Sometimes it can be difficult having an open ear for all genres of music. Especially when it comes to explaining to my hardcore rock, metal or indie friends that I do indeed like Celine Dion. It’s even more difficult for me to keep my feelings to myself about how great an entertainer and singer she is. Luckily there are some people in my life who do appreciate her as well, and considering she’s sold over 180 million albums, I suppose there are some others out there who understand her talent as much as I do if not more.

I was really hoping that one day I would be able see her show in Vegas during her five year stint at Caesars Palace. She’s at her best when performing live and is such a character. Unfortunately I won’t be able to see her in Las Vegas since her last show will be this December, and then she’s off on a world tour which starts February 14th, 2008 in South Africa, to the delight of her fans around the world I’m sure.

‘Taking Chances’ is Celine Dion’s latest album, set for release November 12th, 2007 in the UK. I’ve got my hands on it and have been enjoying it. Let’s just get this out of the way: ‘Taking Chances’ is full of pop with elements of modern country, soul and power ballads and if that’s what you’re after, then this full 16 track Deluxe Edition CD + exclusive sneak peak DVD (with Vegas footage!) is for you.

Recently I reviewed opening track “Taking Chances”, written by Kara DioGuardi and Dave Stewart and I still feel that it could be the best pop ballad I’ve heard all year.

When “Alone” came on it took me by surprise and I was singing so loud along with the track I had to play it again to hear Celine’s singing – which of course her “punchier” version of Heart’s pop ballad hit from ‘87, produced by Ben Moody, sounds great. I especially like the intro – it’s gorgeous the way the bass comes in and then the cello and Celine’s voice.

“Surprise Surprise” also written by Kara DioGuardi, is a stand out track with a contemporary/country/pop feel. I wouldn’t be surprised (no pun intended) if it gets released sometime around Christmas and reached #1, but I’m just not sure if the lyrics would suit for Christmas, though. I am sure that when Celine performs “Surprise Surprise” live during her tour, it will be one of the big crowd pleasers of the night.

There’s a Barbara Streisand “No More Tears” feel to Celine’s vocal performance on the emotionally driven and atmospheric “This Time”, with the determined lyrics about being “another victim of poison love”.

It’s good to hear two Linda Perry (4 Non Blondes) songs included on the ‘Taking Chances’ album. The piano-lead “My Love” and the superb gospel number “New Dawn”. Linda Perry not only wrote the songs, but she also plays electric and acoustic guitars, organ, mellotron and piano on “My Love” and she plays piano, acoustic, sings background vocals on “New Dawn” and engineered and produced on both tracks.

“A World To Believe In” could have been a Faith Hill song, but it’s good to hear Celine Dion singing on such a beautiful and modern-country tinged song. There’s quite a change of pace when the upbeat and big production of “Can’t Fight The Feeling” starts up and I can’t believe that Shaffer Smith aka Ne-Yo co-wrote, co-produced and sings background vocals on the ballad “I Got Nothing Left”, another great vocal performance by Celine. It’s easy to forget that it’s Celine Dion singing to the waltz beat of “Right Next To The Right One”. It sounds quite different from what I’m used to hearing her sing – and I like it.

I’m not so sure about “Just Fade Away”. It has a Kelly Clarkson/Eurovision feel to it, which isn’t the best combination in the world. Then again, Celine Dion did win the Eurovision Song Contest when she represented Switzerland in 1988. There’s obviously a market for “Just Fade Away”, but not for me.

Blues number “That’s Just The Woman In Me” makes up for it, though. It has a Sam Cooke “Bring It On Home To Me”/Aretha Franklin feel with Celine Dion’s soulful vocals – and a Janis Joplin like scream at the end.

Let’s not forget about the additional exclusive sneak peak DVD! It includes the trailer for Celine Dion’s “A New Day Live In Las Vegas” with interview clips. There are also four exclusive songs, including one of my favorite Celine cover songs, “I Drove All Night” originally recorded by Roy Orbison and then Cyndi Lauper.

I highly recommend this Deluxe Edition CD/DVD for Celine Dion fans everywhere!

Celine Dion ‘Taking Chances’ album track listing:

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. A World To Believe In
11. Can’t Fight The Feeling
12. I Got Nothing Left
13. Right Next To The Right One
14. Just Fade Away
15. That’s Just The Woman In Me
16. Skies Of L.A.

DVD track listing:

1. Trailer for the DVD “Live In Las Vegas – A New Day”
2. The Power of Love
3. I Drove All Night
4. I Surrender
5. I Wish

Celine Dion – Taking Chances album on amazon.com

Celine Dion Official Website

By: Jenny May – Band Weblogs

At this point it doesn’t look like tickets have sold out yet according to Live Earth on MSN Website. Tickets can be bought through Computicket.

The lineup is set to include Angelique Kidjo, Baaba Maal, Danny K, Joss Stone, The Parlotones, The Soweto Gospel Choir, UB40, Vusi Mahlasela and Zola.

For more up to date information about the artists performing at Live Earth South Africa and more, go to the Official Live Earth Blog.

More Live Earth news and opinion on Band Weblogs:

Live Earth Hamburg, Germany
Live Earth Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Live Earth Tokyo, Japan
Live Earth Shanghai, China
Live Earth Antarctica
Live Earth Australia
Live Earth Giants Stadium, USA
Live Earth London, UK

This CD has continued to grow on me with the passing of time. I liked it when I first heard it but the more I listen to the music and words, the more it permeates my senses in every way. Harris reminded me of Robert Cray at times with his vocal style. He is very expressive and emotional when he sings a song and the 11 tracks on this recording benefit from those feelings and thoughts projected through the music. Harris uses his ears and heart to lead him on this recording session. He also gets some help from the Holmes Brothers with backing vocals for some extra depth and soul on tracks 2, 3, & 10.

I like the way Harris mixes up the blues with gospel and combines the two effectively. The album opens up with a 57-second intro called “Sometimes” then launches into “Sweet Weepin Jesus,” a blues-gospel burner. It is not too hard to figure out which tracks are gospel injected when you look at the titles. My favorites were “Tryin Times,” one that befits the days we live in, and this could apply to so many things depending on who you are, and the gospel track “Didn’t It Rain,” which sounds like an old time spiritual that you would hear ringing out from a church in the deep south somewhere. It really touched me and gave me a feeling of hope and desperation all at the same time. “Edenton” sounds like it could be a single earmarked for radio play; it would be a logical choice for a crossover hit that would lead to a lot of interest in this artist.

That is my take on what I heard now it is up to you to check it out for yourself. If you enjoy the blues or gospel this is a spot on independent release that you will find great joy in hearing until that day comes when the rain begins to fall and it never ends.

Artist: Kemp Harris
Title: Edenton
Genre: Blues-Gospel
Label: Righteous Mischeif LLC
Website

Tracks:
01. Sometimes (0:57)
02. Sweet Weepin Jesus (4:45)
03. Day After Day (4:38)
04. Tryin Times (5:03)
05. Ruthie’s (3:32)
06. Didn’t It Rain (3:13)
07. Mother Earth (3:15)
08. Miles Between Us (5:25)
09. Nightlife (3:02)
10. Edenton (4:41)
11. Sometimes (reprise) (1:09)

Musicians:

Kemp Harris: Vocals & Piano
Jim Lucchese: Drums
Josh Stoltzfus: Guitar
Brian Verrochi: Bass

© MuzikReviews.com

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Harris’ depth of experience echoes powerfully throughout his sophomore CD release entitled “Edenton,” scheduled for release on March 13th. The album is both a literal and figurative journey back to Harris’ roots in Edenton, North Carolina, the town where he was born.

It features the legendary Holmes Brothers on backing vocals. The Brothers bring the full force of their talent, providing deep, rootsy harmonies to the raw-boned force of Harris’ lead vocals. With the support of the Holmes Brothers, Harris’s original songwriting and performances reflect a mature artist not content to rehash the clichés of the blues and roots genre. Harris shows his willingness to fuse diverse elements in the search for a more modern and timely blues, with intelligent lyrics that are both socially aware and intensely soulful. Edenton brings an edgier, darker hue to this traditional American music.

A diverse group of covers augments the original material. Kemp really reaches back on the gospel classic, “Didn’t It Rain.” This cappella track features his mother and aunt (each of them in their late-seventies) singing a version the trio has been performing together since Kemp’s childhood.

The album was recorded at Hi-n-Dry Studios in Cambridge, MA, the former studio of Mark Sandman and the band Morphine. Tom Dube (Marc Cohn, Buffalo Tom, Ben Kweller, Juliana Hatfield, Duncan Sheik) engineered the album. As a result, the production on the album is sparse, warm, and organic, letting the humanity of the songs and performances come through.

In support of the release, Kemp and his band will be performing throughout the Northeast, kicking off the tour at Joe’s Pub in New York City on Friday, March 30th.

Visit Kemp’s website (www.kempmusic.com) or www.myspace.com/kempharrismusic for downloads, pictures, performance dates and more.

Contact: Chip Schutzman
Company: Miles High Productions
Address: 6622 Delongpre Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028
Tel: 323-806-0400
Fax: 323-462-0829
Email
Website

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Cummings is as dedicated in the studio as he was on the court; trading in his sneakers for piano keys and platinum plaques. His new album T.C. Finally, is a worthy effort very much in the tradition of some of his favorite vocalists such as Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson, Sam Cooke, Al Green, and Gerald Levert. The album is a sublime song cycle performed by a man who has lived a dream and experienced the soul, gospel and jazz essence…it is everything that Terry Cummings is.

In addition to basketball and musical skills, Cummings is a multimedia all-star. He has produced, written, and directed several television commercials, acted in a Spike Lee Joint film, and has toured the world as a motivational speaker. Although retired from the NBA, Terry Cummings shows no sign of slowing down; the young-at-heart philanthropist and recording artist will perform his music on the world stage this year with the help and support of RNLG.

About RNLG Distribution, LLC: RNLG Distribution is distributed exclusively throughout North America by Koch Entertainment, the number one ranked independent distributor in North America. RNLG has a simple philosophy–”distribute the best.” RNLG seeks the best labels, with the best staff and most importantly the best music. RNLG was launched to extend national distribution opportunities to independent labels that are financially capable of sustaining their own marketing and promotion campaigns. The company’s primary function will be to provide support to its label’s releases with the expertise and staff needed for each project. Consistent with his past performance, Rob Nonies and R.N.L.G. Distribution is enjoying conspicuous growth and is actively looking for labels and partners to continue their aggressive distribution schedule for the remainder of 2007 and beyond.

Contact: Chip Schutzman
Company: Miles High Productions
Address: 6622 Delongpre Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028
Tel: 323-806-0400
Fax: 323-462-0829
Email
Website

PR Distributed By MuzikReviews.com For Miles High Productions

Still Waters was released September 12, 2006 and it features the first single “Wrong Again,” co-written by Setara. “Can’t Stop The River,” a track written by Seal, Springsteen’s “If I Should Fall,” and Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love,” highlight the album. The depth and emotive nucleus of “I Can Hurt” and the striking opener “Love Me Still,” all make this an album filled with quality tracks from start to finish.

Louise, who was born in Reading, England, says, “I’ve lived with this passion for so long I can’t wait to share it.” This passion and commitment to her music is the driving force behind her creativity. The excitement Louise feels for her craft comes pouring out of her soul on every track.

Still Waters features a select group of musicians that back Setara, giving the vocalist quality layers of sound and texture that are a perfect match for her style and inflection. Rudiments of soul, gospel, R & B, and blues are all part of the mix. Each element finds a way into every tune, making the recording a sparkling and moving mixture of contemporary pop that transcends all age barriers and genres.

Louise Setara is touring in support of Still Waters and the album is available directly from her website or Amazon.com. Her website also includes a detailed biography, tour information, and other interesting information.

Contact: Chip Schutzman
Company: Miles High Productions
Address: 6622 Delongpre Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028
Tel: 323-806-0400
Fax: 323-462-0829
Website
Email
Amazon Link

PR Created and Distributed By MuzikReviews.com For Miles High Productions