St. Louis, USA feb 4th

Posted February 8, 200916 yr

Celine Dion
By Kevin C. Johnson

02/05/2009

Celine Dion possesses quite the instrument, whether she uses it for good or bad varies depending on how you feel about the big-belting Canadian songstress.

Luckily for the packed house Wednesday night at Scottrade Center, she used it for good, though she probably failed to win over any new fans.

It didn’t matter — the old ones were plentiful. They were also patient.

After her opening, which included the disco-rock "I Drove All Night" and the ballad "The Power of Love," Dion wasted no time addressing her delay in coming to St. Louis

"We made it," said Dion, who had postponed the original date after she took ill.

"I know you have been waiting since last November," she said, before cracking a joke about hoping fans were supplied with water and blankets while waiting. "I never want to let you all down, and I’m glad you came back."

Her 90 minute-plus show, on a large stage in the center of the floor with ramps extending straight into the crowd, was everything one expected from a Dion concert, minus the chest-thumping.

There was a noticeable lack of that particular gesture, but she had plenty of other outrageous gestures and facial tics to accentuate songs such as "It’s All Coming Back to Me Now," "Because You Loved Me" and "To Love You More."

It was a strange, goofy, though never boring night, full of good intentions, costume changes, dance routines and drama (including a billowing white cape she wore for "Eyes on Me").

"I’m Your Angel," performed with one of her backing singers but recorded with R. Kelly, was moving. So was "The Prayer," recorded with Andrea Bocelli, who sang with Dion via a prerecorded bit that worked surprisingly well.

Eric Carmen’s "All By Myself" was her take on a classic that just doesn’t seem right in her hands, but Heart’s "Alone" is a perfect fit.

A bland midsection with "I’m Alive," "Shadow of Love" and "Fade Away" felt like padding.

After a curious soul medley highlighted by "It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World," a delightfully cheesy "Love Can Move Mountains" and winning "River Deep Mountain High," it was time for you-know-what.

"My Heart Will Go On," Dion’s ballad from "The Titantic," featured an elevated Dion in a black gown surrounded by levitating candles. It was a great visual, and the song still resonates.

Dion left as she arrived, walking single file through the arena floor with her band, dancers and singers, stopping to shake hands and take pictures with fans.

kjohnson@post-dispatch.com | 314-340-8191
Photos by Sarah Conard