‘One Heart’ is the nineteenth studio album and eighth English-language album by Canadian singer Celine Dion, released on 24^th March 2003.

The album is packed with all brand new material and is a cleaned up, more sophisticated version of semi – mysterious guitar songs. The album revolves around relationships, and this time it has with it a ratio of really good songs, to very average ones and a fair quota of stereotyped pieces. Noted for her impressive vocal range and diverse abilities, Celine has been spreading her sound across the globe.

However this 6 time Grammy winner comes a little short of the mark on this album. For not many of the songs have the usual catchiness that Celine has been known for. But surely this Canadian cannot let her fans down completely.

The album coincides with the premiere of Dion’s new entertainment spectacular – ‘A New Day ….’ a three – year, 600 show engagement at Las Vegas where Celine performed in a custom – designed, 4000 seater theatre, in a musical and theatrical presentation created by Franco Dragone.

The album opens up with her first single the throaty and upbeat rendition of the Roy Orbison classic I Drove all Night which has an infuriatingly catchy tune and impressive vocals. Elsewhere on this album you could pick up the slow, soulful pieces like Love is all we need, Faith and Sorry for Love, that are really mellow and classy songs. On the lyrical side all songs have polite lyrics and loads of pretty tunes that bring out the woes people face in the world.

On the more peppy side of the album, you could single out Coulda Woulda Shoulda, Reveal and One Heart that promise music for all parts of the day. There’s excellent guitar and piano work on some of the tracks, but it could take you a good few listens before you can tell the songs apart and get into it. Celine brings a sly sophistication to standards like Have you ever been in love and I know what love is the latter having slick piano work with deft harmonic touches that never disrupt the flow, but alert the ear that something is going on underneath the suave soloing.

With Celine Dion you can definitely relate to her powerful, soaring and at times calm vocals. Celine is timeless. The mood on the album is soothing and relaxing. Every song on this album has its charm. Probably limited in its appeal, but surely interesting. As far as the songwriting goes, there’s hardly any room to complain.

This all original program, balances ballads of concise and glowing sentiment with quick  - silver melodies. A fairly good purchase especially for her vocals.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira