Dion Chante Plamondon

AMG Review of Dion Chante Plamondon

Jose F. Promis
All Music Guide

In 1990, Celine Dion had enjoyed her first taste of success in the United States with her English-language debut album Unison. The album's first single, "Where Does My Heart Beat Now," was a number four hit, and the follow-up, "(If There Was) Any Other Way," made the Top 40. Her 1994 album, Dion Chante Plamondon, was her first U.S. French-language release, and found the singer interpreting the songs of renowned French-Canadian lyricist Luc Plamondon. On this relatively early album, Dion sounds as self-assured and mature as on her latter-day recordings as a world-class superstar. Her voice exudes a passion beyond her young years, especially on the album's ocking opener, "Des Mots Qui Sonnent." As is often the case with Dion records, this album spans a wide musical spectrum, including the dramatic "Le Fils de Superman," the funk-tinged "Je Danse Dans Ma Tete," the luesy "Les uns Contres les Autres," and the mega-power allad "Le Blues du Businessman." Also on this album is one of her biggest French-language hits, "Un Garçon Pas Comme les Autres (Ziggy)," as well as a song that was an English-language European hit for Cyndi Lauper, "Le Monde Est Stone" ("The World Is Stone"). This album was a labor of love for the composer and the singer. Despite some middle-of-the-road fare, this is a strong collection of songs and a must for the singer's legions of fans.