Dion Bolsters Pop Diva Reputation
Celine Dion “Falling Into You” 550 Music/Epic
Preceded by the smash single “Because You Loved Me,” the Diane Warren-penned theme from the film “Up Close & Personal,” the latest release from Canadian pop star Dion has made an instant impact on her large and growing fan base, as evidenced by its No. 2 debut on The Billboard 200.
And the album’s appeal is likely to be long-lived, laden as it is with such hit-worthy moments as Jim Steinman’s “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now,” a Meat Loaf-style epic; the laid-back title track; bouncy pop tune “Make You Happy”; sultry ballad “Seduces Me”; and the effervescent “Declaration Of Love.” A deep album that will solidify Dion’s reputation as one of the world’s true pop divas.
Alison Brown
“Quartet” - Vanguard
In addition to Brown’s other talents, she has tapped the spirit of the banjo better than most musicians, elevating it beyond its stereotypical role of an acrobatically picked string instrument or a chugging rhythmic element. In Brown’s hands, the banjo is capable of fluid musical phrases of boundless beauty. That’s not to say that she isn’t capable of nimblefingered virtuosity. On the contrary, she can pick with the best of ‘em, but her playing is always supremely musical. Brown fronts a quartet in which she plays banjo and guitar alongside first-rate piano, bass and drum players.