Taking Chances

Infobox Album |
Name = Taking Chances
Type = Studio album
Artist = Céline Dion


Released = Start date|2007|11|7
Recorded = April-August 2007
Genre = Pop, Rock
Length = CD 73:39, DVD 25:00
Label = Columbia, Epic
Producer = Peer Astrom, Anders Bagge, Kara DioGuardi, Chuck Harmony, Kuk Harrell, David Hodges, Emanuel "Eman" Kiriakou, Kristian Lundin, Ben Moody, Christopher Neil, Ne-Yo, Aldo Nova, Linda Perry, Guy Roche, John Shanks, Christopher 'Tricky' Stewart
Reviews = *Allmusic rating|3|5 [http://wc10.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:h9ftxzwhldse link]
*"Billboard" (Positive) [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3idd293825dd51c45c4645602dffc3375a link]
*"The Globe and Mail" rating|3|5 [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20071113.CD13/TPStory/TPEntertainment/Music/ link]
* "Toronto Star" rating|3|4 [http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/275882 link]
* "USA Today" rating|3|4 [http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/reviews/2007-11-11-celine-chances_N.htm?csp=34 link]
Last album = "Let's Talk About Love / Falling into You / A New Day Has Come"
(2007)
This album = "Taking Chances"
(2007)
Next album = "Complete Best"
(2008)
Misc = Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Alternate cover
Type = Studio album


Lower caption = Collector's edition (CD/DVD/Perfume)Singles
Name = Taking Chances
Type = studio
Single 1 = Taking Chances
Single 1 date = October 24 2007
Single 2 = Eyes on Me
Single 2 date = January 7 2008
Single 3 = A World to Believe In
Single 3 date = January 16 2008
Single 4 = Alone
Single 4 date = May 5 2008
Single 5 = My Love
Single 5 date = September 22 2008

"Taking Chances" is an English language studio album by Canadian singer Céline Dion, released on November 7 2007 as CD and CD/DVD edition. [ [http://www.celinedion.com/celinedion/english/whatsgoinon.cgi 'Taking Chances' - Celine's New English Album] . Retrieved August 24, 2007.] It's her 13th English album and 35th in total. The collector's edition which includes CD, DVD and perfume in special package, was released in December 2007 in North America [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VI5CFO?tag=celinechannel-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000VI5CFO Taking Chances (CD/DVD Expanded Special Packaging) [ENHANCED] . Retrieved August 29, 2007.] and February 2008 in Europe. [ [http://www.sonybmg.ch/artists2.php?iA=7&artist=43098&product=88697147862 Taking Chances] . Retrieved February 1, 2008.] On April 21 2008, a new deluxe version was digitally released in Europe (except France), containing "Immensité," Map to My Heart" and "Taking Chances" (I-Soul extended remix) as bonus tracks.

Album information

Céline Dion worked with many different producers for this album, mainly on pop and rock songs. The tracks were recorded mostly during Dion's summer holiday, between July 2 and August 15 2007. [ [http://lcn.canoe.com/lcn/artsetspectacles/musiquelivres/archives/2007/06/20070622-091309.html Céline se confie à Jocelyne Cazin] . Retrieved June 22, 2007.]

The first single, "Taking Chances" was written by Kara DioGuardi and David A. Stewart from Eurythmics, and produced by Grammy Award-winner John Shanks. It was recorded in April 2007. [ [http://www.celinedion.com/celinedion/english/whatsgoinon_pr.cgi?id=33 Celine Dion debuts new single, "Takin Chances"... new album and worldwide tour, to come!] . Retrieved September 12, 2007.] Shanks also produced five other songs on "Taking Chances".

"Alone" is a power ballad written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, and originally recorded by American band Heart. It became a worldwide hit in 1987. Dion's cover version was produced by Ben Moody, ex-member of Evanescence. It was released as the second single in Europe and North America, and third in the United Kingdom. Moody also co-wrote and co-produced "This Time," which is about breaking free from partner's abuse, untypical subject for Dion's songs. [ [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003638503 Celine Ready To Take Chances On New Album] . Retrieved September 11, 2007.] [ [http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=9128794&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID BMI Repertoire: This Time] . Retrieved October 4, 2007.]

"Eyes on Me" is a Middle Eastern-flavored song written by Kristian Lundin, Savan Kotecha and Australian singer Delta Goodrem, and produced by Lundin. [ [http://www.apra.com.au/cms/worksearch/worksearch.srvlt APRA website] . Retrieved July 29, 2007.] It was released as the second single in the UK and third in some European countries.

The new version of "A World to Believe In," recorded as a duet with Yuna Ito was issued in January 2008 as the second single in Japan. [ [http://www.bigwentertainment.com.au/product/a_world_to_believe_in_1635068_668375.html A WORLD TO BELIEVE IN (TBC) (JAPANESE EXCLUSIVE)] . Retrieved November 17, 2007.]

Linda Perry wrote and produced two songs on "Taking Chances". "My Love" was written especially for Dion, however "New Dawn" is a gospel track originally recorded by Perry on her "After Hours" album.

Dion worked also on two songs with R&B producers: American singer Ne-Yo co-wrote and co-produced "I Got Nothin' Left." He also co-wrote Beyoncé Knowles' hit song "Irreplaceable." "Skies of L.A." was co-written by The-Dream and co-produced by Christopher 'Tricky' Stewart and Kuk Harrell. These three are responsible for Rihanna's 2007 hit "Umbrella" among others.

"Right Next to the Right One" was originally written and recorded by Tim Christensen in 2002 and became a hit in Denmark. Dion's cover version was produced by Christopher Neil. Although not released as a single, it entered the Danish Singles Chart on November 23 2007 at number 13, due to strong digital downloads.

"That's Just the Woman in Me" is a blues-flavoured track recorded by Katrina and the Waves in the 80s, which remained unreleased until 2003. Dion's version was produced by John Shanks.

"Map to My Heart" and "The Reason I Go On" are two bonus tracks included on the Japanese CD and iTunes version of "Taking Chances".

A song called "Let Me Be Your Soldier," which uses army drums in the background, was also recorded during the "Taking Chances" sessions but was not included on the album. The track was played during the album's preview on August 20 2007. The song will be included on Dion's album, retitled "There Comes A Time". A low quality version was leaked onto the internet on October 7th, and the high quality version was leaked on October 11th. [ [http://www.celinedionforum.com/index.php?showtopic=37306&st=180 There Come A Time Official Topic] . Retrieved October 6, 2008.]

Promotion

In October and November 2007, Céline Dion started promoting "Taking Chances" in Europe (United Kingdom, France, Italy and Germany) [ [http://www.canoe.com/divertissement/musiqu...4493418-pc.html Céline Dion chantera pour la fondation Mandela] . Retrieved September 13, 2007.] and United States.

On December 22 2007, ITV aired "An Audience with Celine Dion" in the United Kingdom. [ [http://www.itv.com/Entertainment/Music/AnAudiencewithCelineDion/default.html An Audience with Celine Dion (ITV Special)] . Retrieved March 15, 2008.] . The success of this television special lead to "That's Just The Woman In Me" [ [http://www.cbs.com/specials/celine_dion/ That's Just The Woman In Me (CBS Special)] . Retrieved March 15, 2008.] . This special aired on February 15 2008 on the CBS network in the United States and was broadcast also in Canada on CTV.

Dion visited France again in January 2008. On February 14 2008, she started her worldwide Taking Chances Tour in South Africa. After visiting five continents, the tour will end on February 15 2009 in Canada. [ [http://www.celinedion.com/celinedion/english/whatsgoinon_tourdates.cgi Concert Dates] . Retrieved June 16, 2007.]

Chart success

According to IFPI, the album has shipped 3.1 million copies by the end of 2007. [ [http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/top-50-albums-2007.pdf IFPI 2007 Albums Chart] ] It is certified gold in many countries, and platinum or multi-platinum in many others. The success of the album is particularly remarkable in Canada where it reached number 1 on the chart with the biggest first week sales of 2007 (79,354). It also became the best-selling album in Canada that year (340,000 copies sold) and to date, has shipped 400,000 copies and is certified 4x platinum.

"Taking Chances" reached top 10 in many countries and is performing relatively well on the charts. In the United Kingdom, it sold about 350,000 copies and is certified platinum. In Japan, the album became Dion's biggest success since "A New Day Has Come" with 125,000 copies sold. In the United States it debuted at number 3 with sales of 214,556 copies and has sold over 1,000,000 copies to date and has been certified platinum. The album also debuted at number 2 on the United World Chart with sales of 454,000 (509,550 copies with countries that UWC does not count).

"Taking Chances" has so far sold approximately 3.5 million copies worldwide.

Track listing

#"Taking Chances" (Kara DioGuardi, Dave Stewart) – 4:07
#"Alone" (Billy Steinberg, Tom Kelly) – 3:23
#"Eyes on Me" (Kristian Lundin, Savan Kotecha, Delta Goodrem) – 3:53
#"My Love" (Linda Perry) – 4:08
#"Shadow of Love" (Anders Bagge, Aldo Nova, Peter Sjöström) – 4:10
#"Surprise Surprise" (DioGuardi, Martin Harrington, Ash Howes) – 5:14
#"This Time" (David Hodges, Ben Moody, Steven McMorran) – 3:47
#"New Dawn" (Perry) – 4:45
#"A Song for You" (Bagge, Nova, Robert Wells) – 3:27
#"A World to Believe In" (Tino Izzo, Rosanna Ciciola) – 4:08
#"Can't Fight the Feelin'" (Nova) – 3:51
#"I Got Nothin' Left" (Ne-Yo, Charles Harmon) – 4:20
#"Right Next to the Right One" (Tim Christensen) – 4:10
#"Fade Away" (Peer Astrom, David Stenmarck, Nova) – 3:17
#"That's Just the Woman in Me" (Kimberly Rew) – 4:33
#"Skies of L.A." (Christopher Stewart, The-Dream, Kuk Harrell) – 4:24Japanese and iTunes bonus tracks:17. "Map to My Heart" (Guy Roche, Shelly Peiken) – 4:15:18. "The Reason I Go On" (Christian Leuzzi, Nova, A. Borgius) – 3:42

iTunes deluxe version:17. "Immensité" (Nina Bouraoui, Jacques Veneruso) – 4:34:18. "Map to My Heart" (Guy Roche, Shelly Peiken) – 4:15:19. "Taking Chances" (I-Soul extended remix) (DioGuardi, Stewart) – 7:33

Deluxe and collector's editions DVD - videos from "Live in Las Vegas - A New Day..."
#Exclusive sneak preview from "Live in Las Vegas - A New Day..."
#"The Power of Love"
#"I Drove All Night"
#"I Surrender"
#"I Wish"Wal-Mart DVD - "Taking Chances: The Sessions"
#"That's Just the Woman in Me"
#"Alone"
#"Eyes on Me"
#"A Song for You"
#"Surprise Surprise"
#"A World to Believe In"Costco bonus CD
#"If You Asked Me To" (Diane Warren) – 3:55
#"The Power of Love" (Candy DeRouge, Gunther Mende, Mary Susan Applegate, Jennifer Rush) – 5:43
#"Because You Loved Me" (Warren) – 4:35
#"It's All Coming Back to Me Now" (Jim Steinman) – 7:37
#"All by Myself" (Eric Carmen, Sergei Rachmaninoff) – 5:12
#"My Heart Will Go On" (James Horner, Will Jennings) – 4:41
#"That's the Way It Is" (Lundin, Max Martin, Andreas Carlsson) – 4:03
#"I Drove All Night" (Steinberg, Kelly) – 4:00

Chart performance

¹ should be certified gold (15,000)

Release history

:Physical releases:
* 16-track CD edition. [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VI5CF4?tag=celinechannel-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000VI5CF4 Taking Chances] . Retrieved August 29, 2007.]
* 18-track CD edition (Japan only). [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VI5CF4?tag=celinechannel-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000VI5CF4 Taking Chances] . Retrieved August 29, 2007.]
* CD/DVD deluxe edition - includes 16-track CD and DVD with the highlights from "Live in Las Vegas - A New Day..." and an exclusive sneak preview from the show. [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VI5CFE?tag=celinechannel-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000VI5CFE Taking Chances (CD/DVD) [ENHANCED] . Retrieved August 29, 2007.]
* Taiwanese CD/DVD deluxe edition - includes 16-track CD and DVD with the highlights from "Live in Las Vegas - A New Day..." and an exclusive sneak preview from the show. It also includes five postcards with Dion's photos.
* CD/DVD/Perfume collector's edition - includes 16-track CD and DVD with the highlights from "Live in Las Vegas - A New Day..." and an exclusive sneak preview from the show. All in special, one of a kind packaging, which also includes 16 panel photo album and bottle of Dion's new fragrance "Enchanting". This special package was designed by Céline Dion. [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VI5CFO?tag=celinechannel-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000VI5CFO Taking Chances (CD/DVD Expanded Special Packaging) [ENHANCED] . Retrieved August 29, 2007.]
* CD/DVD Wal-Mart exclusive 2-pack - includes 16-track CD and DVD "Taking Chances: The Sessions" with behind-the-scenes look at the making of the album. [ [http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8001812 CD: Taking Chances (with Exclusive Bonus DVD) (Digi-Pak)] . Retrieved August 29, 2007.]
* 2CD Costco exclusive longbox - includes 16-track CD and bonus CD with 8 of Dion's biggest hits. [ [http://cgi.ebay.com/Celine-Dion-Taking-Chances-LONGBOX-COLLECTOR-ITEM_W0QQitemZ130179859821QQihZ003QQcategoryZ307QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Celine Dion - Taking Chances - LONGBOX COLLECTOR ITEM] . Retrieved December 1, 2007.]
* Chinese CD edition - includes 16-track CD in a dvd case.

:Digital releases:
* iTunes standard version - includes 16 audio tracks.
* iTunes bonus track version - includes 17 audio tracks (with "Map to My Heart") and a digital booklet. "The Reason I Go On" was available as a pre-order bonus track only.
* 2007 iTunes deluxe version - includes 17 audio tracks (with "Map to My Heart"), 4 videos from "Live in Las Vegas - A New Day..." and a digital booklet. "The Reason I Go On" was available as a pre-order bonus track only.
* 2008 iTunes deluxe version - includes 19 audio tracks with "Immensité," Map to My Heart" and "Taking Chances" (I-Soul extended remix).

References