sur Les Plaines" DVD in 2008. A live version was included in the CD/DVD "Tournée Mondiale Taking Chances: Le Spectacle".
| Cover | Description | Track Listing |
|---|---|---|
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Promo CD released in Belgium on February 14, 2007. | 1. "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)" |
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Promo CD released in Canada on February 14, 2007. | 1. "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)" |
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Promo CD released in France on February 14, 2007. | 1. "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)" |
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CD single released in France on April 13, 2007. | 1. "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)"; 2. "Je ne vous oublie pas" [ ft. Les 500 Choristes ]; 3. "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)" [ instrumental ] |
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CD single released in 2007. | 1. "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)" |
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...> "Immensité"
"Immensité" (French for "Immensity") is the second single from the French album "D´elles". It premiered on the radio in France and Quebec on April 23, 2007 and was released as a music download on May 14, 2007. However, the physical single was not issued. The song was also released as a radio single in Belgium in August 2007.
"Immensité" was written by Nina Bouraoui, French lesbian writer and Jacques Veneruso, who also produced the track. Veneruso already worked with Celine on her previous hits, including "Sous le vent", "Tout l´or des hommes" and "Je ne vous oublie pas" among others. Bouraoui wrote also other song featured on "D´elles", called "Les paradis". Celine performed this song during the two TV specials dedicated to the issue of her album "D´elles". She also performed it live on Sainte-Justine private benefit show on August 4, 2007. Celine promoted "Immensité" seven months later, during her visit in France in November 2007 and included it on the "Taking Chances" French CD single released at that time. In April 2008, "Immensité" became a bonus track on the "Taking Chances" digital deluxe version.
| Cover | Description | Track Listing |
|---|---|---|
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Promo CD released in Belgium on April 23, 2007. | 1. "Immensité" |
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Promo CD released in Canada on April 23, 2007. | 1. "Immensité" |
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Promo CD released in France on April 23, 2007. | 1. "Immensité" |
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Promo CD released in France in 2007. | 1. "Immensité" |
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Promo CD released in France in 2007. | 1. "Immensité" |
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...> "Le temps qui compte"
"Le temps qui compte" (meaning "The time that counts") is the only single released in Poland from the album "D´elles". It was sent to the radio stations on May 14, 2007.
"Le temps qui compte" was written by Marie Laberge (words) and Jacques Veneruso (music), who also produced the track. Celine already worked with Veneruso on "Sous le vent", "Tout l´or des hommes" and "Je ne vous oublie pas" among others. The singer performed this song during the Quebecer TVA channel TV special dedicated to the issue of her album "D´elles". "Le temps qui compte" debuted at number 19 on the Polish RMF FM Chart on May 30, 2007 and reached the top on June 11, 2007. The song debuted also on the Polish Airplay Chart at number 31 on June 8, 2007 and peaked at number 23 one week later. There was no music video made for this track.
| Cover | Description | Track Listing |
|---|---|---|
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Promo CD released in Poland on May 18, 2007. | 1. "Le temps qui compte" |
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Promo CD released in 2007. | 1. "Le temps qui compte" |
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...> "On s´est aimé à cause"
"On s´est aimé à cause" (meaning "We´ve loved each other because") is the third and last single released in Quebec from "D´elles". It was sent to the radio stations on August 20, 2007. The lyrics were written by Françoise Dorin, author of "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)", and music by Marc Dupré and Jean-François Breau. Tino Izzo produced the track. Celine worked with Izzo already on "Plus haut que moi" in 1993 and "Tout près du bonheur" in 2005 (which she recorded as a duet with Dupré, who also co-wrote this song). Later, Izzo wrote also "A world to believe in" for the "Taking Chances" album. Celine performed "On s´est aimé à cause" during the Quebecer TVA channel TV special dedicated to the issue of her album "D´elles". There was no music video made for this track. "D´elles" includes also another version of this song, called "A cause". It was recorded with music by Jacques Veneruso, who also produced the track. The lyrics were modified to fit the danceable arrangement. "A cause" was released as a radio single in France in late January 2008. At the same time radio stations in France started to play "On s´est aimé à cause".
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...> "A cause"
"A cause" (meaning "Because") is the third and last single released in France from "D´elles". It was sent to the radio stations on January 21, 2008. At the same time "Alone" was released to promote Celine´s English album "Taking Chances". Both tracks were included on the "A cause" promotional single.
"A cause" was written by Françoise Dorin and Jacques Veneruso, who also produced this track. Celine performed it during the French TF1 channel TV special dedicated to the issue of her album "D´elles", in May 2007. She also performed "A cause" on the TV show "Vivement Dimanche" during her visit in France, in November 2007. The performance was supposed to be broadcast on France 2 in May 2008, during the French leg of the "Taking Chances Tour", but it was cancelled. "A cause" was remixed by Dj Rien - French producer, composer and remixer. There was no music video made for this track. "D´elles" includes also another version of "A cause", called "On s´est aimé à cause". It was recorded with music by Marc Dupré and Jean-François Breau, and produced by Tino Izzo. This version includes the original lyrics written by Françoise Dorin, which were modified to fit the danceable arrangement of "A cause". In August 2007, "On s´est aimé à cause" was released as a radio single in Quebec. Radio stations in France started to play it at the end of January 2008, together with "A cause".
| Cover | Description | Track Listing |
|---|---|---|
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Promo CD released in France on January 18, 2008. | 1. "A cause"; 2. "A cause" [ remix radio edit ]; 3. "Alone" |
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Promo CD released in France in 2008. | 1. "A cause" [ edit version ]; 2. "A cause" [ disco ]; 3. "A cause" [ tecktonik ] |
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Promo CD released in France in 2008. | 1. "A cause" [ edit radio ]; 2. "A cause" [ album version ]; 3. "Alone" [ album version ] |
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THE MUSIC VIDEOS
...> "Et s´il n´en restait qu´une (je serais celle-là)"
The music video was directed by Thierry Vargnes in New York, USA on January 31, 2007, and premiered on the Canadian television network TVA on April 1, 2007.
...> "Immensité"
The music video, directed by Thierry Vergnes, was shot at the Lake Mead, 30 mi (48 km) southeast of Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on the 5th and 6th of April 2007 and premiered on May 14, 2007. It features Celine and at the end appears her husband Rene Angelil and their son, Rene Charles.
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