Celine Dion
S'il Suffisait D'Aimer (If Only Love Could Be Enough) (550 Music 69679)

If you absolutely have to get a Celine Dion disc, then by God, get this goddamn one!

I am not as opposed to Celine Dion as I probably should be, but I don't like her voice that much and certainly haven't enjoyed any of her songs. That said, none of her English language albums would be of interest to me, 'cause the lyrics are lamentable. The lyrics on this one are probably just as lame, but she sings in this gibberish language (oh, wait, it's French) so I don't notice.

Also, on these songs, which have a distinguishing Euro feel compared to her bombastic American chart hits, she lays back considerably, using a breathy quality we don't hear much from her in between all the shouting. I dare say she sings with a certain degree of subtlety on this record, and no shortage of actual taste.

The songs are still mainstream pop, very super-slick, but it's bizarrely refreshing to hear an album with Celine Dion singing and not mind so much. It may well be that anyone singing in French is bound to make a good album, but at any rate this one's a charmer.

High points are the opening cut "Je Crois Toi," which is almost spooky in its arty wonderfulness, and "Je Chanterai," which is some kind of faux gospel thing but is quite good for no explainable reason. "Je Crois Troi" is as eye-opening a track as "Jolene" is to someone who only knows Dolly Parton from "9 to 5."

Less successful cuts: the Bonnie Raitt/Eric Clapton-seque "Terre," which is just not good, and "Dans Un Autre Monde," which sounds like a late period Sheena Easton album track. But the majority is very sweet and nice, showing off Celine's voice without showboating it, just sending it sailing on some really friendly melodies.

Most people don't guess the singer's identity when I put the disc on and force them to guess. And since they have to remove one article of clothing for each incorrect guess, I've been getting plenty of play since this CD came across my desk.

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Review by Sanjiv Dario