D'elles

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
D'elles
File:Cover22.jpg
Studio album by Celine Dion
Released May 18, 2007 (2007-05-18)
Recorded December 2006 – February 2007
Genre Pop
Length 47:52
Label Columbia
Producer
  • Erick Benzi
  • Thierry Blanchard
  • David Gategno
  • Patrick Hampartzoumian
  • Tino Izzo
  • Jacques Veneruso
Celine Dion chronology
On ne change pas
(2005)On ne change pas2005		 D'elles
(2007)		 Let's Talk About Love / Falling into You / A New Day Has Come
(2007)Let's Talk About Love / Falling into You / A New Day Has Come2007
Singles from D'elles
  1. "Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)"
    Released: February 14, 2007
  2. "Immensité"
    Released: May 14, 2007
  3. "On s'est aimé à cause"
    Released: August 2007

D'elles (meaning About Them or From Them) is the French-language album by Canadian singer Celine Dion, released by Columbia Records on May 18, 2007. It is her first new French studio album since 2003's 1 fille & 4 types. D'elles is a concept album which features thirteen songs written by influential female authors from France and Quebec, including: Françoise Dorin, Christine Orban, Nina Bouraoui, Marie Laberge, Lise Payette, Denise Bombardier, Nathalie Nechtschein, Jovette Alice Bernier, Janette Bertrand and George Sand. The themes throughout this album centre on "woman." The first single, "Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)" reached number one in France and number two in Quebec. It was followed by another Quebec top ten single, "Immensité."

D'elles received favorable reviews from music critics, some of whom noticed that it is Dion's most ambitious project in a long time. On the commercial level, the album debuted at number one in Canada and France, and also topped the chart in Belgium Wallonia and reached number three in Switzerland. It was certified 2× Platinum in Canada, Platinum in France, and Gold in Belgium and Switzerland.

Background

On September 14, 2006, celinedion.com posted information that Dion will release a new French album in 2007.[1] Ten prominent female writers from Quebec and France wrote the lyrics and a team of famous French composers are working on the music.[1] Jean-Jacques Goldman will be overseeing the album which will be recorded in Las Vegas.[1] On January 3, 2007, Dion's official website announced that the new French-language album, D'elles was scheduled for release in May 2007.[2] The title is a spin-off of Dion's 1995 album D'eux. Both can be translated as About Them or From Them, with D'elles being specifically the feminine version.[3] In a press release from January 12, 2007, it was confirmed that Dion is still working on her upcoming album which is a concept project. The lyrics were written by females only: Françoise Dorin, Christine Orban, Nina Bouraoui, Marie Laberge, Lise Payette, Denise Bombardier, Nathalie Nechtschein, Janette Bertrand, Jovette Alice Bernier and George Sand, and the themes throughout this album centre on "woman." Many of Dion's long-time collaborators, including Jean-Jacques Goldman, participated in this project. Although Goldman did not write any of the songs, he supervised the album and arranged the song lyrics. Music composers included: Erick Benzi, Jacques Veneruso, David Gategno and Gildas Arzel. The first single "Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)," written by Françoise Dorin and David Gategno, was scheduled for release in Francophone countries on February 14, 2007.[4] Dion's official website posted information that D'elles will be released in two special editions: a double digipak and a collectors box set.[5] The album was scheduled for release on May 21, 2007 in selected European countries and May 22, 2007 in Canada.[6] "Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)" premiered on February 14, 2007 and was sent to radio and released as a digital download on the same day.[7] In a press release from February 16, 2007, celinedion.com announced that Dion is putting the finishing touches on D'elles, an album which celebrates womanhood. Also two new music composers were added to the list: Marc Dupré and Jean-François Breau.[8] The first excerpt from the "Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)" music video was posted on March 28, 2007 and the full video premiered on April 4, 2007.[9][10] The "Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)" CD single was issued on April 13, 2007 in Francophone countries. The cover art for the album, by Daniela Federici, was released on April 19, 2007.[11]

Content

On April 17, 2007, the complete track listing for the album containing thirteen songs became available for TeamCeline members.[12] D'elles includes two versions of the song "A cause." While the lyrics, written by Françoise Dorin, are the same on both versions, there are two different musical arrangements. The music for the first version, titled "A cause," was composed by Jacques Veneruso, and the music for the second version, titled "On s'est aimé à cause," was composed by Marc Dupré and Jean-François Breau.[13] Dorin also wrote the first single, "Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)." She is a French writer, songwriter and actress. D'elles also includes "Immensité," the second single which was sent to radio on April 27, 2007.[14] It was written by Nina Bouraoui, a French-Algerian author whose work focuses mainly on the bond between females. She also wrote "Les paradis."[15] Other songs include: "Je cherche l'ombre" with lyrics by Lise Payette who is a well-known Quebec author, an avid writer and a weekly columnist for Le Journal de Montréal, a television and radio personality, a politician and a strong advocate for women;[16] "La diva," a tribute to the famous opera singer Maria Callas, written by Denise Bombardier, an established journalist, novelist and media personality in Quebec who was honoured with the prestigious Legion of Honour and the National Order of Quebec (the song includes fragment of "Sì. Mi Chiamano Mimì" from the opera La bohème performed by Callas);[17] "Femme comme chacune" whose lyrics are an adaptation of the poem "Ses yeux de clair de lune," by the late Quebec author, Jovette Alice Bernier;[18] "Si j'étais quelqu'un" which is a reflection on what society judges as being "normal" and whose lyrics are adapted from a poem written by Nathalie Nechtschein, a young French poet;[19] "Je ne suis pas celle" written by Christine Orban, a Moroccan-French novelist who has authored many books an describes herself as a romantic who treasures the female's ability to dream;[20] "Le temps qui compte" with lyrics by Marie Laberge, a Quebec author known in Canada for her literature, and in other Francophone countries for her plays; "Lettre de George Sand à Alfred de Musset," an adaptation of a letter exchanged between two lovers in the 19th century, written by George Sand;[21] and "Berceuse," a lullaby written for Dion's son René-Charles by Janette Bertrand, a famous writer and public personality in Quebec, winner of the 1990 Montreal Salon de la Femme 'Femme du Siècle' award.[22][23]

D'elles was released in three versions: standard edition in jewel case, a special edition in double digipak (including DVD, a booklet of Dion's photos, and another booklet with song lyrics and Dion's personal notes about each track) and a second special edition in collectors box set (with DVD, a mini-booklet of Dion's photos and her personal notes about each song, a mini-booklet with song lyrics, and four postcards).[24] The bonus DVD, titled Céline parle D'elle(s) includes the making of the album in a recording studio, behind-the-scenes from the "Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)" music video and photo shoot for the album.[24][25]

Promotion

For the release of her new French-language album, Dion taped a two-hour television special about D'elles which was broadcast on May 21, 2007 on TVA in Canada. It was hosted by Quebec television icon Julie Snyder and featured Dion and the female authors who wrote the song lyrics for the album.[26] Dion performed: "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." The recording sessions for "Femme comme chacune," "Lettre de George Sand à Alfred de Musset" and "Si J'étais quelqu'un" were also shown. The television special was watched by 1,614,000 viewers and became the number-one-rated show for the week of May 21 to 27 with 82% share of the audience.[27][28] On June 9, 2007, another television special was broadcast, this time in France on TF1. Dion was interviewed and performed three songs from D'elles ("Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)," "A cause" and "Immensité") and also many duets: "Stayin' Alive" with Vitaa, Shy'm and Amel Bent, "Hymne à 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 Nolwenn Leroy, "Être à la hauteur" with Merwan Rim and Christophe Maé, and "Caruso" with Florent Pagny.[29] This television special was watched by 4,987,440 viewers. At the end of the year, during Dion's promotional visit to France, she performed "Immensité" on various occasions: on November 2, 2007 on Star Academy as a duet with one of the contestants; on November 5, 2007 during the Chérie FM Awards ceremony which wasn't broadcast on television; on November 10, 2007 on Hit Machine on M6; and on December 29, 2007 on Les Stars de L'année on France 2.[30][31][32]

Singles

The first single, "Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)" was released as a digital download in Francophone countries on February 14, 2007. However, the singles charts in these countries did not include digital sales at that time, so "Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)" entered them only thanks to the CD single which was issued two months later, on April 13, 2007. The song debuted at number one in France, becoming Dion's fifth chart-topping single in this country. It also peaked at number four in Belgium Wallonia and number thirty-four in Switzerland. Because of these positions, the single reached number seven on the European Hot 100 Singles. In Quebec, "Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)" peaked at number two. The second single, "Immensité" was released as a digital download in Francophone countries on May 14, 2007, and the music video premiered on May 22, 2007.[33] Again, the digital sales did not count towards singles charts in these countries. Therefore, "Immensité" did not enter the sales charts but it peaked inside top ten on the Top 100 Francophone Radio BDS in Quebec.[34] In Poland, "Le temps qui compte" promoted the album on radio in May 2007. "On s'est aimé à cause" started receiving airplay in Quebec in August 2007. In France, Sony Music Entertainment created in January 2008 promotional singles of "A cause" with a Dance Remix. However, in February 2008 it was reported that Sony is considering the release of "Le temps qui compte" instead of "A cause." Eventually, Sony did not support any of these releases.

Reception

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic 4/5 stars[35]
Los Angeles Times 2/4 stars[36]

D'elles received positive reviews from music critics. According to Stephen Thomas Erlewine from AllMusic, "it is Dion's most ambitious project in a long time, if not ever. The only rival is 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. Sonically, D'elles couldn't be more different than the folky 1 fille & 4 types, from its "soaring majestic ballads" to its 'chilly disco sheen.'" Erlewine called the album extremely European.[35] A Los Angeles Times article stated, "Although critics complain about Dion's weakness for meaningless bombast, bombast is in fact the only meaning Dion has to offer. Like recent work by Madonna or Barbra Streisand, this music is about power. In every song, Dion allows the arena-schmaltz atmospherics to threaten her center-stage dominance. Then, just in time, she beats back the violins with a trademark shriek."[36]

Commercial reception

In Canada, D'elles shot to the top of the chart, selling 72,200 copies in its first week and making it the biggest debut of the year, according to data compiled by Nielsen SoundScan.[37][38] It marked her tenth number-one album in the SoundScan era, and her eighth to debut at the top position.[37] Out of 72,200 units, 69,285 were sold in Quebec alone.[38] Dion captured the top spot once again next week, selling 24,158 copies.[39][40] In the third week, D'elles slipped to number three selling 11,000 units and on June 12, 2007, it was certified 2× Platinum in Canada for shipping 200,000 copies.[41][42] In the fourth week, the album sank to number eight.[43] D'elles also spent two weeks at number one on the Quebec Albums Chart.[44]

In France, D'elles also debuted at number one, selling 55,244 copies.[45] It stayed at the top position for the second week, selling 44,143 units. In the third week, it dropped to number two with sales of 18,040 units. The next week, D'elles fell to number four selling another 17,800 copies and on June 21, 2007, it was certified Platinum for shipping 200,000 units.[46] Till the end of 2008, the album has sold 277,822 copies in France.[47] As of September 2010, the album has sold over 300,000 units in France.[48]

In Belgium Wallonia, D'elles has sold 15,000 units on the first day after it was released and on May 26, 2007 it was certified Gold.[49][50] It reached number one and stayed there for three consecutive weeks. In Switzerland, the album peaked at number three and was certified Gold.[51] D'elles has shipped half a million units worldwide during the first week of sales.[28]

Awards

In July 2007, Dion was nominated for three Chérie FM Awards: Album of the Year, French Song of the Year ("Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)") and Female Artist of the Year. Additionally she received Honorary Award during the ceremony.[52] Later, in December 2007, she was also nominated for NRJ Music Award as Francophone Female Artist of the Year and she won Honorary Award during the ceremony.[53] At the Juno Awards of 2008, Dion received six nominations, including two exclusively for D'elles: Album of the Year and Francophone Album of the Year.[54]

Track listing

No. Title Writer(s) Producer(s) Length
1. "Et s'il n'en restait qu'une (je serais celle-là)"  
  • Françoise Dorin
  • David Gategno
 Gategno 3:32
2. "Immensité"  
  • Veneruso
  • Patrick Hampartzoumian
 3:34
3. "A cause"  
  • Dorin
  • Veneruso
  • Veneruso
  • Thierry Blanchard
 3:14
4. "Je cherche l'ombre"  
  • Veneruso
  • Hampartzoumian
 3:12
5. "Les paradis"  
  • Bouraoui
  • Gildas Arzel
 Erick Benzi 3:56
6. "La diva"  
Benzi 4:23
7. "Femme comme chacune"  
Benzi 3:39
8. "Si j'étais quelqu'un"  
  • Nathalie Nechtschein
  • Benzi
 Benzi 3:57
9. "Je ne suis pas celle"  
  • Christine Orban
  • Gategno
 Gategno 4:12
10. "Le temps qui compte"  
  • Veneruso
  • Hampartzoumian
 2:54
11. "Lettre de George Sand à Alfred de Musset"  
Benzi 4:31
12. "On s'est aimé à cause"  
Tino Izzo 4:04
13. "Berceuse"  
Gategno 2:39

Charts and certifications

Credits and personnel

<templatestyles src="Div col/styles.css"/>

  • Michel Aimé – guitars
  • Carla Antoun – cello
  • Gildas Arzel – arranger, guitars, bass
  • Christophe Battaglia – engineer
  • Erick Benzi – producer, arranger, engineer, programming, piano, synthesizers, background vocals
  • Thierry Blanchard – producer, engineer, programming, keyboards
  • Hubert Bougis – orchestrator
  • Cécile Brillard – viola
  • Nathalie Carlucci – viola
  • Herve Cavelier – violin
  • Terry Chiazza – project coordinator
  • Caroline Collombel-Damas – violin
  • Laurent Coppola – drums
  • Chistopher Deschamps – drums
  • Dominic Despins – engineer
  • Delphine Elbe – background vocals
  • Sandrine François – background vocals
  • David Gategno – producer, arranger, programming, keyboards, voice intro
  • Humberto Gatica – engineer, mix
  • Emmanuel Guerrero – piano, strings arranger
  • Cyril Guignier – viola
  • Patrick Hampartzoumian – producer, arranger, engineer, programming
  • Jean Marc Haroutounian – bass
  • Florence Hennequin – cello
  • Tino Izzo – producer, arranger, engineer, programming, piano, keyboards, guitars, bass, percussion
  • Adam Klemens – orchestra director
  • Cenda Kotzmann – engineer's assistant
  • François-Éric Lalonde – engineer's assistant
  • Caroline Lasfargues – violin
  • Vincent Lépée – assistant's engineer
  • Stéphane Lévy-B – engineer, mix
  • Claire Lisiecki – violin
  • Didier Lizé – engineer
  • Gildas Lointier – arranger, engineer
  • Vito Luprano – executive producer
  • Vlado Meller – mastering
  • Vanessa Menneret – viola
  • Simon Mercure – engineer's assistant
  • Nicolas Yvan Mingot – guitar
  • George Pelekoudis – engineer
  • Orchestre Philharmonique de Prague – orchestra
  • Paris Pop Orchestra – orchestra
  • Petr Pycha – orchestra contractor
  • Stanislas Renoult – strings conductor, strings director and arranger
  • Zizou Sadki – bass
  • Constance Schacher – viola
  • Mario Telaro – drums
  • Jacques Veneruso – producer, arranger, guitars, background vocals
  • Florence Veniant – violin
  • Laurent Vernerey – bass

Release history

Region Date Label Format Catalog
Europe[75] May 18, 2007 Columbia CD 88697047962
CD/DVD 88697069102
CD/DVD/postcards 88697073002
Canada May 22, 2007 CD 88697047962
CD/DVD 88697069112
CD/DVD/postcards 88697072992
Japan[76] February 27, 2008 Sony CD EICP-952

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  26. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  27. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  29. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  30. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  31. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  32. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  40. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  41. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  42. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  43. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  46. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  47. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  49. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  50. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  51. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  52. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  53. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  54. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  55. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ "Celine Dion – Chart history" Billboard Canadian Albums Chart for Celine Dion. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  58. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  59. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  60. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  61. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  62. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  63. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  64. ↑ "Oficjalna lista sprzedaży :: OLIS - Official Retail Sales Chart". OLiS. Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 28, 2014.
  65. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  66. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  67. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  68. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  69. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  70. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  71. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  72. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  73. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  74. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  75. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  76. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=D%27elles&oldid=4213425"